2015's Best Jobs: What They Pay, Where to Apply in Metro Detroit

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There are so many employment opportunities that defining the “best job” is a little like finding that proverbial needle hidden in the haystack.

But job seekers can agree on some factors – the job pays well, is challenging, offers room for growth and, most important, has openings – that are required before a job can truly be called “the best”, according to a U.S. News & World Report analysis of 2015’s hottest jobs.

The magazine used those factors in its ranking of the 100 best jobs. Health-care and information technology jobs dominated the Top 10. Here they are, along with 2013 median salary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and some new listings from the Patch Jobs Board

1. Dentist: $146,340

• Dentist - West Bloomfield/Southfield, North American Dental Group, West Bloomfield
• Traveling Dentist, PrimeSource Healthcare, Taylor
• Pediatric Dentist, Dentuit, Westland
• General Dentist, Aspen Dental, Clinton Township

2. Nurse Practitioner: $92,670

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Staff Care, Hamtramck
• Family Nurse Practitioner, U.S. Air Force, Pontiac
• Nurse Practitioner (Hematology Oncology), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, U.S. Air Force, Pontiac

3. Software Developer: $92,660

• Embedded Software Development Engineer, Cameron Craig Group, Troy
• Senior Software Engineer, Autodesk, Novi
• Software Developer (entry level), Nexient, Ann Arbor
• Software Developer, J R D Systems, Farmington

4. Physician: $186,850

• Physician (Primary Care), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor
• House Call Doctors Wanted, Mobile Physician Services, Clinton Township
• Internal Medicine Physician, IPC Healthcare, Detroit
• Physician (Echocardiography), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor

5. Dental Hygienist: $71,110 (Often Part-Time)

• Dental Hygienist, North American Dental Group, Warren
• Dental Hygienist, Dental Care Alliance, Saint Clair Shores
• Dental Hygienist, Great Expressions Dental Centers, Troy
• Dental Hygienist, Great Expressions Dental Centers, Brighton

6. Physical Therapist: $81,030

• Physical Therapist, Aureus Medical Group, Troy
• Physical Therapist / Therapy (PT) Permanent, Maxim Reflectx Staffing, Grand Blanc
• Physical Therapist, U.S. Air Force, Pontiac
• PRN Physical Therapist, Usph, Southfield

7. Computer Systems Analyst: $81,190

• Computer Systems Analyst, Epromptus, Southfield
• Computer Systems Analyst, Mando America, Novi
• Embedded System Developer/Analyst, Dechen Consulting Group, Dearborn
• QA Analyst, J R D Systems, Farmington

8. Information Security Analyst: $88,590

• Information Security Analyst Senior, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti
• Sr. Information Security Analyst, Vaco - Detroit, Livonia
• Information Security Risk, FCS Software Solutions, Auburn HIlls
• Information Security Analyst - Relocation to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, Detroit

9. Registered Nurse: $66,220

• Case Management Nurse - Case Manager, American Mobile, Pontiac
• Case Management - Case Management Registered Nurse - Travel Nurse, American Traveler Staffing Professionals, Pontiac
• ER - RN Emergency Room Registered Nurse - Travel Nurse, American Traveler Staffing Professionals, Livonia
• Dialysis Travel RN - Registered Nurse, Quik Travel Staffing, Troy

10. Physician Assistant: $92,970

• Physician Assistant - Full Time, Concentra, Southfield
• Physician Assistant, Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants, Livonia
• Psychiatric Physician’s Assistant / Nurse Practitioner, Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants, Farmington
• Physician Assistant Performing Health Risk Assessments, Sunbelt Staffing, Dearborn

The Patch Jobs Board lists thousands more jobs like these and in other categories, pulling listings from the best search groups and employment agencies.