Top 30 Fastest-Growing, High-Paying Jobs: 2024 Ranking

Choosing the right career path isn’t easy. If you’re not sure what you want to do, how do you get started?

If you want to find a career path with plenty of opportunities and a good wage, finding out what jobs are in high-demand and is a great starting point.

So whether you’re a recent graduate or seasoned professional looking to make a career switch, we’ve got you covered with a ranking of the top 30 fastest-growing, high-paying jobs of 2024.

Here’s how we created the list:

We used the US Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment projections for 2021–2031 and 2022 wage data.
Each profession included in our top 30 pays above $46,310 (the median US annual salary) and is expected to grow over the next decade.
We took the geometric mean of median annual wages and projected employment growth for each occupation. The higher the geometric mean, the higher the job in our ranking.
We excluded catchall occupation titles such as “computer occupations, all other.”

Overall, the BLS estimates total employment to grow by 8.3 million jobs from 2021 to 2031.

Let’s find out which careers have the brightest future:

1. Software developer

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +370,600
Median annual wage in 2022: $127,260
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

2. General and operations manager

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +209,800
Median annual wage in 2022: $98,100
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: 5 years or more
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

3. Financial manager

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +123,100
Median annual wage in 2022: $139,790
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: 5 years or more
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

4. Registered nurse

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +195,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $81,220
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

5. Medical and health services manager

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +136,200
Median annual wage in 2022: $104,830
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

6. Nurse practitioner

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +112,700
Median annual wage in 2022: $121,610
Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

7. Computer and information systems manager

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +82,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $164,070
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: 5 years or more
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

8. Lawyer

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +80,200
Median annual wage in 2022: $135,740
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

9. Management analyst

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +108,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $95,290
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

10. Market research analyst and marketing specialist

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +150,300
Median annual wage in 2022: $68,230
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

11. Accountant and auditor

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +81,800
Median annual wage in 2022: $78,000
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

12. Information security analyst

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +56,500
Median annual wage in 2022: $112,000
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

13. Health specialties teacher, postsecondary

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +59,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $100,300
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

14. Project management specialist

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +56,300
Median annual wage in 2022: $95,370
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

15. Computer systems analyst

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +50,900
Median annual wage in 2022: $102,240
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

16. Personal financial advisor

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +50,900
Median annual wage in 2022: $95,390
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Long-term on-the-job training

17. Physician assistant

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +38,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $126,010
Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

18. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +90,900
Median annual wage in 2022: $49,920
Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Short-term on-the-job training

19. Sales representative of services [except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel]

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +71,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $62,400
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

20. Marketing manager

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +31,700
Median annual wage in 2022: $140,040
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: 5 years or more
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

21. Logistician

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +54,100
Median annual wage in 2022: $77,520
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

22. Data scientist

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +40,500
Median annual wage in 2022: $103,500
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

23. Software quality assurance analyst and tester

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +40,800
Median annual wage in 2022: $99,620
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

24. Physical therapist

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +40,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $97,720
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

25. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +77,500
Median annual wage in 2022: $49,710
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

26. Human resources specialist

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +58,800
Median annual wage in 2022: $64,240
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

27. Industrial machinery mechanic

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +63,100
Median annual wage in 2022: $59,830
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Long-term on-the-job training

28. Construction manager

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +36,400
Median annual wage in 2022: $101,480
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

29. Elementary school teacher (except special education)

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +54,900
Median annual wage in 2022: $61,690
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

30. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +47,700
Median annual wage in 2022: $67,480
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Now you know the outlook for the 30 fastest-growing, highest-paid positions of 2024. But before you rush to retrain as a software developer or financial manager, remember that the labor market is a fast-changing landscape. Regardless of your current or future career, the ability to adapt will remain key to professional success.

“As the economy and its workforce continue to emerge from a global pandemic, there is a new landscape for businesses and employees to explore and adapt to. COVID-19 created a chance for professionals to change career paths and for organizations to innovate, therefore, creating a perfect formula for new opportunities.
Through a corporate lens, companies have emphasized focus on financial and operational leadership, meaning, end-to-end process of product/service delivery. This includes positioning the company for economic stability and competitive advantages, which leads to increased visibility and profitability. Information technology often works in tandem with strategy-focused roles, as they create, implement and support online marketing applications and infrastructure, capture and analyze customers’ interactions and engagement. Data is crucial for a company’s survival.
Regardless of the industry, professionals excelling in productivity, efficiency, and optimization will continue to be in high demand.”
–Kate Zimmer, executive recruiting manager with Discover Financial Services

A few words before you go

Whether the ranking includes your profession or not, remember that your future prosperity and job satisfaction don’t depend on projections, statistics, or labor market trends.

Gallup’s “State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report” reveals that engagement matters more than where you work.
Salary matters, but it isn’t everything. The Conference Board Job Satisfaction 2023 survey revealed that apart from competitive pay, the factors that most influence employee retention center around work experience and culture.
According to the 2022 McKinsey Global Institute report “Human Capital at Work: The Value of Experience,” there is no such thing as a dead-end job. Every job is an opportunity to develop skills that can lead to a better position.

Hard work, persistence, and a proactive attitude matter the most for your career and its growth.

Sources

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