A recent report studying the latest state job data and federal labor projections has determined the United States’ 100 fastest growing jobs.
According to the researchers at Zippia, a career resource company, the jobs indicate industry trends and national priorities. But on a more practical level, the fastest growing jobs listed can also be considered reliably secure because they are here to stay, said the report authors.
The list is something civic leaders should consider with workforce development and education initiatives:
We were surprised to see that the fastest growing jobs weren’t all in technology, but spanned technology and medicine. To us, that is indicative of a wide array of job options for anyone who is willing to get an advanced degree. It also shows that a Bachelor’s Degree just isn’t going to cut it for millennials today,” said Kristy Crane, Zippia’s public relations manager.
The top 100 fastest growing professions are:
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Physical Therapist Aides
- Home Health Aides
- Commercial Divers
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physical Therapists
- Statisticians
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
- Occupational Therapy Aides
- Physician Assistants
- Operations Research Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
- Genetic Counselors
- Interpreters and Translators
- Audiologists
- Hearing Aid Specialists
- Optometrists
- Occupational Therapists
- Web Developers
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Personal Care Aides
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Prosthodontists
- Phlebotomists
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
- Nurse Midwives
- Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
- Opticians, Dispensing
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
- Medical Assistants
- Therapists, All Other
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
- Biomedical Engineers
- Helpers–Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Bicycle Repairers
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Law Teachers, Postsecondary
- Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Massage Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
- Athletic Trainers
- Anesthesiologists
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Medical Secretaries
- Mathematicians
- Surgeons
- Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
- Mental Health Counselors
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
- Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal and Plastic
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Software Developers, Applications
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Dental Hygienists
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Dental Assistants
- Orthodontists
- Helpers–Electricians
- Dentists, General
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Actuaries
- Information Security Analysts
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Film and Video Editors
- Nursing Assistants
- Chiropractors
- Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
- Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other
- Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Pile-Driver Operators
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
- Registered Nurses
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
- Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
- Credit Counselors
- Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Fastest Growing Jobs Methodology
Zippia’s data crunching relied on gathering all the states’ departments of labor data and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent occupation growth projections. The Bureau last compiled that data in 2014, with projections through 2024.
The researchers selected the 818 occupations that the Bureau projects will have at least 1,000 workers in 2024. Next, Zippia ranked each occupation based on its expected job growth from 2016 to 2024.
Windtech is Fastest Growing Job in America
The results put wind turbine service techs at the number one spot. Windtechs, as they are also known, install, maintain and repair wind turbines. Their annual median wage, according to the Bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, is more than $51,000 per year.
Interestingly, the sixth fastest growing career -- commercial diver -- may also be related to global increases in offshore wind projects. Although Zippia said they could not confirm this correlation from their study, and the Bureau’s handbook did not have specific information about the profession, the federal labor department indicates the commercial diver occupation has a much higher than average growth rate. Note that commercial diving excludes diving for fisheries-related work, athletics/sports and public safety, the Bureau noted. Further, O-NetCenter, a careers resource center supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, indicates that the top industries driving commercial divers’ jobs are construction and self-employment.
According to cDiver.net, the global energy market research firm Douglas-Westwood reported in 2010 an increased need for commercial divers to support European wind energy projects. Today, the company is forecasting global investments of €200 billion in offshore wind energy projects through 2025. Again this past February, cDiver.net alerted commercial divers to work opportunities in the wind sector, in addition to decommissioning of older North Sea fossil fuel rigs. The site reported that 2015 was the wind industry’s busiest year with numerous new offshore farms in construction or planning phases, and then pointed readers to where they could search work opportunities.
Read the original fastest growing jobs story on Zippia’s website.
