The Best Jobs of 2017: U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News and World Report just announced the 10 best jobs of 2017.

Before we get to the results, let's get to how jobs were ranked the "best." Researchers from U.S. News and World Report analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify jobs with the greatest hiring demand. The next step? Rating jobs on criteria including 10-year growth percentage, median salary, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance.

So, which jobs took the top spot? Cue the grand drum roll for U.S. News' best jobs of 2017:

1. Dentist

2. Nurse Practitioner

3. Physician Assistant

4. Statistician

5. Orthodontist

6. Nurse Anesthetist

7. Pediatrician

8. Computer Systems Analyst

9 (tie). Obstetrician and Gynecologist

9 (tie). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

The list overwhelmingly includes a lot of health care jobs. What's going on with that? “Health care jobs often require a human element, so they can’t be exported or entirely replaced by robots – at least not yet,” Susannah Snider, personal finance editor at U.S. News, said in a statement. Snider elaborated, “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.”

One another note: It might seem random that a statistician job placed fourth on the list, but researchers point out that statisticians, and their creative number crunching powers, are crucial to help companies in any industry find ways to save and earn money. So there will always be a huge need for quality statisticians.

If you're tempted to ditch your job and hop on the "best" job bandwagon, get your search going on Patch Jobs Board. If you’re not looking for a job, share this post with someone who is. If you’re an employer, list your job on Patch.

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