The following is the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics blog post authored by Lia Gallitano.  According to the U.S. labor statistics, Lia presents top 5 careers for female job seekers and career changers to consider in 2014.  These top 5 careers are Actuary, Advertising, Promotions, Marketing Managers, Computer System Analyst, Dental Hygienist and Postsecondary Education Administrator.

Looking for a new job? Thinking about switching careers? CareerCast.com recently created a list of 12 great job opportunities for women in 2014 based on career projections from the department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Of course, they’re great options for men, too!) All of them have these factors in common: strong projected growth, high average annual salaries, smaller pay gaps between men and women than other fields, and high percentages of women working in the field.

Here’s a closer look at the top five:

1. Actuary

What do they do? Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur and they help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.

What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $93,680 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 26 percent. (For reference, the average predicted growth for all fields is 11 percent.)

Make it happen: Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field, and are expected to complete on-the-job training and must undergo exams to become certified. Strong backgrounds in business, mathematics and statistics are useful in entering the field. Find actuary jobs or training.

2. Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

What do they do? Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers design plans to promote products and services. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.

What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $115,750 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 12 percent.

Make it happen: Most positions require a bachelor’s degree to enter into the field of advertising,
promotions, and marketing; managers also typically have several years of experience in the field. Find jobs or training to be an advertising/promotions manager or a marketing manager.

3. Computer Systems Analyst

What do they do? Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and design information systems solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.

What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $79,680, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 25 percent.

Make it happen: Computer systems analysts need a bachelor’s degree, generally in computer science or information technology, to enter the field. Find computer systems analyst jobs or training.

4. Dental Hygienist

What do they do? Dental hygienists provide dental care in the form of teeth cleaning, examination, and education.

What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $70,210 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 33 percent.

Make it happen: Dental hygienists can enter the field with an associate degree in dental hygiene, as well as a license to practice. Find dental hygienist jobs or training.

5. Postsecondary Education Administrator

What do they do? Postsecondary education administrators coordinate the logistics of colleges and universities, in areas such as admissions and student life.

What are the opportunities? The median pay in 2012 was $86,490 per year, and the predicted job growth in this field between 2012 and 2022 is 15 percent.

Make it happen: An entrant into the field of postsecondary education administration generally needs a bachelor’s (and sometimes also a master’s) degree. Administrators generally have a master’s or Ph.D., as well as several years of experience in the field. Find postsecondary education administrator jobs or training.

Want to find out more about these jobs, or look at prospects for other occupations? Check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. And to find a new job or connect with training opportunities, start here.