Everyone wants job stability. Though the U.S. economy has been growing steadily since the Great Recession, another downturn could be on the horizon. No job is completely protected from the next downturn, but certain fields are safer from cuts. We looked into data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out which ones will grow the most through the next recession and beyond.
If you are looking for a change in career or are just starting out in the working world, check out these growing career paths, ranked by projected growth through 2026.
1. Solar photovoltaic installers
Growth rate: 105% Median pay in 2017: $39,490 Education level: High school diploma or equivalent Number of jobs in 2016: 11,300 Projected job growth through 2026: 11,800
2. Wind turbine service technicians
Growth rate: 96% Median pay in 2017: $53,880 Education level: Certificate Number of jobs in 2016: 5,800 Projected job growth through 2026: 5,600
3. Home health & personal care aides
Growth rate: 41% Median pay in 2017: $23,130 Education level: High school diploma or equivalent Number of jobs in 2016: 2.9 million Projected job growth through 2026: 1.2 million
4. Physician assistants
Growth rate: 37% Median pay in 2017: $104,860 Education level: Master’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 106,200 Projected job growth through 2026: 39,600
5. Statisticians & mathematicians
Growth rate: 33% Median pay in 2017: $84,760 Education level: Master’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 40,300 Projected job growth through 2026: 13,500
6. Nurse practitioners, anesthetists & midwives
Growth rate: 31% Median pay in 2017: $110,930 Education level: Master’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 203,800 Projected job growth through 2026: 64,200
7. Physical therapist assistants & aides
Growth rate: 30% Median pay in 2017: $46,920 Education level: Associate degree Number of jobs in 2016: 140,300 Projected job growth through 2026: 42,700
8. Medical assistants
Growth rate: 29% Median pay in 2017: $32,480 Education level: Certificate Number of jobs in 2016: 634,400 Projected job growth through 2026: 183,900
9. Genetic counselors
Growth rate: 29% Median pay: $77,480 Education level: Master’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 3,100 Projected job growth through 2026: 900
10. Occupational therapy assistants & aides
Growth rate: 28% Median pay in 2017: $56,690 Education level: Associate degree Number of jobs in 2016: 46,800 Projected job growth through 2026: 13,200
11. Information security analyst
Growth rate: 28% Median pay in 2017: $95,510 Education level: Bachelor’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 100,000 Projected job growth through 2026: 28,500
12. Physical therapists
Growth rate: 28% Median pay in 2017: $86,850 Education level: Doctoral or professional degree Number of jobs in 2016: 239,800 Projected job growth through 2026: 67,100
13. Operations research analysts
Growth rate: 27% Median pay in 2017: $81,390 Education level: Bachelor’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 114,000 Projected job growth through 2026: 31,300
14. Massage therapists
Growth rate: 26% Median pay in 2017: $39,990 Education level: Certificate Number of jobs in 2016: 160,300 Projected job growth through 2026: 42,100
15. Software developers
Growth rate: 24% Median pay in 2017: $103,560 Education Level: Bachelor’s degree Number of jobs in 2016: 1.3 million Projected job growth through 2026: 302,500
16. Fire inspectors
Growth rate: 10% Median pay in 2017: $56,670 Education level: High school diploma Number of jobs in 2016: 14,100 Projected job growth through 2026: 1,400
Interested in wage growth by state? Check out the five states where pay has gone up the most since the Recession.
Image: DjelicS
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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