The 25 Top Jobs for 2005-2009

Agent and Business Manager for Artists, Performers and Athletes

What they do: Just as chiropractors might naturally follow software engineers, agents are where the athletes are. Even outside the realm of professional sports, agents represent and market their clients. Think of it as outsourcing your career management. Duties can involve negotiating contracts and getting people front row seats to Lakers' games.

Why the job is hot: As entertainment media continues to change -- and as actors and athletes continue to be hot prospects -- agents are going to be in high demand. Competition will hinge on how creatively they draw up contracts. Job growth looks particularly promising because -- thanks to the reality TV craze, perhaps -- practically everybody is getting their 15 minutes of fame and needs representation. By taking roughly 10% of their clients' gross earnings, salary isn't too shabby.

Job Growth Index: 47.23
Education Index: 65.98
Salary Range Index: 68.76
Innovation Index: 45

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Marketing Manager

What they do: Marketing managers target where a company is going to sell its product, to whom, and at what price. They work extensively with sales managers, market research managers, and product development managers. Primarily, their main task is to attract new customers -- and keep them. They also identify market opportunities for new products.

Why the job is hot: Marketing managers determine what their customers need and how to best meet those needs. It can be an extremely creative job. Marketplace competition is expected to heat up, so experienced marketing managers will be in high demand. Most in the field have a college degree, but an advanced degree like an MBA can help land a better job. Salaries vary greatly depending on the industry, management level, and experience.

Job Growth Index: 36.23
Education Index: 67.57
Salary Range Index: 76.74
Innovation Index: 47

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Producer and Director

What they do: Producers are the financial and business managers for movies, television programs, and stage shows. They select scripts, develop budgets, arrange financing, and help hire directors and actors. News producers, whether for TV or radio, help develop individual pieces and decide which ones see the light of day. Directors handle the creative side of a production and make decisions about a film or program's setting, costumes, music, and acting.

Why the job is hot: They make a lot of decisions and the best ones are innovative ones. There are more media outlets than ever, and it is going to take more directors and producers to fill the airtime. So job prospects are solid. There are no education requirements, although most producers and directors have completed some college coursework. A business degree is a plus for a producer, while a director would probably benefit from some time in film school. Salaries depend on how much work you get, so earnings are uneven.

Job Growth Index: 30.98
Education Index: 73.72
Salary Range Index: 78.57
Innovation Index: 42

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Actor

What they do: Being an actor involves acting on stage, on TV, or on the silver screen. Sometimes -- OK, many times -- you don't even have to be particularly good at it to be successful. Being an actor often requires being very good looking.

Why the job is hot: See Athletes, above.

Job Growth Index: 30.08
Education Index: 66.77
Salary Range Index: 79.58
Innovation Index: 46

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Lawyer

What they do: Lawyers take many forms. There are lawyers that never see the inside of a court room. There are defensive attorneys, plaintiff attorneys, criminal lawyers, and civil lawyers. The common thread is that they are responsible for applying the law.

Why the job is hot: Though it seems like the last thing we need is another lawyer, job growth looks to be relatively strong through 2012. You aren't going far in the profession without a law degree, so lawyers are near the top of the education index. Lawyers are also known for having well-lined pockets, with salary ranging to $145,000. As above, this is just as high as the BLS data reports; lawyers can earn much, much more.

Job Growth Index: 28.78
Education Index: 98.37
Salary Range Index: 74.27
Innovation Index: 0

Profile: Lisa Tanzi, IP attorney, Microsoft

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