Looking for a job with an adequate salary is difficult. It depends on the current job market -- which today is not great -- where you live, your skill set, your experience level and, perhaps most importantly, your job duties.
Here are 20 jobs projected to have high salary growth this year, according to data from CBSalary.com and SalaryExpert.com. The percentage listed for each occupation is the amount the salary increased compared to last year's salary. The list is based on an analysis of data from the Occupational Employment Statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and ongoing surveys conducted by Salary Expert.
1. Oral pathologists study the nature, cause and development of diseases associated with mouth.
Current salary: $188,577
Last year: $159,759
Percent increase: 6.83
2. Social medical researchers conduct research for use in understanding social problems and for planning and carrying out social welfare programs.
Current salary: $80,151
Last year: $68,480
Increase: 6.65
3. Pharmacologists conduct experiments to determine how drugs and other substances affect organ and tissues.
Current salary: $99,370
Last year: $90,012
Percent increase: 5.35
4. Toxicologists research the toxic effects products and ingredients have on living organisms.
Current salary: $70,273
Last year: $63,655
Percent increase: 5.35
5. Vocational training teachers teach personal, social and professional skills that meet the needs, interest and abilities of disabled students.
Current salary: $57,401
Last year: $52,982
Percent increase: 4.93
6. Academic deans develop academic policies and programs for college or universities, as well as scheduling courses and making course recommendations for students.
Current salary: $100,771
Last year: $93,126
Percent increase: 4.9
7. Social psychologists diagnose and treat mental disorders; learning disabilities; and cognitive, behavioral and emotional problems using different types of therapies.
Current salary: $85, 766
Last year: $79,272
Percent increase: 4.9
8. Early childhood development teachers use activities to promote social, physical and intellectual growth for children in child development facilities.
Current salary: $37,072
Last year: $34,418
Percent increase: 4.8
9. Insurance sales agents sell insurance of all kinds to new, prospective and current clients.
Current salary: $52,743
Last year: $49,121
Percent increase: 4.73
10. Credit representatives investigate customer complaints about service, billing or credit rating. They determine the accuracy of customer complaints and the company's responsibility for errors.
Current salary: $45,875
Last year: $43,092
Percent increase: 4.53
11. Facilities managers oversee all things concerned with the operation, repair, maintenance and construction of facilities, equipment, buildings and grounds.
Current salary: $94,491
Last year: $89,262
Percent increase: 4.38
12. Software quality assurance testers develop and maintain quality assurance testing methods and systems to make sure computer software applications work correctly.
Current salary: $75,129
Last year: $71,481
Percent increase: 4.23
13. Financial securities clerks perform duties involving computing and recording data on security transactions.
Current salary: $41,464
Last year: $39,459
Percent increase: 4.2
14. Food and beverage order clerks receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads or services, as well as informing customers of payment information and preparing contracts.
Current salary: $29,607
Last year: $28,213
Percent increase: 4.18
15. Computer network analysts investigate and control the technical architecture of local area networks and wide area networks, in addition to recommending telecommunications and data network systems.
Current salary: $86,402
Last year: $82,809
Percent increase: 4.05
16. Purchasing directors plan and direct the purchase of goods and services, and oversee employees who buy and grade merchandise or services offered for sale. They also develop and implement purchasing policies, procedures and guidelines.
Current salary: $126,021
Last year: $120,850
Percent increase: 4.03
17. Public accountants perform general accounting, auditing, tax and consulting activities for their clients, which vary from corporations or governments to nonprofit organizations or individuals.
Current salary: $72,607
Last year: $69,670
Percent increase: 4
18. Accounts receivable managers ensure an accurate accounts receivable system, tracing and reconciling errors, correcting billing records, processing final bills, collecting accounts due, adjusting customer claims and more.
Current salary: $78,966
Last year: $75,797
Percent increase: 4
19. Government fire marshals determine causes of fires and explosions, especially when arson or other criminal acts are suspected, and enforce fire laws.
Current salary: $60,775
Last year: $58,336
Percent increase: 4
20. Retail store managers supervise sales workers in a retail establishment or department, and may perform management duties like purchasing, budgeting and accounting.
Current salary: $66,966
Last year: $64,998
Percent increase: 2.9
By Rachel Zupek writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.