The 10 Best Jobs for Women

A dramatic societal shift has been taking place in the United States over the course of 50 years that has not only changed how we view men’s and women’s role in our culture  but forged new identities and relationships in the workplaces.

That’s because the percentage of women in the workforce has been climbing steadily, and today they make up almost half of American workers (49.9% ). They hold some of the top spots in the biggest companies in America including, Facebook, Yahoo, HP, IBM and PepsiCo.

A Better Career for Woman = Getting an Advanced Degree

The are also earning degrees at a rate of higher rate than men.

• 10.6 million in the U.S. who earned a master’s degree or higher were women, compared to 10.5 million men.
• Women earned 1.5 more bachelor’s degrees.

According to a recent survey from jobs expert Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., the author of Best Jobs for the 21st Century, healthcare careers for women – registered nurses, pharmacists and dieticians, psychologists, etc. – are among the highest in terms of overall satisfaction.

As recently reported by Forbes, the study is based on the National Survey of College Graduates, the highest median annual earnings as of 2011, strong projected growth through 2020 and the largest number of total annual openings, as tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Top Job #1: Diagnosing Doctors (Dentists, Optometrists, Physicians)

Overall satisfaction levels: 60%
Median annual salary: $121,000
Growth through 2020: 27%
Average annual openings: 79,000

>> Learn more careers in the healthcare & medical industry

Top Job #2: Health Professionals (e.g. Registered Nurses, Pharmacists, Dieticians)

Overall satisfaction levels: 52%
Median annual salary: $70,000
Growth through 2020: 26%
Average annual openings: 141,000

>> Discover in-depth information on nursing degrees

Top Job #3: Clinical Scientists

Overall satisfaction levels: 56%
Median annual salary: $76,000
Growth through 2020: 36%
Average annual openings: 4,000

Top Job #4: Lawyers and Judges

Overall satisfaction levels: 55%
Median annual salary: $112,000
Growth through 2020: 10%
Average annual openings: 23,000

>> Discover more careers in the criminal justice & legal industry

Top Job #5:  Actuaries

Overall satisfaction levels: 56%
Median annual salary: $91,000
Growth through 2020: 27%
Average annual openings: 2,000

Top Job #6: Petroleum Engineers

Overall satisfaction level: 52%
Median annual salary: $122,000
Growth through 2020: 17%
Average annual openings: 1,000

Top Job #7:  Psychologists

Overall satisfaction level: 56%
Median annual salary: $70,000
Growth through 2020: 22%
Average annual openings: 9,000

Top Job #8:  Top-Level Managers

Overall satisfaction level: 64%
Median annual salary: $104,000
Growth through 2020: 5%
Average annual openings: 52,000

Top Job #9:  Counselors

Overall satisfaction level: 52%
Median annual salary: $45,000
Growth through 2020: 26%
Average annual openings: 33,000

Top Job #10. Education Administrators

Overall satisfaction level: 56%
Median annual salary: $81,000
Growth through 2020: 15%
Average annual openings: 21,000

What have been your experiences in today’s workforce? Please let us know in the comment section below.