It takes a lot of workers to power the U.S. government. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that as of September 2011, there were 2.8 million federal employees, not including armed services or independent contractors.
In his book "150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future," author Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., shares the fastest-growing secure government jobs. This information comes from the BLS' Occupational Outlook Handbook and is based on occupations with high pay, high growth rates or a large number of openings. If you're considering working for the government but aren't sure what jobs are a fit, here are nine of the fastest-growing and most secure government jobs:
1. Software developers (applications): Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.*
Median salary: $90,530
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 30 percent (much faster than average)
2. Medical scientists (except epidemiologists): Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.
Median salary: $76,700
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 36 percent (much faster than average)
3. Computer network architects: Computer network architects create the internal networks used by all workers within their organizations.
Median salary: $75,660
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 22 percent (faster than average)
4. Financial examiners: Financial examiners ensure compliance with laws governing financial institutions and transactions. They review balance sheets, evaluate the risk level of loans and assess bank management.
Median salary: $74,940
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 27 percent (faster than average)
5. Budget analysts: Budget analysts help public and private institutions organize their finances. They prepare budget reports and monitor institutional spending.
Median salary: $68,200
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 10 percent (about average)
6. Electrical power-line installers and repairers: Line installers and repairers install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.
Median salary: $54,290
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 13 percent (about average)
7. Industrial machinery mechanics: Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery and packaging equipment.
Median salary: $44,160
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 19 percent (about average)
8. Computer and information research scientists: Computer and information research scientists invent and design new technology and find new uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine and other uses.
Median salary: $100,660
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 19 percent (about average)
9. Paralegals and legal assistants: Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research and drafting documents.
Median salary: $46,680
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 18 percent (about average)
Source: careerbuilder
In his book "150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future," author Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., shares the fastest-growing secure government jobs. This information comes from the BLS' Occupational Outlook Handbook and is based on occupations with high pay, high growth rates or a large number of openings. If you're considering working for the government but aren't sure what jobs are a fit, here are nine of the fastest-growing and most secure government jobs:
1. Software developers (applications): Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.*
Median salary: $90,530
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 30 percent (much faster than average)
2. Medical scientists (except epidemiologists): Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.
Median salary: $76,700
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 36 percent (much faster than average)
3. Computer network architects: Computer network architects create the internal networks used by all workers within their organizations.
Median salary: $75,660
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 22 percent (faster than average)
4. Financial examiners: Financial examiners ensure compliance with laws governing financial institutions and transactions. They review balance sheets, evaluate the risk level of loans and assess bank management.
Median salary: $74,940
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 27 percent (faster than average)
5. Budget analysts: Budget analysts help public and private institutions organize their finances. They prepare budget reports and monitor institutional spending.
Median salary: $68,200
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 10 percent (about average)
6. Electrical power-line installers and repairers: Line installers and repairers install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.
Median salary: $54,290
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 13 percent (about average)
7. Industrial machinery mechanics: Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery and packaging equipment.
Median salary: $44,160
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 19 percent (about average)
8. Computer and information research scientists: Computer and information research scientists invent and design new technology and find new uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine and other uses.
Median salary: $100,660
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 19 percent (about average)
9. Paralegals and legal assistants: Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research and drafting documents.
Median salary: $46,680
Projected job growth between 2010-20: 18 percent (about average)
Source: careerbuilder