Career Guides

Top Careers for the Next Decade

In-demand occupations backed by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections through 2034 — with strong growth, competitive salaries, and lasting relevance.

Each career profile below is sourced directly from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024–34 projections). We focused on occupations with strong absolute job volume, above-average growth rates, and long-term structural demand — not just fast percentage growth in tiny fields.

5.2M
New jobs projected
2024–2034
3.1%
National avg.
job growth
$49,500
Median wage
all occupations
+35% growth
🩺
Healthcare

Nurse Practitioner

Advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary and specialty care, often serving as a patient's main healthcare provider. One of the fastest-growing careers in the U.S.

$132,050
Median wage
32,700
Openings/yr
Master's
Education
+34% growth
📊
Technology

Data Scientist

Professionals who collect, analyze, and interpret large volumes of data to help organizations make better decisions — supercharged by the growth of AI.

$112,590
Median wage
23,400
Openings/yr
Bachelor's
Education
+29% growth
🔐
Technology

Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity professionals who protect computer networks and systems from attacks. Demand is driven by the rising frequency and severity of data breaches.

$124,910
Median wage
16,000
Openings/yr
Bachelor's
Education
+15% growth
💻
Technology

Software Developer

The architects behind the applications and systems that power the modern world — from mobile apps to cloud infrastructure to AI systems.

$132,270
Median wage
129,200
Openings/yr
Bachelor's
Education
+11% growth
🏃
Healthcare

Physical Therapist

Licensed clinicians who help patients recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions through movement, exercise, and hands-on therapy.

$101,020
Median wage
13,200
Openings/yr
Doctorate
Education
+42% growth
☀️
Clean Energy

Solar PV Installer

Technicians who assemble, install, and maintain solar panel systems on rooftops and other structures. Among the very fastest-growing occupations in the U.S.

$51,860
Median wage
4,100
Openings/yr
HS + Training
Education
−2% (stable)
🍎
Education

Kindergarten Teacher

Educators who introduce young children to formal schooling, building foundational academic and social skills. High annual opening volume despite modest overall decline.

$62,340
Median wage
103,800
Openings/yr
Bachelor's
Education
Data source: All salary, growth, and openings data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024–34 Employment Projections) and the May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/  |  https://www.bls.gov/emp/