100 Fastest Growing Jobs In Pennsylvania: Where They Are

Yes, economic growth in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's Fastest Growing Jobs for 2017, analyzing Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics data for jobs in Pennsylvania with more than 1,000 workers (see list below).

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

The Keystone 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 Pennsylvania. 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. Interpreters and Translators 34.75% $50,600 1,900
2. Occupational Therapy Assistants 33.33% $47,170 3,360
3. Physical Therapist Assistants 29.24% $48,010 6,100
4. Nurse Practitioners 28.0% $92,670 5,120
5. Physical Therapist Aides 28.0% $29,460 2,880
6. Operations Research Analysts 27.53% $75,690 3,660
7. Personal Financial Advisors 27.17% $126,970 12,730
8. Home Health Aides 26.41% $22,000 72,840
9. Physical Therapists 25.74% $84,060 13,970
10. Helpers–Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters 24.21% $34,940 1,180
11. Biomedical Engineers 24.04% $75,560 1,290
12. Web Developers 23.64% $62,830 5,700
13. Physician Assistants 22.42% $87,610 6,060
14. Industrial Machinery Mechanics 21.79% $48,900 19,230
15. Occupational Therapists 21.43% $75,930 7,820
16. Personal Care Aides 21.14% $22,160 75,310
17. Computer Systems Analysts 20.81% $86,160 29,030
18. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers 20.62% $70,270 4,680
19. Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic 20.58% $38,040 10,310
20. Millwrights 20.45% $53,450 1,590
21. Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic 20.43% $48,640 1,120
22. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians 20.0% $51,850 3,540
23. Massage Therapists 19.3% $35,780 3,770
24. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 18.85% $64,730 2,900
25. Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other 18.64% $45,070 2,800
26. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 18.31% $34,050 5,040
27. Brickmasons and Blockmasons 18.21% $52,790 4,350
28. Software Developers, Systems Software 18.03% $92,980 18,660
29. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors 17.92% $42,720 10,200
30. Speech-Language Pathologists 17.87% $76,700 5,870
31. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 17.61% $86,560 8,480
32. Helpers–Electricians 17.45% $29,220 1,750
33. Healthcare Social Workers 17.37% $49,270 9,730
34. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 17.2% $67,360 28,340
35. Athletic Trainers 17.16% $43,070 1,570
36. Information Security Analysts 17.0% $86,780 2,890
37. Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians 16.44% $24,420 1,700
38. Survey Researchers 16.31% $54,630 3,280
39. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 16.14% $38,140 12,380
40. Cooks, Restaurant 16.1% $23,780 41,170
41. Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 15.94% $69,200 3,710
42. Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists 15.73% $69,420 8,610
43. Fence Erectors 15.53% $36,950 1,190
44. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers 15.53% $45,840 3,570
45. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors 15.52% $33,500 6,550
46. Marriage and Family Therapists 15.5% $48,260 1,490
47. Dietitians and Nutritionists 15.49% $54,790 4,100
48. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers 15.43% $45,880 6,210
49. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics 15.08% $32,590 15,260
50. Software Developers, Applications 15.05% $93,920 20,790
51. Construction Laborers 15.05% $37,740 50,300
52. Medical Assistants 14.64% $30,590 27,410
53. Optometrists 14.63% $113,530 1,880
54. Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners 14.63% $41,030 1,410
55. Helpers–Carpenters 14.43% $30,040 1,110
56. Community Health Workers 14.4% $40,070 1,430
57. Statisticians 14.35% $76,780 2,470
58. Computer Hardware Engineers 14.29% $88,900 2,800
59. Agricultural Equipment Operators 14.23% $28,280 2,970
60. Opticians, Dispensing 14.11% $37,070 3,640
61. Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other 14.07% $30,100 5,270
62. Registered Nurses 13.97% $67,550 148,240
63. Electricians 13.86% $58,060 26,610
64. Phlebotomists 13.83% $32,470 6,090
65. Dietetic Technicians 13.68% $26,240 1,330
66. Social and Human Service Assistants 13.62% $30,690 27,030
67. Physics Teachers, Postsecondary 13.39% $91,010 1,270
68. Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists 13.32% $43,870 14,630
69. Health Educators 13.07% $60,430 3,200
70. Food Servers, Non-restaurant 13.03% $21,050 15,180
71. Medical Secretaries 13.03% $33,800 24,810
72. Self-Enrichment Education Teachers 12.97% $36,870 15,240
73. Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary 12.96% $84,880 1,830
74. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 12.9% $75,180 2,800
75. Surgical Technologists 12.89% $42,180 3,940
76. Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks 12.83% $22,060 9,320
77. Actuaries 12.66% $115,550 1,780
78. Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs 12.42% $24,090 11,220
79. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 12.41% $43,840 89,240
80. Rehabilitation Counselors 12.31% $38,610 8,670
81. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians 12.28% $38,120 9,050
82. Audio and Video Equipment Technicians 12.23% $41,300 2,570
83. Pipelayers 12.22% $50,370 2,020
84. Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 12.2% $78,110 1,840
85. Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food 12.19% $18,910 150,800
86. Machinists 12.1% $40,840 22,230
87. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 12.09% $42,060 10,850
88. Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 12.07% $31,790 1,300
89. Nonfarm Animal Caretakers 12.04% $22,090 8,280
90. Roofers 12.0% $39,910 5,320
91. Medical Equipment Preparers 11.98% $34,240 2,150
92. Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 11.96% $81,650 3,370
93. Respiratory Therapists 11.95% $57,990 5,900
94. Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas 11.86% $50,110 1,320
95. Computer User Support Specialists 11.78% $52,360 28,460
96. Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 11.71% $108,620 2,480
97. Nursing Assistants 11.65% $28,460 88,350
98. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 11.6% $44,340 2,020
99. Environmental Engineers 11.59% $85,200 3,660
100. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians 11.5% $34,530 1,260

Patch file photo