The job market changes constantly. Industries evolve and employment demands shift with infrastructure developments and technology improvements.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is thrusting Artificial Intelligence (AI) across workplaces with far greater speed than the age of robotics ever did to manufacturing industries in the past.
If we learned one thing during COVID-19 it is that job security and careers are incredibly valuable.
Entire industries suffered during the COVID-19 fallout. Millions of people around the world lost their jobs. Companies and industries pivoted to the world’s changes just to keep their doors open. Up against automation and the potential for similar global disasters, which job is safer than others from external forces and changes?
How can job seekers and the youth identify the best careers for the next ten years? Which job is expected to grow despite developing technology, global interruptions, and shifting work trends?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted there will be 11.9 million new jobs created from 2020 to 2030. In this article, we’ve listed the 20 fastest-growing jobs in the next ten years. The common denominator across most of these jobs is education. These 20 fastest-growing jobs require specialized education and training. For some fields, just a bachelor’s degree is not enough. Neither is a master’s degree. Utilizing advanced knowledge and on the job experience will help to future-proof your career for the next decade.
The renewable energy sector’s growth is the highest in the job market for the next decade. Wind turbine service technicians servicing renewable energy systems have the fastest growth rate. In fact, such is the growth of this sector, solar photovoltaic (solar panel) installers are the third most in demand jobs on our list. Having said that, this sector will only grow by 11,000 of the 11.9 million predicted jobs for the next decade.
Healthcare workers and related healthcare services take up nine of the 20 dream jobs for the next decade. As the baby boomer generation ages and chronic illnesses increase, residential care facilities, physician assistants, and other medical professionals will account for over 1 million jobs over the ten years. Unfortunately, most of the healthcare jobs are the lowest-paid of our 20 fastest-growing jobs. This is despite the importance and significance of healthcare and emergency medicine fields since COVID-19. This sector is ripe for disruption.
A quick glance further down the list shows Information Security analysts, software developers, operations research analysts, and software quality assurance analysts will continue to increase.
The 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs for the Next Decade
According to the BLS report, the jobs listed on their most in-demand jobs don’t include roles that issues would interrupt, such as global pandemics and other external forces.
1: Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Windtechs – as they’re known within the industry – is projected as the fastest-growing job this next decade. As we’ve mentioned already, wind turbine service technicians and solar photovoltaic installers (third on our list) of solar panel systems will only account for 11,000 new jobs in total. However, the job demand is 15 times the rate of other jobs. Renewable energy isn’t only an exciting field to work in, but is likely to be a lucrative one, too.
2: Nurse Practitioners
Healthcare professionals have seen a tremendous increase over the last 2 years. This trend is set to continue over the next decade. Preventative and primary caregivers have seen a tremendous increase since COVID-19. Prevention specialists, primary caregivers, advanced practice registered nurses, and other healthcare workers will increase in median salary, but they’ll, unfortunately, remain the lowest of the 20 fastest-growing jobs on this list in terms of financial health.
3: Solar Photovoltaic Installers
The renewable energy market offers the highest median annual salaries on this list. Solar panel systems are continually developing and improving with technology. More and more companies and residential areas are greening their energy use. A solar photovoltaic installer is a dream job for many with incredible job growth potential. Assembling and maintaining all types of solar panel systems will require a high school diploma to move up to more technical and advanced positions – and those jobs will have strong competition because of limited positions. A master’s degree will help you secure one of those highly sought-after roles.
4: Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy practices will grow in numbers as the demand for patients requiring help with recovery goals soars in the next decade. Occupational therapists assist patients with physical disabilities. These types of health care services focus on developmental disabilities with physical therapists, aiding the aging population’s medical and health care needs. Physical therapy requires an associate degree, and physical therapist aides working in occupational therapy settings, such as private clinics, require a 16-week course and on-the-job training.
5: Statisticians
Statisticians are in high demand in industries, such as professional financial advice, healthcare services, government agencies, and retail business. Their ability to analyze data and problem-solve issues. Statisticians typically require a master’s degree or doctoral or professional degree to grow their specialized skills with computer programming. This is a dream job: increased median annual earnings and job growth make this a brilliant prospect for a future-proof job.
6: Home Health Aides
Home health care services have a strong demand as the number of adults age 65 and older is expected to rise dramatically. Home health aides assist people with chronic illnesses or disabilities, as well as anybody who requires help carrying out daily activities. They also give basic health care, such as monitoring vital signs by using their training from a program or on the job. A high school diploma or equivalent and on-job training make home health aides one of the most accessible health services jobs for the youth.
7: Physical Therapy Assistants
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) assist those who’ve suffered injuries or illnesses in regaining their mobility and managing any pain that may be associated with the healing process. Most health maintenance jobs require an associate degree and a license or certificate from passing the National Physical Therapy Exam before becoming a PTA. Because of the growing demand from an aging population, the job prospects for PTAs are growing faster this decade than any other before.
8: Medical and Health Services Managers
Managers of medical and health services coordinate the activities at health services facilities, departments, groups, and private clinics. Although a bachelor’s degree is necessary, master’s degrees are becoming increasingly popular and are frequently preferred by employers.
9: Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) work in tandem with doctors and surgeons to provide medical examinations, diagnoses, and therapies. A master’s degree is required to become a PA, and applicants must have prior experience helping patients before applying to a graduate school. After obtaining your degree and gaining your license, physician assistants are open to chase many employment options in the healthcare industry.
10: Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts safeguard computer networks and systems for businesses. Organizations require experts to develop security best practices and stay up-to-date on information technology and security trends because of the prevalence and development of cyberattacks. It’s critical for those wanting to pursue this career to start out in an IT field with experience working with computer systems.
11: Data Scientists
Data scientists use data analysis and programming to turn raw data into interpretable knowledge. Data scientists research, visualize, and report their findings as well as advise on analytical methods used to solve issues. Medical sciences, finance, and insurance are among the most popular industries for data scientist jobs. A bachelor’s degree is required, but a graduate degree will also help you land a job in this field.
12: Derrick Operators
Oil and gas derrick operators construct and operate derrick equipment. Drilling oil wells will remain an in-demand job so long as there is oil under the ground. Jobs as derrick operators are most needed in mining, oil and gas, and construction, too.
13:Rotary Drill Operators
Rotary drill operators put together and operating drills that extract oil and gas from beneath the earth’s surface. This is another fast-growing job related to oil and gas extraction. Despite no formal education or previous experience requirements, this work requires modest on-the-job training. Those interested in this profession may pursue careers in mining, coal, oil, and the construction industries.
14: Roustabouts
In the mining, oil and gas, and construction industries, roustabout roles are also on the rise. This position is only necessary for oil field equipment setup and maintenance. Roles don’t require extensive training or formal education.
15: Speech-Language Pathologists
A master’s degree and a clinical license are required to work as speech-language pathologists and help individuals with communication and feeding issues. These types of healthcare services assist patients with stroke effects, stuttering, brain injuries, cleft palates, other conditions. Speech therapists also work in schools and private clinics to provide counselling and speech therapy support for school students.
16: Operations Research Analysts
Operations research analysts use complex mathematical and analytical methods to tackle challenging issues in a variety of sectors, such as healthcare, business, logistics, and science. These specialties are in demand by businesses looking for increased cost-savings and improved operational efficiency. To get started, a bachelor’s degree in operations research or another quantitative discipline is a must.
17: Behavioral Disorder, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Counselors
Counselors help those who have mental or behavioral disorders that impede their daily activities. They evaluate and assess issues such as addiction or alcoholism, provide treatment, and educate people about recovery. To be a counselor, a bachelor’s degree and clinical license are required.
18: Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists check residential and public structures and outdoor areas for wildfire risks in order to prevent fires. As the number of wildfires around the world increases, demand for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists is incredibly valuable.
19: Restaurant Cooks
To be a restaurant cook, you don’t need formal education, and on-the-job training in food safety and handling will teach you what you need to know. Many people choose to enroll in culinary school through a professional institution, vocational program, or apprenticeship for advanced knowledge.
20: Animal Caretakers
If you enjoy working with animals and non-farm animals, animal caretaking is for you. You must feed, groom, and exercise pets as an animal caregiver. This job requires no prior expertise or formal education. The number of pet companions continues to rise – and this means that animal caretaker jobs will continue to grow.
For the Next Decade
Career stability, job security, consistent income, and job growth opportunities define our career path choices. Keeping those aspects in focus in a changing job market landscape will see you rise above evolving technology, global disasters, and other external factors.
