The jobs available change as the world changes. It’s overwhelming to look at all the options out there and figure out what will be the best path to take for your future. What are some of the fastest growing jobs and sectors in the next coming years? Read more to find out.
Data Scientist
Growth Rate: The growth rate for data scientists is huge. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this field to grow 36 percent from 2021 to 2031. There is an estimate of 13,500 openings for data scientists each year on average.
Salary: $100,910 per year
Education Needed:
In order to enter the field of data science, you usually need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or another related field. Some employers prefer master’s and doctorate degrees.
What You’ll Do: A data scientist uses analytical tools and techniques to collect and analyze data.
Why It’s Growing: Companies are already struggling to handle the data they currently store, so companies are going to face even more challenging times as the amount of data grows daily. As data grows, demand for data scientists will continue to rise. AI and machine learning are being adopted by more companies, which furthers the need for more data scientists.
Pros: Data science is in outrageous demand. It’s also a very versatile field. With data science, you can work in healthcare, banking, e-commerce, and more.
Cons: Data science takes many years to gain proficiency and is very hard to master. As a data scientist, you must always be learning.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Growth Rate: The growth rate is at 6% for most medical fields. We expect these openings to result from the need to replace workers who exit the labor force or switch career paths.
Salary: $38,000 per year for LPN
$77,600 per year for RN
$123,000 per year for NPs
Education Needed: Diploma from a nursing program, like those at ECPI, for LPNs, an Associates Degree or Bachelors Degree for RNs, and Master’s programs for Nurse Practitioners
What You’ll Do: Nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about different health conditions, and offer advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Registered nurses’ duties and titles vary depending on where they work and who they work with. Nurse practitioners can also provide primary care.
Why It’s Growing: According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there will be more demand for nurses as the population ages.
Pros: There is great earning potential in nursing, and the field is going to be around for quite some time. In addition, it’s a profession that’s honorable and ethical.
Cons: Being a nurse is a physically demanding job. The job usually requires long shifts on your feet, as well as exposure to viruses and germs. It can also be very stressful.
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers
Growth Rate: 25%, which is much faster than average. (Average is around 6%.) They estimate that there will be 411,400 jobs in this field open each year.
Salary: $109,020 per year
Education Needed: Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree. More and more programs, similar to LaunchCode in St. Louis, are popping up to train people in these fields with no advanced degrees.
What You’ll Do:
Software developers create computer programs and applications. A software quality assurance analyst or tester identifies and reports problems with programs or applications.
Why It’s Growing: Artificial intelligence and machine learning are on the rise. Additionally, the current code written into programs now has a lifespan. It always needs to be developing as the need for innovative software grows.
Pros: The pay is incredible, and the job is pretty flexible. Most software developer and quality assurance testing jobs can be done remotely, so you can work wherever you want in the world.
Cons: Code does not care if it is the holidays, the weekends, or even the middle of the night. If there is a problem with a project, it may need to be done right away. Another downside of software development (and really any job in tech) is communicating with nontechnical customers and supervisors. You will frequently have to “translate” technical speak for others.
Wind Turbine Technicians, Solar Installers, and Other Renewable Technologies
Growth Rate: The growth rate for renewable energies is huge. They expect these jobs to grow by 96% over a 10-year span.
Salary: $56,260 per year for Wind Turbine Technicians and $47,670 per year for Photovoltaic Installers
Education Needed: Technical schools are the most common source of education for wind turbine service technicians and photovoltaic installers. In addition to classroom training, they may also receive on-the-job training.
What You’ll Do: Installers of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems assemble, install, and maintain them. Wind turbine service technicians do maintenance, repair, and installation of wind turbines. Wind turbine service technicians work outdoors, in confined spaces, and sometimes at heights. Outdoor work and high spaces are also common for solar installers.
Why It’s Growing: There’s a lot of potential in this field if the United States federal government keeps implementing emissions reduction policies.
Pros: It is an easy field to get it with zero to some experience, and the benefits are usually great. For some, it’s knowing they are working to help clean the environment.
Cons: These jobs can be very hard, both mentally and physically. You must maintain good physical strength to do these jobs.
Cooks, Servers, and other Hospitality Workers
Growth Rate: Cooks are sitting at a 16% growth rate, which is much higher than average. Food service and other hospitality workers are looking at a 9% growth rate, which is still higher than average.
Salary: $29,120 per year for Cooks
$25,980 per year for Servers and Other Hospitality Workers
Education Needed: Typically, cooks learn their trade through on-the-job training and related work experience. Some cooks attend culinary schools even though formal education is not required. Food service and other hospitality work usually require no education or experience and also provides you with on-the-job training.
What You’ll Do: Cooks prepare food and drink. Cooks may work in restaurants, schools, hospitals, private households, and other places where food is prepared and served. Servers serve the food, and other hospitality workers perform other tasks related to hospitality, such as cleaning, preparing and taking orders.
Why It’s Growing: Service positions have always been high demand jobs. They will continue to grow as our population grows.
Pros: Cooking and other service jobs provide the opportunities for entrepreneurship. The jobs are usually easy to learn and can be fun to perform.
Cons: This industry can be physically demanding, as you are on your feet for long periods of time, while also lifting and carrying heavy items. The hours are not ideal either, as you will probably work most on nights and weekends.
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(Statistics are provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unless otherwise noted.)