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America's Most Promising Jobs

Systems engineer rated best job, based on pay, growth, quality of life

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 11, 2009 5:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Jobs like beer taster and video game tester are nowhere to be seen on CNNMoney's list of the 50 best jobs in America, ranked by pay, job growth, and quality of life. Systems engineer was rated the best overall job, while anesthesiologist—with a median pay of $292,000—topped the high pay list. Telecommunications network engineers can expect the greatest job growth over the next decade, while education/training consultants were judged to have the best quality of life.

Also in the top 5:

  • Physician assistant—These "MD lites" get the job satisfaction that comes with treating patients, minus the paperwork hassles
  • College professor—The starting pay is pretty low, but the freedom is almost unrivaled and there are usually positions available, even during recessions.
  • Nurse practitioner—The growth in clinics and a shortage of doctors means many opportunities for nurse practitioners, who can diagnose and treat many ailments as well as performing nursing tasks.
  • IT project manager—"Just about all companies need tech-savvy people who are great managers," says one Houston recruiter, and the best often become chief technology officers, where salaries can hit  $300,000.
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Click the link below for the full list.

A system engineer checks screens showing a gas pipeline system.
A system engineer checks screens showing a gas pipeline system.   (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)
Sequence system engineer Maria Schellpfeffer looks at a landing orientation monitor at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
Sequence system engineer Maria Schellpfeffer looks at a landing orientation monitor at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.   (AP Photo/Lawrence K. Ho/Pool)
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Demand is soaring for systems engineers, as what was once a niche job in the aerospace and defense industries becomes commonplace among a diverse and expanding universe of employers. - CNNMoney

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Snarfeh
Oct 13, 2009 4:13 AM CDT
It takes my breath away to even imagine what this country would be like right now if we spent $663 billion on education and health care instead of how to kill other people.
Jes
Oct 12, 2009 2:30 AM CDT
Hm. You know, as much as I was an art geek in high school, and as much as I love writing, this makes me pretty satisfied with my career goal of becoming a CRNA. XD
Fondue
Oct 11, 2009 11:25 AM CDT
divetrader, we could split it by thirds and still have the largest military. No reason to do away with it.

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