Hottest Careers for College Graduates

What are the occupations with the biggest growth?

Projected fastest growing occupations, 2016-2026

These 20 occupations are projected to grow the fastest over the 2016-2026 decade. Employment in the fastest growing occupations is projected to increase at a rate that is atleast triple that for all occupations.

OccupationAverage Annual Wages*
Solar Photovoltaic Installers $39,240
Wind Turbine Service Technicians $52,260
Home Health Aides $22,600
Personal Care Aides $21,920
Physician Assistants $101,480
Nurse Practitioners $100,910
Statisticians $80,500
Software Developers, Applications $100,080
Physical Therapy Assistants $51,610
Mathematicians $105,810
Physica Therapy Aides $25,680
Bicycle Reairers $27,630
Medical Assistants $31,540
Genetic Counselors $74,120
Occupational Therapy Assistant $59,010
Information Security Analysts $92,600
Physical Theraists $85,400
Operations Research Analysts $79,200
Forest Fire Inspector & Prevention Speciaists   $36,230
Massage Therapists $39,860


Projected occupations with the most new jobs requiring Bachelor's degree, 2016-2026 

OccupationAverage Annual Wages
Registered Nurses $68,450
Software Developers, Applications $100,080
General and Operations Managers $99,310
Accountants and Auditors $68,150
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $62,560
Management Analysts $81,330
Financial Managers $121,750
Elementary School Teachers, except Special Education $55,800
Teachers and Instructors, all others $30,110
Software developers, applications $90,060
Business Operators, Specialists, all others $69,040
Managers, all others $104,990
Secondary School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical Education   $58,030
Medical and Health Services Managers $96,540
Computer Systems Analysts $87,220
Middle School Teachers, except Special and Career/Technical Education $56,720
Software Developers, Systems Software $106,860
Child, Family and School Social Workers $43,250
Construction managers  $82,790
Computer and Information Systems Managers $135,800
Personal Financial Advisors $90,530


Project occupations with most new jobs requiring Master's, Doctoral or Professional Degree, 2016-2026

OccupationAverage Annual Wages
Physical therapists $85,400
Lawyers $118,160
Health Specialties Teachers, secondary $99,360
Nurse Practitioners $100,910
Physicians and Surgeons, all others $206,920
Physician Assistants $101,480
Educational, Guidance, School and Vocational Counselors    $54,560
Mental Health Counselors $42,840
Healthcare Social Workers $53,760
Occupational Therapists $81,910
Speech-Language Pathologists $74,680
Dentists, general $153,900
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker $42,700
Postsecondary Teachers, all other $64,400
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists $73,270
Education Administrators, elementary & secondary schools   $92,510
Family and General Practitioners $190,490
Business Teachers, postsecondary $77,490
Education Administrator, postsecondary $90,760
Pharmacists $116,670


Projected occupations with the most new jobs that typically require an Associate's degree or postsecondary non-degree award, 2016-2026 

OccupationAverage Annual Wages
Medical Assistants $31,540
Nursing Assistants $26,590
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $41,340
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $44,090
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $24,260
Dental Assistants $36,940
Preschool Teachers, except special education $28,790
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers    $45,910
Automotive Service Technicians $38,470
Massage Therapists $39,860
Paralegals and Legal Assistants $49,500
Dental Hygienists $72,910
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics $32,670
Respiratory Therapist $58,670
Phlebotomists $32,710
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians $38,040
Physical Therapy Assistants $56,610
Radiologic Technologists $57,450
Health Technologists & Technicians, all others $41,070
Web developers $66,130

* Median annual wages, May 2016; Data from United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics "Projections of occupational employment, 2016-2026", October 2017

 
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