America's Fastest-Growing Careers: Find a Job With a Bright Outlook
Picking a career path and going to school is a huge decision. Discovering some of the fastest-growing careers in the country is a smart move. It can mean the difference between opening yourself up to almost unlimited potential versus graduating from college only to find scarce opportunities in your chosen field.
The good news is that the top-growing careers in America are not clustered in one or two industries. They are quite spread out and diverse, which means there are opportunities for people with various backgrounds, interests, and professional goals. You can find opportunities in sectors like health care, information technology, business services, and the skilled trades. Some of the fastest-growing jobs are highly creative. Others are highly technical. Some are hands-on, while others are more introspective and interpersonal. So, it is likely that you can keep true to yourself while still choosing a career field that is full of potential.
Take a moment to discover some of America's fastest-growing careers and careers with a large number of future openings. You could be inspired to take your career in a new direction—a direction that leads to a future filled with success!
Unless otherwise indicated, information on salary, job growth, and total job openings is based on 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). "Job growth" refers to the projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. "Total new job openings" refers to the projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.
Fast-Growing Careers with Shorter Training
The fastest-growing jobs in the country are found within a variety of industries. They can appeal to all different kinds of people. Opportunities can be found in almost any field, from green energy to health care. So take a moment to explore some of the top-growing careers you can prepare for in four years or less and find out which professions align with your interests.
1. Wind Turbine Technician
According to American Clean Power, the wind energy industry accounted for more than 120,000 jobs in the U.S. in 2023, and those numbers are expected to grow.
According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of land-based wind energy continues to decrease, resulting in increased demand for wind energy. Growth continues to be fueled by the production tax credit (PTC), which was extended until 2025 as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that total installed wind capacity will increase by more than 257 percent from 2020 to 2050.
Preparing to enter the wind energy sector doesn't take as long as you might expect. Most wind turbine technician programs can be completed in one to two years.
- Job growth: 60 percent
- Median hourly pay: $29.70
- Median annual pay: $61,770
- Typical education requirement: Certificate or diploma
2. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Now is a great time to begin a career where you can help create a greener world for future generations by reducing harmful emissions. The Solar Energy Industries Association projects that by 2030, 15 percent of American homes will be equipped with a solar photovoltaic system. You could soon be working on the leading edge of green technology by playing a part in installing, maintaining, and repairing solar panels.
- Job growth: 48 percent
- Median hourly pay: $23.46
- Median annual pay: $48,800
- Typical education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent, but optional technical school training can be beneficial.
3. Data Scientist
The field of data science is growing as we rely more on advanced technology, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Data scientists work to find meaningful insights in complex datasets and often develop new tools and algorithms to address business challenges. For math majors with advanced quantitative skills, data science can be a highly rewarding career.
- Job growth: 36 percent
- Median hourly pay: $51.93
- Median annual pay: $108,020
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree or higher
4. Information Security Analyst
Keeping sensitive information safe from unauthorized users is one of the fastest-growing jobs in America. Banks, hospitals, and all kinds of private corporations need to be able to safeguard personal data and maintain privacy.
As an information security analyst, your job is to stay at least one step ahead of the hackers. You could be responsible for installing firewalls, developing security policies and procedures, monitoring systems for vulnerabilities, and investigating any breaches that occur.
- Job growth: 33 percent
- Median hourly pay: $57.87
- Median annual pay: $120,360
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree
5. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants help people retain and improve their independence, which is highly important among an aging population. Their work can help a client continue living at home instead of going into an extended care facility.
Occupational therapy assistants have a hands-on role with patients. You may get to carry out tasks like teaching patients how to use their equipment, helping patients with their exercises and stretches, assisting children with developmental disabilities, and working with the occupational therapist to monitor patients' progress.
You could complete your occupational therapy assistant training in two years or less and be ready to take on a growing and important career.
- Job growth: 33 percent
- Median hourly pay: $29.75
- Median annual pay: $65,450
- Typical education requirement: Associate degree
6. Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare executives or administrators, oversee the planning, direction, and coordination of medical and health services. They may manage entire facilities, specific clinical departments, or physician practices, adapting to evolving healthcare laws, regulations, and technologies. They are often responsible for a range of tasks, including setting goals, monitoring patient billing, developing policies, and overseeing staff recruitment, training, and scheduling.
- Job growth: 29 percent
- Median hourly pay: $53.21
- Median annual pay: $110,680
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree
7. Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. They guide patients through therapeutic exercises to help them recover, document their progress, and share updates with the supervising physical therapist.
Physical therapist assistants ensure patients understand their recovery plans, including which exercises to do at home. By helping patients regain their strength and independence, physical therapist assistants make a meaningful impact in this fulfilling and fast-growing career path.
- Job growth: 25 percent
- Median hourly pay: $30.81
- Median annual pay: $58,740
- Typical education requirement: Associate degree
8. Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analysts use mathematics, logic, and data analysis to help organizations solve problems and make informed decisions. They identify business, logistics, or healthcare issues, gather and analyze data, and develop models to evaluate potential solutions. Their work can help managers decide on resource use, operations efficiency, and process improvement. Operations research analysts play a key role in shaping effective organizational strategies by weighing the costs and benefits of different approaches.
Job growth in this field is growing as organizations use data-driven strategies to optimize their operations. Further, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technological advances have increased the demand for operations research analysts.
- Job growth: 23 percent
- Median hourly pay: $40.21
- Median annual pay: $83,640
- Typical education requirements: Bachelor's degree or higher
9. Veterinary Technician
Trained veterinary technicians are in growing demand, making this a solid career choice for an animal lover who is kind, compassionate, and wants to make a positive difference with animals.
Vet techs play a key role in a veterinary office. They provide hands-on care under a veterinarian's guidance, conduct lab tests, and educate the animals' families on the required care.
In about two years, you can train to work in this fast-growing and fulfilling career.
- Job growth: 19 percent
- Median hourly pay: $21.03
- Median annual pay: $43,740
- Typical education requirement: Associate degree
Careers With a Large Number of Future Openings
Along with the fastest-growing careers detailed above, you may want to check out a few more professional fields that are expected to have many future openings. These are considered booming careers because they are anticipated to have a combination of strong job growth and high employee replacement needs.
1. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
Senior and elderly care is one of the fastest-growing career fields, which is one of the biggest reasons home health aides and personal care aids are in high demand. Home health aides take care of the day-to-day tasks in care homes and other nursing facilities that house seniors, the elderly, and adults with debilitating illnesses and disabilities. You could be responsible for helping your patients get dressed, eat their meals, and use the bathroom. Administering medication, checking vital signs, tidying rooms, arranging transportation, and keeping patients engaged with social activities are all potential responsibilities of home health aides. Personal care aides usually work for agencies that support seniors and people with disabilities, and are not responsible for medical-related tasks like handing out medications or monitoring vital signs.
While not always required, there are several educational paths to prepare for a home health or personal care aide career. Many individuals choose patient care technician programs, while nursing assistant training is another excellent option. These programs often take a year or less to complete, meaning you could be on your way to making a meaningful impact on the lives of others who need compassionate care in a short time. This career is also on the BLS list of fastest-growing careers.
- Total new job openings: 820,500
- Median hourly wage: $16.12
- Median annual pay: $33,530
- Typical education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent. Post-secondary training is available.
2. Software Developer
Software development is a field that offers both excellent job opportunities and earning potential. It is a profession that offers you the chance to develop both your creative and technical expertise. You can see the software development cycle through from start to finish—from identifying an organization's needs to creating software products to implementing and updating the software systems or applications that you have developed. You may choose to specialize in either applications or systems software development. Depending on your specialty, you could find openings with organizations like computer systems designers, software publishers, and manufacturers. You may also find jobs within IT departments for large corporations or public organizations.
- Total new job openings: 303,700
- Median hourly wage: $63.59
- Median annual pay: $130,160
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree
3. Restaurant Cook
Working as a restaurant cook can be a rewarding career for people who are passionate about food and cooking. There are plentiful job opportunities for chefs and restaurant cooks because restaurants regularly seek skilled kitchen staff. A restaurant cook prepares dishes, manages ingredients, and maintains kitchen safety and hygiene standards. Cooking is a fast-paced career that often requires teamwork, time management, and creativity to meet the demands of hungry customers.
Post-secondary culinary training is optional but can be advantageous for future career growth.
- Total new job openings: 244,500
- Median hourly wage: $17.20
- Median annual pay: $34,320
- Typical education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent
4. General Manager and Operations Manager
The BLS projects above-average job growth for general and operations managers. This strong demand is driven by organizational growth, evolving business needs, and the need to replace retiring managers.
General and operations managers oversee an organization's daily operations and ensure resources are used effectively to meet goals.
They are responsible for tasks such as, scheduling, assigning tasks, and ensuring projects meet deadlines. They may also measure performance, plan staff, and focus on efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
- Total new job openings: 210,400
- Median hourly wage: $48.69
- Median annual pay: $103,840
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree
5. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses take on a critical role by providing direct patient care in a variety of different healthcare settings. Due to the immense number of expected job openings, you will likely find opportunities among employers ranging from hospitals and doctors' offices to schools and community health clinics. You can perform fulfilling and engaging work in unison with physicians and other medical professionals. You may even choose to specialize in a specific area of interest, like addictions, labor and delivery, or rehabilitation.
- Total new job openings: 197,200
- Median hourly wage: $41.38
- Median annual pay: $86,070
- Typical education requirement: Diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in nursing
6. Medical Assistant
Medical assistants perform essential support services in clinical settings to free up time for doctors and other healthcare providers to focus on offering essential care. You may be responsible for handling administrative responsibilities like scheduling appointments, processing insurance forms, and updating patients' records. If you choose to get formal training at a medical assisting school, you may also be qualified to handle more advanced clinical responsibilities like checking vital signs and assisting the doctor or nurse practitioner during examinations.
- Total new job openings: 118,000
- Median hourly wage: $20.19
- Median annual pay: $42,000
- Typical education requirement: Certificate or diploma
7. Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and information systems managers, commonly called IT managers, oversee and guide an organization's technology-related operations. IT managers play a key role in setting the organization's technology objectives and are responsible for deploying computer systems and strategies to achieve those objectives.
Like some other careers with many future job openings, job growth for computer and information systems managers is fueled by organizations' increasing reliance on technology to operate efficiently and securely. The rapid adoption of emerging technologies and the expansion of digital infrastructure contribute to the growing opportunities in this field.
- Total new job openings: 106,900
- Median hourly wage: $81.50
- Median annual pay: $169,510
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree
8. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver
Not everyone is cut out for a typical office job, and that may include you. The good news is that many options exist for people who do not desire to work at a desk all day. Truck driving is one of those options. As a commercial truck driver, you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of spending your days on the open road hauling goods from one destination to another. The opportunities within this field range from short hauls driving within your city or region to long hauls that could require you to be on the road away from home for several days at a time. A truck driving school can help you learn to handle a large commercial vehicle safely.
- Total new job openings: 102,000
- Median hourly wage: $26.12
- Median annual pay: $54,320
- Typical education requirement: Completion of CDL training
9. Accountant
As the business world evolves, globalizes, and becomes more complex, the need for professional accountants becomes stronger. A growing economy, emerging international markets, and evolving tax laws and regulations mean that many organizations are turning to accountants for help ensuring that they are following laws, keeping accurate financial records, and paying taxes accordingly. As an accountant, you can set up efficient accounting practices to help an organization identify how to save and make money.
- Total new job openings: 94,400
- Median hourly wage: $38.41
- Median annual pay: $79,880
- Typical education requirement: Bachelor's degree
10. Electrician
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports indicate that electrician jobs could grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033. This expected increase is due to new construction, aging infrastructure that needs to be upgraded, technological advances (smart homes, solar and wind energy, electric cars), and our dependence on electricity.
Not only are electricians in demand, but this growing need ensures steady work, job security, and good earning potential. Post-secondary education is not required, but it can be beneficial when pursuing an apprenticeship.
- Total new job openings: 84,300
- Median hourly wage: $29.61
- Median annual pay: $61,590
- Typical education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent
Start Preparing to Excel in a New Career
Are you feeling the excitement and the inspiring feeling that comes from knowing that many options for fast-growing careers can offer you incredible opportunities? Keep that feeling going by discovering the training possibilities that can help lead you to the new job that you want so badly. All you need to do is enter your zip code below to find out which programs are offered online or at a school near you!
