America’s employment landscape could be headed for a major shake-up within the next decade.
Fresh federal projections spotlight the 10 fastest-growing jobs in the US, with careers in healthcare, artificial intelligence and clean energy leading the charge.
Many of these in-demand roles do not always require a traditional four-year college degree, yet several offer strong earning potential, with median annual pay stretching from roughly $45,000 to more than $140,000.
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics outlook, total US employment is projected to rise by 3.5 percent from 2025 to 2035.
The careers on this list, however, are expected to grow far more quickly — with some forecast to expand at over 10 times the rate of the overall labor market.
A key force behind the shift is the country’s aging population, along with a rise in chronic health conditions, both of which are fueling urgent demand for medical and care-focused workers.
Meanwhile, the rapid rise of AI is increasing the need for workers who can develop, manage and make sense of advanced technology, while surging electricity demand is helping create new opportunities across the renewable energy sector.
These are the 10 US careers projected to grow the fastest.
10. Ophthalmic medical technicians
Projected growth: 21.4 percent – Median pay: $45,570
If you have a steady hand but don’t fancy spending years becoming a doctor, this could be one to watch.
Ophthalmic medical technicians work alongside eye doctors, carrying out tests, preparing patients for examinations and assisting with procedures.
The role is becoming increasingly important as Americans live longer and age-related eye problems become more common.
Employment is forecast to rise by 21.4 percent by 2035 – more than six times the projected growth of the overall workforce.
It is also a reminder that America’s future jobs market won’t be dominated solely by people sitting behind computers. No college degree is required and securing a diploma to qualify for this role can take less than a year.
9. Occupational therapy assistants
Projected growth: 21.5 percent – Median pay: $72,300
This is a career for people who like seeing tangible results from their work.
Occupational therapy assistants help patients regain the ability to perform everyday tasks after an injury, illness or disability – from getting dressed to cooking or returning to work.
And while it is a healthcare profession, you don’t need to spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree to get started.
Occupational therapy assistants typically complete a two-year associate degree program before becoming licensed.
The occupation is particularly well positioned to benefit from America’s aging population, with older patients increasingly needing rehabilitation and support to remain independent.
Around 11,200 additional positions are projected to emerge over the decade, while the median salary is a healthy $72,300.
Occupational therapy assistants are particularly well positioned to benefit from America’s aging population, with older patients increasingly needing rehabilitation and support to remain independent (stock image)
8. Computer and information research scientists
Projected growth: 21.8 percent – Median pay: $140,300
Want to work at the sharp end of the AI revolution?
Computer and information research scientists develop new computing technologies and tackle problems involving artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced software.
This is one career where higher education does matter. Most jobs require at least a master’s degree in computer science or a related field, although the payoff can be substantial.
The median annual wage reached $140,300 in 2025, reflecting the specialist nature of the work.
AI isn’t simply threatening jobs – it is creating a growing need for highly skilled people capable of developing and improving the technology itself. There are set to be around 8,400 jobs emerging in this sector.
PwC’s 2026 AI Jobs Barometer found that AI is increasingly ‘professionalizing’ some occupations, with jobs requiring advanced human expertise growing faster and seeing stronger wage growth.
PwC’s 2026 AI Jobs Barometer found that AI is increasingly ‘professionalising’ some occupations, with jobs requiring advanced human expertise growing faster and seeing stronger wage growth
7. Psychiatric technicians
Projected growth: 22.3 percent – Median pay: $45,130
Mental health is becoming a bigger part of America’s healthcare system – and that means more workers are needed on the frontline.
Psychiatric technicians care for people experiencing mental, emotional and developmental conditions, working alongside nurses and other medical professionals.
It is also one of the more accessible healthcare careers on this list.
Requirements vary by state and employer, but some psychiatric technician jobs can be entered with a high school diploma and on-the-job training, rather than a four-year college degree.
The role is expected to grow by more than 22 percent, equivalent to around 36,000 additional jobs.
It may not have the eye-catching six-figure salary of some technology careers, but it offers something increasingly valuable: a job built around human interaction that is difficult to automate.
6. Physical therapist assistants
Projected growth: 23 percent – Median pay: $68,380
For anyone who enjoys being active rather than chained to a desk, physical therapy could offer a particularly appealing career path.
Physical therapist assistants help patients rebuild strength and mobility following surgery, injury or illness, often working directly with people as they progress through rehabilitation.
Like occupational therapy assistants, this role does not require a four-year bachelor’s degree. Physical therapist assistants typically complete an accredited associate degree program and must meet state licensing requirements.
An additional 26,200 jobs are expected to be created by 2035.
The underlying demographic trend is powerful: Americans are living longer, and more older people are seeking treatment that allows them to remain mobile and independent.
5. Medical and health services managers
Projected growth: 24.2 percent – Median pay: $123,860
You don’t have to be the person holding the stethoscope to cash in on America’s healthcare boom.
Medical and health services managers oversee hospitals, clinics and other healthcare operations, dealing with everything from staff and budgets to increasingly complicated technology and regulations.
It is one of the biggest job-creation stories on this list, with around 155,100 new positions projected by 2035.
There is, however, a trade-off for the six-figure salary. Many employers look for a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business or a related field, along with relevant experience.
And the financial reward is substantial: a median annual wage of $123,860.
The American healthcare system is becoming larger and more complex – and someone has to keep the whole machine running.
Renewable energy is creating a new generation of skilled trade careers – and this is one of the fastest-growing of them all.
4. Wind turbine service technicians
Projected growth: 29.5 percent – Median pay: $64,120
If your idea of a nightmare office is a cubicle, this career could be the perfect role to get you outdoors.
Wind turbine technicians climb enormous towers to install, maintain and repair the machines generating electricity from the wind.
One of the biggest attractions is that you can enter the field without a traditional four-year college degree. Most technicians learn through a postsecondary certificate or technical program and extensive on-the-job training.
Employment is projected to surge almost 30 percent over the next decade – but with wind turbine technicians still a relatively niche occupation, that impressive percentage translates to only around 3,500 additional jobs.
Still, renewable energy is creating a new generation of skilled trade careers – and this is one of the fastest-growing of them all.
3. Data scientists
Projected growth: 34.6 percent – Median pay: $120,230
Data scientists are essentially the detectives of the digital age.
They sift through huge amounts of information, looking for patterns that can help companies make better decisions, develop products and understand their customers.
Nearly 95,400 new jobs are projected in the field over the decade, with a median salary of $120,230.
The AI boom is only adding fuel to the demand.
Unlike some of the hands-on careers lower down this list, data science generally has a higher educational barrier to entry, with employers commonly seeking candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related subject.
Breyon Williams, chief labor market economist at the Groundwork Collaborative, told CBS News that a large share of the nearly one million jobs expected in professional, scientific and technical services will be linked to AI – including software developers, consultants and engineers.
2. Solar photovoltaic installers
Projected growth: 36.5 percent – Median pay: $53,140
The solar boom isn’t just creating jobs for engineers and scientists.
Someone has to actually get up on the roof and install all those panels.
Solar photovoltaic installers put solar systems in place and maintain them, making this one of the fastest-growing occupations in America.
And unlike some of the highly technical careers on this list, becoming a solar installer does not necessarily require a four-year college degree. Many workers enter the field with a high school diploma and learn through technical training and on-the-job experience.
Employment is set to jump 36.5 percent, with around 11,300 new positions expected.
And unlike some of the highly technical careers on this list, becoming a solar installer does not necessarily require a four-year college degree – making it an intriguing alternative for workers looking to enter the clean-energy industry.
The wider solar sector is expanding rapidly as falling costs and rising demand make the technology increasingly attractive.
1. Nurse practitioners
Projected growth: 41 percent – Median pay: $132,300
The Association of American Medical Colleges says nurse practitioners are increasingly important to expanding access to primary care, particularly in rural areas (stock image)
And the winner is a career that has very little to do with robots – and everything to do with people.
Nurse practitioners are expected to see employment grow by a staggering 41 percent by 2035, adding around 137,800 jobs.
These highly trained healthcare professionals can diagnose conditions, interpret tests and prescribe medication, with their expanding role helping fill gaps in primary care.
This is another example of a career where the huge growth forecast comes with a significant educational commitment. Becoming a nurse practitioner requires advanced nursing education and clinical training, typically including a master’s or doctoral degree after first qualifying as a registered nurse.
America’s aging population is a major reason.
As more people live into their 70s, 80s and beyond – often with multiple chronic conditions – demand for healthcare professionals continues to climb.
The Association of American Medical Colleges says nurse practitioners are increasingly important to expanding access to primary care, particularly in rural areas.
And there is already evidence of strong demand: recent industry reporting has highlighted persistent nursing shortages and lengthy recruitment times for healthcare employers.
The result is a career that combines one of the strongest growth forecasts in America with a six-figure median salary.
