U.S. News’ Best Jobs List Features Many Computer & Health Science Careers

As recent college graduates are entering the workforce, they face a market with many jobs the U.S. News & World Report lists as the 100 Best Jobs in 2024. 

Jobs on this list are generally in demand. They pay well, challenge employees, provide a chance to advance and offer a satisfying work/life balance. All of these are attributes the magazine considered when compiling its list. 

U.S. News lists the Top 10 as: 

1. Nurse practitioner 
2. Financial manager 
3. Software developer 
4. IT manager 
5. Physician assistant 
6. Medical and Health Services manager 
7. Information security analyst 
8. Data scientist 
9. Actuary 
10. Speech/Language Pathologist  

Together, job openings for those total 1,077,900, according to U.S. News. Here’s more information: 

• The highest number of projected jobs is 410,400 for software developers.  

• The median salary for the Top 10 ranges from $84,150 for a Speech/Language Pathologist to $164,070 for IT managers. 

• Seven of the top ten jobs requires a bachelor’s degree. The other three, all in the medical field (nurse practitioners, physician assistants and Speech/Language Pathologists), require a master’s degree.  

Computer-Related Fields

Lydia Guzman, spokeswoman for Florida Polytechnic University, said there are good reasons why four technology-related occupations landed in the Top 10. 

“Technology-related occupations are often ranked among the best jobs to have due to several factors, including high demand, competitive salaries, job security and growth opportunities,” she said. “These jobs are critical in our increasingly digital world, making them highly attractive and rewarding career choices.” 

That digital transformation across industries partly explains the high demand for such jobs, Guzman said. “Businesses across all sectors are relying more and more on digital technologies, driving the need for skilled tech professionals for development and support. Technology is also rapidly advancing in areas like AI (artificial intelligence) and cybersecurity, and there is a growing amount of digital data generated, which requires tech experts in data analysis security.” 

Florida Poly provides undergraduate degree programs in areas like computer sciences, data science and cybersecurity engineering. Some students who graduate from the university stay locally to work, which benefits everyone. 

“High-tech jobs can help economic development in Polk County by increasing productivity, attracting new investment, creating a higher-salary job market and fostering new industries to grow,” Guzman said. “Technology occupations allow businesses to operate more efficiently in the modern world. They also support the growth of local tech startups and contribute to a more skilled workforce, all of which stimulate growth and competitiveness.” 

That, she said, “is why Florida Poly plays a crucial role in the economic development of our region and the state, by offering the in-demand degrees needed to drive economic prosperity.” 

Health Sciences

Scott Dimmick, senior vice president and chief Human Resources officer at Lakeland Regional Health, praised the people who work in health-related fields.  

“The passion, dedication and commitment of our health professionals directly impact the health of our community,” he said. “It makes sense that medical-related professions are among the best jobs, as we see first-hand in our hospital how fulfilled our team members feel.” 

In addition, LRH consistently advances alongside the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, Dimmick said. 

As Polk County continues to grow, so do the health needs of the community. “With that, the need for passionate, driven healthcare professionals grows as well.” 

He talked about the jobs on the list:  

• “The Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant positions are excellent career paths for individuals seeking a professional clinical career … and we have several first-rate schools in our area that have nurse practitioner programs, such as Southeastern University, Florida Southern College and Keiser University.” 

• “The Medical and Health Services manager positions are among the best jobs because they function as team leaders, coaches and patient advocates, and they continually help to provide an amazing patient experience.”  

• “I’m thrilled to see the Speech/Language Pathologists make the list. These clinicians are instrumental to our therapy services, and they make a profound impact on the lives of our patients.” 

Dimmick said there are also many other health-related careers that are rewarding and pay well but may not be as well known. They are medical assistants, pharmacy and surgical technicians, medical coders, radiology technologists, respiratory therapists and information technology. 

Additionally, Polk State College and Traviss Technical College offer accelerated nursing programs to drive available talent within these important sectors here in Polk.

Economic Impact

Polk County’s seven institutions of higher learning are educating your company’s next generation of talent and within a variety of fields complimenting the Top 10 Best Jobs. Businesses can access a pool of highly qualified individuals who bring diverse perspectives and specialized skills. Skills which are crucial for tackling complex challenges and driving growth. With nearly 95,000 degrees awarded annually within the region, this influx of talent catalyzes a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration and knowledge exchange. In turn, this promotes industry leadership and attracts further investment.

The presence of a skilled workforce enhances the overall economic attractiveness of the region. It can lead to the development of supportive infrastructure, such as research facilities, educational institutions, and technological clusters, which further enriches the business environment. Additionally, a concentration of skilled professionals often correlates with higher levels of disposable income and consumer spending, creating a robust market for goods and services.

Businesses located in Polk benefit from a readily available pool of skilled professionals, but also experience enhanced competitiveness, innovation, and economic vitality. These factors combine to create a conducive environment for sustainable growth and prosperity.