Features Published December 22, 2011 9:00am EST | Updated February 8, 2017 2:08pm EST Ten Best Jobs for the 21st Century Comments FOXBusiness Not sure what career to pursue? Here is a list of the best jobs for pay, growth, openings for the 21st Century, according to Laurence Shatkin, author of Best Jobs for the 21st Century 1. Software Developers, Applications Annual earnings: $87,790 Percent growth: 34 Annual openings: 21,840 2. Physicians and Surgeons Annual earnings: $165,279 Percent growth: 21.8 Annual openings: 26,050 3. Software Developers, Systems Software Annual earnings: $94,180 Percent growth: 30.4 Annual openings: 15,340 4. Management Analysts Annual earnings: $78,160 Percent growth: 23.9 Annual openings: 30,650 5. Computer Systems Analysts Annual earnings: $77,740 Percent growth: 20.3 Annual openings: 22,280 6. Registered Nurses Annual earnings: $64,690 Percent growth: 22.2 Annual openings: 103,900 7. Civil Engineers Annual earnings: $77,560 Percent growth: 24.3 Annual openings: 11,460 8. Medical Scientists (except Epidemiologists) Annual earnings: $76,700 Percent growth: 40.4 Annual openings: 6,620 (Reuters) 9. Physical Therapists Annual earnings: $76,310 Percent growth: 30.3 Annual openings: 7,860 10. Dental Hygienists Annual earnings: $68,250 Percent growth: 36.1 Annual openings: 9,840