The list below reflects the top 25 fastest-growing occupations followed by the projected number of those employed in each occupation in 2016 and the percentage change of employment in the time period of 2006-2016 . Note, these are the occupations that are projected to grow the fastest (not with the most openings/sheer volume).

So, for example, while retail sales persons are projected to have the most job openings between 2006-2016, this occupation is not projected to grow as quickly as the occupations on the list below. Here are the top 25 fastest-growing occupations:

1. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts (401,600) 53%
2. Personal and Home Care Aides (1,155,800) 51%
3. Home Health Aides (1,170,900) 49%
4. Computer Software Engineers, Applications (732,500) 45%
5. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (100,400) 41%
6. Personal Financial Advisors (284,400) 41%
7. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (3,000) 40%
8. Medical Assistants (564,600) 35%
9. Veterinarians (84,000) 35%
10. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors (112,000) 34%
11. Skin Care Specialists (51,300) 34%
12. Financial Analysts (295,200) 34%
13. Social and Human Service Assistants (452,600) 34%
14. Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators (11,600) 34%
15. Physical Therapist Assistants (79,800) 32%
16. Pharmacy Technicians (376,400) 32%
17. Forensic Science Technicians (17,100) 31%
18. Dental Hygienists (217,200) 30%
19. Mental Health Counselors (129,000) 30%
20. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (158,800) 30%
21. Marriage and Family Therapists (32,100) 30%
22. Dental Assistants (361,500) 29%
23. Computer Systems Analysts (649,600) 29%
24. Database Administrators (153,500) 29%
25. Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software (448,700) 28%

America’s Career InfoNet (www.acinet.org/acinet) provides data from a variety of federal and state sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) at the U.S. Department of Labor.