Top 15 jobs for younger workers

If you’re just starting out in the workforce, it can be difficult to choose a career that best fits your skills and interests. 

According to research from CareerBuilder, nearly 25% of high school students pick their career based on something they saw on TV or in a movie, and 33% of full-time workers regret the college major they chose.

Read more: Top 5 job interview deal-breakers

These 15 careers are a good match for younger workers!

Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder, says there are two questions you need to ask yourself when choosing a potential career:

1. What am I passionate about?
2. Does data show this occupation is growing and pays well?​

“There is a world of opportunity open to younger workers in business, technical and creative fields,” Haefner said. “The more informed you are about your options and what it takes to get to where you want to be, the better the outcome.”

To help job-seekers, CareerBuilder put together a list of the top 15 careers for young workers based on growth in jobs, wages and concentration of workers ages 19 to 24.

1. Social Science Research Assistants

• Number of 2017 jobs: 29,494
• Average hourly earnings: $21.96
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 28%

2. Coaches and Scouts

• Number of 2017 jobs: 233,107
• Average hourly earnings: $19.50
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 22%

3. Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors

• Number of 2017 jobs: 68,590
• Average hourly earnings: $25.90
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 22%

4. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health

• Number of 2017 jobs: 35,352
• Average hourly earnings: $22.28
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 20%

5. Forensic Science Technicians

• Number of 2017 jobs: 15,033
• Average hourly earnings: $29.04
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 18%

6. Camera Operators, TV, Video and Motion Picture

• Number of 2017 jobs: 20,616
• Average hourly earnings: $27.85
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 15%

7. Physical Therapist Assistants

• Number of 2017 jobs: 87,426
• Average hourly earnings: $26.59
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 15%

8. Biological Technicians

• Number of 2017 jobs: 76,615
• Average hourly earnings: $21.77
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 14%

9. Film and Video Editors

• Number of 2017 jobs: 30,073
• Average hourly earnings: $38.89
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 13%

10. Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers

• Number of 2017 jobs: 27,818
• Average hourly earnings: $19.12
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 13%

11. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

• Number of 2017 jobs: 656,896
• Average hourly earnings: $19.65
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 12%

12. Surgical Technologists

• Number of 2017 jobs: 106,195
• Average hourly earnings: $22.17
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 11%

13. Sound Engineering Technicians

• Number of 2017 jobs: 15,755
• Average hourly earnings: $29.87
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 11%

14. Public Relations Specialists

• Number of 2017 jobs: 240,660
• Average hourly earnings: $31.66
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 9%

15. Web Developers

• Number of 2017 jobs: 142,682
• Average hourly earnings: $34.09
• Percentage of workers employed who are ages 19-24: 8%

Didn’t see anything you like? CareerBuilder has launched FindYourCalling.com, a free national website, to help students choose a career path based on their interests.

More Clark.com job resources:

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• Help wanted: Employers desperately seek applicants for these 10 jobs