Unless you're retired, blessed with generous parents or extremely gifted in the lottery-ticket-buying department, a whole lot of your financial well-being is based on having a job.

Your chances of saving, avoiding debt and investing are all greatly enhanced when you have a good income.

Unfortunately, these are tough times, and not many people believe 2008 is going to see much of an improvement in the economy. So if you think your job could be better, or could be gone, you might want to get a handle on the job market.

What kind of jobs are growing the most and what will they pay? And what kind of degree do you need to get one?

The chart below, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' "Fastest-Growing Occupations 2004" projections, shows the top 20 fastest-growing jobs between 2004 and 2014. There is a short description of the job as well as the median salary for that position, based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition. (Use this link to search for your own career in the A-Z Index.)

Select a job Home health aides Network systems and data communications analysts Medical assistants Physician assistants Computer applications software engineers Physical therapist assistants Dental hygienists Computer systems software engineers Dental assistants Personal and home care aides Network and computer systems administrators Database administrators Physical therapists Forensic science technicians Veterinary technicians Diagnostic medical sonographers Physical therapist aides Occupational therapist aides Medical scientists Occupational therapists Fastest-growing jobs

Home health aides Description: Provide housekeeping and routine personal care Education: On the job or community college or trade school Median salary: $8.12 per hour Network systems and data communications analysts Description: Design, test and evaluate network systems Education: Bachelor's degree Median salary: $60,600 per year Medical assistants Description: Perform administrative and clerical work in medical office; may also perform clinical duties Education: Associate's degree Median salary: $24,610 per year Physician assistants Description: Provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health care Education: Associate's degree plus national accreditation Median salary: $69,410 per year Computer applications software engineers Description: Analyze users' needs, and design, construct and maintain applications Education: Bachelor's degree Median salary: $74,980 per year Physical therapist assistants Description: Assist with therapies, record results Education: Associate's degree Median salary: $37,890 per year Dental hygienists Description: Clean teeth and gums, take X-rays Education: Dental hygiene program plus state license Median salary: $28.05 per hour Computer systems software engineers Description: Coordinate construction and maintenance of company's computer system Education: Bachelor's degree Median salary: $79,740 per year Dental assistants Description: Perform patient care, office and laboratory duties Education: On the job or dental-assisting program at community college, trade school Median salary: $13.62 per hour