The U.S. job market is looking good. Unemployment is near a 50-year low, and wages are even starting to rise after remaining stubbornly stagnant for years. But some career tracks lead to a more prosperous future than others.

To help identify which path is best for you--and your net worth--we made it our job to crunch the numbers. Starting with a list of 773 popular occupations, we narrowed the choices to 30 of the most promising professions by focusing on fields that are collecting generous paychecks now and are projected to expand greatly over the next decade. Also, though we favored jobs that don't necessarily call for a huge investment in education to get started, certain career paths prove lucrative enough to be worth the extra time and money.

Just remember to be honest with yourself before you commit to a career path, regardless of its promise. Don't pursue a tech job if you hate math or a health-care position if you're squeamish about blood and germs. Luckily, this list offers ideas in a variety of fields with a range of educational and training requirements. Take a look at 30 of the best jobs for the future to see which might suit you best.

1. App Developer

Getty Images

Total number of jobs: 878,990

Projected job growth, 2017-2027: 30.4% (All jobs: 9.7%)

Median annual salary: $100,857 (All jobs: $43,992)

Typical education: Bachelor's degree

Why become an app developer? Check the palm of your hand (or maybe in the couch cushions) for the answer. The proliferation of mobile technology is driving demand for development of new applications of all kinds, from news and games to music and social sharing. Systems software developers, who create the operating systems for computers and mobile devices, are also poised for prosperity. From about 409,800 jobs currently, the workforce is projected to grow