<p> Top 10 Best Jobs Based upon Average Salary, Growth, Job Openings</p><p> helenh Fri, Aug 4 2006 3:00 AM </p><p> Comments 2 </p><p>Top 10 jobs of "500 Best Jobs Overall", based upon median annual earnings, projected growth through 2010, and the yearly number of job openings:</p><p>Annual Percent Openings per Job Title Education Required Suggested Fields of Study Earnings Growth Year 1. Computer Software Software Engineering, Computer $70,210 100% 28,000 Bachelor's degree Engineers, Applications Science, Information Technology Information Technology, Information 2. Computer Systems Analysts $61,990 59.7% 34,000 Bachelor's degree Systems Work experience + 3. Computer and Information Tech Management, Information Systems, $82,480 47.9% 28,000 Bachelor's degree (or Systems Managers Information Technology higher) 4. Postsecondary Teachers $52,115 23.5% 184,000 Master's or Doctoral degree Education Work experience + Finance, Management, Accounting, 5. Management Analysts $57,970 28.9% 50,000 Bachelor's degree (or Information Systems higher) Medical and Dental, Nursing, Health 6. Registered Nurses $46,670 25.6% 140,000 Associate's Degree Administration 7. Computer Software Software Engineering, Computer $73,280 89.7% 23,000 Bachelor's Degree Engineers, Systems Software Science, Information Technology Work experience + 8. Medical and Health Services Health Administration, Health Services, $59,220 32.3% 27,000 Bachelor's degree (or Managers Human Services, Public Health higher) 9. Financial Services Sales Finance, Accounting, Marketing, $59,690 22.3% 55,000 Bachelor's Degree Agents Business Administration 10. Securities and Finance, Accounting, Marketing, $59,690 22.3% 55,000 Bachelor's Degree Commodities Sales Agents Business Administration</p><p>[Best Jobs for the 21st Century" by Michael Farr. Based upon occupational information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Census Bureau.] </p><p>To me, what's really striking about this list is that, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree is the most significant source of post-secondary education or training for 9 of the 10 best-paying, fastest-growing occupations.</p><p>(Click here to see #11-20!)</p>