Fastest-Growing Jobs Requiring an Associate’s Degree, Part 3

Published on May 5, 2010

Updated on Nov 3, 2022

Written by Emsi Burning Glass

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We’re currently counting down the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. at the associate’s-degree level, and how each state ranks in those occupations’ growth. Here’s the top five as a quick reminder:

1. Geological and petroleum technicians
2. Physical therapist assistants
3. Veterinary technologists and technicians
4. Occupational therapist assistants
5. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

After looking at Nos. 4 and 5 on the list the past two days, we turn our attention to veterinary technologists and technicians, the largest occupation in terms of total employment among the top five. There are an estimated 82,977 vet techs (SOC 29-2056) in the U.S., making an average of $13.84 an hour.

Below is an interactive map that shows three pieces of data on vet techs for each state and Washington, D.C.: percentage growth from ‘06-10; ranking by percentage growth; and 2010 total jobs.

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Also, here’s the top 10 states ranked by percentage growth:

If you have any questions or comments, please email Josh Wright or comment below.