But understanding the careers in high demand can increase your chances of getting a job after you graduate from college.
So, before selecting your major, check out the top 10 fastest-growing careers through 2034, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. We’ll also explain why each option might be a fit for you.
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Wind turbine technicians
Wind techs fix wind turbines. They typically attend a technical school, where they complete a postsecondary certificate in wind energy technology. Once hired, wind techs also receive employer- or manufacturer-provided job training specific to the wind turbine they will maintain and repair.
This occupation is projected to grow 50 percent over the next decade due to an increased demand for electricity.
Median annual wage: $62,580 per year
Solar photovoltaic installers
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and fix rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy.
Similar to wind techs, an increased demand for electricity will drive the need for these jobs. The BLS estimates 42 percent growth through 2034.
You need a high school diploma to become a PV installer and undergo on-the-job training offered by your employer, which lasts up to a year.
Median annual wage: $51,860 per year
Nurse Practitioner
According to the BLS, about 32,700 job openings for nurse practitioners (NP) — and other advanced practice nursing careers — will open within the next 10 years.
NPs take your vitals and administer medications like a registered nurse (RN) but also:
- Order diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, and analyze results
- Create patient care plans
- Prescribe medication
- Write referrals for specialists
To become an NP, you must:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and receive a RN license.
- Enroll in a master’s degree in nursing or doctor of nursing practice graduate program.
- Obtain your advanced practice nursing license.
In total, NPs undergo six to eight years of training. Portage Learning specializes in common prerequisites needed to earn your undergraduate degree or register for a program, such as Anatomy & Physiology and Biology. The online, self-directed format provides an affordable, flexible path to continuing your education.
Median annual wage: $132,050 per year
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Data scientists
Do you love numbers?
If so, the BLS likes the outlook for a career in data science. It projects 34 percent industry growth through 2034.
Data scientists utilize tools and algorithms to unveil hidden patterns in raw data and generate meaningful insights that help companies make decisions.
For example, at Netflix, data scientists analyze your viewing patterns to recommend which TV show or movie you should watch next.
Data scientists need at least a bachelor’s degree, typically in mathematics or computer science. Some jobs prefer — or require — applicants with a master’s or doctoral degree.
High schoolers interested in this career should take classes in algebra and statistics. At Portage Learning, students can sign up for these classes to get a head start. Credits transfer to more than 2,800 institutions.
Median annual wage: $112,590 per year
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Information Security Analysts
As cyberattacks grow so does the need for information security analysts, who install and manage software, such as firewalls, to protect an organization’s computer network and systems.
The BLS estimates 29 percent growth for these jobs through 2034.
Most employers prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology, or a related field. However, some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and undergo industry training and certifications.
Median annual wage: $124,910 per year
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Medical and health services managers
Other careers in high demand include medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators.
They oversee operations, financial management, policy development, and strategic planning for healthcare systems.
Medical and health services managers need a bachelor’s degree.
More than 62,000 jobs will be added per year over the next decade. According to the BLS, the United States’ aging population will increase the need for physicians and other healthcare workers, medical procedures, and facilities, and therefore drive the demand for this career.
Median annual wage: $117,960 per year
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Physical therapist assistants
Physical therapist assistants (PTA) work alongside physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain by:
- Cleaning and setting up treatment areas
- Moving patients
- Performing clerical duties
All states require PTAs earn an associate’s degree from an accredited program, which typically takes about two years and includes coursework in Anatomy & Physiology, which Portage Learning offers.
The BLS projects this occupation will grow 22 percent through 2034.
Median annual wage: $60,050 per year
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Actuaries
Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to assess the risk of potential events then work with organizations, especially those in the insurance industry, to develop policies that minimize the cost if they occur.
This career will grow 22 percent in the next decade, according to the BLS.
Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree in an analytical field and must pass a series of exams to become certified.
Median annual wage: $125,770 per year
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Operations research analysts
Operations researchers analyze data to help companies create effective strategies.
For example, you may study customer behavior to provide insight into the best time of year to offer a particular sale.
The BLS estimates about 9,600 openings for these roles through 2034.
To become one, you need a bachelor’s degree in business, mathematics, or computer science. Some jobs require a master’s degree.
Median annual wage: $91,290 per year
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Physician assistants
Physician assistants (PA) work in a variety of healthcare settings and perform functions similar to a nurse practitioner, including:
- Diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses
- Prescribing medications
- Ordering and analyzing lab tests
- Examining patients
PAs must obtain a bachelor’s degree then earn a master’s degree through an accredited program, which typically takes about two years. They must also complete 2,000 hours of clinical rotations in various settings.
The country’s aging population will drive growth for this occupation too, with an expected 12,000 jobs to be added per year through 2034.
Median annual wage: $133,260 per year
- Think about what they like and what matters to them
- Talk to people who work in their industries of interest
- Consider how to pay for their school or program
- Discuss the potential options with parents or a guidance counselor
Your Future, Your Move: Next Steps
This list alone should not dictate your post-secondary education decisions. Students must also:
If one of these careers in high demand still matches what you want, go for it.
These jobs bring stability, higher earnings, and faster advancement — ensuring you build the future that can be difficult to envision as a teenager.
(You can get a great start on pursuing a meaningful career by registering with Portage Learninglist of courses.)
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