Health care jobs dominate the 2016 “100 Best Jobs” list

Have you seen the recently published list of the 100 Best Jobs of 2016, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report? I’ve done some preliminary research, and I can tell you the big takeaway for this year: Health care jobs dominate the top of the list.

Take a look at what I’ve found:

• Nine health care careers are ranked in the top 10 (90 percent)
• Thirteen health care careers are ranked in the top 15 (87 percent)
• Fifteen health care careers are ranked in the top 20 (75 percent)

The rankings, which are based on a score of weighted component measures (below), take into account all the factors that make for a fulfilling career:

• Median Salary (30 percent)
• Employment Rate (20 percent)
• Job Prospects (10 percent)
• Stress Level (5 percent)
• Work-Life Balance (5 percent)
• 10-Year Growth Volume (15 percent)
• 10-Year Growth Percentage (15 percent)

I think the last two components are particularly interesting. As baby boomers age – and Generation X has kids – I can understand why the demand for health care professionals will continue to increase.

At VA, about 250,000 full-time employees and 90,000 health professional trainees work in interdisciplinary care teams to deliver patient services daily. That means there is a lot of opportunity for you to grow your health care career at VA in some of our more sought after specialties:

• Physician, ranked #19
• Nurse, ranked #6
• Physical Therapist, ranked #14
• Physician Assistant, ranked #5
• Psychology, ranked #7
• Medical Technologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Pharmacist

If you’re working in health care now – or if you’re pursuing a degree in a health care field – you should consider joining VHA. We have more health care jobs than anyone. That means we have more options, more opportunities and more room for advancement – and the work you will do will benefit those who have served our Nation. Find out more and Join VA.