Benefits, salaries, work environment, and advancement opportunities are just a few of the factors involved in deciding which careers are the best overall. Some professionals may place pay higher on the list than flexibility, while others my a comfortable work environment over monetary benefits. MONEY Magazine along with Salary.com and JIST publishers based the top ten careers list below on all of these factors combined, along with responses from roughly 26,000 subjects.

The top ten careers have several things in common: they all offer top salaries, no less than 20 percent job growth for the 2008-2018 decade, and they require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Continue reading to find out which careers made the cut and how you can find out more about each one.

Job Title: Physician Assistant
Job Growth: 49.6%
Average Salary: $77,395 per year
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field

What They Do: Physician assistants provide health-care services, typically performed by a physician. Physician assistant’s work under the direct supervision of physicians. Job duties include providing complete physicals, treatment , and counseling for patients. In some cases, physician assistants prescribe medication.

Computer Software Engineer
Job Growth: 44.6%
Average Salary: $87,250 per year
Level of Education: Master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or mathematics preferred; bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or mathematics is the minimum requirement for entry into this field.

What They Do: Computer software engineers (systems software) research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software. These professionals work with medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications.

Job Title: Computer/IT Analyst
Job Growth: 36.1%
Average Salary: $89,070
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree computer science, information science, applied mathematics, engineering, or the physical sciences. For more complex positions, a master's degree in any the areas listed above is required. Jobs in business environments require a bachelor's degree or higher in management information systems (MIS) or preferably, a master's degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in information systems.

What They Do: Computer/IT analysts design and develop computer systems, coordinate and link computer systems, investigate and implement solutions to IT issues within organizations, modify and update systems, consult, communicate with clients, and supervise staff.

College Professor
Job Growth: 31.39%
Average Salary: $108,749 per year
Level of Education: Ph.D. in education or a specific discipline

What They Do: College professors instruct in a variety of subjects beyond high school level. They form lesson plans, present material to students, evaluate students’ progress, and respond to students ’learning needs. College professors also conduct research, lecture, keep abreast of developments in their field, and consult with businesses, community organizations, nonprofits, and government departments.

Job Title: Psychologist (Industrial-Organizational)
Job Growth: 26%
Average Salary: $77,010 per year
Education Level: Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

What They Do: Apply principles of psychology to personnel, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Daily activities may include policy planning, employee screening, training, and development, and organizational development and analysis.

Financial Adviser
Job Growth: 25.92%
Average Salary: $100,859 per year
Education Level: MBA or master’s in finance preferred; minimum requirement - bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business, mathematics, or law.

What They Do: Financial advisers assess the financial needs of businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals. They assist with tax laws, investments, and insurance decisions.

Job Title: Market Research Analyst
Job Growth: 25%
Average Salary: $58,820 per year
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree in marketing research or business with a focus in marketing research.

What They Do: Research market conditions in local regional, or national areas or determine potential sales of a product or service.

Job Title: Pharmacist
Job Growth: 24.57%
Average Salary: $106,410 per year
Education Level: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy.

What They Do: Pharmacists compound and dispense medications based on directions issued by physicians and other authorized medical practitioners as well as dentists. They review prescriptions to assure accuracy and they provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.

Human Resources Manager
Job Growth: 23.47%
Salary: $145,600+ per year
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree or higher in human resources, human resources administration, or industrial and labor relations.

What They Do: Human resource managers recruit, hire, and retain employees for businesses, companies, and organizations. They manage benefits packages, schedule vacation time, and help enhance morale and productivity.

Job Title: Real Estate Appraiser
Job Growth: 22.78%
Average Salary: $47,370 per year
Education Level: Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, mathematics, business, or real estate law.

What They Do: Appraise real property to determine its value for purchase, sales, investment, mortgage, or loan purposes.

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