Employment Spot

Kiplinger.com recently compiled a list of the top five cities to live in for young singles. The two most important criteria were affordable rental housing and ample entertainment opportunities – a high number of bars, restaurants and night spots per capita. Additionally, Kiplinger chose the following metro areas because they had a few common themes. These themes included a large “creative class” of scientists, architects, writers, artists and entertainers. Each area also demonstrated job growth and per capita income growth. Finally, tolerance and diversity were considered.

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Though we’d all like to be earning a hefty paycheck, the reality is we’re not all investment bankers, Oscar-worthy actors or CEOs. The truth is, we’re all just regular people trying to make a living at the highest salary our skills, training and interests will allow. We looked at high-wage, high-growth occupations as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here are the top 50 jobs that are both growing faster than the average for total employment (13.0 percent) and have annual earnings above median of $28,770.

1. Registered nurses: $52,330

2. Postsecondary teachers: $51,800

3. General and operations managers: $77,420

4. Elementary school teachers, except special education: $43,160

5. Accountants and auditors: $50,770

6. Business operation specialists, all other: $53,460

7. Computer software engineers, applications: $74,980

8. Maintenance and repair workers, general: $30,710

9. Carpenters: $34,900

10. Computer systems analysts: $66,460

11. Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education: $45,650

12. Computer software engineers, systems software: $79,740

13. Physicians and surgeons: $145,600

14. Network systems and data communications analysts: $60,600

15. Automotive service technicians and mechanics: $32,450

16. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $33,970

17. Management analysts: $63,450

18. Computer support specialists: $40,430

19. Lawyers: $94,930

20. Network and computer systems administrators: $58,190

21. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers: $45,210

22. Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education: $43,670

23. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters: $41,290

24. Financial managers: $81,880

25. Computer and information systems managers: $92,570

26. Sales representatives, services, all other: $47,000

27. Fire fighters: $38,330

28. Dental hygienists: $58,350

29. Paralegals and legal assistants: $39,130

30. Sales managers: $84,220

31. Chief executives: $140,350

32. Self-enrichment education teachers: $30,880

33. Physical therapists: $60,180

34. Pharmacists: $84,900

35. Medical and health services managers: $67,430

36. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products:
$58,580

37. Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists: $41,190

38. Property, real estate, and community association managers: $39,980

39. Child, family, and school social workers: $34,820

40. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers: $36,260

41. Real estate sales agents: $35,670

42. Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school: $43,570

43. Legal secretaries: $36,720

44. Training and development specialists: $44,570

45. First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers: $29,510

46. Administrative services managers: $60,290

47. Public relations specialists: $43,830

48. Radiologic technologists and technicians: $43,350

49. Sales and related workers, all other: $31,380

50. Personal financial advisors: $62,700

Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She’s an expert in job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

If you love the outdoors and are environmentally conscious, you may consider earth-friendly living very important. The issue of global warming is on everyone’s mind these days. MSN.com compiled a list of America’s 10 greenest cities for those of us who want to keep the earth blooming. If you are in the middle of a job search right now, take a look at these bright spots to help find a city that matches your desire to be environmentally friendly. A better job awaits in one of these beautiful metropolises.

1. Austin, Texas
Austin has taken a proactive approach in developing green energy power sources. Austin also leads the rest of the United States in wind power and biodiesel production. The city hopes to soon convert some of its vehicles to hybrids. Local leadership has developed plans to be the most energy-efficient city in the nation by 2015. If you are looking for a zero net-energy capable home for your family, come to Austin, where all newly built homes will meet that standard in the next few years

2. Berkeley, California
Berkeley has a high population density, but area residents have used this fact to their advantage in their efforts to expand pedestrian and bike commuting. U.C. Berkeley has helped the area to expand clean-technology and will continue to do so in the coming years.

3. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts leads the nation in many green initiatives. One area in South Boston soon hopes to generate its own power by utilizing the used cooking oil from area restaurants.

4. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago leads the Midwest in developing recycling programs and other environmentally conscious initiatives. The city promotes green building and buys renewable energy. Millions of visitors and residents utilize the public transportation system, which helps to reduce hazardous emissions.

5. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis has begun to utilize renewable energy and encourage the construction of green buildings. The city has also enacted simple solutions – such as changing how utility fees are charged - to encourage all citizens to reduce their environmental impact.

6. New York, New York
New York uses its population density to its advantage. Only half of New Yorkers have cars and citizens in general use less power than the average American. The city’s proximity to the Atlantic and compact design require that it aid the fight against global warming.

7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia monitored urban sprawl carefully, which allows almost a third of its citizens to commute via public transportation. Over 1,500 Philadelphia residents purchase clean power and the city supports citizens who want to generate their own.

8. Portland, Oregon
Portland has hundreds of miles in bike paths and many citizens who use them. Portland was the first American city (in 1993) to enact a Global Warming Action Plan and continues efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

9. San Francisco, California
San Francisco supports a successful recycling plan but has also introduced a composting program that fuels alternative-energy cars and trucks. San Francisco also became the first city in America to ban the use of petroleum-based plastic shopping bags in grocery stores, opting for biodegradable or paper bags instead.

10. Seattle, Washington
Seattle has encouraged area businesses to aid its environmental efforts via the Seattle Climate Partnership. The city is also spending over $30 million in the coming years to be the best bicycling community in the country.

Search Employment Spot for green and environmental jobs

The average American relocates approximately 11 times during his or her life, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and 43 million Americans move in a given year. Before relocating your household, research information such as average income for an area or average length of commute for workers. This data can aid in your search for the perfect home and ideal job.We’ve listed the top 15 states for median household income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American FactFinder. The median household income for the entire United States was $46,242. Read the rest of this entry »

Kiplinger.com recently compiled a list of the top five cities to live in for married people with children.  The three most important criteria were low crime rates, low overall cost of living and a high student-to-teacher ratio.  These cities all have plenty of fun activities for the family to enjoy together.  Additionally, Kiplinger chose the following metro areas because they had a few common themes.  These themes included a large “creative class” of scientists, architects, writers, artists and entertainers.  Each area also demonstrated job growth and per capita income growth.  Finally, tolerance and diversity were considered.

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