What Are the Most In-Demand Jobs of the Future?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” but that advice isn’t always practical. You might enjoy doing many different things, making it challenging to narrow down your interests to a single type of work. Or perhaps your passion, such as writing poetry or playing the ukulele, isn’t likely to translate to a career with your desired salary.
Whether you’re just launching your career or looking to move into a new line of work, pursuing in-demand jobs can offer security in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. And, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these eight exciting jobs in demand are among those projected to grow the fastest through 2031.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners provide health care in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinics. They have more authority than nurses and treat patients in the same way as doctors in many situations, including writing prescriptions and ordering and interpreting tests such as blood work and X-rays.
Expected growth rate: 46%
Median yearly pay: $120,680
Education: Master’s degree in a nurse practitioner-focused program, state license, and national certification exam.
Data Scientist
Data scientists work in a variety of industries, usually in office settings. People in this role extract insights from data with analytical tools and techniques to help solve complex business challenges, figuring out what questions to ask and how to answer them. Businesses use their results to guide key decisions.
Expected growth rate: 36%
Median yearly pay: $100,910
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a similar field.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts protect computer networks and systems from security threats that could put passwords, account numbers, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information at risk. They often work for financial, technology, or consulting businesses.
Expected growth rate: 35%
Median yearly pay: $102,600
Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field like computer information systems.
Statistician
Statisticians solve problems by analyzing data and using computational techniques. They might also create and administer surveys or experiments to obtain the necessary data for analysis. They often work with engineers and scientists in research and development companies or for the federal government.
Expected growth rate: 33%
Median yearly pay: $95,570
Education: Usually, a master’s degree in statistics. For some positions, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient.
Web Developer
Web developers create websites that look attractive and are easy for users to navigate. They might also be responsible for the site’s performance, such as how quickly pages load. They often work in computer systems design, advertising, consulting, and publishing.
Expected growth rate: 30%
Median yearly pay: $77,030
Education: A high school diploma is sufficient for some positions; for others, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree.
Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers oversee healthcare providers’ business activities, making sure operations run smoothly so healthcare professionals can focus on caring for patients. They usually work in group medical practices, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Expected growth rate: 28%
Median yearly pay: $101,340
Education: Bachelor’s degree or, in some cases, a master’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants work under a physician’s supervision to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. They work in primary care and almost every specialty area and operate in healthcare settings such as doctors’ offices, hospitals, and clinics.
Expected growth rate: 28%
Median yearly pay: $121,530
Education: Master’s degree from an accredited program and state license. A bachelor’s degree in allied health can be the first step.
Taking the Next Step
Identifying opportunities for job security is a great place to start when planning your next career move. From there, seek support. Connect with the Center for Career and Community-Engaged Learning at Azusa Pacific University to learn more about how you can develop the skills for these in-demand jobs of the next decade and beyond.
Posted: June 14, 2023