7 Fast Growing Career Paths You Should Consider ...

1. Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist performs many of the same duties that a dentist does. Typically, they x-ray and clean teeth, and provide patients with other preventative procedures. Even though it does vary by state, most dental hygienists are required to have a two-year degree in dental hygiene and be licensed in the state where they practice. The need for dental hygienists is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years due to the increased number of people who seek routine dental care. With an expected growth rate of 33% over the next 8 years, it's easy to see why a career in dental hygiene is currently among these many fast growing career paths.

2. Veterinarian

Do you love animals? If so, perhaps becoming a veterinarian would be a good career choice for you. This career path is expected to grow by about 27% over the next few years. To become a veterinarian you will be required to have a 4 year degree from an accredited college. Once you have graduated you must then achieve a doctoral degree, which takes about 4 more years to complete. I know that may sound like a lot of schooling, but many current veterinarians feel that it's worth it. The average salary in the United States for this career choice is $80,000/year.

3. Home Health Aid

If you're looking for a career path that doesn't require any amount of education, becoming a home health aid may be a good option for you. Home health aids work in settings where they take care of people who aren't able to care for themselves. This could include people who are both disabled and chronically ill. Even though a high school degree is not required, you do have to complete some training to do this job. But any training that is required is provided by the employer and you're not responsible for any training fees. Currently, the average yearly salary for a home health aid is around $20,000 in the United States. Over the next few years, this profession is expected to increase by about 48%.

4. Manicurist and Pedicurist

I think that being a manicurist and pedicurist would be such a fun job. Over the next couple of years, the number of people doing this job is expected to grow by about 27%. Most states require that you graduate from a board certified cosmetology school before working. When you first start out, you can expect to make around $20,000/year. This amount could be more if you work for yourself instead of at a salon.

5. Occupational Therapist Assistant

An occupation therapist assistant is someone who helps patients recover from injuries and learn or improve the skills needed to fully function in daily life. Most of them work in doctors' offices, hospitals, and nursing homes. Currently, the average salary for this job is $48,000/year. In order to perform the duties required, you will need to have an associate degree in occupational therapy. The need for this position is expected to increase by 41% over the next 8 years.

6. Interpreter

I have always wanted to become fluent in another language. I think that it's truly amazing that so many people are able to do this. If you're currently fluent in a foreign language or would like to learn one, you should consider becoming an interpreter. Most of these professionals work in hospitals and schools. Some of them are even able to work from home. The average salary for this job is $45,000/year.

7. Environmental Engineer

Most fields of engineering are expected to grow rapidly over the next few years. Environmental Engineering is a career path that is expected to grow by about 30%. As an Environmental Engineer, you will perform a variety of duties such as air quality monitoring as well as attempting to find news ways to improve the health of the public. If you're interested in becoming an Environmental Engineer, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a similar field. The average salary for this position in the United States is currently around $80,000/year.

Thinking about starting a new career can be very exciting. Have you been thinking about changing career paths? What professions are you considering?

Sources: bls.gov, money.usnews.com, forbes.com