Careers

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade

CR Staff - May 24, 2023

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
There are a number of different computer-related occupations available. Credit: Shutterstock

25. Computer Occupations (Other)

Earlier in this list, we already mentioned information security analysts and computer support specialists. Those two descriptions do not cover every other computer occupation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has thrown all other jobs into a category of “computer occupations, all other”. On average, these types of jobs pay a median salary of $90,270.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Tech services is a growing industry. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 412,800 jobs for all other computer occupations. By 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 455,000 jobs in the field. This is an additional 42,200 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Physicians’ assistants work together with doctors to help treat patients. Credit: Shutterstock

24. Physician assistants

Physician assistants are medical professionals. They have more education and training than a nurse, but not quite as much as a doctor. Physician’s assistants work directly under a doctor, and usually work in a hospital or private practice. They earn an average of $108,610 per year.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Sometimes, assistants work in private practice. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 118,800 jobs for physician assistants. By 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 155,700 jobs in the field. This is an additional 37,000 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Electricians help fix the wiring in homes and businesses. Credit: Shutterstock

23. Electricians

Professional electricians fix and install electrical wiring in houses and buildings. Typically, electricians work in a union, and can also benefit from the perks that come with it. They earn a median salary of $55,190.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
An electrician checking the voltage. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 715,400 jobs for electricians. By 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 789,500 jobs in the field. This is an additional 74,100 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Sales representatives often earn a comission when they make a sale. Credit: Shutterstock

22. Services Sales Representatives

There are all kinds of retail jobs, and not all of them earn a healthy salary. When the Bureau of Labor Statistics mentions services sales representatives, they are specifically mentioning the careers where salespeople create leads to sell services and earn commission for private businesses. On average, service sales representatives earn $54,550 per year.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Sometimes, sales reps work over the phone. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 1,060,600 jobs for service sale representatives. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 1,137,000 jobs in the field. This is an additional 76,400 jobs over a 10-year period by 2028.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Construction managers give instructions to contractors. Credit: Shutterstock

21. Construction Managers

Construction managers ensure that building projects are completed up to code and in a timely manner. They are usually managing a team of contractors. Usually, they have years of training as well as a college degree. They earn a median salary of $93,370.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Managing a construction site is a lot of responsibility. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 471,800 jobs for construction managers. By 2028, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 518,000 jobs in the field. This is an additional 46,200 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
In the future, there will be even more of a need for truck drivers. Credit: Shutterstock

20. Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Any day of the week, you can hop on a highway in the United States and spot a tractor-trailer truck driver. These people have to take long road trips to transport goods from place to place. With the growing popularity of online shopping, the need for truck drivers is not going away any time soon. On average, they earn $43,680 per year.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Women can be truck drivers, too. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 1,958,800 jobs for truck drivers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 2,058,500 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 99,700 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
This supervisor is watching extraction construction workers. Credit: Shutterstock

19. First-Line Supervisors Of Construction Trades/Extraction workers

There are a variety of different construction jobs involving other tasks beyond building houses. It is necessary for people to use large machinery to extract natural resources. Supervisors who watch over these sites usually make a median salary of $65,230.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Manager making sure an oil pump is working properly. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 662,600 jobs for first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 731,700 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 69,100 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
System software developers working on their code. Credit: Shutterstock

18. Systems Software Developers

For anyone who gets a degree in computer programming, they may want to consider specializing in system software development. According to the BLS, they earn a median salary of $110,000.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
A knowledge in computer programming will be vital for many jobs in the future. Credit: Shutterstock

In 2018, there were 421,300 jobs for systems software developers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that there will be 463,900 jobs in the field by 2028. This is an additional 42,600 jobs over a 10-year period.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Physical therapists often help people walk again. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
People often recover fro injuries by working with a physical therapist. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Companies hire a computer systems analyst to help things run smoothly. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Systems analysts are hired to analyze code. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Business operations specialists help analyze data on how a company runs. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Nurse practitioners usually work in private practice. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
There is a growing demand for nurse practitioners. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Health professors are more in-demand in colleges. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Most medical professors need to have an extensive background in chemistry. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
There is a growing need for lawyers in the United States. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Lawyers often have to build documents together. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Accountants often file taxes for their clients. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Auditors work for the IRS. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Computer and information systems managers are in charge of the computers in an organization. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
System managers often have to fix any issues that come up. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
There is a growing need for surgeons in the United States. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Doctors can work in a hospital or in a private practice. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
An administrator speaking with doctors about hospital business. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Administrators help both nurses and doctors. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Managers help lead teams in a business setting. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Managers are good at dividing a workload among team members. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Many businesses need help with market research. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Analyzing data is part of researching a market. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
There are a growing number of management analyst jobs available. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
By 2028, there will be 118,300 new management analyst jobs. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Financial managers oversee the financial side of a business. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Analyzing the financial health of a business is a big responsibility. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Operations managers oversee other managers in a business. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
A general manager is often in charge of a district. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
App developers design apps for smartphones and tablets. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
App developers use both design and coding skills. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
There is a growing need for registered nurses in the medical industry. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

30 Growing Occupations For The Next Decade
Registered Nurses have to study for several years in college. Credit: Shutterstock

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.

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