The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in America Over the Next Decade

 

The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in America Over the Next Decade

## Healthcare roles dominate the top 10 as an aging population drives demand for home health and personal care services

The U.S. job market is about to undergo a dramatic transformation. Over the next decade, the economy will add **5.9 million new jobs**, lifting total employment from 170.3 million to 176.2 million by 2035. But not all occupations will grow equally.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its latest employment projections, and the list of the fastest-growing jobs is dominated by one sector above all others: **healthcare**. Six of the 10 fastest-growing occupations are healthcare-related, driven by an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions.

"The likelihood of experiencing health complications increases with age, the aging population is expected to boost demand for a wide variety of healthcare and social services, including home health and personal care services," the BLS wrote.

The healthcare and social assistance sector alone is expected to add **2.2 million jobs** through 2035—accounting for **37% of all new jobs** across the entire economy. That's roughly double the number of new jobs projected across construction, manufacturing, and hospitality combined.

But healthcare isn't the only story. Renewable energy and technology are also driving significant job growth, as the nation's electricity needs expand and artificial intelligence reshapes the economy.

Here are the 10 fastest-growing occupations in America over the next decade, according to the latest BLS projections.

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## 1. Nurse Practitioners

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 41.0%**  

**New Jobs Added: 137,800**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $132,300**

Topping the list is **nurse practitioner (NP)** —a role that has become increasingly vital as the U.S. faces a growing shortage of primary care physicians. NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage patient care, often serving as the primary healthcare provider for millions of Americans.

The 41% projected growth rate is the highest of any occupation, reflecting both the aging population's need for more healthcare services and the broader trend of shifting care from physicians to advanced practice providers. Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to expand by more than **40%** from 2024 to 2034, well above the national average for all occupations.

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## 2. Solar Photovoltaic Installers

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 36.5%**  

**New Jobs Added: 11,300**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $53,140**

The second-fastest growing job is **solar photovoltaic (PV) installer**—a role that involves assembling, installing, and maintaining solar panel systems on rooftops and other structures.

The BLS expects demand for electricity to grow "significantly" over the next decade, driven by the rise of AI data centers, electric vehicles, and broader electrification trends. As the nation transitions to cleaner energy sources, solar installers will be in high demand to build out the infrastructure.

While the total number of jobs is relatively small (about 31,000 in 2025), the growth rate is extraordinary. Wind turbine service technicians also rank high on the list, with a 29.5% projected growth rate.

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## 3. Data Scientists

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 34.6%**  

**New Jobs Added: 95,400**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $120,230**

**Data scientist** ranks third on the list, reflecting the continued explosion of data and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the economy.

Data scientists analyze complex data to help organizations make better decisions, build predictive models, and develop AI systems. The BLS projects employment of data scientists to grow 33.5% and add 82,500 jobs from 2024 to 2034. The growing adoption of AI technologies, including generative AI tools, is fueling strong job growth across computer and mathematical occupations.

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## 4. Wind Turbine Service Technicians

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 29.5%**  

**New Jobs Added: 3,500**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $64,120**

**Wind turbine service technicians**—sometimes called "windtechs"—are responsible for maintaining and repairing the massive wind turbines that generate clean energy across the country.

Employment of wind turbine service technicians is projected to grow 49.9% from 2024 to 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the renewable energy sector. While the total number of jobs is modest (about 11,800 in 2025), the growth rate is among the highest of any occupation.

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## 5. Medical and Health Services Managers

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 24.2%**  

**New Jobs Added: 155,100**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $123,860**

**Medical and health services managers** are the administrators who plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They manage hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

This occupation has the largest nominal job growth among the top 10 fastest-growing roles, adding **155,100 new jobs** over the next decade. As the healthcare system expands to serve an aging population, the need for skilled administrators to manage complex healthcare organizations will only increase.

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## 6. Physical Therapist Assistants

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 23.0%**  

**New Jobs Added: 26,200**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $68,380**

**Physical therapist assistants (PTAs)** work under the direction of physical therapists to help patients recover from injuries, surgeries, and illnesses.

As the population ages and more people require rehabilitation services, demand for PTAs is expected to grow significantly. The BLS projects growth of 22.0% and 24,500 new jobs from 2024 to 2034.

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## 7. Psychiatric Technicians

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 22.3%**  

**New Jobs Added: 36,000**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $45,130**

**Psychiatric technicians** provide care to patients with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities, often in psychiatric hospitals, residential facilities, and outpatient clinics.

Demand for mental health services is projected to increase significantly, driving employment of psychiatric technicians up by 20.0% from 2024 to 2034. As awareness of mental health issues grows and access to care expands, this occupation will play an increasingly important role.

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## 8. Computer and Information Research Scientists

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 21.8%**  

**New Jobs Added: 8,400**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $140,300**

**Computer and information research scientists** are at the forefront of technological innovation, designing new computing technologies and finding novel uses for existing ones.

These highly skilled professionals are essential to the development of AI systems, cybersecurity, and next-generation computing. The BLS projects growth of 19.7% and 7,900 new jobs from 2024 to 2034.

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## 9. Occupational Therapy Assistants

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 21.5%**  

**New Jobs Added: 11,200**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $72,300**

**Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs)** help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.

As the population ages and more people require rehabilitative care, demand for OTAs is expected to grow significantly. The BLS projects growth of 19.2% and 9,500 new jobs from 2024 to 2034.

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## 10. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

**Projected Growth (2025–2035): 21.4%**  

**New Jobs Added: 15,500**  

**Median Annual Wage (2025): $45,570**

Rounding out the top 10 are **ophthalmic medical technicians**, who assist ophthalmologists in providing eye care, performing diagnostic tests, and helping with treatments.

As the population ages and vision problems become more common, demand for eye care services will continue to grow. The BLS projects growth of 19.8% and 15,600 new jobs from 2024 to 2034.

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## Other Fast-Growing Occupations Worth Watching

While the top 10 list is dominated by healthcare and energy roles, several other occupations are also projected to experience rapid growth:

| Occupation | Growth Rate | New Jobs | Median Wage |

|------------|-------------|----------|-------------|

| Physician Assistants | 21.1% | 35,700 | $135,880 |

| Information Security Analysts | 21.0% | 40,600 | $129,180 |

| Epidemiologists | 18.7% | 2,400 | $87,220 |

| Substance Abuse Counselors | 18.4% | 98,000 | $59,350 |

**Information security analysts** are particularly noteworthy. As cyberattack risks become larger and more complex, firms continue to invest in services to protect their data and networks. Employment for information security analysts is projected to grow 28.5% from 2024 to 2034—making it the fastest-growing computer occupation.

**Home health and personal care aides**, while not among the fastest-growing by percentage, will add the **most new jobs of any occupation**—**847,300 new positions** over the decade, with an 18.1% growth rate. This reflects the immense demand for in-home care services driven by the aging population.

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## The Big Picture: What's Driving These Trends?

### The Aging Population

The single biggest driver of job growth over the next decade is demographics. The U.S. population is aging rapidly, with the oldest baby boomers turning 80 in 2026. As people live longer, the demand for healthcare services—from primary care to home health aides to specialized treatments—will continue to surge.

### The AI and Tech Revolution

Technology is also reshaping the job market. AI is driving demand for data scientists and computer researchers, while the massive energy needs of AI data centers are boosting demand for solar installers and wind turbine technicians.

### The Energy Transition

The transition to renewable energy is creating new jobs in solar and wind power. The BLS expects demand for electricity to grow significantly over the next decade, boosting demand for roles like solar panel installers and wind turbine service technicians.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. What is the fastest-growing job in America over the next decade?

**Nurse practitioner** tops the list, with a projected growth rate of 41% and nearly 138,000 new jobs expected by 2035.

### 2. Why are healthcare jobs growing so fast?

An aging population is driving demand for healthcare services. The oldest baby boomers are turning 80 in 2026, and older adults require more medical care. The healthcare sector is expected to add 2.2 million jobs—37% of all new jobs—through 2035.

### 3. Are renewable energy jobs growing quickly?

Yes. Solar photovoltaic installers rank second (36.5% growth) and wind turbine service technicians rank fourth (29.5% growth) among the fastest-growing occupations.

### 4. What tech jobs are growing the fastest?

**Data scientists** rank third with 34.6% growth, and **computer and information research scientists** rank eighth with 21.8% growth. **Information security analysts** are also growing rapidly at 21.0%.

### 5. Which job will add the most new positions?

**Home health and personal care aides** will add the most new jobs—**847,300** over the decade—though their growth rate (18.1%) is lower than the top 10.

### 6. How much do these jobs pay?

Salaries vary widely. **Computer and information research scientists** earn the most at $140,300, followed by **nurse practitioners** ($132,300) and **medical and health services managers** ($123,860). **Home health and personal care aides** earn $35,800.

### 7. Is the overall job market growing fast?

Total employment is projected to grow by **3.5%** from 2025 to 2035, adding 5.9 million jobs. This is slower than the 10.9% growth rate from 2015 to 2025.

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## Conclusion: A Future Built on Care, Energy, and Data

The BLS projections paint a clear picture of where the American economy is headed. **Healthcare** dominates the list of fastest-growing jobs, driven by an aging population that will require more medical care, rehabilitation, and in-home support. **Renewable energy** is creating new opportunities as the nation builds out the infrastructure for a cleaner future. And **data and technology** continue to reshape the economy, creating demand for highly skilled workers who can harness the power of AI and protect critical systems.

For workers considering a career change or students planning their futures, these projections offer a valuable roadmap. The jobs of tomorrow will require skills in caregiving, technical expertise, and adaptability. Those who prepare now will be well-positioned to thrive in the economy of 2035.

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## Disclaimer

*This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, career, or professional advice. All data and projections are based on publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of September 2026. Employment projections, wage estimates, and growth rates are subject to change. Before making any career or financial decisions, please consult with qualified professionals who can evaluate your specific situation.*