15 careers
Careers With the Most Job Openings Each Year
Openings come from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or switch careers. These occupations have the most projected openings per year: meaning employers are hiring constantly.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Openings/yr | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barista | $31,200 | +5.8% | 827,400 | 1–2 weeks | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Home Health Aide | $35,800 | +18.1% | 760,500 | 2–6 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Cashier | $32,880 | -6.5% | 521,300 | Several days | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Retail Sales Associate | $35,410 | -0.3% | 520,600 | 1–2 weeks | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Stock Associate | $37,330 | +8.9% | 430,700 | Several days | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Server | $35,230 | +2.0% | 423,100 | 1–2 weeks | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Warehouse Associate | $40,240 | +1.8% | 340,500 | Days (on the job) | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Janitor | $36,840 | +2.2% | 321,800 | A few days on the job | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Customer Service Representative | $44,770 | -5.3% | 289,500 | 2–6 weeks (paid training) | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | General and Operations Manager | $105,770 | +5.0% | 285,000 | 5+ years of experience | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Office Clerk | $45,010 | -6.0% | 249,000 | A few weeks on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Line Cook | $37,390 | +12.1% | 218,600 | 1–6 months on the job | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Truck Driver | $58,640 | +3.8% | 214,500 | 3–7 weeks | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 14 | Certified Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | +2.6% | 196,200 | 4–12 weeks | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | Registered Nurse | $97,550 | +5.6% | 180,800 | 2–4 years | Bachelor's degree |
1. Barista
Baristas and counter workers prepare coffee, espresso and other drinks, take orders, handle payments and keep cafes clean and welcoming.
- Median pay: $31,200 ($15.00/hr)
- Training: 1–2 weeks: no formal educational credential
- Growth: +5.8% (faster than average), 827,400 openings/yr
Barista career guide · Barista training
2. Home Health Aide
Home health aides help clients with bathing, dressing, meals, mobility and medication reminders in their own homes, and report changes in condition to a nurse or care supervisor.
- Median pay: $35,800 ($17.21/hr)
- Training: 2–6 weeks: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +18.1% (much faster than average), 760,500 openings/yr
Home Health Aide career guide · Home Health Aide training
3. Cashier
Cashiers process payments for purchases, scan items, handle cash and cards, apply discounts and coupons, and provide fast, friendly service at checkout.
- Median pay: $32,880 ($15.81/hr)
- Training: Several days: no formal educational credential
- Growth: -6.5% (a projected decline), 521,300 openings/yr
Cashier career guide · Cashier training
4. Retail Sales Associate
Retail salespersons help customers find products, answer questions, process sales and returns, and keep merchandise stocked and organized.
- Median pay: $35,410 ($17.03/hr)
- Training: 1–2 weeks: no formal educational credential
- Growth: -0.3% (little or no change), 520,600 openings/yr
Retail Sales Associate career guide · Retail Sales Associate training
5. Stock Associate
Stockers and order fillers receive merchandise, stock shelves, pick and pack orders, and keep inventory organized in stores and warehouses.
- Median pay: $37,330 ($17.95/hr)
- Training: Several days: no formal educational credential
- Growth: +8.9% (much faster than average), 430,700 openings/yr
Stock Associate career guide · Stock Associate training
6. Server
Waiters and waitresses greet guests, explain menus, take orders, serve food and drinks, handle payments and make sure guests enjoy their dining experience.
- Median pay: $35,230 ($16.94/hr)
- Training: 1–2 weeks: no formal educational credential
- Growth: +2.0% (slower than average), 423,100 openings/yr
Server career guide · Server training
7. Warehouse Associate
Warehouse associates receive incoming freight, store inventory, pick and pack orders, and load shipments in warehouses and fulfillment centers, using scanners and warehouse systems to keep inventory accurate.
- Median pay: $40,240 ($19.35/hr)
- Training: Days (on the job): no formal educational credential
- Growth: +1.8% (slower than average), 340,500 openings/yr
Warehouse Associate career guide · Warehouse Associate training
8. Janitor
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners, keep buildings in clean and orderly condition and perform minor maintenance.
- Median pay: $36,840 ($17.71/hr)
- Training: A few days on the job: no formal educational credential
- Growth: +2.2% (slower than average), 321,800 openings/yr
Janitor career guide · Janitor training
9. Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives answer questions, resolve complaints, process orders and returns, and help customers by phone, chat, email and in person: representing the company at its most important moments.
- Median pay: $44,770 ($21.53/hr)
- Training: 2–6 weeks (paid training): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -5.3% (a projected decline), 289,500 openings/yr
Customer Service Representative career guide · Customer Service Representative training
10. General and Operations Manager
General and operations managers plan, direct and coordinate the operations of organizations, managing daily work, staff, budgets and resources.
- Median pay: $105,770 ($50.85/hr)
- Training: 5+ years of experience: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +5.0% (faster than average), 285,000 openings/yr
General and Operations Manager career guide · General and Operations Manager training
11. Office Clerk
Office clerks, general, perform a variety of clerical duties such as answering phones, typing, filing and data entry.
- Median pay: $45,010 ($21.64/hr)
- Training: A few weeks on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -6.0% (a projected decline), 249,000 openings/yr
Office Clerk career guide · Office Clerk training
12. Line Cook
Restaurant cooks prepare and cook dishes to order on stations such as grill, sauté and fry, following recipes and plating standards during service.
- Median pay: $37,390 ($17.98/hr)
- Training: 1–6 months on the job: no formal educational credential
- Growth: +12.1% (much faster than average), 218,600 openings/yr
Line Cook career guide · Line Cook training
13. Truck Driver
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods between distribution centers, businesses and customers, inspecting their vehicles, following federal safety rules and delivering freight on time.
- Median pay: $58,640 ($28.19/hr)
- Training: 3–7 weeks: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +3.8% (about as fast as average), 214,500 openings/yr
Truck Driver career guide · Truck Driver training
14. Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide basic daily care (bathing, dressing, feeding, moving and monitoring patients) in nursing homes, hospitals and home care, working under the supervision of licensed nurses.
- Median pay: $42,260 ($20.32/hr)
- Training: 4–12 weeks: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +2.6% (about as fast as average), 196,200 openings/yr
Certified Nursing Assistant career guide · Certified Nursing Assistant training
15. Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) assess patients, plan and deliver nursing care, give medications and treatments, monitor for changes, and educate patients and families, in hospitals, clinics, schools, home health and many other settings.
- Median pay: $97,550 ($46.90/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +5.6% (faster than average), 180,800 openings/yr
Registered Nurse career guide · Registered Nurse training
Methodology
Rankings use national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35)) for the 709 careers profiled on Career Education Institute. Lists are not exhaustive of all U.S. occupations. Data checked October 15, 2026.
About this list
What is #1 on the list of careers with the most openings?
Barista, with a median wage of $31,200 per year and about 1–2 weeks of training.
How was this list made?
We ranked careers from our 709 profiles using BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025–35 employment projections, applying the criteria described on this page.