100 Fastest Growing Jobs In New Jersey In 2017: Where They Are

Yes, economic growth in New Jersey has been slower than other places. But there's still plenty of growth, and still plenty of opportunities for work.

Zippia, the career expert website that provides job counseling, has published New Jersey's Fastest Growing Jobs for 2017, analyzing Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics data for jobs in New Jersey with more than 1,000 workers (see list below).

"Since we just rang in the New Year, we thought research on job trends in New Jersey for 2017 might be newsworthy," said Kristy Crane, public relations manager for Zippia.

The Garden State used to be about industrial manufacturing and agricultural. But the state has been moving closer to an economy based on financial, medical and technological industries.

Below is the list of jobs - click on the occupation to find out where they are available in New Jersey. The list includes their growth percentages over the past year, their average wages and the number of jobs estimated to be available in each profession in 2024:

1. Home Health Aides 44.97% $23,020 51,000
2. Operations Research Analysts 36.28% $101,490 2,930
3. Physical Therapist Assistants 35.94% $62,490 1,740
4. Physical Therapist Aides 31.18% $26,870 4,880
5. Physical Therapists 29.44% $95,150 9,760
6. Nurse Practitioners 28.18% $111,090 4,230
7. Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians 26.92% $25,910 1,650
8. Physician Assistants 26.09% $109,310 2,320
9. Occupational Therapists 22.87% $89,960 4,620
10. Helpers–Electricians 22.73% $30,350 1,620
11. Optometrists 22.22% $114,620 1,210
12. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 22.17% $73,760 2,480
13. Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other All Other 21.84% $49,790 3,570
14. MMassage Therapists 21.82% $44,290 8,710
15. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians 21.74% $71,210 1,120
16. Opticians, Dispensing 21.68% $50,860 1,740
17. Phlebotomists 20.7% $36,000 5,890
18. Brickmasons and Blockmasons 20.63% $60,660 2,280
19. Web Developers 20.28% $70,070 3,440
20. Personal Care Aides 20.2% $28,080 12,140
21. Cooks, Restaurant 19.62% $30,060 21,340
22. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics 19.5% $35,370 9,560
23. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers 18.75% $48,590 3,040
24. Electricians 18.53% $68,930 16,120
25. Food Servers, Non-restaurant 18.14% $23,810 14,000
26. Software Developers, Applications 17.86% $99,320 44,880
27. Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other 17.81% $81,510 2,580
28. Roofers 17.54% $56,020 2,680
29. Mental Health Counselors 17.49% $51,360 5,710
30. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers 17.45% $57,690 12,720
31. Medical Assistants 17.37% $34,340 18,510
32. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 17.13% $75,010 17,710
33. Computer Systems Analysts 17.0% $98,640 18,170
34. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers 16.9% $56,920 2,490
35. Amusement and Recreation Attendants 16.71% $20,810 9,290
36. Industrial Machinery Mechanics 16.67% $54,970 7,700
37. Food Processing Workers, All Other 16.67% $24,340 1,050
38. Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors 16.62% $51,130 16,070
39. Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food 16.26% $21,730 67,860
40. Anesthesiologists 15.69% (salary NA) 1,770
41. Healthcare Support Workers, All Other 15.61% $38,100 6,960
42. First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 15.54% $40,080 23,870
43. Skincare Specialists 15.34% $39,640 1,880
44. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 15.27% $34,400 3,170
45. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 15.25% $48,380 3,250
46. Nursing Assistants 15.18% $28,310 62,840
47. Computer Programmers 15.13% $91,310 19,860
48. Healthcare Social Workers 15.13% $59,930 3,880
49. Surgeons 14.97% $270,790 2,150
50. Bartenders 14.88% $25,740 18,450
51. Cargo and Freight Agents 14.88% $44,900 2,470
52. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 14.71% $66,590 2,730
53. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 14.61% $53,300 18,510
54. Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 14.57% $89,220 1,730
55. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 14.56% $67,930 10,620
56. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 14.52% $108,740 2,760
57. Environmental Engineers 14.29% $91,080 2,080
58. Speech-Language Pathologists 14.15% $84,840 6,210
59. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists 14.15% $54,340 8,150
60. Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders 14.07% $55,050 1,540
61. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 13.71% $27,880 95,350
62. Self-Enrichment Education Teachers 13.52% $54,060 16,630
63. Surgical Technologists 13.45% $49,530 2,530
64. Chefs and Head Cooks 13.38% $58,200 4,490
65. Actuaries 13.33% $114,540 1,360
66. Registered Nurses 13.22% $79,840 92,130
67. Helpers–Carpenters 13.21% $27,440 1,200
68. Dietitians and Nutritionists 13.06% $65,430 2,510
69. Flight Attendants 13.0% $43,590 3,390
70. Recreation Workers 12.8% $26,610 15,070
71. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 12.78% $67,910 5,470
72. Maintenance Workers, Machinery 12.73% $44,030 1,240
73. Computer User Support Specialists 12.65% $58,070 16,390
74. Material Moving Workers, All Other 12.57% $35,670 1,880
75. Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists 12.41% $90,520 6,250
76. Nonfarm Animal Caretakers 12.33% $24,970 6,470
77. Medical Secretaries 12.26% $40,930 15,660
78. Food Preparation Workers 12.2% $22,540 31,170
79. Bakers 12.07% $27,780 5,570
80. Community Health Workers 12.0% $43,420 1,120
81. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators 11.97% $35,520 17,680
82. Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 11.89% $95,630 2,070
83. Machine Feeders and Offbearers 11.86% $25,230 4,150
84. Billing and Posting Clerks 11.77% $39,770 23,170
85. Biochemists and Biophysicists 11.62% $113,340 4,130
86. Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers 11.61% $36,050 30,280
87. Manicurists and Pedicurists 11.57% $26,980 10,700
88. Shampooers 11.57% $19,970 3,760
89. Receptionists and Information Clerks 11.56% $30,360 58,100
90. Driver/Sales Workers 11.56% $33,810 9,360
91. Dental Assistants 11.55% $40,000 10,430
92. Barbers 11.54% $24,200 1,450
93. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 11.48% $86,790 2,040
94. Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop 11.48% $19,840 25,340
95. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists 11.42% $35,390 29,460
96. Dental Hygienists 11.38% $82,720 7,340
97. Social and Human Service Assistants 11.25% $36,280 22,250
98. Tile and Marble Setters 11.18% $51,250 1,690
99. Respiratory Therapists 11.11% $71,160 3,700
100. Medical Equipment Preparers 11.0% $35,810 2,320

Patch file photo