15 careers
Fastest-Growing Careers Over the Next Decade
These careers have the highest projected employment growth among the careers we profile, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Faster growth usually means more openings and more bargaining power for qualified workers.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | +41.0% | 6–8 years including RN education | Master's degree |
| 2 | Solar Panel Installer | $53,140 | +36.5% | 1–6 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Data Scientist | $120,230 | +34.6% | 4–6 years | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Wind Turbine Technician | $64,120 | +29.5% | 6–24 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 5 | Medical and Health Services Manager | $123,860 | +24.2% | 4–6 years plus experience | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 | +23.0% | 2 years | Associate's degree |
| 7 | Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | +22.3% | 1 year or less | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 8 | Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,300 | +21.5% | 2 years | Associate's degree |
| 9 | Ophthalmic Technician | $45,570 | +21.4% | Under 1 year | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | $135,880 | +21.1% | About 6–7 years after high school | Master's degree |
| 11 | Cybersecurity Analyst | $129,180 | +21.0% | 1–4 years | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | +19.4% | 6–12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Safety Technician | $61,560 | +19.4% | 6–12 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Epidemiologist | $87,220 | +18.7% | 2 years after a bachelor’s | Master's degree |
| 15 | Occupational Safety Specialist | $90,150 | +18.5% | 2–4 years | Bachelor's degree |
1. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who assess patients, diagnose conditions, order tests, prescribe medications and manage care, often as primary care providers.
- Median pay: $132,300 ($63.61/hr)
- Training: 6–8 years including RN education: master's degree
- Growth: +41.0% (much faster than average), 29,400 openings/yr
Nurse Practitioner career guide · Nurse Practitioner training
2. Solar Panel Installer
Solar panel installers assemble, install and maintain photovoltaic (PV) systems on rooftops and ground mounts: mounting racking, setting panels, running wiring and helping connect systems to the grid.
- Median pay: $53,140 ($25.55/hr)
- Training: 1–6 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +36.5% (much faster than average), 4,200 openings/yr
Solar Panel Installer career guide · Solar Panel Installer training
3. Data Scientist
Data scientists collect, clean and analyze data, build statistical and machine learning models, and communicate findings that help organizations make decisions.
- Median pay: $120,230 ($57.80/hr)
- Training: 4–6 years: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +34.6% (much faster than average), 24,800 openings/yr
Data Scientist career guide · Data Scientist training
4. Wind Turbine Technician
Wind turbine technicians, “wind techs”, inspect, maintain and repair wind turbines, climbing towers to service mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems in the nacelle and blades.
- Median pay: $64,120 ($30.83/hr)
- Training: 6–24 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +29.5% (much faster than average), 1,500 openings/yr
Wind Turbine Technician career guide · Wind Turbine Technician training
5. Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, physician practices and public health agencies.
- Median pay: $123,860 ($59.55/hr)
- Training: 4–6 years plus experience: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +24.2% (much faster than average), 62,300 openings/yr
Medical and Health Services Manager career guide · Medical and Health Services Manager training
6. Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of physical therapists to carry out treatment plans, guiding patients through exercises, gait training and other therapy to restore movement and reduce pain.
- Median pay: $68,380 ($32.88/hr)
- Training: 2 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +23.0% (much faster than average), 18,500 openings/yr
Physical Therapist Assistant career guide · Physical Therapist Assistant training
7. Psychiatric Technician
Psychiatric technicians care for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, monitoring patients, leading activities, helping with treatment and responding to crises.
- Median pay: $45,130 ($21.70/hr)
- Training: 1 year or less: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +22.3% (much faster than average), 17,000 openings/yr
Psychiatric Technician career guide · Psychiatric Technician training
8. Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover and improve the skills needed for daily living and working, following plans set by occupational therapists.
- Median pay: $72,300 ($34.76/hr)
- Training: 2 years: associate's degree
- Growth: +21.5% (much faster than average), 8,100 openings/yr
Occupational Therapy Assistant career guide · Occupational Therapy Assistant training
9. Ophthalmic Technician
Ophthalmic medical technicians assist ophthalmologists and optometrists by taking histories, testing vision, measuring eye pressure and running diagnostic imaging.
- Median pay: $45,570 ($21.91/hr)
- Training: Under 1 year: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +21.4% (much faster than average), 11,800 openings/yr
Ophthalmic Technician career guide · Ophthalmic Technician training
10. Physician Assistant
Physician assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients, ordering tests, prescribing medications and assisting in surgery, working with physicians and other providers.
- Median pay: $135,880 ($65.33/hr)
- Training: About 6–7 years after high school: master's degree
- Growth: +21.1% (much faster than average), 11,500 openings/yr
Physician Assistant career guide · Physician Assistant training
11. Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts protect an organization’s networks, systems and data by monitoring for threats, investigating alerts, responding to incidents, finding vulnerabilities and strengthening defenses.
- Median pay: $129,180 ($62.11/hr)
- Training: 1–4 years: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +21.0% (much faster than average), 14,100 openings/yr
Cybersecurity Analyst career guide · Cybersecurity Analyst training
12. Hearing Aid Specialist
Hearing aid specialists test hearing, select and fit hearing aids, and teach patients how to use and care for them.
- Median pay: $65,160 ($31.33/hr)
- Training: 6–12 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +19.4% (much faster than average), 900 openings/yr
Hearing Aid Specialist career guide · Hearing Aid Specialist training
13. Safety Technician
Occupational health and safety technicians inspect workplaces, test for hazards such as noise and air contaminants, help deliver safety training and support safety specialists in preventing injuries and illness.
- Median pay: $61,560 ($29.59/hr)
- Training: 6–12 months: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +19.4% (much faster than average), 3,800 openings/yr
Safety Technician career guide · Safety Technician training
14. Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans, seeking to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes.
- Median pay: $87,220 ($41.93/hr)
- Training: 2 years after a bachelor’s: master's degree
- Growth: +18.7% (much faster than average), 800 openings/yr
Epidemiologist career guide · Epidemiologist training
15. Occupational Safety Specialist
Occupational safety specialists inspect workplaces, identify hazards, develop safety programs, train employees, investigate incidents and help employers comply with OSHA and other regulations so workers go home safe.
- Median pay: $90,150 ($43.34/hr)
- Training: 2–4 years: bachelor's degree
- Growth: +18.5% (much faster than average), 17,100 openings/yr
Occupational Safety Specialist career guide · Occupational Safety Specialist 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 700+ 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 fastest-growing careers?
Nurse Practitioner, with a median wage of $132,300 per year and about 6–8 years including RN education of training.
How was this list made?
We ranked careers from our 700+ profiles using BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025–35 employment projections, applying the criteria described on this page.