30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade

17. Physical Therapists

Physical therapists help people who have recently become injured, and they need to build strength in their body in order to get back to normal. For a full-time physical therapist with a doctorate degree, they earn a median salary of $87,930.

In 2018, there were 247,700 jobs for physical therapists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 301,900 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 54,200 jobs over a 10-year period.

16. Computer Systems Analysts

System analysts are computer programmers who help to build a system to operate smoothly. They are sometimes called a “system architect.” On average, they typically earn a salary of $88,740 per year.

In 2018, there were 633,900 jobs for computer systems analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 689,900 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 56,000 jobs over a 10-year period.

15. Business Operations Specialists

If you’ve seen the movie Office Space, you might already be familiar with the concept of a business operations specialist. These people typically have an MBA and know how to run a business in the smoothest way possible. On average, they are paid $70,530 per year.

In 2018, there were 1,135,700 jobs for business operations specialists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 1,207,000 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 71,300 jobs over a 10-year period.

14. Nurse Practitioners

Most RNs and LPNs work in hospitals, but nurse practitioners are licensed to work independently. They typically earn up to $107,030 per year.

In 2018, there were 189,100 jobs for nurse practitioners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 242,400 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 53,300 jobs over a 10-year period.

13. Postsecondary Health Specialties Teachers

Professors who teach topics in the medical field earn an average of $97,370 per year. Since there is a growing number of jobs in medicine, it only makes sense that universities would need to hire more professors too.

In 2018, there were 254,800 jobs for postsecondary health specialties teachers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 313,900 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 59,100 jobs over a 10-year period.

12. Lawyers

When most people imagine what lawyers do on a daily basis, they usually imagine people arguing in a courtroom. However, there are many different types of attorneys who represent both individuals and businesses. They may never even step foot in a courtroom because they work preparing legal documents and contracts. Of course, people need to go to law school for three years before they can become a lawyer. They earn a median salary of $120,910.

In 2018, there were 823,900 jobs for lawyers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 874,000 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 50,100 jobs over a 10-year period.

11. Accountants/Auditors

Professional accountants help individual people and companies manage their money. Many people only choose to hire an accountant to help do their taxes. Auditors usually work for the IRS, and help to check tax errors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for this field is $70,500.

In 2018, there were 1,424,000 jobs for accountants and auditors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 1,514,700 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 90,700 jobs over a 10-year period.

10. Computer and information systems managers

In a large corporation, computer and information systems managers help to direct computer-related work in their organization. This is a high-level management position that pays a median salary of $142,530.

In 2018, there were 414,400 jobs for computer and information systems managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 461,100 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 46,800 jobs over a 10-year period.

9. Physicians & Surgeons

We’ve already mentioned that nearly every type of nurse is going to be more in-demand, so it should not be surprising that physicians and surgeons are needed as well. The median annual wage for a doctor or surgeon is $200,890, according to the BLS.

In 2018, there were 433,700 jobs for doctors and surgeons. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 467,400 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 33,700 jobs over a 10-year period.

8. Medical & Health Services Managers

The medical industry needs managers and administrators just like every other field. These professionals help to run hospitals and medical facilities. The average salary for a medical service manager is $99,730.

In 2018, there were 406,100 jobs for medical and health service managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 477,600 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 71,600 jobs over a 10-year period.

7. Managers (Other)

The job title of “manager” is very vague. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has lumped together all other management positions and gave them a median salary of $107,480.

In 2018, there were 1,079,600 jobs for managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 1,148,100 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 68,500 jobs over a 10-year period.

6. Market Research Analysts & Marketing Specialists

Market research analysts gather data on consumers for the business it works for. They also compare this data to the competition in order to gauge their success. By doing this research, they can help businesses understand what people want to buy, and how to price competitively. On average, they earn $63,120 per year.

In 2018, there were 681,900 jobs for market research analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 821,100 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 139,200 jobs over a 10-year period.

5. Management Analysts

A management analyst helps to figure out how a business can run more efficiently. They may decide which managers are successful at leading their teams and what can be done in order to improve results. The median salary for a management analyst is $83,610 per year.

In 2018, there were 876,300 jobs for management analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 994,600 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 118,300 jobs over a 10-year period.

4. Financial Managers

A financial manager may be in the executive position as the Chief Financial Officer or they could simply lead lower-level accountants in a corporation. The median salary for this position is $127,990.

In 2018, there were 653,600 jobs for financial managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 758,300 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 104,700 jobs over a 10-year period.

3. General & Operations Managers

Unlike the management positions we’ve mentioned already on this list, a General Manager or an Operations Manager is often one step up from a regular manager. For example, there may be a manager in the store of a town, and a general manager overseeing every store in the county or state. This is a lot of responsibility, and their salary is usually an average of $100,930 per year because of that fact.

In 2018, there were 2,376,400 jobs for general and operations managers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 2,541,400 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 165,000 jobs over a 10-year period.

2. Application Software Developers

Nearly everyone has used an app on their smartphone or tablet. There is definitely a growing need for people who know how to code application software. The median salary for an app developer is $103,620 per year.

In 2018, there were 944,200 jobs for application software developers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 1,185,700 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 241,500 jobs over a 10-year period.

1. Registered Nurses

Last and certainly not least, the number one growing job in the United States are registered nurses. Their median salary is $71,730.

In 2018, there were 3,059,800 jobs for management analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 3,431,300 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 371,500 jobs over a 10-year period.