Best Medical Jobs in 2013

The aging baby boomer generation is having a large impact on the nation’s jobs, which is clearly seen in CareerCast.com’s list of the best jobs in 2013.

Six of the top 10 jobs are related to the health and medical industry, and most of them will be benefiting in the coming years from America’s aging population. CareerCast.com rated jobs based on four general categories:

Environment

Measuring the physical and emotional components of a job.

Income

Computed by adding the estimated mid-level income and the income growth potential.

Outlook

Higher scores went to jobs with promising futures considering: employment growth, income growth potential and unemployment.

Stress

Ranked by considering 11 different job demands that evoke stress, such as travel, deadlines and lives at risk.

Financial planner was also on the list — the profession is needed more as baby boomers reach retirement age and seek assistance preparing for old age, addressing tax and inheritance concerns and budgeting for living expenses.

Here are the best medical jobs in 2013, according to Careercast.com.

(Note: Salary represents the median salary as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Projected job growth is for 2020. The lower the jobs rated score, the better.)

Do you work in one of these jobs? How accurate do you find CareerCast.com’s list?

6. Physical Therapist

Salary: $76,310

Projected job growth: 39%

Jobs rated score: 199

Physical therapists not only provide rehabilitative guidance, but also focus on psychological, emotional and social well being, which will be needed for the aging population. According to a Forbes report, physical therapy is also one of the best-paying jobs for women.

5. Optometrist

Salary: $94,990

Projected job growth: 33%

Jobs rated score: 190

Since vision deteriorates with age and strain, optometrists will see an increase of work as the baby boomer generation ages and begins to retire.

4. Occupational Therapist

Salary: $72,320

Projected job growth: 33%

Jobs rated score: 166

As they focus on helping patients engage in meaningful activities of daily living, this is another job that will prosper with the aging population. According to a Forbes report, occupational therapy is also one of the best-paying jobs for women.

Salary: $68,250

Projected job growth: 38%

Jobs rated score: 161

Ranked best health care job by CareerCast.com, the field is going to grow with positives like very competitive wages and flexible schedules.

2. Audiologist

Salary: $66,660

Projected job growth: 37%

Jobs rated score: 140

Audiologists are expected to be in high demand because of the aging population, particularly as hearing aid technology improves and is in greater demand. Audiologists are also one of the least stressful jobs, according to a CareerCast.com list from January.

1. Biomedical Engineer

Salary median: $81,540

Projected job growth: 62%

Jobs rated score: 133

Biomedical engineers will work closely with physicians, researchers, manufacturers and sales associates and play a large role in health care improvements. Like much of the jobs in the industry, it will have strong growth in job opportunities and compensation in the coming years. Dawn Elliott, biomedical engineering professor at the University of Delaware, told CareerCast.com that the three primary industries hiring biomedical engineers are imaging, pharmaceutical and medical devices.

Do you work in one of these jobs? How accurate do you find CareerCast.com’s list?

3. Dental Hygienist