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An image of a woman in a futuristic career showing the best in demand jobs for the future.  The 17 best future careers are described in this blog article.

Would you like to discover the best in demand jobs for the future? Are you wondering what are the best future careers in 2024 and beyond?

Are you seeking a career that is high paying, in demand, and among the fastest-growing careers? 

Do you want to be in a career that will be around for many years to come? 

Would you like to be in a job that has room for growth, for progression, which provides opportunity and security? 

Do you want to be current and in a future-proof career? 

If you answered “yes” to one or more of the above questions, it is important to think outside the box and think beyond the traditional careers that everyone talks about. As a Career Adviser, I often have heard people say that they would like to be a doctor, lawyer or sports professional. However, these career choices are often not well thought out or based on labor market information and forecasting. 

If you are in the process of choosing your career now or looking to make a career change, then this blog will help you to explore the best future careers; jobs that are high paying, fast-growing, and in demand.  However, as you read, you must consider which careers are a match to your interests, skills, personal qualities, and values. 

What are the best in Demand Jobs For the Future?

1. Blockchain Developer (My #1 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

A woman who is a Blockchain Developer sitting at two computer screens.

Average salary:  $145,000

This is my top pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because the potential of blockchain is immense and is still developing.  Almost every sector will be seeking blockchain developers in the future.  Blockchain technology is primed to radically transform the way the digital world handles data and does business.

Whilst blockchain was initially created as a platform for supporting Bitcoin, blockchain has exhibited that it is secure, adaptable, and can be used for many purposes.  The result is that many within business and government are now paying attention and exploring how they can use blockchain.  Blockchain has been used to record the history of vehicles (e.g., the car’s mileage and maintenance) to prevent the deception which often occurs when used cars are sold.

Blockchain provides an effective solution because the information which is recorded on the blockchain is 100% secure and cannot be altered.  So if you want to get into a career of the future that has high pay, a lot of potential for tremendous growth, featuring a dynamic new technology that is still in the early stages of development, then you should consider becoming a Blockchain developer.

The average blockchain developer salary in the USA is $145,000 per year. Entry-level positions start at $120,000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $190,000 per year.

Blockchain technology works as a distributed cryptographic ledger that can make financial and other types of transactions decentralized, faster, and more private. Many experts believe that blockchain technology will change the world as much or even more than the internet did. That’s why blockchain developers will likely be in high demand well into the future.

To learn more about why Blockchain Developer is my top pick among the best future careers, read my blog article now.

2. Wind Turbine Service Technician (My #2 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of several wind turbines to demonstrate what a wind turbine is and what Wind Turbine Service Technician's repair.

Median annual salary:  $59,500

Wind Turbine Service Technicians (also known as a windtechs) is my second pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because currently, it is the fastest growing job in the US and in many places around the world.  The projected growth is truly exciting.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of wind turbine technicians is projected to grow 68 percent from 2020 to 2030, far surpassing the average for all occupations. An average of 1,400 job vacancies for wind turbine technicians are projected each year over the decade.

The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians is $59,500.  Salaries range from $40,000 to more than $85,000, based on experience and training. 

A wind turbine technician installs, inspects, maintains, operates, diagnoses and repairs wind turbines. Wind turbines are very tall mechanical machines that use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the propeller-like blades of a turbine around a rotor, which spins a generator, which creates electricity.

To learn more about why Wind Turbine Service Technicians is one of my top picks for the best future careers, read my blog article now.

3. Nurse Practitioner (My #3 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Average salary:  $115,500

Nurse practitioner (NP) is my third pick of the best in demand jobs for the future. It is a high paying job, with good job satisfaction and is currently the second fastest growing job in the US.  The projected growth is stunning. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow by a whopping 52.2% between 2020 and 2030. 

Like Registered Nurses (RNs), this is also a future proof career, because as doctor shortages increase, they will be needed to take on some of the doctors’ roles.  People will always have health and medical needs.  Also, as the population is ageing and living longer, the demand will only become greater.  It is very likely that NPs will continue to be in high demand for many decades.  Even as technology advances and changes, the need for nurse practitioners will continue.

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse with advanced training in primary care services and more authority than a registered nurse (RN). They not only assist doctors, but also carry out many of a doctor’s roles themselves.

NPs are high paid with an average salary of $115,500.

To learn more why Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are among the best future careers, read my blog article now.

4. Solar Photovoltaic Installer / PV installer (My #4 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of a Solar Photovoltaic Installer / PV installer at work.

Median annual salary:  $49,700

Solar Photovoltaic Installers (also known as PV installers) is my fourth pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because you can get into this role without a degree and it is currently the third fastest-growing job in the US and in many places around the world.  The projected growth is outstanding.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of Solar Photovoltaic Installers is projected to grow 52.1 percent from 2020 to 2030.

The median annual wage for Solar Photovoltaic Installers is $49,700.  Salaries range from $33,000 to more than $69,000, based on experience and training. 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, install and maintain rooftop or solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that convert sunlight into energy.

To learn more why Solar Photovoltaic Installer is one of my top picks for the best future careers, read my blog article now.

5. Statistician (My #5 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Median annual salary:  $97,800

Statistician is my fifth pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because it is a high-paying role and it is currently tied for the fourth fastest-growing job in the US and in many places around the world.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of Statisticians is projected to grow 35.4 percent from 2020 to 2030.

The median annual wage for Statisticians is $97,800.  Salaries range from $52,000 to more than $160,000, based on experience and training. 

A statistician collects, analyzes and summarizes data.  They develop and apply statistical theories and methods to aid decision-making and to find or resolve problems in various industries.  They obtain, analyze and interpret data to bring key insights to sport, politics, business, economics, stock markets, engineering, biology, and other fields or to solve key industry questions or issues.  

To learn more about why Statistician is one of my top picks for the best future careers, read my blog article now.

6. Data Analyst (My #6 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of a Data Analyst

Average salary: $80,000

Data Analyst is my sixth pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because it is a high-paying, in-demand career that has grown rapidly in the last 10 years and the projected growth rate for jobs in the field (i.e., 16% growth) is among the strongest as compared to other career areas. If you like numbers and breaking down complex data into a simple format that can inform the key decisions of a company or organization, then this is the job for you!

The average Data Analyst salary is approximately $80,000, but the salary range is usually between $27,000 and $145,000.  The salary can vary depending on your level (entry-level vs senior data analyst), education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Data analysts play a key role in the operations of businesses across multiple sectors including but not limited to healthcare, finance, retail, and almost every sector you could think of. Data analysts process, visualize and translate data into actionable insights. This is definitely a future-proof role that is not going anywhere soon.

To learn more about why Data Analyst is one of my top picks for the best future careers, read my blog article now.

7. Physical Therapist Assistant (My #7 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Median annual salary:  $63,400

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is my seventh pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because currently it is tied for the fourth fastest-growing job in the US.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Statisticians is projected to grow 35.4 percent from 2020 to 2030. However, pay is an area where some Physical Therapist Assistants would like to see improvement.

The median annual wage for Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) was $63,400. Salaries range from $34,000 to more than $87,000, based on experience and training.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) support patients (under the direction of physical therapists) who are recuperating from injuries and illnesses to recover movement and cope with pain.  Among other things, this can include observing patients’ symptoms, treating patients using massage and other techniques, and supporting and training patients to do exercises and stretches as part of their recovery plan.

Physical Therapist Assistants are required by all US states to have an associate’s degree (which usually lasts 2 years) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.  During the program, you will also gain practical, on-the-job training and experience through supervised clinical work, which usually lasts from one week to one month. 

All states also require PTAs to be certified or licensed.  To be licensed you usually need to graduate with an accredited associate’s degree as mentioned above and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam for Physical Therapist Assistants. PTAs also need to undergo continuing professional development through courses to keep their license.

8. Cybersecurity (My #8 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

A Cybersecurity image showing a hand and a lock preventing access with the words Cyber Security in a circle around the hand.

Average salary: $105,000

Cybersecurity is my eighth pick of the best in demand jobs for the future, because as the world becomes more digital year after year, so also the need for experts in cybersecurity is growing.  Billions are being spent on cloud security tools, cloud security solutions, infrastructure protection, and endpoint security tools.  Globally there are millions of unfilled cybersecurity job roles and the demand is very high, so this is a good career to pursue.

Digital life is becoming more prevalent in our lives each year as people now spend significant portions of their day online shopping, on social media, working, gaming, streaming videos, and more.  We have so much personally identifiable information online (name, date of birth, address, etc), health records, financial information, credit cards, health records, passwords and more.  Hackers seek to steal information, attack infrastructure controls, and compromised data security.

As more staff are working from home, the risks to businesses have increased further.  Cyberattacks have increased from every 44 seconds, to approximately once every half a minute and ransomware attacks occur approximately 5 times per minute. Cyberattacks are currently costing businesses, organisations, government bodies, and individuals trillions of dollars around the world. As a result, companies are willing to pay high salaries to those who are protecting their data.

Cyber security salaries vary from state to state, but often range from $85,000 for roles such as IT Security Consultant to $160,000+ per year for roles such as Chief Information Security Officer.  So it really depends on the level of your role, your experience, your skills, your expertise, but also your location and employer.

To learn more about why Cybersecurity is one of my top picks among the best future careers, read my blog article now.

9. Information Security Analyst / Manager (My #9 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of an Information Security Analyst / Manager at work.

Median annual salary: $110,800

Information Security Analyst / Manager is my ninth pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because it is a high paid, future-proof role, which currently is the sixth fastest-growing job in the US. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Information Security Analysts is projected to grow 33.3 percent from 2020 to 2030. As a result, this presents a very strong Career opportunity.

The median annual wage for Information Security Analysts is $110,800. Salaries range from $60,000 to more than $175,000, based on experience, training and location.

Information Security Analysts develop strategies, plan and implement security measures to protect a company’s computer networks and IT systems.

To learn more about why Information Security Analyst is one of my top picks for the best future careers read my blog article now!

10. Medical and Health Services Managers (My #10 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Median annual salary:  $110,500

Medical and Health Services Managers is my tenth pick of the best in demand jobs for the future because it is high paying, with high job satisfaction and currently it is the eighth fastest-growing job in the US.  More than 80 percent of Medical and Health Services Managers are both satisfied with their job and find their job meaningful. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Medical and Health Services Managers is projected to grow 32.5 percent from 2020 to 2030. They also project there will be an average of 51,800 vacancies for Medical and Health Services Managers each year between 2020 and 2030. 

Medical and health services managers have various roles and job titles, depending on their speciality including Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Administrators, Nursing Home Administrators, Clinical Managers and Health Information Managers.

The median annual wage for Medical and Health Services Managers was $110,500.  Salaries range from $60,000 to more than $209,300 based on experience, training, specific role, speciality and location.

Medical and Health Services Managers oversee and manage medical and health services for medical practices, a particular clinical department or even an entire service or center.  

To learn more why Medical and Health Services Managers is one of my top picks for best future careers read my blog article now.

11. Physician Assistant (My #11 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of a Physician Assistant at work

Median annual salary:  $122,300

Physician Assistants (also known as PAs) is one of my top picks of the best in demand jobs for the future because it is high paying, with high job satisfaction and currently it is the tenth fastest-growing job in the US.  More than 80 percent of Physician Assistants are satisfied with their job (Source: JAAPA).  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Physician Assistants is projected to grow 31 percent from 2020 to 2030. They also project there will be an average of 12,200 vacancies for Physician Assistants each year between 2020 and 2030. 

The median annual wage for Physician Assistants was $122,300.  Salaries range from $77,000 to more than $173,800 based on experience, training, specific role, specialty, and location.

Physician assistants examine, diagnose and treat patients in all areas of medicine, including primary care, family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and psychiatry. 

To become a Physician Assistant, you usually need a master’s degree. Prior to applying for graduate school, most people will have a bachelor’s degree in the healthcare field with a focus on science.  They will also usually have experience caring directly for patients as a registered nurse, EMT, paramedic or something similar.  All states require physician assistants to be licensed through passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).  

To learn more why Physician Assistant is one of my top picks for best future careers read my blog article now.

12. Registered Nurse (My #12 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of a Registered Nurse

Average salary: $82,000

Most people probably don’t think of Registered Nurses (RNs) as a futuristic career or a career for the future, but if you want to future-proof your career then pursuing a career as a Registered Nurse could be a good choice.  People will always have health and medical needs.  Also, as the population is ageing and living longer, the demand will only become greater.  RNs already account for the largest number of healthcare workers and it is very likely that RNs will continue to be in high demand for many decades.  Even as technology advances and changes, the need for registered nurses will continue.

Registered nurses are well paid with an average salary of $82,000.

To learn more why Registered Nurses (RNs) are among the best future careers, read my blog article now.

13. Chief Information Security Officer (My #13 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Average salary: $160,000

With Cybersecurity, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is an excellent role to target as it is a high paid and will be in high demand long into the future.  The CISO holds the top role within cyber security in a company or organisation and has overall responsibility for ensuring the company’s data and technology are protected.  The CISO oversees all the security policies and procedures of the company; along with the plans, strategies and steps which are taken to protect and secure IT networks, systems and resources from cyberattacks. 

The average salary for a CISO position is $160,000, and the range is between $140,000 and $420,000.

Chief Information Security Officers will usually need a master’s degree, often an MBA from a top University, along with other relevant certifications.  In some instances, a person with a bachelor’s degree and a lot of experience can move up the ladder into this role.  Among other certifications, the ‘Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)’ test is recommended if you want to secure a role as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

14. Application Security Engineer (My #14 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

An image of an Application Security Engineer working.

Salary: $120,000 to $190,000

Application Security Engineers (AppSec) are high paid and this role will be in high demand well into the future.  They focus on keeping apps, software and technology safe from cyberattacks and other security breaches.  The role involves providing expertise to ensure the secure design and development of IT applications including changes to existing applications. 

The Application Security Engineer will:

• Ensure that app security is embedded into every phase of software development and delivery.
• Perform application vulnerability assessments including regular scanning and penetration testing activities.
• Perform secure code review across a variety of programming languages
• Train developers and teams in secure coding techniques
• Identify vulnerabilities and information security risks within apps and systems
• Develop security testing scripts and procedures

To become an Application Security Engineer you need to achieve a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. You will also need certification. Some options include Certified Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI). Many employers prefer to hire Application Security Engineers who have a master’s degree.

15. Computer Network Architect (My #15 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Average Salary: $149,000

Computer Network Architect is another strong future career. Demand for network architects will increase as firms continue to expand their use of wireless and mobile networks. Computer Network architects are primarily responsible for:

• Designing, building and maintaining data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.
• Upgrading software (e.g., network drivers) and hardware (e.g., adapters or routers).
• Creating plans and layouts for data communication networks.
• Advising regarding network needs
• Working with the company’s Chief Information Officer to predict where the organization will most need new networks.
• Planning the implementation of security patches or other counter measures

Computer network architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field such as Management Information Systems (MIS) and possibly even a Masters. Companies have different certification requirements, but some examples include:

• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• CompTIA A+ Certification
• CompTIA Security+ Certification
• CompTIA Network+ Certification
• CCT (Cisco Certified Technician)
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
• CyberOps Associate
• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) Enterprise,
• CCNP Collaboration
• CCNP Data Center
• CCNP Security,
• CCNP Service Provider
• CCDE (Cisco Certified Design Expert)
• CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
• CCIE Enterprise Wireless
• CCIE Collaboration
• CCIE Data Center
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Service Provider
• CCAr (Cisco Certified Architect)
• DevNet Associate
• DevNet Professional

Often employers require candidates to have 5-10 years’ experience working with IT systems, networks, and in one or more related positions such as:

• Network Manager
• Network or computer systems administrator
• Database administrator
• Computer systems analyst

16. Penetration Tester (My #16 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Salary: $60,000 to $140,000

If you enjoy the challenge of hacking or like the idea of it but want to be on the good side, then this may be the career for you. Penetration Tester, often referred to as Pen Testers, Vulnerability Testers, or Ethical Hackers is a very interesting career of the future. Now is an excellent time to become a penetration tester due to the high-profile security breaches that have been occurring around the world. Day by day cyberattacks are growing in sophistication and complexity, so the likelihood of businesses being victims of cyber attackers are also increasing rapidly. This is why businesses need penetration testing and this role is in very high demand. Penetration Testers are primarily responsible for:

• Conducting security and vulnerability tests across apps, software, databases, systems, networks the virtual infrastructure to identify potential vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.

• Simulating cyberattacks using a broad range of tools and methods to find cracks in security protocols for networks, systems, and web-based applications.

• Probing all possible ways to penetrate any given computer system, to find gaps in security systems before real hackers can get in.

Employers often prefer applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, IT or a related specialization. However, this isn’t always the case. Some focus more on the candidate’s knowledge and experience than their education.

17. Home Health and Personal Care Aide (My #17 pick of the best in demand jobs for the future)

Median annual salary:  $28,500

Home Health and Personal Care Aide is one of my top picks of the best in demand jobs for the future because currently it is the seventh fastest-growing job in the US.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Home Health and Personal Care Aides is projected to grow 32.6 percent from 2020 to 2030. They also project there will be an average of 599,800 vacancies for Personal Care Aides each year between 2020 and 2030.

The median annual wage for Home Health and Personal Care Aides was $28,500. Salaries range from $20,000 to more than $39,580, based on experience, training, and location.

Home Health and Personal Care Aides support older adults, people with disabilities, health conditions or chronic illnesses with daily living activities and keep an eye on their health.  They help clients with things such as bathing, dressing, laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming, cleaning, shopping for groceries, cooking meals, planning appointments, arranging transportation to outings/doctor, and more.  Home health aides are supervised by nurses or other medical practitioners.  Under their supervision, they sometimes provide other basic health services including administering medication, checking vital signs and more.  However, Personal Care Aides, generally do not provide health and medical services.

Home health and personal care aides often need a high school diploma or equivalent, but this is not required for all roles. Some people going into this field take courses at community colleges and vocational schools.  Through these courses or on the job training they may learn about personal hygiene, infection control, carrying out housekeeping tasks, cooking, diet, nutrition, first aid, CPR, reading and recording vital signs and more.

Based on my professional expertise in careers, employment, learning and skills and extraction of solid research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, I have been able to extract and summarize key information for you to help you with your career choices. I hope this blog helped you to discover and explore some of the best future careers. In most cases, they are also the fastest growing, highest paying, in-demand jobs. I will update this blog regularly, so keep coming back for more ideas regarding the best careers for the future.

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