By Cherise Asato

Check out these 5 stable, growing industries. Many feature careers that pay $50,000 and more!

1. EDUCATION

Education isn’t just for kids. In fact, in 2003, the U.S. had over 75 million students of varying ages at all levels - from elementary school to college and beyond!

Having an impact on young minds and sharing your knowledge can be a rewarding, steady career. You can get started on a teaching career with a 4-year college degree in teacher education. If you’re already a teacher, you can prepare to advance to a principal position with a master’s degree in educational leadership or educational administration.

The Pay Off: Salaries for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers average about $47,000 to $52,000 a year.* Principals have an average annual salary that ranges from $40,000 to more than $80,000! Learn more about education and teaching programs now.

2. ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING

Now more than ever companies are being held responsible for their financial reporting. Add evolving financial laws and regulations and the increasing number of businesses into the equation, and the result is an in-demand, stable industry with a wealth of employment opportunities.

Get started on a recession-proof accounting career with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in accounting, and then broaden your opportunities and salary range with an accounting master’s degree. Or you can get your feet wet with an accounting diploma or accounting certificate program.

The Pay Off: The median annual salary for accountants and auditors in 2007 was $63,180.

Another Plus: Accounting is a broad industry with many specialties. Want to work for the IRS? Explore government accounting programs. Interested in investigating financial wrongdoing? Try a forensic accounting program.

3. HEALTH CARE

It’s no surprise that one of the most stable industries - even when the economy is in poor shape - is health care. No matter what the state of the country, there will always be people in need of quality health care services.

Train to coordinate and plan the delivery of health care services with a health services administration or health care administration degree. Want to assist doctors and care for the sick? Consider a nursing diploma or degree program. Or prepare for a supporting role with a one-year dental assisting and short-term medical assisting programs.

The Pay Off: Medical assistants make an average of $13.59 an hour - over $28,000 annually. Dental assistants make an average of $15.52 an hour which can add up to about $32,000 annually. Registered nurses averaged over $62,000 per year in 2007. Medical and health services managers can make over $80,000 annually.

4. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Constantly evolving technology means continued growth and stability for careers in the information technology industry. Consider studying to become a computer systems analyst or computer software engineer.

To get started, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, like information security.

The Pay Off: Computer systems analysts can earn an average annual salary of $75,890. Computer software engineers, who design, develop, test, and evaluate computer software and systems, earn an average of $85,000 to $90,000 a year!

5. SECURITY

Following 9/11, national security became a top priority. Factor in a growing population and increased concern for public safety, and you see an industry full of lucrative, stable careers.

Although you can join the police force with only a high school diploma, a degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration, or other industry-related areas can help you get ahead in this line of work. To work as a probation officer, you’ll need to start with a bachelor’s degree in social work or criminal justice.

The Pay Off: Police officers earn an estimated $50,670 a year. Detectives and criminal investigators earn an estimated annual salary of $62,500. Probation officers have a median salary of $47,980.

Another Plus: With three years of full-time related work experience, and the right degree, you could meet the criteria for employment as an FBI agent!

*All salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

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