With a population of 8,186,453 and growing; (the 10th most populous state in the in U.S.), a large percentage of whom are reaching their golden years, Georgia has a high demand for skilled medical professionals. Recognizing this need, the state has funded two new large, state-of-the-art universities in order to better train the next generation of Georgia’s doctors and nurses. Health professionals in the state enjoy steady jobs and are paid well above the national average for their field. Most of the state’s research hospitals and organizations are located in the larger cities.