If you are about to enter or re-enter the workforce, you may want to look for a career that will be adding new jobs over the next several years. You can find information about the fastest-growing careers from the following sources:
Learn more about some of the fastest-growing careers, the median pay, and education and training requirements.
Read More »
Fastest-growing occupations
If you want to be in demand over the next several years, consider a career in health care and social assistance, which includes personal care aides, home health aides, physical therapists and registered nurses. Careers in professional and business services like retail trade or meeting, convention and event planning are also growing. When researching a career path, keep in mind that a fast-growing occupation doesn't always equal a high-paying career.
Following are employment trends and median salary projections for the top five occupations in each education category.
|
Personal care aides
|
Less than $22,300
|
|
Home health aides
|
Less than $22,300
|
|
Landscaping and groundskeepers
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
Laborers, freight stock and materials movers
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
Construction laborers
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
Customer service representatives
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
Office clerks, general
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
Secretaries and administrative assistants (except legal, medical and executive)
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
Child care workers
|
Less than $22,300
|
|
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
|
$34,700 to $56,000
|
|
Nursing assistants
|
$22,600 to $34,000
|
|
Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers
|
$34,700 to $56,000
|
|
Teacher assistants
|
$22,600 to $34,000
|
|
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
|
$34,700 to $56,000
|
|
Medical assistants
|
$22,600 to $34,000
|
|
Registered nurses
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Preschool teachers (except special education teachers)
|
$22,600 to $34,000
|
|
Dental hygienists
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Paralegals and legal assistants
|
$34,700 to $56,000
|
|
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
|
$22,600 to $34,700
|
|
General and operations managers
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Accountants and auditors
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Elementary school teachers (except special education and career/technical education)
|
$34,700 to $56,000
|
|
Secondary school teachers (except special education and career/technical education)
|
$34,700 to $56,000
|
|
Management analysts
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Lawyers
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Physical therapists
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Pharmacists
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Health specialties, secondary teachers
|
Greater than $56,000
|
|
Educational, guidance, school and vocational counselors
|
$34,700 to 56,000
|
Many of the fastest-growing occupations require licenses or certifications, which have to be transferred or acquired in every state. Forty-nine states have enacted legislation to work with military spouses to modify licenses by endorsement, provide temporary licenses or expedite licenses. For more information about your state's legislation, visit USA4 Military Families.
For employment opportunities, visit the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Career Portal for links to companies and organizations that have committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses.
You should consider high-demand, fast-growing occupations as you decide on a career path. Don't forget to weigh your interests, skills, values, education and work-life balance in your decision. For assistance with all your planning, contact a Spouse Education and Career Opportunities certified Career Counselor at 800-342-9647 or visit MySECO for education and career tools.