10 Best Starting Salaries Software design & development $53,729 Consulting $49,781 Design/construction engineering $47,058 Financial/treasury analysis $45,596 Accounting (private) $44,564 Accounting (public) $41,039 Registered nurse $38,775 Sales $37,130 Management trainee $35,811 Teaching $29,733

10 Best Companies to Work For

(Based on employees' responses to the "Great Place to Work Trust Index," a proprietary employee survey developed by the Great Place to Work Institute.) Wegmans Food Markets W. L. Gore Republic Bancorp Genentech Xilinx J. M. Smucker S. C. Johnson & Son Griffin Hospital Alston & Bird Vision Service Place

10 Most Satisfying Jobs

(Based 35 percent on potential for job growth, 35 percent on salary growth potential, 20 percent on how many in the field hold a college degree, and 10 percent on freedom to be innovative and creative.) Personal finance adviser Medical scientist Computer software engineer Chiropractor Environmental engineer Biochemist and biophysicist Sales manager Epidemiologist Computer system analyst Athlete

10 Fastest Growing Fields

(These will add the largest percentage of positions through 2012.) Network systems & communications analysts 57.0% Physician assistants 48.9% Software engineers 45.5% Physical therapist assistants 44.6% Fitness trainers 44.5% Database administrators 44.2% Dental hygienists 43.1% Hazardous material removal workers 43.1% Computer systems analysts 39.4% Environmental engineers 38.2%

10 Hottest Jobs

(These will have the most net gains through 2012 (in thousands)). Teachers (K-12) 724,000 Registered nurses 623,000 Post-secondary teachers 603,000 Customer service reps 458,000 Computer support 420,000 General operations managers 376,000 Sales representatives 356,000 Truck drivers 337,000 Software engineers 307,000 Accountants and auditors 205,000

10 Companies With the Best Benefits

(Based on retirement plans, strong medical coverage, premium subsidies by employers, disability options, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, medical and retirement packages for part-time employees, and effective communication methods to enable workers to capitalize on those benefits.) Flexible Steel Lacing Company, Downers Grove, IL American Council of Life Insurers, Washington, D.C. American Lung Association, New York, NY GuideOne Insurance, West Des Moines, LA Campus USA Credit Union, Gainesville, FL The Washington Trust Company, Westerly, RI Southwest Power Pool, Inc., Little Rock, AR Glatfelter Insurance Group, York, PA Moran Towing Corporation, New Canaan, CT Fremont Co-operative Produce Company, Fremont, MI

10 Most Dangerous Jobs

(Based on fatality rate.) Logging workers Aircraft pilots Fishers and fishing workers Structural iron and steel workers Refuse and recyclable material collectors Farmers and ranchers Roofers Electrical power line installers/repairers Driver/sales workers and truck drivers Taxi drivers and chauffeurs