The job landscape is always changing, based on the needs of the market. The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ jobs projections, for 2021 through 2031, show the U.S. gaining 8.4 million new jobs over that time.
The BLS projections have the health care and social assistance sector adding the most new jobs, with the most rapid growth in leisure and hospitality, as that industry recovers from the pandemic.
If you’re looking for a job that’s likely to be around a decade from now, read on for the fastest-growing occupations, ranked by their rate of projected growth.
To see which occupations to avoid, read “10 Jobs That Will Shrink the Fastest Over the Next Decade.”
1. Nurse practitioners
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 45.7%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 112,700 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $120,680
Nurse practitioners are among the most highly compensated types of nurses, as we detail in “Here’s How Much Nurses Make in Every State.”
2. Wind turbine service technicians
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 44.3%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 4,900 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $56,260
3. Ushers, lobby attendants and ticket takers
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 40.5%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 25,600 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $24,440
4. Motion picture projectionists
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 40.3%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 800 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $29,350
5. Restaurant cooks
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 36.6%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 459,900 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $30,010
6. Data scientists
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 35.8%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 40,500 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $100,910
7. Athletes and sports competitors
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 35.7%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 5,700 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $77,300
8. Information security analysts
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 34.7%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 56,500 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $102,600
9. Statisticians
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 32.7%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 11,200 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $95,570
10. Umpires, referees and other sports officials
Projected job growth rate for 2021-2031: 31.7%
Projected job increase for 2021-2031: 4,200 jobs
Median annual wage as of May 2021: $35,860
