America’s job market is shifting fast. Discover 10 U.S. careers projected to grow fastest through 2034, from clean energy to health care and AI.
America’s job market is undergoing a major transformation, with clean energy, health care, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity among the fields expected to see some of the strongest employment growth over the next decade.
New projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that total U.S. employment is expected to grow 3.1% from 2024 to 2034, adding roughly 5.2 million jobs. But some occupations are projected to expand at rates far above the national average.
Here are the 10 fastest-growing U.S. occupations projected for 2024 through 2034.
1. Wind turbine service technicians
Wind turbine service technicians top the list, with employment projected to rise 49.9% by 2034.
The occupation is expected to add about 6,800 jobs, as demand for renewable energy infrastructure creates a greater need for workers who install, maintain and repair wind turbines.
2. Solar photovoltaic installers
Solar photovoltaic installers are projected to see employment growth of 42.1%, making the occupation the second-fastest-growing career in the country.
BLS projects approximately 12,000 additional jobs through 2034 as solar installations continue to expand.
3. Nurse practitioners
Health care remains one of the biggest sources of future employment growth.
Employment for nurse practitioners is projected to increase 40.1%, adding approximately 128,400 jobs by 2034. An aging population and increasing demand for health services are expected to support continued growth.
4. Data scientists
The rise of artificial intelligence and the growing amount of data generated by businesses are creating strong demand for data specialists.
Employment for data scientists is projected to increase 33.5%, representing about 82,500 additional jobs between 2024 and 2034.
5. Information security analysts
As companies face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and data breaches, cybersecurity professionals are expected to remain in high demand.
Information security analyst jobs are projected to grow 28.5%, with approximately 52,100 new positions expected over the decade.
6. Medical and health services managers
Health care is not only creating demand for medical professionals. The industry is also expected to need more managers who oversee health care organizations and operations.
Employment for medical and health services managers is projected to increase 23.2%, or approximately 142,900 jobs, through 2034.
7. Physical therapist assistants
Physical therapist assistants are also expected to benefit from growing health care needs.
BLS projects employment growth of 22%, equivalent to approximately 24,500 additional jobs through 2034.
8. Actuaries
Actuaries, who use mathematics and statistics to analyze financial risk, are projected to see employment rise 21.8%.
The occupation is expected to add about 7,300 jobs during the 2024–34 period.
9. Operations research analysts
Businesses increasingly rely on data to make decisions about costs, logistics, operations and strategy.
Employment for operations research analysts is projected to grow 21.5%, adding roughly 24,100 jobs by 2034.
10. Physician assistants
Physician assistants round out the top 10, with projected employment growth of 20.4%.
BLS estimates the occupation will add approximately 33,200 jobs between 2024 and 2034 as demand for health care services continues to increase.
What is driving America’s job growth?
The projections highlight three major forces reshaping the U.S. labor market: technology, health care and the transition toward renewable energy.
Computer and mathematical occupations are projected to grow 10.1% between 2024 and 2034, more than three times the projected growth rate for all occupations. BLS says demand for AI systems, data analysis and cybersecurity will help drive that expansion.
Health care is another major growth engine. The health care and social assistance sector is projected to grow 8.4% and add roughly 2 million jobs over the decade, according to BLS.
The renewable energy sector is also producing some of the fastest percentage growth, although the number of new jobs in wind and solar occupations remains relatively small compared with large health care occupations.
The bigger picture for American workers
The fastest-growing career is not necessarily the occupation that will create the most jobs.
For example, wind turbine technicians are projected to grow nearly 50%, but the occupation is expected to add only about 6,800 positions. By comparison, medical and health services managers are projected to add roughly 142,900 jobs despite a lower 23.2% growth rate.
That distinction matters for workers deciding where to build skills.
The data suggest that careers combining technology, specialized expertise and essential services could remain particularly resilient as the U.S. economy changes.
For job seekers, the message is clear: America’s employment landscape is shifting, and some of the strongest opportunities over the next decade may be found in fields that sit at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, health care and clean energy.
