If you’re considering returning to school or pursuing further education, you likely want to ensure that your investment will pay off. This is particularly true as workers in some sectors are concerned about the impact of economic uncertainty or AI technology on the workforce.

Whether you want to advance in your current career or change careers entirely, understanding which industries and job roles are likely to experience increased demand for workers can be helpful. It may offer opportunities for higher pay, better job stability, or more options for growth— and can be a good place to focus your efforts if you are upskilling or reskilling.

To help you feel more confident in your career trajectory, we’ve compiled research and trends data from sources like the World Economic Forum, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and U.S. Career Institute. And in this post, we’ll break down industries and job roles that are projected to grow in the coming years.

1. Healthcare

Healthcare organizations are already struggling with a talent shortage in critical roles, and this shortage is projected to worsen as new jobs are added to the market.

While many healthcare roles offer job stability and are likely to be in demand in the coming years, the data revealed that these were some of the fastest-growing job roles between 2024 and 2034:

• Nurse practitioners (40% growth)
• Medical and health services managers (23% growth)
• Physical therapist assistants (22%)
• Physician assistants (22%)
• Psychiatric technicians (20%)
• Ophthalmic medical technicians (20%)
• Occupational therapy assistants (19%)
• Hearing aid specialist (18%)
• Home health and personal care aides (17%)
• Nursing instructors and teachers (17%)
• Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (17%)

Many healthcare organizations are preparing for the increased demand for medical talent, and offer continued education programs for existing employees (including for non-healthcare talent!). This can be a valuable opportunity to upskill or reskill if you’re interested in doing so.

2. Actuarial work 

Mathematical and analytical professionals are seeing strong demand, with actuaries being among the fastest-growing occupations according to multiple reports. These professionals assess risk and uncertainty using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to study uncertain future events, often working in insurance and pension programs.

Actuarial jobs are expected to see 22% growth over the next ten years. The growth in this field is driven by the increasing complexity of the global economy, the need for sophisticated risk management in financial services, and the growing importance of data-driven decision-making across industries.

Actuarial work typically requires strong statistical and mathematical skills, making it an excellent field for those with analytical backgrounds looking to specialize further. There are undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and graduate certificates that can help prepare you for your required actuarial exams.

3. Renewable energy

Renewable energy has become a rapidly growing industry, fueled by the green transition. Investments in solar and wind energy, for example, have grown in recent years, creating new jobs in the process.

According to the BLS and World Economic Forum, job roles currently expected to grow over the next ten years include:

• Autonomous and electric vehicle specialists
• Wind turbine service technician
• Solar photovoltaic installers
• Renewable energy engineers

The growth in this sector is also being driven by infrastructure investments and policy changes that prioritize clean energy development, making it a stable long-term career choice for those interested in environmental impact.

If you’re interested in renewable energy, assess different job roles and see what may interest you. Some prefer hands-on technician work, while others may want to pursue an advanced degree to become an engineer.

4. Finance and insurance industries

The financial services sector continues to evolve and expand, particularly as digital technologies transform how financial services are delivered. Traditional roles in banking, investment, and insurance remain important, but new opportunities are emerging in areas like financial technology (fintech) and digital banking.

Fintech engineering jobs are among the fastest-growing roles, reflecting the increasing digitization of financial services. This growth includes positions in digital payment systems, cryptocurrency, robo-advisors, and mobile banking platforms.

Financial examiners, who often work in finance, insurance, or government work, are also expected to see 19% job growth between 2024 and 2034. This job growth benefits from the need for ongoing risk assessment.

Continued education that helps you develop skills and earn credentials in finance, risk management, and insurance industries can be helpful for breaking into these roles. That said, make sure you research specific roles you’re interested in and their requirements. Someone who wants to become an underwriter will need a different education compared to someone who wants to become a fintech engineer.

5. Technical analytics roles

Strong demand for information technology (IT) products and services, including automation and machine learning technologies, is fueling the fast growth of computer and math occupations. This category includes several high-growth, high-paying positions that are essential to the modern economy.

Data scientists stand out as a particularly fast-growing role, with data scientists projected to have the fastest employment growth in professional, scientific, and technical services with an increase of nearly 42 percent over the 2023 to 2033 period.

Information security analysts are also expected to experience 41% growth over the next ten years, driven by increasing cybersecurity concerns and the need to protect digital infrastructure.

Depending on the specific job role and industry you’re interested in, you may want to consider programs in computer science, data analytics, information technology, or applied statistics. Many technical roles may also benefit from AI competency, so proactively learning these skills could be useful. 

6. Software developers and engineers

While there has been some decline in entry-level coding positions, jobs related to software development are expected to continue to grow over the next decade.

The continued digitization of businesses, the growth of mobile applications, cloud computing, and emerging technologies like AI and IoT (Internet of Things) all contribute to sustained demand for software developers. This field offers excellent opportunities for career growth, competitive salaries, and may offer flexibility to work in virtually any industry.

According to the World Economic Forum, software and application development jobs are the fourth-fastest-growing job role, and DevOps engineers are the fourteenth-fastest-growing job role. There are an estimated 303,700 new software developer jobs alone coming between 2022 and 2033.

Continued education in computer science, software engineering, or information technology can be helpful if you want to move into these roles.

7. Environmental engineers 

Environmental engineers apply engineering principles to protect and improve the environment by designing solutions for pollution control, waste management, and sustainable development. They may work for private companies, but may also be employed by state and federal governments.

According to the World Economic Forum, environmental engineers are the twelfth fastest-growing job role between now and 2030.

In many cases, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in environmental engineering, and licensure may be required.

Your next steps

Understanding job market trends can help you make strategic decisions about your educational investments. The data shows clear growth patterns in healthcare, technology, renewable energy, and analytical fields. These sectors offer both job security and advancement opportunities.

Keep in mind that there are numerous job roles and industries that are expected to remain stable or experience slower-but-still-positive rates of growth over the coming years. If your desired career path isn’t on the list, that’s okay!

If you are looking for a new career and aren’t sure what to do, however, you may want to consider the job roles and industries that are projected to grow in the coming years.

And while many of these high-growth fields require specialized education or training, the investment can pay significant dividends in terms of job security, earning potential, and career advancement opportunities.

If your employer partners with EdAssist®, our career coaches can help you evaluate these opportunities and create an educational plan that aligns with both your interests and the job market's projected needs.

Whether you're considering a certificate program, a degree, or professional development courses, strategic planning can help ensure your educational investment leads to the career growth you're seeking.

Thinking about continued education? See how EdAssist can help you return to school.