If your job-hunt effort is starting to feel like a lost cause, it might be time to consider a change in careers. The good news? There are plenty of professions where open posts are plentiful. Here are some of the fastest-growing occupations and their average salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (For the educational requirements for each job, click here and here.)

Growing Industries

Home Health Aide ($21,620)
Physical Therapist Aide ($48,590)
Dental Hygienist ($67,860)
Veterinary Technician ($30,580)
Accountant/Auditor ($67,430)
Registered Nurse ($66,530)
Customer Service Rep ($32,410)
Elementary School Teacher ($53,150)

Does Age Matter?

Yes. While unemployment has affected all demographics, middle-aged women are especially hard-hit. The number of U.S. women ages 45 to 64 who have been out of work longer than six months has doubled to 900,000 in the past year—and the figures continue to climb. If you’re a baby boomer, try to make your age less of an issue for potential employers, recommends career coach Jan Cannon, PhD, author of Now What Do I Do?: The Woman’s Guide to a New Career. Two simple ways:

• De-age your résumé. Trim your work history to the last 10 years, unless you’ve been at the same company for longer, advises Dr. Cannon. And remove the date you graduated college.

• List relevant technology skills. During interviews, showcase your tech know-how, and be upbeat and energetic “to dispel any stereotypes the interviewer may have about older employees,” explains Dr. Cannon.