As China's national economy continues to boom, so, too, does its need for specialized talent. According to a report in Shenzhen Special Zone Daily (online edition) on April 17, positions requiring specialized skills will top the salary scales by 2010, some surpassing the 100,000 yuan (US$12,480) per annum mark.

The following are what experts predict to be 2010's Top 10 professions:

Simultaneous Interpreter

With an average annual income of over 300,000 yuan (US$37,449), a simultaneous interpreter is touted to be the "No.1 most sought after talent in the 21st century". The need for such talent is growing, particularly in the face of China's economic exchange with other countries and the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

3G (telecommunications) Engineer

The basic annual salary for this position is forecast to be between 150,000 (US$18,724) to 200,000 yuan (US$24,966). Experts predict that there will be vacancies for over 500,000 engineers in the near future.

Online Media Talent

The monthly salary for online editors working with Sina.com and Sohu.com is a projected 5,000 yuan (US$624), and an estimated 8,000 (US$999) to 10,000 yuan (US$1,248) for intermediate positions.

Systems Integration Engineer

It is an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 yuan annual salary forecast for this position.

Actuary

Actuaries can expect annual salaries between 120,000 (US$14,979) and 150,000 yuan. This is predicted to be one of the hottest positions in the next few years, particularly as the Chinese insurance market continues to open up to international companies. At present, the global average annual pay is about US$100,000. In China, the average monthly salary is above 10,000 yuan.

Logistics Specialist

There will be a predicated shortage of 6 million logistic talents in 2010. Insiders reveal that Shell Group offers Chinese graduates annual salaries of between 70,000 (US$8,738) and 100,000 yuan.

Environmental Engineer

China is short of 420,000 environmental engineers at present. Predicted monthly salaries for garden designers and landscape designers are between 7,000 and 8,000 yuan.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

The domestic need for CPAs at present is about 350,000. However, only 80,000 of China's accountants are certified, with only 15 percent of them recognized by international authorities. Annual salaries are forecast to exceed 100,000 yuan.

Customs Specialist

According to statistics from ChinaHR.com, the monthly salary for a customs specialist is forecast to be between 5,000 to 8,000 yuan; 7,000 to 8,000 yuan in the Pearl River Delta areas.

TCM and Western Medicine Practitioners

Annual income is projected to be at least 60,000 yuan (US$7,490).

(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing April 21, 2006)