What are the fastest-growing professions in America?
“Wind turbine service technician” is the fastest-growing occupation in the country; the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects open roles could grow 50% by 2034.
Renewable energy production will drive much American job growth over the next decade: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), wind turbine service technicians, solar photovoltaic installers, and nurse practitioner roles are expected to have the highest rate of growth by 2034.
Wind energy is an ever-larger component of US renewable energy production, and the number of wind turbine service technician jobs is projected to increase more than any other occupation, 50% by 2034. Turbine techs earned a median salary of $62,580 in 2024.
Wind turbine technician is the fastest growing occupation in the country.
20 occupations with the highest projected percent change of employment, 2024–2034
The second fastest-growing job is solar photovoltaic installer, the people who assemble and maintain solar panels. Solar energy is another key sector of renewable energy, and panel installers made a 2024 median salary of $51,860.
The highest-paying job in the top 20 is computer and information research scientist, i.e., people who research innovative uses for new and existing computing technologies. In 2024, their median take-home was $140,910.
Are healthcare or healthcare related jobs in demand?
Nurse practitioner, the third-fastest-growing occupation, is one of twelve healthcare-related roles in the top 20 fastest-growing professions. Their median 2024 income was $129,210.
Twelve of the twenty fastest-growing occupations are related to healthcare.
Healthcare-related occupations with the highest projected percent change of employment, 2024–2034
Which types of occupations are adding the most jobs?
The “home health and personal care aides” profession is projected to gain 739,800 new positions by 2034 — more than double any other occupation. In 2024, people in these roles earned a median salary of $34,900.
Second is software developer with a projected increase of 267,700 jobs. Their median income is the third-highest among the fastest-growing professions, at $133,080.
The highest-paying occupation projected to add new jobs by 2034 is computer and information systems manager, people who coordinate an organization's computer-related activities and bring in an average of $171,200, annually.
The most new jobs are expected in home health and personal care aid roles.
Top 20 occupations with the highest projected total change in employment, 2024–2034
What is the difference between and job and an occupation?
An occupation is the broad type of work a person performs, while a job is their specific role at a point in time, based on their skills and experience.
Take a physician specializing in caring for children: their occupation would be “doctor,” and their job would be something like “senior pediatrician, urgent care clinic.”
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