The landscape of the employment market is ever-changing. As technological advancements and shifting societal needs reshape our biggest industries, new opportunities will expand for rising professionals who are able to develop skills in these in-demand areas.
Employment projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor reflect that the healthcare, technology, and business sectors will see the most amount of growth in the next 10 years. Careers emerging from these industries have the potential to be fulfilling, impactful, and rewarding.
The future of the Workforce at a glance
With rapid advancements in technology, practical, industry-specific education is becoming more important than ever. As the workforce shifts in response to new technologies,
demographic shifts, and economic trends, education will continue to be incredibly important to stay competitive in the job market.
When looking at future employment trends, there are three industries that will be the leaders in job growth. Healthcare and social assistance stand at the forefront of this expected growth. With an aging population, occupations in this industry will see a great increase and demand for healthcare workers and support staff.
Simultaneously with the rapid technological advancement, the demand for skilled workers in computers and information technology (IT) will continue to rise. These roles span from cybersecurity to software development.
Lastly, alongside the expansion of the digital landscape, there will be an increased demand for effective leadership in business and management in virtually every industry.
Healthcare and Social Assistance
The healthcare and social assistance sector is not only projected to grow the most rapidly but is also projected to be responsible for creating 45 percent of all the projected job gains from 2022 to 2032. This can be greatly attributed to the rapidly aging population in the United States — people are living longer and will need more health care support. The three occupations that are projected to experience rapid growth are:
1. Home Health and Personal Aides
The largest increase in new jobs for any occupation will be for home health and personal care aides. From 2022–2032, this occupation is expected to gain 804,600 jobs. That accounts for approximately 1 of every 6 new jobs.
Home health and personal aides have a crucial role in monitoring and providing care for individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses. They also offer assistance to those who need help with their daily living activities. This could include providing care in various settings such as the client’s home, group homes, or day service programs.
Average Annual Salary: $48,060
2. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Demand for nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 44.5 percent from 2022–2032. Nurse practitioners also have the largest projected job growth for occupations that typically require a master’s degree. Physician assistants are expected to see a 26.5 percent growth in new jobs. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners can provide patient care that would be otherwise provided by a doctor.
Both nurse practitioners and physician assistants require an advanced degree, typically a master’s from an accredited program. Nurse practitioners provide both primary and specialty healthcare in healthcare settings like hospitals, physicians' offices, and clinics, coordinating and delivering patient care.
Average Annual Salary: $126,260
Physician assistants work alongside physicians to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. They can be found working in hospitals, physicians' offices, and outpatient clinics.
Average Annual Salary: $130,020
3. Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical and health services managers have a critical role in planning, directing, and coordinating medical and health services. They can manage facilities, departments, areas, or medical practices. To ensure they provide quality services, they must keep themselves updated with changes in the healthcare industry, including laws, regulations, and technology.
Typically this profession requires a bachelor’s degree in health-related fields, such as nursing or health communication, or other applicable fields such as business. The growth rate for jobs in this profession is expected to increase by 28% between 2022 and 2032.
Average Annual Salary: $110,680
Computer Technology and Mathematics
The job market for computer and mathematical fields is projected to grow much faster than average. This is because businesses and consumers are now more than ever present in the digital space, generating a lot of data that needs to be collected, organized, analyzed, and safeguarded.
Between 2022 and 2032, computer and mathematical occupations are projected to experience a 15.2 percent growth. The rise in cyberattacks and data breaches will result in a greater demand for cybersecurity products and services. This, in turn, will increase the demand for the occupation of information security analysts, which is expected to grow by 31.5 percent over the next 10 years.
1. Data Scientists
Data scientists collect, categorize, and analyze data to determine actionable insights for projects, businesses, and other endeavors. They test algorithms, provide business recommendations, and utilize various software and tools to communicate information.
People in this profession typically earn degrees in areas such as engineering, mathematics, computer information technology, data science, and business. The employment of data scientists is expected to grow 35% over the next 10 years.
Average Annual Salary: $108,020
2. Information Security Analysts (IT)
Organizations depend on information security analysts to plan and execute security measures for their networks and systems. They are tasked with staying up to date on IT security, checking for computer network vulnerabilities, and developing security standards for organizations' networks.
Degrees chosen by professionals who want to pursue a career as an information security analyst are typically computer information technology or engineering. Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 32% over the next 10 years.
Average Annual Salary: $120,360
3. Statistician
Mathematicians and statisticians make decisions related to data collection, apply mathematical theories to problem solve, interpret data to communicate information, and more. While a master’s degree is typically required for most occupations, some entry-level positions may accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree. Employment of Statisticians is projected to grow 30% over the next 10 years.
Average Annual Salary: $116,440
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Business and Management
Business and management professionals encompass a diverse range of occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in management occupations specifically is seen to add 1.1 million jobs per year over the next 10 years. The average annual wage for this occupation group is $116,880.
A business degree provides you with the skills to succeed in many occupations. Obtaining a business degree unlocks many employment opportunities such as:
1. Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers generate interest in products or services through campaigns involving advertising, promotions, events, and other marketing initiatives. They must closely monitor market trends and develop campaigns to stay competitive, accessible, and consumer-friendly.
Average Annual Salary: $131,870
2. Human Resource Manager
Human resources managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing the administrative functions of an organization.
Their role involves ensuring employees have the resources they need to succeed in each of their roles, as well as addressing disputes or complaints within an organization. They also may interview and hire new employees or oversee benefit programs.
Average Annual Salary: $136,350
3. Financial Manager
Financial managers are responsible for creating financial reports, directing investment activities, and developing plans to achieve their organization's long-term financial goals. This occupation is a big responsibility and well-suited for trustworthy, careful, and strategic individuals.
Average Annual Salary: $156,100
4. Sales Manager
Sales managers oversee the sales team of an organization. They set goals, develop training programs, and analyze sales data to make informed decisions. They might also address customer feedback and use that to focus sales efforts/user experience.
Average Annual Salary: $135,160
Find the degree that is right for you at PLNU
Earning a degree that can help you succeed in high-demand fields is crucial. PLNU offers a wide range of degree programs that best match your career and employment aspirations. Check out our accelerated undergraduate, traditional undergraduate, and graduate programs to discover the perfect program for you and your career aspirations.
