Rank

Degree

Avg. Salary

Description

1.

MBA

$60,000
to
$80,000

Adding a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) degree to your resume could lead to career advancement, a salary increase, or a brand new job. It qualifies you for a variety of business careers.

2.

Retail & Sales

$60,000
to
$80,000

With 557,000 new jobs expected for retail salespeople through 2016, career training in this field is almost sure to yield employment opportunities.

3.

Office Administration

$23,170

Online diploma or certificate programs in office administration can help you gain the skills required for one of the many anticipated openings for office clerks.

4.

Accounting

$54,630

If doing your own taxes is a breeze, perhaps you should get the training necessary to handle other people's finances. The BLS predicts 264,000 new positions for accountants, bookkeepers, and auditing clerks through 2016.

5.

Administrative Assisting

$27,450

While you won't need a four-year college degree for these jobs, career training can qualify you for more competitive or industry-specific placement as a secretary or administrative assistant.

6.

Sales

$65,000

Aapplicants with a bachelor's degree in sales are often preferred by employers in this highly competitive field. The BLS predicts success for graduates with "related experience, a high level of creativity, strong communication skills, and computer skills.

7.

Hospitality

$42,320
(hotel managers)

Making guests and clients feel welcome requires a certain natural talent, but career training is an equally important component in this service-oriented field.

8.

College Teaching

$56,120

The BLS predicts a need for 382,000 teachers at the postsecondary level through 2016. With a qualification such as a master's degree or PhD, you could join this endlessly fascinating profession.

9.

Child Care

$21,930

More working parents means a greater demand for caregivers. Add an associate's degree in child development to boost your potential earnings.

10.

Elementary School Teaching

$43,580

Master the skills of curriculum design, discipline, and evaluation techniques with a bachelor's or master's degree in education to prepare for one of the 209,000 anticipated job openings.

11.

Culinary/Restaurant Management

$26,977

Although waiters and restaurant staff are expected to see widespread job growth over the next few years, only those with the right experience and training can aspire to work in fine dining (and fine tipping) establishments.

12.

Customer Service

$28,329

Invest in some career training and you could fill one of the expected 545,000 positions for customer service representatives.

13.

Nursing

$57,280
(registered nurses)

The shortage of registered nurses should continue through 2016, with 587,000 new RN jobs anticipated. Earning an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or diploma in nursing could help you snag one of these opportunities.

14.

Transportation / Logistics/Supply Chain Management

$38,620
(production clerk)

As global business gets more complicated, keeping goods flowing from suppliers to customers requires a team of skilled workers. A degree in this field could help you join the crew.

15.

Home Health Care

$19,427

A diploma or certificate program in home health care can prepare you for a career in this rewarding field.