The Year's 10 Best Jobs

Trying to decide on a career direction? US News & World Report is offering a list of the year's 100 best jobs—where "best" means good opportunities, good pay, job security, and decent work-life balance. Computer- and health-related work comes out on top:

1. Software developer: The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects nearly 140,000 new jobs for these OS creators, database builders, and game makers between 2012 and 2022.
2. Computer systems analyst: These folks know software and hardware, allowing them to recommend setups for firms. Opportunities are expected to grow by 127,700 in the same period.
3. Dentist: Apparently being one is better than visiting one: Another 23,300 jobs for dentists are due by 2022.
4. Nurse practitioner: They can work without doctors, and available jobs are supposed to grow by 37,100.

5. Pharmacist: These prescription drug experts can expect their ranks to grow by 41,400 in the same period.
6. Registered nurse: They're always in demand, with 526,800 new jobs forecast.
7. Physical therapist: Working to rehabilitate those with a range of ailments, they should see 73,500 new positions.
8. Physician: Expect another 123,300 jobs for doctors by 2022.
9. Web developer: Responsible for what you're seeing right now, they'll see 28,500 more opportunities.
10. Dental hygienist: They don't just clean teeth—they advise patients, US News notes. And there will be 64,200 more jobs available to them by 2022.

Click for the full list. (More jobs stories.)