The next ten years of work in the United States will feature a mix of specialized jobs expanding much quicker than the overall economy. Federal forecasts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2024 to 2034 predict modest total employment growth. However, roles in clean energy, health care, data analysis, and risk management will add positions at double or triple the average rate. Many of these jobs offer salaries at or above six figures, drawing attention from workers seeking stability and strong pay.
These shifts highlight uneven opportunities across fields. While some careers explode in percentage terms, the actual number of new jobs varies greatly. Job seekers must look beyond growth rates to real-world openings in their areas. This trend signals a job market rewarding niche skills amid broader economic changes.
Clean Energy Jobs Surge, But Numbers Stay Small
Renewable energy leads the pack in growth speed, though total hires remain limited. Wind turbine service technicians top the list with a projected 50% employment rise from 2024 to 2034. That adds about 6,800 jobs nationwide. Workers earn a median of $62,580 a year and need technical training to install, fix, and maintain turbines high off the ground.
Solar photovoltaic installers come next, with employment expected to jump 42% and create around 12,000 new spots. Their median pay is $51,860, solid for hands-on outdoor work that often starts with on-the-job training. These roles show clean energy’s boom, but their modest headcounts remind us that fast percentage growth doesn’t always mean widespread jobs.
Health Care Drives Massive Job Gains and High Wages
Health care stands out for both rapid growth and huge numbers of openings. Nurse practitioners will see a 40% increase, adding roughly 128,400 positions. They earn a median $129,210 and handle primary and specialty care as the population ages and needs more services.
Physician assistants follow with 20% growth, or about 33,200 new jobs, and median pay of $133,260. They team up with doctors to diagnose, treat, and advise patients in various settings. Medical and health services managers lead in sheer volume, with 23% growth creating 142,900 jobs at a median $117,960 salary. They run hospitals and clinics amid rising care demands and system complexity.
Physical therapist assistants and aides round out the sector’s strength, projected to grow 22% for 24,500 jobs. Earning $65,510 on average, they aid recovery efforts and provide an entry into patient-facing work.
Data and Risk Roles Ride the Tech Wave
Tech and analytics jobs form another key growth area. Data scientists face a 34% employment boost, adding 82,500 positions with median pay of $112,590. They thrive on AI, machine learning, and data tools across industries, often needing advanced degrees.
Information security analysts will grow 29%, creating 52,100 jobs at $124,910 median salary. They guard against cyber threats, and many enter via certifications rather than college degrees. Operations research analysts, who use math to boost efficiency, expect 21% growth and 24,100 jobs paying $91,290 median.
Actuaries close the group with 22% growth, adding 7,300 jobs at $125,770. They model risks for insurers and businesses using statistics.
Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Multiple Occupations
CNBC The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs of the Next Decade
U.S. Census Bureau Population Projections 2020-2060
Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index 2025
Bureau of Labor Statistics News Release USDL-25-1324