Psychologist Ranking 1
Median Salary	$84,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments.
Living the Dream	Some psychologists work independently, conducting research or working with patients. Others work as part of a healthcare team, collaborating with physicians and social workers or in school settings, working with students, teachers, parents, and other educ
Reaching the Dream	Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree or specialist degree in psychology, a master’s degree is sufficient for some positions. Practicing psychologists also need a license or certification.

Personal care aides Ranking 2
Median Salary	$19,910 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Personal care aides help clients with self-care and everyday tasks, and provide companionship.
Living the Dream	Personal care aides held about 1.2 million jobs in 2012. They work in a variety of settings, including patients’ homes and larger care communities.
Reaching the Dream	Most personal care aides are trained on the job. There are no formal education requirements for personal care aides, but most aides have a high school diploma.

Home health aides Ranking 3
Median Salary	$20,820 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Home health aides help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They often help older adults who need assistance. In some states, home health aides may be able to give a client medication or check the client’s vital signs under the direction of a nurse or other healthcare practitioner.
Living the Dream	Home health aides held about 875,100 jobs in 2012. They work in a variety of settings.
Reaching the Dream	There are no formal education requirements for home health aides, but most aides have a high school diploma. Home health aides working in certified home health or hospice agencies must get formal training and pass a standardized test.

Insulation workers, mechanical Ranking 4
Median Salary	$39,170 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Insulation workers install and replace the materials used to insulate buildings to help control and maintain the temperatures in buildings.
Living the Dream	Insulation workers generally work indoors in residential and industrial settings. They spend most of their workday standing, bending, or kneeling, often in confined spaces. Small particles from insulation materials, especially when sprayed, can irritate t
Reaching the Dream	Most floor, ceiling, and wall insulation workers learn their trade on the job. Most mechanical insulation workers complete an apprenticeship program.

Interpreters and translators Ranking 5
Median Salary	$45,430 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language; translators work in written language.
Living the Dream	Interpreters work in schools, hospitals, courtrooms, and conference centers. Many translators work from home. Self-employed interpreters and translators frequently have variable work schedules. Most interpreters and translators work full time during regul
Reaching the Dream	Although interpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, the most important requirement is to have native-level fluency in English and at least one other language. Many complete job-specific training programs.

Diagnostic medical sonographers Ranking 6
Median Salary	$65,860 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Associates
Exploring the Dream	Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, operate special imaging equipment to create images or conduct tests. The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. Some technologists assist physicians and surgeons during surgical procedures.
Living the Dream	Most diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, work full time. Most diagnostic imaging workers were employed in hospitals in 2012, while others worked in healthcare settings such as
Reaching the Dream	Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Many employers also require professional certification

Helpers-brickmasons, stonemasons Ranking 7
Median Salary	$28,220 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Construction laborers and helpers perform many basic tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.
Living the Dream	Most construction laborers and helpers work full time and do physically demanding work. Some work at great heights or outdoors in all weather conditions. Construction laborers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses.
Reaching the Dream	Most construction laborers and helpers learn their trade through short-term on-the-job training. There are no specific education requirements.

Occupational therapy assistants Ranking 8
Median Salary	$53,240 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Associates
Exploring the Dream	Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Occupational therapy assistants are directly involved in providing therapy to patients, while occupational therapy aides typically perform support activities. Both assistants and aides work under the direction of occupational therapists.
Living the Dream	Occupational therapy assistants and aides work primarily in occupational therapists’ offices, hospitals, and nursing care facilities. Occupational therapy assistants and aides spend much of their time on their feet setting up equipment and, in the case of
Reaching the Dream	Occupational therapy assistants need an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. In most states, occupational therapy assistants must be licensed. Occupational therapy aides typically have a high school diploma or equi

Genetic counselors Ranking 9
Median Salary	$56,800 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Masters
Exploring the Dream	Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and advice to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Living the Dream	Genetic counselors work in university medical centers, private and public hospitals, physicians’ offices, and diagnostic laboratories. They work with families, patients, and other medical professionals. Most genetic counselors work full time.
Reaching the Dream	Genetic counselors typically need at least a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics. Although most genetic counselors have a master’s degree, some earn a Ph.D.

Physical Therapist assistants Ranking 10
Median Salary	$52,160 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Associates
Exploring the Dream	Physical therapist assistants (sometimes called PTAs) and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who are recovering from injuries and illnesses regain movement and manage pain.
Living the Dream	Most physical therapist assistants and aides work in physical therapists’ offices or in hospitals. Physical therapist assistants and aides are frequently on their feet and moving as they set up equipment and help care for patients.
Reaching the Dream	Most states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. Physical therapist aides generally have a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training.

Physician assistants Ranking 14
Median Salary	$90,930 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Masters
Exploring the Dream	Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on a team under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They are formally educated to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment.
Living the Dream	Physician assistants work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. Most work full time.
Reaching the Dream	Physician assistants must complete an accredited educational program. These programs usually lead to a master’s degree. All states require physician assistants to be licensed.

Information security analyst Ranking 17
Median Salary	$86,170 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increase.
Living the Dream	Most information security analysts work for computer companies, consulting firms, and business and financial companies.
Reaching the Dream	Most information security analysts have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. They also usually need experience in a related occupation.

Medical secretaries Ranking 20
Median Salary	$31,350 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments, and support other staff.
Living the Dream	Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, many are employed in schools, hospitals, governments, and legal and medical offices. Most work full time in office settings. Virtual assistants typically work from a home of
Reaching the Dream	High school graduates with basic office and computer skills usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although most secretaries learn their job in several weeks, many legal and medical secretaries require several months of training to learn industry-spec

Physical Therapists Ranking 21
Median Salary	$79,860 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries.
Living the Dream	Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients.
Reaching the Dream	Physical therapists entering the profession need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.