Stable jobs for an unpredictable economy
In 2025, the U.S. economy continues to grapple with geopolitical tensions, inflation, elevated interest rates and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
To find the top careers for job security, U.S. News ranked the most stable careers based on the U.S. News Best Jobs ranking and analysis. In selecting these top 20 jobs, we took into consideration the current unemployment rate, future job prospects and the potential for job growth over the next 10 years. Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
20. Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Median salary: $41,780
Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Ophthalmic medical technicians help ophthalmologists diagnose and treat patients with eye conditions. Their duties include conducting diagnostic tests, measuring vision and assisting with minor procedures.
Jobs for ophthalmic medical technicians are expected to grow 14.1% between 2023 and 2033.
Learn more about ophthalmic medical technicians.
19. Financial Advisor
Median salary: $99,580
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Financial advisor ranks No. 2 among the Best Business Jobs. These professionals help individuals and businesses manage their money by providing investment, tax and retirement planning advice. Job opportunities for financial advisors are expected to rise by 17.1% over the next decade.
Learn more about financial advisors.
18. Physical Therapist Assistant
Median salary: $64,080
Education required: Associate degree
Physical therapist assistants prescribe plans of care for patients who have experienced physical trauma or damage to their bodies. This often includes manually maneuvering a patient’s body into different stretches, using equipment and machines or assigning physical exercises. The need for physical therapist assistants is expected to grow by 25.4% from 2023 to 2033.
Learn more about physical therapist assistants.
17. Operations Research Analyst
Median salary: $83,640
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Operations research analysts help businesses and organizations operate more efficiently and cost-effectively through the use of a variety of advanced mathematical techniques. These include but are not limited to optimization, data mining, statistical analysis and mathematical modeling.
The demand for workers in this field is projected to rise by 23% in the next 10 years.
Learn more about operations research analysts.
16. Electrician
Median salary: $61,590
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Electrician ranks No. 3 among the Best Construction Jobs. Electricians carry out and oversee the installation of electrical systems in buildings. Although electricians don’t need a college degree, they do require an understanding of wiring and circuit systems, which they can gain via a mandatory apprenticeship program. Demand for electricians is expected to grow by 10.8% between 2023 and 2033.
Learn more about electricians.
15. Exercise Trainer
Median salary: $46,480
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Exercise trainers help people improve their physical fitness through structured training programs. Their responsibilities can range from guiding beginners through workout routines to helping professional athletes maximize their performance. The BLS projects that the demand for exercise trainers will grow by 13.6% in the next decade.
Learn more about exercise trainers.
14. Software Developer
Median salary: $132,270
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Software developer ranks No. 2 among the Best Technology Jobs. These professionals use their creative and technical skills to create computer apps and programs.
Their responsibilities typically include writing and editing code, checking for bugs in software, and communicating with other developers, managers and clients. Opportunities for this career path are projected to grow by 17.9% from 2023 to 2033.
Learn more about software developers.
13. Medical Equipment Repairer
Median salary: $60,670
Education required: Associate degree
Medical equipment repairers rank No. 1 among the Best Maintenance and Repair Jobs. Their main job is to maintain and fix essential medical devices, such as X-ray machines, ventilators and MRI scanners. Although medical equipment repairers typically work during the day, they’re sometimes expected to be on call during evenings and weekends. The BLS projects jobs for medical equipment repairers will grow 18.4% in the next decade.
Learn more about medical equipment repairers.
12. Logistician
Median salary: $79,400
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Logisticians coordinate and analyze an organization’s supply chain to make sure that goods and materials move efficiently from suppliers to consumers. They also oversee purchasing, transportation, inventory management and warehousing to minimize costs and streamline operations. The demand for logisticians is expected to grow by 19.3% over the next decade.
Learn more about logisticians.
11. Information Security Analyst
Median salary: $120,360
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Information security analysts serve as guards for an organization’s computer systems, protecting them from data breaches and cyberattacks. They install and maintain data encryption software, develop security standards, investigate data breaches and more. Demand for information security analysts is expected to grow by 32.7% in the next decade.
Learn more about information security analysts.
10. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Analyst
Median salary: $53,710
Education required: Master’s degree
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor ranks No.1 among the Best Social Services Jobs. These counselors play a pivotal role in helping people struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, eating disorders, or behavioral problems. They provide treatment to these individuals in a professional yet supportive environment.
Demand for these positions is expected to increase by 18.8% in the next decade, according to the BLS.
Learn more about substance abuse and behavioral disorder analysts.
9. Wind Turbine Technician
Median salary: $61,770
Education required: Postsecondary nondegree award
Wind turbine technicians install, maintain and repair wind turbines, which are essential for renewable energy production. As the push for clean energy increases, the demand for wind turbine technicians is expected to grow by 60.1%, making it one of the fastest growing jobs.
Learn more about wind turbine technicians.
8. Data Scientist
Median salary: $108,020
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Data scientists use their extensive statistics, quantitative reasoning and programming skills to gather data. They are then responsible for contextualizing the data and explaining its broader implications. The demand for data scientists is expected to grow by 36% from 2023 to 2033.
Learn more about data scientists.
7. Medical and Health Services Manager
Median salary: $110,680
Education required: Bachelor’s degree
Medical and health services managers rank No. 1 among the Best Health Care Support Jobs.
These professionals keep a variety of health care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes and group practices, running smoothly behind the scenes. They are typically detail-oriented planners, directors and coordinators with impressive analytic and organizational skills. Job opportunities for medical and health services managers are slated to increase by 28.5% in the next 10 years.
Learn more about medical and health services managers.
6. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Median salary: $48,800
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Solar photovoltaic installers set up and maintain solar panel systems for residential and commercial properties. They primarily work outdoors and need to be comfortable with heights and various weather conditions. The job market for solar installers is projected to grow by 48% over the next 10 years.
Learn more about solar photovoltaic installers.
5. Speech-Language Pathologist
Median salary: $89,290
Education required: Master’s degree
Speech-language pathologists help people with speech, language or swallowing difficulties improve their conditions through evaluation and treatment. Many of these patients are children and babies, but they also include adults recovering from medical events, such as strokes. The need for speech-language pathologists is projected to grow by 18.4% in the next decade.
Learn more about speech-language pathologists.
4. Veterinary Technologist and Technician
Median salary: $43,740
Education required: Associate degree
Veterinary technologists and technicians oversee the health and well-being of animal patients. This includes but is not limited to lab work, radiology, nursing care and surgery assistance. Job opportunities for veterinary technologists and technicians should increase by 19.3% in the next decade.
Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians.
3. Physician Assistant
Median salary: $130,020
Education required: Master’s degree
Physician assistants rank No. 2 among the Best Health Care Jobs and No. 3 among both the 100 Best Jobs and the Best STEM Jobs.
These health care professionals examine, diagnose and treat patients dealing with an array of health issues. Their responsibilities include assisting in surgeries, prescribing medication and conducting physical examinations. Job opportunities for physician assistants are expected to increase by 28.5% in the next 10 years.
Learn more about physician assistants.
2. Home Health Aide
Median salary: $33,530
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Home health aides provide support to elderly, disabled and chronically ill individuals in their homes. They help them with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation. With an aging population, the need for home health aides is projected to increase by 20.7% in the next decade.
Learn more about home health aides.
1. Nurse Practitioner
Median salary: $126,260
Education required: Master’s degree
Nurse practitioner ranks No.1 among the 100 Best Jobs, the Best STEM Jobs and the Best Health Care Jobs.
These health care professionals are registered nurses with additional qualifications in specific patient populations, such as women’s health or pediatrics. Their education allows them to take on extra work, such as taking patient histories, performing physical exams, ordering labs and analyzing the results, prescribing medicines, and authorizing treatments. In the next decade, the need for nurse practitioners should grow by 46.3%, according to the BLS.
Learn more about nurse practitioners.
More from U.S. News
The Best Jobs in America in 2025
25 Best Jobs That Pay $100K or More
10 Best Finance Jobs to Pursue for 2025
20 Careers With the Most Job Security in 2025 originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 02/20/25: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
