Careers for Mid-Career Job Changers and Seniors
Welcome to the new career and education section of Workforce50.com. Many boomers and seniors reach a time when they consider a career or job change. The reasons people pursue a change at this time in life are numerous and often personal. Our 50+ readers who are thinking about job transition can use the career data and education links here to assist their searches.
Browse the occupation data by general field of interest or specific job title, average salary in the U.S., and the forecasted growth rate of the job. To explore a job and local training opportunities further, simply click on the title to view more detailed job data in a nearby major metropolitan area. Then peruse the lists of both campus-based and online schools that provide training for that job. Click on the title of the school to learn more and request information about a specific training program.
Careers listed here may be appropriate for those seeking a job change. Click a career name to view our job data for that occupation in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. Unless otherwise noted, data is as of 2006 and will be updated annually.
Allied Health
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Techs | $42,300 | 45,000 | 26% | 25% |
| Dental Assistants | $30,220 | 280,000 | 29% | 9% |
| Dental Hygienists | $62,800 | 167,000 | 30% | 33% |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $32,580 | 53,000 | 4% | 12% |
| Dietetic Technicians | $24,040 | 25,000 | 15% | 16% |
| Dietitians And Nutritionists | $46,980 | 57,000 | 9% | 72% |
| Home Health Aides | $19,420 | 787,000 | 49% | 7% |
| Medical Assistants | $26,290 | 417,000 | 35% | 10% |
| Medical Lab Technicians | $32,840 | 151,000 | 15% | 51% |
| Medical Lab Technologists | $49,700 | 167,000 | 12% | 51% |
| Pharmacy Aides | $19,440 | 50,000 | -10% | 10% |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $25,630 | 285,000 | 32% | 16% |
| Radiation Therapists | $66,170 | 15,000 | 25% | 42% |
| Radiologic Tech | $48,170 | 196,000 | 15% | 25% |
| Respiratory Therapists | $47,420 | 102,000 | 23% | 28% |
| Respiratory Therapy Technicians | $39,120 | 19,000 | 1% | 16% |
| Sonographers | $57,160 | 46,000 | 19% | 25% |
| Surgical Technologists | $36,080 | 86,000 | 25% | 16% |
Arts And Entertainment
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Operators | $40,060 | 27,000 | 12% | 58% |
| Film And Video Editors | $46,670 | 21,000 | 13% | 58% |
| Multimedia Artists | $51,350 | 87,000 | 26% | 58% |
| Photographers | $26,170 | 122,000 | 10% | 46% |
Business
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants And Auditors | $54,630 | 1,274,000 | 18% | 79% |
| Bookkeeping And Accounting Clerks | $30,560 | 2,114,000 | 13% | 16% |
| Budget Analysts | $61,430 | 62,000 | 7% | 78% |
| Credit Analysts | $52,350 | 67,000 | 2% | 60% |
| Health Services Managers | $73,340 | 262,000 | 16% | 57% |
| Human Resources Managers | $88,510 | 58,000 | 11% | 58% |
Community And Social Services
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clergy | $39,680 | 404,000 | 19% | 75% |
| Human Service Assistants | $25,580 | 339,000 | 34% | 58% |
| Mental Health Counselors | $34,380 | 100,000 | 30% | 73% |
Culinary
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakers | $22,030 | 149,000 | 10% | 8% |
| Chefs | $34,370 | 115,000 | 8% | 14% |
| Restaurant Cooks | $20,340 | 850,000 | 12% | 5% |
| Short Order Cooks | $17,880 | 195,000 | 5% | 5% |
Design
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Designers | $62,610 | 20,000 | 5% | 55% |
| Floral Designers | $21,700 | 87,000 | -8% | 55% |
| Graphic Designers | $39,900 | 261,000 | 10% | 55% |
| Interior Designers | $42,260 | 72,000 | 20% | 55% |
| Merchandise Displayers | $23,820 | 87,000 | 11% | 55% |
Education
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary And Secondary School Administrators | $77,740 | 226,000 | 8% | 78% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $45,570 | 1,540,000 | 14% | 95% |
| Middle School Special Education Teachers | $47,650 | 102,000 | 16% | 87% |
| Middle School Teachers | $46,300 | 658,000 | 11% | 95% |
| Middle School Vocational Teachers | $44,240 | 16,000 | -4% | 95% |
| Postsecondary Administrators | $73,990 | 131,000 | 14% | 78% |
| Preschool Teachers | $22,680 | 437,000 | 26% | 43% |
| Secondary School Special Education Teachers | $48,330 | 138,000 | 9% | 87% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $47,740 | 1,038,000 | 6% | 96% |
| Secondary School Vocational Teachers | $48,690 | 96,000 | -4% | 96% |
| Teacher Assistants | $20,740 | 1,312,000 | 10% | 18% |
Hospitality And Travel
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging Managers | $42,320 | 71,000 | 12% | 45% |
| Travel Agents | $29,210 | 101,000 | 1% | 26% |
Installation And Repair
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC Mechanics And Installers | $37,660 | 292,000 | 9% | 3% |
| Home Appliance Repairers | $33,860 | 57,000 | 2% | 7% |
| Industrial Electrical Repairers | $45,180 | 80,000 | 7% | 0% |
| Locksmiths And Safe Repairers | $32,020 | 26,000 | 22% | 0% |
Legal
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Court Reporters | $45,610 | 19,000 | 25% | 38% |
| Legal Secretaries | $38,190 | 275,000 | 12% | 18% |
| Paralegals And Legal Assistants | $43,040 | 238,000 | 22% | 45% |
Massage And Physical Therapy
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapists | $33,400 | 118,000 | 20% | 32% |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $22,060 | 46,000 | 24% | 23% |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $41,360 | 60,000 | 32% | 23% |
| Physical Therapists | $66,200 | 173,000 | 27% | 89% |
Mechanic
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics | $47,740 | 122,000 | 11% | 11% |
| Automotive Body Repairers | $35,180 | 183,000 | 12% | 3% |
| Automotive Mechanics | $33,780 | 773,000 | 14% | 4% |
| Bus And Truck Mechanics | $37,660 | 275,000 | 12% | 3% |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics | $40,440 | 131,000 | 12% | 3% |
| Motorboat Mechanics | $33,210 | 24,000 | 19% | 5% |
| Motorcycle Mechanics | $30,050 | 21,000 | 13% | 5% |
| Small Engine Mechanics | $26,910 | 33,000 | 6% | 5% |
Medical Office
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Records And Health Information Technicians | $28,030 | 170,000 | 18% | 12% |
| Medical Secretaries | $28,090 | 408,000 | 17% | 18% |
| Medical Transcriptionists | $29,950 | 98,000 | 14% | 10% |
Nursing
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical And Licensed Vocational Nurses | $36,550 | 749,000 | 14% | 7% |
| Nursing Aides And Attendants | $22,180 | 1,447,000 | 18% | 7% |
| Registered Nurses | $57,280 | 2,505,000 | 24% | 56% |
Office Support
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Secretaries And Administrative Assistants | $37,240 | 1,618,000 | 15% | 18% |
| Insurance Claims And Processing Clerks | $31,120 | 254,000 | 0% | 22% |
| Office Clerks | $23,710 | 3,200,000 | 13% | 19% |
| Secretaries | $27,450 | 1,940,000 | 1% | 18% |
Personal Care
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbers | $23,150 | 60,000 | 1% | 4% |
| Hairdressers And Cosmetologists | $21,320 | 617,000 | 12% | 6% |
| Manicurists And Pedicurists | $19,190 | 78,000 | 28% | 10% |
Production
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welders | $31,400 | 409,000 | 5% | 2% |
| Welding Machine Operators | $30,980 | 53,000 | 3% | 2% |
Protective Service
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers And Jailers | $35,760 | 442,000 | 17% | 11% |
| Detectives And Criminal Investigators | $58,260 | 106,000 | 17% | 54% |
Sales
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Sales Agents | $43,870 | 436,000 | 13% | 45% |
| Real Estate Brokers | $60,790 | 131,000 | 11% | 45% |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $39,760 | 432,000 | 11% | 45% |
Science
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foresters | $51,190 | 13,000 | 5% | 86% |
Technician
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical And Electronics Drafters | $46,830 | 35,000 | 4% | 25% |
| Forest And Conservation Technicians | $30,880 | 34,000 | -1% | 46% |
| Mechanical Drafters | $43,700 | 78,000 | 5% | 25% |
| Technical Writers | $58,050 | 49,000 | 20% | 74% |
Transportation
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Truck Drivers | $25,300 | 1,051,000 | 8% | 4% |
Veterinary
| Career | Typical Salary | Num Jobs 2006 | 10-Year Growth Forecast | Pct College Grads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vet Techs | $26,780 | 71,000 | 41% | 16% |
| Veterinary Assistants And Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $19,960 | 75,000 | 16% | 10% |
Career descriptions and education data and trade school and college search tools are © Copyright 2004-2008 Moving Traffic, Inc., the operator of CityTownInfo.com.
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