No. 7 best: Mathematician

No. 7 best: Mathematician

No. 7 best: Mathematician, > Annual median wage: $111,100
> Projected job growth, 2014-2024: 21%
> Total employment: 2,730

As the increasing digitization of commerce, social interaction, and other aspects of everyday life generates increasing amounts of data, companies will require mathematical models and people capable of analyzing the large amounts of information.

The BLS projects the number of mathematicians will increase 21% in the 10 years ending in 2024, three times the 7% projected growth rate for all U.S. occupations. Most mathematician positions require a graduate degree and a strong quantitative background -- and they pay relatively well. The typical mathematician earns $111,100 annually, far more than the $37,040 median for all workers.