Continue Your Job Search at the U. S. Department of Labor Online

• Author: Jessica Williams
• Posted: 2024-02-21

The United States Department of Labor lists the fastest growing occupations for the fourth quarter of 2020. The Department of Labor website tells you the education and the amount of training required for every possible job in the United States. Additionally, you can research annual salaries by location, training, and expertise. Research your interests to find multiple career paths, salary increases, and possibilities for advancement.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook summarizes jobs, education and training required, salary range, number of positions available, and the typical work environment. Conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy creates endless job and career opportunities for technicians, engineers, and sales representatives. A relatively new field, renewable energy includes wind, solar, and natural gas positions. Solar panel installers earn above $20 per hour with a high school diploma and on the job training.

Electricians of the Future

Electricians that install and service wind turbines are paid more than $50,000 annually with extra pay for hazardous duties. Hazardous duty includes climbing high wind turbines or working in adverse weather conditions. Electricians can begin with an associate's or four year degree or as an apprentice on the job. Technical instruction to become an electrician includes electrical theory and circuitry, safety, blueprints, soldering, fire alarms, and communications. Electricians complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and must pass an examination for state and local licensure.

Jobs for Creative Individuals

If you'd like a salary with benefits to further develop your creativity, the Department of Labor recommends that you become a:

• Cosmetologist: Cosmetologists, including beauticians, hair stylists, and nail artists, may earn $30,000 annually.


• Graphic artist: Graphic designers can command $400 fees for a single book cover while homeschooling their children.


• Musician: Musicians and singers often receive $30 per hour for their services. Practicing multiple instruments may increase your likelihood of finding employment.


• Writer: Writers of creative content, blog posts, and webpages can earn $62,000 annually working from home. A college degree and experience is required.


• Draftsman: Architectural design and drafting can pay $50,000 per year. You may be able to secure a position with a civil engineer or architect.

Critically Need Skills

If you have a degree in mathematics, chemistry, languages, or special education, you're qualified to teach, write, research, and design business systems. College graduates with a degree in mathematics can become actuaries, analysts, teachers, and statisticians. A college graduate with a math degree earns an average of $80.000 per year. A business consultant with a degree in mathematics and additional technical training is well prepared for a career as systems analyst. Working on long and short-term contracts pays $70 to $90 per hour with overtime and may even give you time off from work between contracts.

Cybersecurity Engineers and Technicians

An associate's or bachelor's degree in computer science may include a certificate in cybersecurity, video game development, information systems, computer and network technology, or full web design. You can get a cybersecurity certificate in four months after passing a certification examination. You'll be paid commensurate with your education and work experience. Your employer's tuition assistance program can pay for your masters' degree or doctorate in cybersecurity or a related field in information technology.

Medical and Healthcare Assistants

You may be surprised to learn that dental hygienists earn $75,000 annually, and dental assistants can earn $40,000 per year with a high school diploma and a few months of training. Practical and vocational nurses earn $50,000 per year, and medical secretaries can earn $40,000 annually. Registered nurses earn up to $75,000 per year.

Return to School

Business Consultants earn $200,000 or $400,000 per year by diversifying, working in more than one field concurrently. A masters degree in business management gets you a pay increase and helps you develop business applications for multiple industries. A juris doctorate makes you a better accountant. A masters' degree with a certificate enables you to take a national certification examination to become a professional counselor.

The United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook contains the ideal education, job, or career path for you. Follow your interests to qualify for an entirely different career path. If you always liked to draw, discover Microsoft 3D paint to become an illustrator or graphic designer. If you have a college degree, you can find your own niche tutoring children who temporarily do not have access to a free public education.