Occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech pathology are here to stay! Worried about the economy, unemployment etc.? Don’t be. According to US News.com, which compiles a list of the best careers every year based on the Labor Department’s employment projections, you are in the right field. This year PT and OT made the top 10 list and speech pathology was close behind in the #14 spot.
Based on projections healthcare and technology jobs are growing and will continue to. Physical therapy, which was in the number 8 spot ranked high for job satisfaction, was above the average in the U.S. for pay and far below the national average for unemployment.
According to the article, “There should be a nearly 40-percent increase in available positions by 2020,” in physical therapy. “Since physical therapists often see patients overcoming adversity: Injured athletes, amputees, and stroke victims might all find themselves working with these professionals to rebuild their range of motion, coordination, and muscle strength. This profession graces our top 10 not only because of its comfortable salary and good job prospects, but because it’s also one of the faster-growing occupations of the next decade.” – US News.com
Occupational therapylanded the 10th spot as one of the fastest growing occupations this decade. This is due to the large scope of issues treated in this exhaustive field of therapy and the aging population. However, it’s noted “to land one of the 36,400 positions available before 2020, you’ll have needed a head start. Certified therapists must earn at least a master’s degree from an accredited university.”
Speech-language pathologist landed in the 14th spot. The growth of the occupation isn’t quite as strong as PTs and OTs, however satisfaction level is still very good and the average unemployment rate is well below the national average.
Want to learn more about the best jobs for 2012 and how your occupation fits in to the survey? Check it out “The Best Jobs of 2012.”
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