With our national unemployment rate down to 5.6 percent, job prospects are looking rosier than they have for some time. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that December 2014 saw growth in a number of areas tied to the insurance industry, including professional and business services and healthcare. Better still, it is expected that these will continue to be growth areas in 2015.
Hot on the heels of the most recent jobs report, U.S. News & World Report released their annual review of the best jobs for the year ahead. They start with the data: Which jobs are projected to have the greatest hiring demand from 2012 to 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics? The top jobs from this list are then selected for ranking in seven other areas: 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, job prospects, employment rate, stress level and work-life balance. These factors contribute to a single weighted average score between 0 and 5, and the final list is born.
In the business world, noteworthy positions ranged from support roles to people who sell, perform data analysis, and execute high-level planning and strategy. Insurance agent, ranked No. 12 on last year’s list, moved up several spots, due to steady projected job growth and above average work-life balance. Where are insurance agents happiest? It may be in cities where they make the most: Bloomington, Illinois; Lake County, Illinois; and Framingham, Massachusetts.
Continue reading for the full list of best business jobs.
25. Receptionist
Number of jobs: 135,900
Median salary: $26,410
Unemployment rate: 9.7 percent
24. Office clerk
Number of jobs: 184,100
Median salary: $28,050
Unemployment rate: 8.6 percent
23. Bill collector
Number of jobs: 58,200
Median salary: $32,920
Unemployment rate: 12.6 percent
22. Customer service representative
Number of jobs: 238,700
Median salary: $30,870
Unemployment rate: 8.1 percent
21. Executive assistant
Number of jobs: -10,500
Median salary: $49,290
Unemployment rate: 5.9 percent
20. Compliance officer
Number of jobs: 11,000
Median salary: $64,340
Unemployment rate: 4.3 percent
19. Real estate agent
Number of jobs: 38,000
Median salary: $39,800
Unemployment rate: 3.9 percent
18. Financial manager
Number of jobs: 46,300
Median salary: $112,700
Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent
17. Management analyst
Number of jobsL 133,800
Median salary: $79,870
Unemployment rate: 4.7 percent
16. Financial analyst
Number of jobs: 39,300
Median salary: $78,380
Unemployment rate: 3.3 percent
15. Sales representative
Number of jobs: 132,000
Median salary: $54,410
Unemployment rate: 3.6 percent
14. Administrative assistant
Number of jobs: 307,800
Median salary: $32,840
Unemployment rate: 5.9 percent
13. Sales manager
Number of jobs: 40,100
Median salary: $108,540
Unemployment rate: 3.9 percent
12. Meeting, convention and event planner
Number of jobs: 31,300
Median salary: $46,260
Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent
11. HR specialist
Number of jobs: 35,400
Median salary: $56,850
Unemployment rate: 7.1 percent
10. Business operations manager
Number of jobs: 244,100
Median salary: $96,430
Unemployment rate: 4.4 percent
9. Loan officer
Number of jobs: 22,900
Median salary: $61,420
Unemployment rate: 5.4 percent
8. Bookkeeping, accounting and audit clerk
Number of jobs: 204,600
Median salary: $35,730
Unemployment rate: 4.4 percent
7. Insurance agent
Number of jobs: 45,900
Median salary: $48,210
Unemployment rate: 3.4 percent
6. Logistician
Number of jobs: 27,600
Median salary: $73,400
Unemployment rate: 1.4 percent
5. Financial advisor
Number of jobs: 60,300
Median salary: $75,320
Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent
4. Operations research analyst
Number of jobs: 19,500
Median salary: $74,630
Unemployment rate: 3.0 percent
3. Accountant
Number of jobs: 166,700
Median salary: $65,080
Unemployment rate: 3.6 percent
2. Marketing manager
Number of jobs: 22,900
Median salary: $123,220
Unemployment rate: 3.9 percent
1. Market research analyst
Number of jobs: 131,500
Median salary: $60,800
Unemployment rate: 3.0 percent
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