The 10 Fastest-Growing Careers Through 2033

Where the jobs are headed

Every two years the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes its Employment Projections, a careful ten-year forecast of how many people the economy will likely employ in each occupation. The most recent complete decade-long set, covering 2023 to 2033, ranks all 800-plus occupations by projected growth. The numbers below come from that release, paired with median annual wages from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for May 2024. We have used the agency's own figures rather than estimates, and we encourage you to confirm any number that matters to you directly at the source.

A few words on what these figures mean. Projected growth is a percentage: how much larger an occupation is expected to be in 2033 than it was in 2023. The median wage is the midpoint, meaning half of workers earn more and half earn less. Fast growth and high pay do not always travel together, and growth alone does not guarantee a job. Still, knowing where demand is heading is a sensible starting point for anyone weighing a first career or a change. The list that follows is ordered by projected percentage growth, from the single fastest-growing occupation in the country down to one that earns its place for a reason worth explaining at the end. For deeper, role-by-role detail on day-to-day duties and entry routes, our sister site Real World Careers publishes long-form profiles that pair well with the data summarized here.

1. Wind turbine service technicians — +60.1% growth, $62,580 median

Wind turbine technicians, or windtechs, climb and maintain the towers that convert wind into electricity. They inspect, troubleshoot, and repair the mechanical and electrical components inside the nacelle. Most workers enter through a technical or community college program in wind energy technology, often completing it in two years or less, and then train further on the job. Growth is the fastest of any occupation BLS tracks, driven by the steady expansion of installed wind capacity and the simple fact that every turbine already standing needs ongoing service. The work suits people who are comfortable at height and enjoy hands-on mechanical problem-solving, and because the percentage base is small, it pays to apply early and be willing to relocate to where the wind farms are.

2. Solar photovoltaic installers — +48.0% growth, $51,860 median

Solar installers, sometimes called PV installers, assemble, mount, and connect solar panels on rooftops and in solar fields. The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma followed by on-the-job training, though many installers strengthen their prospects with a course at a community college or trade school. Demand follows the same current as wind: falling equipment costs and continued construction of residential and utility-scale solar are expected to keep this among the two fastest-growing jobs in the country through 2033.

3. Nurse practitioners — +46.3% growth, $132,050 median

Nurse practitioners are advanced-practice registered nurses who examine patients, diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and in many states practice with considerable independence. The path is longer than most on this list: a registered nursing license, then a master's degree in a nurse practitioner program, plus national certification. The payoff is a high median wage and the strongest growth of any healthcare occupation, fueled by an aging population and a shortage of primary-care physicians. Real World Careers covers the nursing ladder in depth for readers weighing how far to take their training.

4. Data scientists — +36.0% growth, $112,590 median

Data scientists gather, clean, and model large sets of data to find patterns and inform decisions. The work blends statistics, programming, and domain knowledge. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry point, though many employers prefer a master's, and a strong portfolio of real projects often matters as much as the diploma. Growth reflects the spread of analytics and artificial intelligence across nearly every industry, from healthcare to finance to retail. Because the title covers a wide range of work, it helps to look closely at what a given employer means by it before you train for the role.

5. Information security analysts — +32.7% growth, $124,910 median

Information security analysts plan and carry out the measures that protect an organization's computer networks and data. They monitor for breaches, investigate incidents, and build defenses against the next attack. Most positions ask for a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, and industry certifications carry real weight. As businesses move more of their operations online and cyberattacks grow more frequent, demand for this work continues to climb well above the national average. Many analysts begin in a general information-technology or networking role and move into security after a few years, so the field is reachable even for those who do not start out in it.

6. Medical and health services managers — +29.0% growth, $117,960 median

Also called healthcare administrators, these managers run hospitals, clinics, group practices, and nursing facilities, overseeing staff, budgets, and compliance. A bachelor's degree is the usual minimum, with many employers favoring a master's in health administration or a related field, plus prior experience in a clinical or administrative role. The same demographic pressures lifting clinical jobs also expand the need for people to organize and lead the institutions that deliver care.

7. Physician assistants — +28.0% growth, $133,260 median

Physician assistants, increasingly called physician associates, examine and treat patients, order tests, and prescribe medication as part of a healthcare team. Entry requires a master's degree from an accredited PA program and a state license. The combination of a high median wage and rapid growth makes this one of the more attractive healthcare routes for those willing to commit to graduate study. Our colleagues at Real World Careers walk through the prerequisites and clinical-hour requirements in detail.

8. Operations research analysts — +23.0% growth, $91,290 median

Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations solve problems and operate more efficiently, from routing deliveries to scheduling staff. A bachelor's degree in a quantitative field is the typical entry point, with some roles preferring a master's. Growth is driven by the wider availability of data and the appetite among businesses and government agencies to make decisions on evidence rather than instinct.

9. Actuaries — +21.8% growth, $125,770 median

Actuaries measure and price risk, most often for insurance companies and pension plans, using statistics and financial theory. The entry route is distinctive: a bachelor's degree, usually in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, followed by a series of rigorous professional exams that can take several years to complete. The exam structure keeps the field selective, which helps explain both the strong median wage and the steady, above-average demand.

10. Home health and personal care aides — high growth, $34,900 median

Home health and personal care aides help older adults and people with disabilities, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment with daily activities in their own homes. The work typically requires no more than a high school diploma, and some roles require even less, with training provided on the job. The median wage is the lowest on this list, but the occupation deserves its place for a different reason: it is projected to add more new jobs than any other occupation in the country, a point worth keeping in mind as you read the caveat below.

The numbers at a glance

A caveat worth reading twice

A high growth rate and a large number of openings are not the same thing. Wind turbine technicians top this list at 60 percent, but the occupation starts from a small base, so even a dramatic percentage increase translates into a modest number of new positions nationwide. Home health and personal care aides, by contrast, grow at a lower percentage but from an enormous base, which is why they are projected to add far more new jobs than any other occupation. When you compare careers, look at both figures together: percent growth tells you how hot a field is running, while absolute openings tell you how many real chances there will be to get hired. Wages, working conditions, training cost, and your own interests matter just as much as either number.

Choosing your next move

Projections are a guide, not a promise, and the right career is the one that fits your circumstances as well as the forecast. If any field above caught your attention, the sensible next step is to read about what the work actually involves day to day, what it costs to qualify, and how people break in. That is exactly the kind of detail Real World Careers is built to provide, with in-depth profiles that go well beyond a single statistic. Pair the BLS data here with that reporting, talk to people doing the job, and you will be making your decision on solid ground.