100 Best Jobs for 2017: Find Them in the Washington, DC Region

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the hunt for a new opportunity or gainful employment, it's best to start at the top. Wednesday morning, U.S. News released its 2017 list of the 1o0 best jobs, as well as top jobs across 15 categories, including the best-paying jobs and the top positions for specific fields and interests.

A disappointing paycheck or astronomical student loan bill might be important driving factors to start a search for a new opportunity, but the rankings aren't just about salary. U.S. News also included factors like growth potential and work-life balance.

More than half of the 100 best jobs are linked to health care. Dentist was at the top of the list, followed by nurse practitioner and physician assistant. Several health care jobs also topped the list of best-paying jobs.

“Health care jobs often require a human element, so they can’t be exported or entirely replaced by robots – at least not yet,” said Susannah Snider, personal finance editor at U.S. News. “Continued growth in the health care sector, low unemployment rates and high salaries make these jobs especially desirable. Plus, individuals can pursue a range of health care positions that require varying levels of skill and education.”

See the complete list of 100 Best Jobs from U.S. News

The Patch jobs board is filled with thousands of openings across the region. We did a search for some of the job titles at the top of the U.S. News list. Here are some of the opportunities we found in town.

1. Dentist

• Dentist, Greater Prince William Community Health Center in Woodbridge, VA

2. Nurse Practitioner

• Nurse Practitioner - Part Time, Aspire Healthcare in Washington, DC

3. Physician Assistant

• Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant / Psychiatric, Altahir Behavioral Health PLC in Falls Church

7. Pediatrician

• Physician - Locum Tenens Pediatric, Weatherby Healthcare in Hyattsville, MD

8. Computer Systems Analyst

• Systems Analyst with Security Clearance, Brickner, Kelly & Associates in Reston, VA

9 (tie). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

• Associate Oral Surgeon, Bethesda Chevy Chase Oral Surgery in Chevy Chase, MD

13. Software Developer

• Software Developer - (ACTIVE TS/SCI Clearance Required), Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA

16. Physical Therapist

• Physical Therapist Manual Based Outpatient Ortho (7836), CCI in Washington, DC

26. Financial Advisor

• Financial Advisor-SERIES 7/SALARIED, Prominent Broker Dealer in Washington, DC

37. Mechanical Engineer

• Sr. MECHANICAL ENGINEER, EXI, inc in Washington, DC

42. Massage Therapist

• Massage Therapist, Solace Day Spa in Alexandria, VA

59. Clinical Laboratory Technician

• Certified Laboratory Technician, Hanover Parkway Surgery Center in Greenbelt, MD

66. Marketing Manager

• Marketing Manager, Agriculture Federal Credit Union in Washington, DC

82. Dietitian and Nutritionist

• Clinical Dietitian, Absolute Staffers in Washington, DC

91. Computer Systems Administrator

• Systems Administrator/Helpdesk/Desktop (TS or SCI Clearance Required), North Coast Talent Solutions in Chantilly

100. Dental Assistant

• Front Office Administrator / Certified Dental Assistant - Oral Surgery, Waterfront Oral Surgery in Washington, DC

See more of the 100 Best Jobs at U.S. News and search thousands of area job opportunities at the Patch Jobs Board.

Here are the best-paying jobs for 2017, along with the average salary:

1. Anesthesiologist, $258,100
2. Surgeon, $247,520
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, $233,900
4. Obstetrician and Gynecologist, $222,400
5. Orthodontist, $221,390
6. Physician, $196,520
7. Psychiatrist, $193,680
8. Pediatrician, $183,180
9. Dentist, $172,350
10. Prosthodontist, $161,020

See more of the best-paying jobs.

To calculate the Best Jobs, U.S. News started with hiring demand for a variety of jobs from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. From there, jobs are given scores on 10-year growth volume, 10-year growth percentage, median salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance. See the methodology.

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