The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Employment is an invaluable resource that is constantly updating and analyzing occupations. If you have a student wrestling with career ideas, I encourage you to visit this website for a list of all U.S. occupations. Read about the top 20 changing occupations according to the Bureau.
Top 20 occupations predicted to have the highest percent of change between 2018-28
1. Solar Photovoltaic Installers: The demand for solar energy has established solar photovoltaic installers as the career field with the highest projected growth.
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Educational requirement: High school diploma or equivalent
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 63% growth (much faster than average)
2. Wind Turbine Service Technicians: Due to a big push for renewable energy, wind turbine service technicians are in high demand.
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Educational requirement: Postsecondary non-degree certificate, plus on-the-job training
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 57% growth (much faster than average)
3. Home Health Aides: As the baby-boomer generation ages, the demand for home health aides and personal care aides is projected to increase.
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Educational requirement: High school diploma plus short term on-the-job training
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 37% growth (much faster than average)
4. Personal Care Aides: Personal care aide profession places more emphasize on non-medical services to serve populations in need of extra assistance and care with their daily living requirements.
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Educational requirement: High school diploma plus on-the-job training
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 36% growth (much faster than average)
5. Occupational Therapy Assistants: Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. They will always be in demand.
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Educational Requirements: Associate degree, plus national certification
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 33% growth (much faster than average)
6. Information Security Analysts: There is a steady demand for information security analysts who ensure the safety of our information since every facet of society now depends on the proper functioning of complex information systems.
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Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 32% growth (much faster than average)
7. Physician Assistants: Working alongside doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare workers, physician assistants perform a variety of duties in healthcare settings, such as reviewing and collecting information on the medical histories of patients, assessing treatment progress, and educating patients on care procedures.
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Educational requirement: Master’s degree, plus license
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 31% growth (much faster than average)
8. Statisticians: They analyze and apply data in a wide variety of fields to help solve problems. Utilizing advanced knowledge these professionals work with the government, research institutions, universities, finance and insurance companies, healthcare services, and consulting services.
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Educational Requirements: Master’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 30% growth (much faster than average)
9. Nurse Practitioners: Also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse practitioners provide advanced nursing services to a variety of patients. Growth will occur primarily because of an increased emphasis on preventive care and demand for healthcare services from an aging population.
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Educational Requirements: Master’s degree, plus national certification exam
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 28% growth (much faster than average)
10. Speech-language pathologists: Speech-language pathologists diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. As the large baby-boom population grows older, there will be more instances of health conditions that can cause speech or language impairments, such as strokes or dementia.
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Educational Requirements: Master’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 27% growth (much faster than average)
11. Physical Therapist Assistant: Physical therapist assistants work alongside and under the direct supervision of physical therapists to help patients in the process of healing and rehabilitation. Demand for physical therapy is expected to increase in response to the healthcare needs of an older population and individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
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Educational Requirements: Associate degree and license
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 27% growth (much faster than average)
12. Genetic Counselors: Genetic counselors, as the name suggests, assess risks and inherited conditions relating to genetics, and counsel clients on their findings. Ongoing technological innovations, are giving counselors opportunities to conduct more types of analyses.
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Educational Requirements: Master’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 27% growth (much faster than average)
13. Mathematicians: Individuals with a love for numbers and their functions may want to consider pursuing careers as mathematicians. Beyond crunching numbers, mathematicians analyze data and make predictions as well as solve and prevent problems for businesses as well as governments.
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Educational Requirements: Master’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 26% growth (much faster than average)
14. Software Developers–Applications: Since the rise of the personal computer, skilled software developers have been in high demand. With the development of smartphones, tablets, cloud-based computing, and more accessible computer technologies the demand for software developers who specialize in applications is expected to steadily increase.
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Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 26% growth (much faster than average)
15. Operations Research Analysts: Businesses, corporations, and governments all rely on operations research analysts to assess and solve logistical problems. As technology advances and companies seek efficiency and cost savings, demand for operations research analysis should continue to grow.
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Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 26% growth (much faster than average)
16. Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists: Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists work to understand, prevent, predict, and quickly halt these destructive forces of nature.
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Educational Requirements: Minimum of high school diploma; a Bachelor’s degree in fire science or related field is preferred, on-job training
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 24% growth (much faster than average)
17. Health Specialties Teachers–Post-secondary: Many people pursue careers in health specialties fields, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, therapy, and veterinary sciences. Because of this, the demand for qualified health specialties teachers at the post-secondary level is expected to continue to grow at a significant, steady rate.
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Educational Requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 23% growth (much faster than average)
18. Phlebotomists: They play a major role in medicine, through blood tests, transfusions, donations, and research. The primary job of a phlebotomist is to draw blood for these services.
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Educational Requirements: Postsecondary non-degree award, plus professional certification
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 23% growth (much faster than average)
19. Physical Therapist Assistant or Aides: Physical Therapist Aides occupy supportive roles in physical therapy practices, including physical therapist offices, hospitals, doctor’s offices, residential care facilities, and government services.
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Educational Requirements Aide: High school diploma or equivalent, and on-the-job training
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Educational Requirements Assistant: Associate’s degree and license
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 23% growth (much faster than average)
20. Medical Assistants: The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to increase demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As a result, physicians will hire more assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.
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Educational Requirements: Postsecondary non-degree award
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Job Outlook, 2018-2028: 23%growth (much faster than average)
For a full occupational profile on each of the above listed careers visit https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm