Don't Get Too Excited by Our 10 Fastest-Growing Professions

No. 7 fastest-growing career: Rebar/reinforcing-iron worker
Projected 2010-20 growth: 48.6%

Rebar workers -- who insert steel bars known as "rebar" into concrete used for structural purposes -- can expect their field to grow by nearly 50% in the coming years, the BLS predicts.

That's because lawmakers see public-works projects as a good way to stimulate the economy, while lots of aging U.S. infrastructure needs work, the agency says.

"A growing number of older buildings, bridges and highways need to be maintained or replaced -- and rebar workers do that," Morisi says.

But she adds that the profession (median pay: $37,990) is small, so the big percentage gains the BLS forecasts translate into only 9,300 additional jobs.

Rebar jobs generally requires just a high-school education or GED, although some people in the field graduate from three- to four-year apprenticeship programs. Employers also often favor military veterans, the BLS says.

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