10 Best Jobs for Over-Forty Women

(volunteer coordinator, program director)

Salary: Most earn $42,110 to $73,470

Top 10% Make: $96,000+

Why Now: The field is expected to grow 48% by 2016

What You’ll Need: BA, passion for a cause

Entrepreneur Opportunities: Most in the field work for nonprofits or the government

For more on what it’s like to be a community service coordinator, click here.

(financial planner)

Salary: Most earn $46,390 to $119,290

Top 10% Make: $166,000

Why Now: One of the 10 fastest growing occupations, it’s projected to boom 41% by 2016

What You’ll Need: A solid business background plus education in the field. You’ll probably also need Series 7 and Series 63 or 66 licenses

Entrepreneur Opportunities: 30% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be a personal financial adviser, click here.

(hydrologist, environmental ecologist, environmental chemist, ecological modeler)

Salary: Most earn $45,340 to $78,980

Top 10% Make: $103,000+

Why Now: The field is expected to grow 25% by 2016

What You’ll Need: Most positions require a master’s degree in environmental science, hydrology or a related natural science

Entrepreneur Opportunities: About 2% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be an environmental scientist, click here.

(critical care, emergency, oncology, clinical)

Salary: Most earn $51,640 to $76,570

Top 10% Make: $92,000+

Why Now: A projected 587,000 new nursing jobs will be created by 2016

What You’ll Need: A BS in nursing (four years), an associate’s degree in nursing (two to three years) or a diploma from an approved nursing program

Entrepreneur Opportunities: Although some nurses provide care as independent contractors or wellness coaches, most are employees

For more on what it’s like to be a registered nurse, click here.

(chief technology officer, management information systems (MIS) director, information technology (IT) director)

Salary: Most earn $88,240 to $141,890

Top 10% Make: $166,000+

Why Now: This field will add 43,000 jobs by 2016

What You’ll Need: A bachelor’s degree and sometimes a master’s degree—consider an MBA with a focus on technology

Entrepreneur Opportunities: These tend to be leadership positions within a company

For more on what it’s like to be a computer and information systems manager, click here.

(principal, assistant principal, provost, dean of students, school district administrator, director of student services)

Salary: Most earn $68,360 to $102,830 (elementary and secondary school)

Top 10% Make: $125,000+

Why Now: Many will retire in the next decade

What You’ll Need: Experience as a teacher or in a field such as recruiting. Some positions require a master’s degree

Entrepreneur Opportunities: Most work for school districts or universities

For more on what it’s like to be an education administrator, click here.

(crisis manager, strategic communication specialist)

Salary: Most earn $38,400 to $71,670

Top 10% make: $98,000+

Why Now: The field is expected to create 43,000 new jobs by 2016

What You’ll Need: Public relations experience

Entrepreneur Opportunities: With the right expertise, it’s possible to provide this service as an independent contractor

For more on what it’s like to be a strategic / crisis communications professional, click here.

(public accountant, management accountant, government accountant, internal auditor)

Salary: Most earn $45,900 to $78,210

Top 10% Make: $102,000+

Why Now: The field will grow 18% by 2016, adding 226,000 jobs, and these positions are available in every industry

What You’ll Need: A degree in accounting or a related field. You have to pass an exam to become a CPA

Entrepreneur Opportunities: 10% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be an accountant, click here.

(job analyst, compensation manager, employee benefits manager, training and development manager, recruiter)

Salary: Most earn $35,020 to $67,730

Top 10% Make: $84,000+

Why Now: There will be 147,000 new specialist jobs created by 2016

What You’ll Need: Depends. To specialize, you may need an MBA with a focus in HR management

Entrepreneur Opportunities: About 2 percent are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be a human resources specialist, click here.

Salary: Most earn $26,800 to $76,230

Top 10% Make: $97,000+

Why Now: Small farms are growing at a rate of 10,000 a year

What You’ll Need: Nothing—training is doen on the job

Entrepreneur Opportunities: 80% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be a small-scale niche farmer, click here.