These High-Paying Jobs Have The Best Growth Potential Over The Next Decade
By Andy Medici – Senior Reporter, The Playbook, The Business Journals
Job growth is going to slow dramatically over the next decade, but some professions are poised to see intense demand.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5.2 million new jobs from 2024 to 2034, a 3.1% growth rate over the next decade that’s much less than the 12% growth posted over the past decade. The slide is due in large part to the ascendance of Gen Z workers, a much smaller generation entering the workforce at a time when the large baby boomer generation continues to retire.
Some industries will see above-average job gains, according to the BLS. Health care and social assurance has the highest projected growth rate of any sector, at 8.4%. Demand for artificial-intelligence systems and technology is expected to drive 7.5% growth in the professional, scientific and technical-services sector, and 6.5% growth in the information sector.
Energy-related jobs also are expected to grow. “Increased demand for electricity, primarily related to AI integration, electric vehicles (EVs) and new data centers, is expected over the next decade,” the BLS noted in its report with the data.
The BLS is projecting a big increase in elder-services jobs, as well, with 528,500 new jobs forecast. The nation’s aging population is driving much of the growth across health care, according to the BLS, with demand for in-home and personal health services increasing.
“The growing elderly population, which typically has greater health-care needs compared to younger groups, will increase demand for long-term care and therapy services,” the BLS said.
The BLS also spotlighted some jobs that both pay more than $100,000 a year and are projected to see outsized growth.
Other industries, meanwhile, are expected to see a decline in jobs, with mining, oil and related jobs shrinking by 1.6% over the next 10 years due in part to automation and robotics, and retail jobs shrinking 1.2% as automation, e-commerce and consolidation impact that industry.
AI changes workforce needs and expectations
The BLS data shows that AI is not going to take everyone’s job away, said Jason Leverant, president of national staffing franchise AtWork Group. It also, however, shows that job seekers will need to think strategically about a future in which AI plays a large part of how business gets done but humans are still vital.