Six of the 10 fastest-growing occupations in the United States through 2035 will be in healthcare and social assistance, led by advanced practice registered nurses, according to projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Advanced practice registered nurse jobs are expected to jump from 336,300 to 474,100, an almost 41% increase, marking the highest growth rate among the listed occupations.
Five other occupations in the top 10 are also tied to healthcare, with employment projected to grow by at least 21.4% over the next decade.
The private healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to add over 2.2 million positions during this period, creating the most jobs of any sector. It is also expected to be the second-fastest-growing major industry, and account for about 37% of all new jobs added through 2035.
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Medical workers at a hospital in the U.S. Photo by Reuters |
According to the BLS report, this employment boom stems from both an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
In computer and mathematical fields, employment is projected to increase by about 35% for data scientists and 22% for computer and information research scientists.
The remaining two occupations in the top 10 are in renewable energy. The BLS noted that overall electricity demand is expected to surge, driven largely by the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for related infrastructure like data centers.
Employment growth in four of the 10 fastest-growing industries is heavily tied to electricity demand. Solar, wind, and geothermal electric power generation are projected to be the fastest-growing specific industries.
While AI adoption is expected to boost demand for some occupations, the associated productivity gains may dampen employment in others.
Generative AI software, which can automate repetitive tasks and speed up workflows, may limit demand for certain jobs in the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media sectors.
Similarly, the continued integration of AI-powered automation tools is likely to reduce the need for several office and administrative support roles.
The 20 fastest-growing occupations in the U.S. between 2025 and 2035, according to BLS:
|
Occupation |
Employment force in 2025 |
Growth rate, 2025–35 |
2025 median annual pay |
|
Nurse practitioners |
336,300 |
41% |
$132,300 |
|
Solar photovoltaic installers |
31,100 |
37% |
$53,140 |
|
Data scientists |
275,600 |
35% |
$120,230 |
|
Wind turbine service technicians |
11,800 |
30% |
$64,120 |
|
Medical and health services managers |
640,400 |
24% |
$123,860 |
|
Physical therapist assistants |
114,100 |
23% |
$68,380 |
|
Psychiatric technicians |
161,500 |
22% |
$45,130 |
|
Computer and information research scientists |
38,600 |
22% |
$140,300 |
|
Occupational therapy assistants |
52,200 |
22% |
$72,300 |
|
Ophthalmic medical technicians |
72,500 |
21% |
$45,570 |
|
Physician assistants |
168,900 |
21% |
$135,880 |
|
Information security analysts |
192,900 |
21% |
$129,180 |
|
Occupational health and safety technicians |
31,200 |
19% |
$61,560 |
|
Hearing aid specialists |
11,200 |
19% |
$65,160 |
|
Epidemiologists |
12,800 |
19% |
$87,220 |
|
Occupational health and safety specialists |
143,100 |
19% |
$90,150 |
|
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors |
533,400 |
18% |
$59,350 |
|
Home health and personal care aides |
4,677,100 |
18% |
$35,800 |
|
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary |
278,400 |
18% |
$107,310 |
|
Industrial machinery mechanics |
446,900 |
18% |
$64,520 |