Where Popular Jobs Pay the Most

Do you see yourself as a caregiver with an inquisitive mind? Pursuing a career as a registered nurse could be your calling.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nurses treat and educate patients about various medical conditions as well as provide emotional support to patients and their families. They also perform and analyze diagnostic tests and help patients with rehabilitation.

If you're wondering whether nursing is a healthy occupation to pursue, consider this: The Department of Labor projects the registered nursing field to grow by 26 percent from 2010 to 2020 as a result of technological advancements and the increased emphasis on preventative care.

Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.

Perhaps you're more of a legal eagle type, but you don't have a desire to chase a law degree and pass the bar. Sounds like the makings of a paralegal.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, paralegals do much of the same work as attorneys. This includes preparing for closing arguments and court hearings, investigating facts, identifying laws and judicial decisions, and performing other legal work. However, they are prevented from giving legal advice.

As far as future job growth goes, paralegal eagles may be soaring, according to the Department of Labor. Because employers are trying to reduce costs, but also increase availability of legal services, paralegal job growth is expected to be much faster than normal, at 18 percent between 2010 and 2020.

Click to Find the Right Paralegal Program.

Does being trapped in a room full of constantly screaming children appeal to you? Just kidding. They only scream most of the time. Seriously, if you love the idea of fostering the intellectual and social development of the next generation, this might be your place to shine.

Teachers, says the U.S. Department of Labor, do more than just lecture and administer tests. They evaluate students' performance, aptitude, and potential. They also use everything from games and music to computers and films to introduce students to core academic subjects. The Department of Labor says that job growth will be about average (17 percent) from 2010 to 2020.

Click to Find the Right Teaching Program.

It's a good bet that you spend a lot of time on computers. But if you often find yourself thinking you could make certain applications better, or design new ones yourself, this might be your field. Software developers design and develop computer software, everything from computer games to office applications.

And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there will be a lot of software needing development. Just how much, you ask? They project that computer software engineering jobs (including both applications and systems software developers) will increase at a rate of 30 percent to add 270,900 jobs, between 2010 and 2020.

Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.

What is the one thing that every business needs to do? Keep track of their money. And that's where accountants and auditors come in. They help businesses, individuals, and governments analyze and communicate financial information, as well as maintain records for tax preparation and other official business.

And they should be in demand, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. It projects that from 2010 to 2020, "demand for thorough financial documentation is expected to increase in response to recent financial crises and subsequent financial regulations." Increase by how much? According to Department of Labor numbers, it'll be 190,700, for a 16 percent growth rate.

Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.

Is your friend count on Facebook rivaled only by your follower count on Twitter? You may be a naturally born public relations specialist.

These are the people who maintain and protect the reputations of individuals, companies, nonprofits, and other entities. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, they handle everything from press releases to political campaigns to company events.

And the job growth projections in this field are trending, according to the Department of Labor, which says growth "will be driven by the need for organizations to maintain their public image in a high-information age and with the growth of social media." Specifically, it calls for 58,200 new jobs at a rate of 23 percent growth from 2010 to 2020.

Click to Find the Right Business Program.