Top 20 Fastest-Growing Jobs

If you take some time to peruse careerglider and the hundreds of different types of jobs and industries listed that are available to American workers, you might start to piece together a relatively simple puzzle: certain careers are on the rise, some are on decline and plenty are seemingly holding steady. Much of this careerglider information is culled from a variety of sources including government studies and surveys, job posting statistics across every industry, and some company hiring statistics.

Some of the information – ie., a computer forensics career can quickly lead to a six figure salary – comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In fact, they offer plenty of valuable statistics (see image below).

And there is good news for the American economy, which is predicted to add 20.5 million new jobs by 2020, upping the current total employment of 143.1 million to 163.5 million.

• Of 749 detailed occupations, 657 are projected to grow.
• 92 are projected to decline.
• The fastest growth is expected among healthcare, personal care, and community and social service occupations.

Below are the 20 fastest growing careers (and how to go about landing one), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1. Personal Care Aids

Employed Today: 861,000
Project Increase by 2020: 70.5%
Median Salary: 19,640
How to Get There:
Many schools offer programs that focus on healthcare education training and home health aid training. Some courses of study include: health management training, health and safety training, and home health administrator training.

2. Home Health Aids

Employed Today: 1.02 million
Project Increase by 2020: 69.4%
Median Salary: $20,560
How to Get There:
The career training is similar to personal care aids and also schools offer programs that focus on healthcare education training and home health aid training. Some courses of study include: health management training, health and safety training, and home health administrator training.

3. Biomedical Engineers

Employed Today: 15,700
Project Increase by 2020: 61.7%
Median Salary: $81,540
How to Get There:
Biomedical engineers need a high degree of science and math acumen.  Most jobs typically require bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering.

4. Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, Tile and Marble Setters

Employed Today: 29,400
Project Increase by 2020: 60.1%
Median Salary: $27,780
How to Get There:
Some technical colleges offer certificate programs and training in masonry. Many enter into formal apprentice programs.

5. Helpers–Carpenters

Employed Today: 46,500
Project Increase by 2020: 55.7%
Median Salary: $25,760
How to Get There:
Some technical colleges offer certificate programs and training in carpentry. Many enter into formal apprentice programs.

6. Veterinary Technologists and Assistants

Employed Today: 80,200
Project Increase by 2020: 52%
Median Salary: $29,710
How to Get There:
Although some offices and hospitals will provide on-the-job training, a great way to get there is undertaking certificate program that provides training necessary to perform the role of veterinary assistant in emergency animal hospitals and general veterinarian offices. 

>> Learn more about how to become a veterinary technician

7. Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

Employed Today: 861,000
Project Increase by 2020: 48.6%
Median Salary: 19,100
How to Get There:
Some technical colleges offer certificate programs and training in iron works. Many enter into formal apprentice programs.

8. Physical Therapist Assistants

Employed Today: 67,400
Project Increase by 2020: 45.7%
Median Salary: $49,960
How to Get There:
Many physical therapy schools offer programs that focus on providing educational courses and training to assistants. Some courses of study include: massage training and massage therapy, as well as courses in health and the human body.

9. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

>> Get in-depth information about plumbing degrees

Employed Today: 57,900
Project Increase by 2020: 45.4%
Median Salary: $26,740
How to Get There:
Many technical schools and colleges offer associate’s degrees and certificate programs and training in plumbing, pipe-fitting and steamfitting. Many enter into formal apprentice programs.

>> Learn more about how to become a plumber

10. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Employed Today: 71,600
Project Increase by 2020: 43.7%
Median Salary: $45,260
How to Get There:
A bachelor’s degree in marketing or hospitality is a great way to jump start a career in events planning.

11. Diagnostic medical sonographers

Employed Today: 53,700
Project Increase by 2020: 43.5%
Median Salary: $64,380
How to Get There:
Many colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography.

12. Occupational Therapy Assistants

Employed Today: 28,500
Project Increase by 2020: 43.3%
Median Salary: $51,010
How to Get There:
Occupational therapy schools and occupational therapy colleges of varying courses of study. However, to become licensed a master’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy program is required.

13. Physical Therapist Aides

Employed Today: 47,000
Project Increase by 2020: 43.1%
Median Salary: $23,680
How to Get There:
Much like the role of physical therapy assistants, aids study in many physical therapy schools that offer programs focused on providing educational courses and training to assistants. Some courses of study include: massage training and massage therapy, as well as courses in health and the human body.

14. Glaziers

Employed Today: 41,900
Project Increase by 2020: 42.4%
Median Salary: $36,640
How to Get There:
Glaziers –  installers of glass windows, skylights, storefront displays etc. –  typically enter into formal apprentice programs.

15. Interpreters and Translators

Employed Today: 58,400
Project Increase by 2020: 42.2%
Median Salary: $43,300
How to Get There:
There are many levels of interpreter and translator careers that require training from professional certification programs to bachelor’s degree and graduate degrees. These programs offer the opportunity for students to learn techniques and standard practices of translation and interpretation.

16. Medical Secretaries

Employed Today: 508,700
Project Increase by 2020: 41.3%
Median Salary: $30,530
How to Get There:
Medical secretaries often secure professional certificates or associate’s degrees.

17.  Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Employed Today: 282,700
Project Increase by 2020: 41.2%
Median Salary: $60,570
How to Get There:
Market research analysts come from a variety of educational backgrounds from certificates to graduate degrees. Typcially courses of study include: social media marketing training, digital marketing training, search engine marketing training, and web marketing training, among others.

18. Marriage and Family Therapists

Employed Today: 36,000
Project Increase by 2020: 41.2%
Median Salary: $45,720
How to Get There:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require  mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists to have a master’s degree and a license to practice.

19. Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Employed Today: 89,200
Project Increase by 2020: 40.5%
Median Salary: $46,930
How to Get There:
Many enter into formal apprentice programs.

20. Physical Therapists

Employed Today: 198,600
Project Increase by 2020: 39%
Median Salary: $76,310
How to Get There:
Most states require a Ph.D. and licensing to practice as a physical therapist.  Some courses of study include: physical therapy and health care systems, applied clinical anatomy, massage training and massage therapy, as well as courses in health and the human body.

What have been your experiences in today’s workforce? Please let us know in the comment section below.