Fastest-Growing Careers in 2026
Occupations projected to grow 8%+ through 2034 — BLS's "much faster than average" threshold — earning $45,000+. The careers where job openings will be easiest to find over the next decade.
How we define it: BLS classifies occupations as "much faster than average" when projected 10-year employment growth exceeds 8% (vs. the ~4% average for all occupations 2024–2034). We use this as our filter — it represents genuine structural demand growth, not cyclical fluctuation. Occupations on this list are where the economy is actively creating new jobs.
Filtered to occupations with BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 growth rate ≥ 8% ("much faster than average" threshold) and median salary ≥ $45,000. Ranked by projected growth rate descending. Salary: BLS OEWS 2024. Growth: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems ana…
Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of …
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors.
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs.
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.
Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public hea…
Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information…
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Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public h…
Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily livin…
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assi…
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial …
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes.
Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization.
Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students.
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patien…
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.
Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modificatio…
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures.
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribu…
Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines.
Select and fit hearing aids for customers.
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints.
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures.
Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site a…
Frequently Asked Questions
BLS classifies occupations with 10-year projected growth ≥ 8% as "much faster than average" (vs. ~4% average for all occupations 2024–2034). This is the top growth tier and signals structural demand expansion — meaning the economy is creating new jobs in this field, not just replacing departures. Occupations at 15%+ growth are in especially high demand.
Growth rate and salary don't always correlate directly. Some fast-growing occupations are at the lower end of the pay scale because the underlying work is new and hasn't yet commanded scarcity premiums. Others — particularly in healthcare technology and specialized services — combine strong growth with above-average pay. The salary column shows BLS 2024 medians for each occupation.
Some are — AI is both eliminating and creating jobs. Healthcare-related growth occupations tend to score low on AI exposure. Technology and data roles may score moderate. The fastest-growing physical service occupations score very low. Check the AI Risk column and individual career pages for occupation-specific analysis.
Both matter. High growth means more openings, less competition, and faster advancement. High salary means stronger immediate financial return. The best careers combine both — look for occupations in the top-left quadrant: high growth AND high salary. PathScorer can identify which of those match your existing skill profile.
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