Health care will lead job creation over the next decade. These roles are expected to grow the most.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock
Health care will lead job creation over the next decade. These roles are expected to grow the most.
Health care staff having a standing meeting.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the U.S. economy will grow by 6.7 million jobs in the next decade. Health care and social assistance jobs, the fastest-growing industry sectors in the United States, will drive much of that labor growth.
Many conditions are contributing to the expansion of the health care sector—one of which is the country’s rapidly aging population, driven by baby boomers who first turned 65 in 2011. Between 2010 and 2020, the over-65 population rose by 38.6% to 55.8 million, according to the Census Bureau—a growth more than two times as quick as in the decade prior, when this population group increased by 15.1%.
As the average U.S. population ages, there is a growing urgency for access to medical services and skilled workers to help support older individuals. The growth of the health care sector is also prompted by an increased prevalence of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which require more routine care. According to the CDC, in 2018, more than half of adults had at least one chronic disease; more than a quarter had multiple.
Consequently, the BLS projects practitioner roles and technical and support jobs to grow the fastest, increasing 8.6% and 15.2%, respectively. Even as the industry battles high levels of burnout, resulting in significant staffing shortages among nurses, health care jobs accounted for almost a quarter of all new jobs in the U.S. last year, according to the nonprofit Altarum.
Even more, three different types of nursing positions appear throughout this list of fast-growing occupations—welcome news for those looking to enter the field. In addition to nursing roles, physical therapists, physician assistants, and medical and health service manager positions also rank among the 10 fastest-growing occupations. Over half of the health care jobs represented here also require less than a bachelor’s degree to enter the profession, reducing the barriers to employment access.
Doctors and Clinicians identified the health care jobs projected to grow the most over the next decade, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Occupations were ranked by the number of jobs expected to be added from 2023 to 2033, using the percent increase as a tiebreaker as needed. Nearly 80 jobs were considered, and those labeled as “other”—meaning they included myriad different jobs—were excluded to provide clarity.
Hananeko_Studio // Shutterstock
#25. Occupational therapy assistants
Seated senior man doing physiotherapy with a small hand weight with guidance from a professional.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 10,600 jobs (+22.3%)
– Total employment, 2023: 47,500
– Median annual pay, 2023: $67,010
– Expected annual job openings: 7,200
– Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
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#24. Phlebotomists
A phlebotomist collecting a blood sample from a patient in lab.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 11,000 jobs (+7.8%)
– Total employment, 2023: 141,200
– Median annual pay, 2023: $41,810
– Expected annual job openings: 19,600
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Halfpoint // Shutterstock
#23. Diagnostic medical sonographers
A doctor examining a patient in a bed using ultrasound equipment in a patient’s room.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 12,800 jobs (+15.1%)
– Total employment, 2023: 84,900
– Median annual pay, 2023: $84,470
– Expected annual job openings: 5,700
– Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Peakstock // Shutterstock
#22. Radiologic technologists and technicians
Technician preparing patient for a X-ray in radiographic imaging room.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 13,100 jobs (+5.8%)
– Total employment, 2023: 227,800
– Median annual pay, 2023: $73,410
– Expected annual job openings: 13,300
– Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Rendi apriyandi // Shutterstock
#21. Medical records specialists
Shelves filled with files of medical records.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 16,700 jobs (+8.7%)
– Total employment, 2023: 191,500
– Median annual pay, 2023: $48,780
– Expected annual job openings: 15,000
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
#20. Occupational therapists
Therapist checking senior patient’s hand at a medical clinic.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 16,800 jobs (+11.1%)
– Total employment, 2023: 150,500
– Median annual pay, 2023: $96,370
– Expected annual job openings: 9,800
– Typical education needed for entry: Master’s degree
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#19. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
A nurse wearing scrubs walks in hospital corridor as she looks at a tablet.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 16,900 jobs (+2.6%)
– Total employment, 2023: 657,800
– Median annual pay, 2023: $59,730
– Expected annual job openings: 54,000
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
#18. Respiratory therapists
A therapist working with a child using a respiratory muscle trainer.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 17,500 jobs (+13.1%)
– Total employment, 2023: 133,900
– Median annual pay, 2023: $77,960
– Expected annual job openings: 8,200
– Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
#17. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
A lab technologist doing pipetting research with blood samples.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 18,200 jobs (+5.3%)
– Total employment, 2023: 344,200
– Median annual pay, 2023: $60,780
– Expected annual job openings: 24,200
– Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor’s degree
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#16. Pharmacists
In a pharmacy, a pharmacist stands in front of a computer, holding a box of medication.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 18,300 jobs (+5.4%)
– Total employment, 2023: 337,700
– Median annual pay, 2023: $136,030
– Expected annual job openings: 14,200
– Typical education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree
Unai Huizi Photography // Shutterstock
#15. Dental hygienists
In a clinic, two dental hygienists examine the mouth of a patient sitting in a chair.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 19,600 jobs (+9.2%)
– Total employment, 2023: 214,100
– Median annual pay, 2023: $87,530
– Expected annual job openings: 16,400
– Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock
#14. Psychiatric technicians
A person in scrubs holding a pill box sitting next to a person on a sofa holding a few pills in her hand.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 21,300 jobs (+17.1%)
– Total employment, 2023: 124,600
– Median annual pay, 2023: $39,700
– Expected annual job openings: 13,200
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
#13. Massage therapists
Close up of the hands of a massage therapist working on a man laying on a massage table.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 26,000 jobs (+17.7%)
– Total employment, 2023: 147,100
– Median annual pay, 2023: $55,310
– Expected annual job openings: 22,800
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
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#12. Physical therapist assistants
In a clinical space, a physical therapist helps a patient stretch their arm over their head.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 27,500 jobs (+25.4%)
– Total employment, 2023: 108,500
– Median annual pay, 2023: $64,080
– Expected annual job openings: 20,800
– Typical education needed for entry: Associate’s degree
Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock
#11. Dental assistants
A technician sets up a digital X-ray on a patient.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 31,500 jobs (+8.4%)
– Total employment, 2023: 376,500
– Median annual pay, 2023: $46,540
– Expected annual job openings: 54,900
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
#10. Pharmacy technicians
A pharmacist stands in front of a computer in a pharmacy, examining a bottle of medicine.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 33,300 jobs (+7.2%)
– Total employment, 2023: 463,900
– Median annual pay, 2023: $40,300
– Expected annual job openings: 47,400
– Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
#9. Speech-language pathologists
A speech-language pathologist having a lesson with a young child. They are both holding their hands to their cheeks.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 33,300 jobs (+18.4%)
– Total employment, 2023: 180,800
– Median annual pay, 2023: $89,290
– Expected annual job openings: 13,700
– Typical education needed for entry: Master’s degree
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock
#8. Physical therapists
A physiotherapist helps a patient in a wheelchair holding a stretchy band out in front of them.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 36,800 jobs (+14.2%)
– Total employment, 2023: 259,200
– Median annual pay, 2023: $99,710
– Expected annual job openings: 13,600
– Typical education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
#7. Physician assistants
A smiling doctor shakes hands with a patient who is sitting on a bed in a medical office.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 43,700 jobs (+28.5%)
– Total employment, 2023: 153,400
– Median annual pay, 2023: $130,020
– Expected annual job openings: 12,900
– Typical education needed for entry: Master’s degree
chalermphon_tiam // Shutterstock
#6. Nursing assistants
A nursing assistant in scrubs feeds an older woman seated in a bed.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 62,400 jobs (+4.4%)
– Total employment, 2023: 1.4 million
– Median annual pay, 2023: $38,200
– Expected annual job openings: 208,600
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock
#5. Medical assistants
A smiling nurse stands with her hands on the shoulders of a smiling patient in a wheelchair.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 118,000 jobs (+15%)
– Total employment, 2023: 783,900
– Median annual pay, 2023: $42,000
– Expected annual job openings: 119,800
– Typical education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
BongkarnGraphic // Shutterstock
#4. Nurse practitioners
A health care worker in scrubs stands in front of a laptop as she writes on a piece of paper.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 135,500 jobs (+46.3%)
– Total employment, 2023: 292,500
– Median annual pay, 2023: $126,260
– Expected annual job openings: 29,000
– Typical education needed for entry: Master’s degree
Halfpoint // Shutterstock
#3. Medical and health services managers
A doctor stands next to a person in a suit holding a tablet.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 160,600 jobs (+28.5%)
– Total employment, 2023: 562,700
– Median annual pay, 2023: $110,680
– Expected annual job openings: 61,400
– Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor’s degree
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#2. Registered nurses
A nurse with a mask putting on gloves in a hospital.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 197,200 jobs (+6%)
– Total employment, 2023: 3.3 million
– Median annual pay, 2023: $86,070
– Expected annual job openings: 194,500
– Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor’s degree
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
#1. Home health and personal care aides
A home aid helping a senior man with a cane stand up from a couch.
– Projected employment growth, 2023-2033: 820,500 jobs (+20.7%)
– Total employment, 2023: 4.0 million
– Median annual pay, 2023: $33,530
– Expected annual job openings: 718,900
– Typical education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent
Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on Doctors and Clinicians and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
