The following information is provided by Graphiq and CareerTrends.
by Nick Selbe
When evaluating the future of America’s job market, there are two distinct approaches to take. The optimist could point to a steadily declining unemployment rate — currently sitting under 6 percent — as a reassuring sign of things to come.
But others note that many people have simply given up looking for work, which makes the job market a little cloudier. Even more concerning are predictions like those from computational engineering professor Moshe Vardi of Rice University, who believes the national unemployment rate could skyrocket to 50 percent over the next 30 years as a result of robots replacing human workers. This might sound a tad extreme, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep an eye on your automated vacuum cleaner for the time being.
With this in mind, CareerTrends looked for jobs the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects to be headed in the right direction. Using the most recent data from the BLS and the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, we found the 27 careers with the highest projected increase in employment percentage by 2024.
For this list, we used BLS employment projections and only took into consideration careers with at least 10,000 employees and an average annual salary of $35,000 or higher. Occupations are ranked according to their projected employment increase. In the event of ties, the career with the highest current employment was ranked higher.
Jobs in healthcare and information management appear to be on the rise, so soon-to-be job seekers might be wise to consider such careers to help ensure long-term job security.
#28. Computer Systems Analysts
Percent employment increase by 2024: 20.9 percent
Current employment: 528,320
Estimated 2024 employment: 638,739
Average annual salary: $68,811
#27. Anesthesiologists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 21 percent
Current employment: 30,060
Estimated 2024 employment: 36,373
Average annual salary: $154,494
#26. Athletic Trainers
Percent employment increase by 2024: 21.1 percent
Current employment: 22,400
Estimated 2024 employment: 27,126
Average annual salary: $41,340
#25. Speech-Language Pathologists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 21.3 percent
Current employment: 126,500
Estimated 2024 employment: 153,444
Average annual salary: $64,851
#24. Criminal Justice Professors
Percent employment increase by 2024: 21.4 percent
Current employment: 14,890
Estimated 2024 employment: 18,077
Average annual salary: $54,778
#23. Massage Therapists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 21.6 percent
Current employment: 87,670
Estimated 2024 employment: 106,607
Average annual salary: $35,141
#22. Law Professors
Percent employment increase by 2024: 21.7 percent
Current employment: 15,990
Estimated 2024 employment: 19,460
Average annual salary: $104,170
#21. Cardiovascular Technicians
Percent employment increase by 2024: 22.2 percent
Current employment: 51,080
Estimated 2024 employment: 62,420
Average annual salary: $49,413
#20. Substance Abuse Counselors
Percent employment increase by 2024: 22.3 percent
Current employment: 85,180
Estimated 2024 employment: 104,175
Average annual salary: $38,016
#19. Biomedical Engineers
Percent employment increase by 2024: 23.1 percent
Current employment: 20,080
Estimated 2024 employment: 24,719
Average annual salary: $78,820
#18. Surgical Assistants
Percent employment increase by 2024: 23.1 percent
Current employment: 96,170
Estimated 2024 employment: 118,385
Average annual salary: $40,820
#17. Rebar Workers
Percent employment increase by 2024: 23.4 percent
Current employment: 18,530
Estimated 2024 employment: 22,866
Average annual salary: $47,117
#16. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Percent employment increase by 2024: 26.4 percent
Current employment: 59,760
Estimated 2024 employment: 75,537
Average annual salary: $62,452
#15. Occupational Therapists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 26.5 percent
Current employment: 110,520
Estimated 2024 employment: 139,808
Average annual salary: $72,265
#14. Forensic Science Technicians
Percent employment increase by 2024: 26.6 percent
Current employment: 13,570
Estimated 2024 employment: 17,180
Average annual salary: $51,524
#13. Web Developers
Percent employment increase by 2024: 26.6 percent
Current employment: 121,020
Estimated 2024 employment: 153,211
Average annual salary: $50,700
#12. Optometrists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 27 percent
Current employment: 33,340
Estimated 2024 employment: 42,342
Average annual salary: $99,954
#11. Audiologists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 28.6 percent
Current employment: 12,250
Estimated 2024 employment: 15,754
Average annual salary: $68,814
#10. Interpreters and Translators
Percent employment increase by 2024: 28.7 percent
Current employment: 49,460
Estimated 2024 employment: 63,655
Average annual salary: $39,652
#9. Cartographers
Percent employment increase by 2024: 29.3 percent
Current employment: 11,610
Estimated 2024 employment: 15,012
Average annual salary: $55,932
#8. Personal Financial Advisors
Percent employment increase by 2024: 29.6 percent
Current employment: 196,490
Estimated 2024 employment: 254,651
Average annual salary: $80,286
#7. Operations Research Analysts
Percent employment increase by 2024: 30.2 percent
Current employment: 86,950
Estimated 2024 employment: 113,209
Average annual salary: $68,213
#6. Physician Assistants
Percent employment increase by 2024: 30.4 percent
Current employment: 91,670
Estimated 2024 employment: 119,538
Average annual salary: $89,300
#5. Statisticians
Percent employment increase by 2024: 33.8 percent
Current employment: 26,970
Estimated 2024 employment: 36,086
Average annual salary: $68,003
#4. Physical Therapists
Percent employment increase by 2024: 34 percent
Current employment: 200,670
Estimated 2024 employment: 268,898
Average annual salary: $76,971
#3. Nurse Practitioners
Percent employment increase by 2024: 35.2 percent
Current employment: 122,050
Estimated 2024 employment: 165,012
Average annual salary: $89,204
#2. Physical Therapist Assistants
Percent employment increase by 2024: 40.6 percent
Current employment: 76,910
Estimated 2024 employment: 108,135
Average annual salary: $48,891
#1. Occupational Therapy Assistants
Percent employment increase by 2024: 42.7 percent
Current employment: 32,230
Estimated 2024 employment: 45,992
Average annual salary: $51,870
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