Which Jobs are in Greatest Demand?

[Valerie S. Johnson]

By Valerie S. Johnson

The Department of Labor provided its estimate of the 20 fastest growing jobs for the period 2004-2014. More than half of these jobs are in the healthcare industry. This is no surprise; the Baby Boomer population is getting older and living longer, resulting in a greater need for medical services. Computer-related occupations also have a high growth rate due to the increasing digitization of our lives.

Here is the list, starting with the occupations with greatest projected growth rates over the decade:

1. Home health aides
2. Network systems and data communications analysts
3. Medical assistants
4. Physician assistants
5. Computer software engineers, applications
6. Physical therapist assistants
7. Dental hygienists
8. Computer software engineers, systems software
9. Dental assistants
10. Personal and home care aides
11. Network and computer systems administrators
12. Database administrators
13. Physical therapists
14. Forensic science technicians
15. Veterinary technologists and technicians
16. Diagnostic medical sonographers
17. Physical therapist aides
18. Occupational therapist assistants
19. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
20. Occupational therapists

Many of these healthcare positions are for assistants and aides. So if you want to make a career change, you don’t have to go to medical school. Instead of the watching the doctors on “Grey’s Anatomy” or “House,” pay closer attention to the other healthcare employees – they have the jobs that are in high demand.

From the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Tomorrow’s Jobs," Chart 7, Percent change in employment in occupations projected to grow fastest, 2004-2014.

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[MonkeyMama]

Re: Which Jobs are in Greatest Demand?

I see a theme here.

Accountants were not on the list but they are in VERY high demand. Profession may not be growing so much in the next decade, but in very high demand now and most of the profession is set to retire in the next decade. So if you are looking for some crazy insane job security (but lots of hours to pick up slack) then I would recommend accounting too.

[Valerie S. Johnson]

Re: Which Jobs are in Greatest Demand?

I see a theme here.

Accountants were not on the list but they are in VERY high demand. Profession may not be growing so much in the next decade, but in very high demand now and most of the profession is set to retire in the next decade. So if you are looking for some crazy insane job security (but lots of hours to pick up slack) then I would recommend accounting too.

Good point. From the same report, Chart 6:

"Among business and financial occupations, accountants and auditors and management analysts will add the most jobs, 386,000 combined. Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists and personal financial advisors will be the fastest growing occupations in this group, with job increases of 30.5 percent and 25.9 percent, respectively."

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Re: Which Jobs are in Greatest Demand?

Unfortunately, some of those are get-no-respect, low pay, go nowhere jobs. Basically, there is a growing need for peons. Lovely.

[cantretire]

You're right Joan. My friend became a Medical Assistant and now makes half what she did 5 or 6 years ago. (she's happier though). Many of these jobs pay terribly. Another thing no one seems to mention about the medical field is that a lot of hospitals are going bankrupt and closing down. We're going to have a lot of sick baby boomers with no where to go, and medical people with no where to practice.

[jIM_Ohio]

want to be batman or robin?

[click4credit]

My wife will be happy, she's an Occupational therapist (Number 20 on the demand chart)!!

In the UK and Australia a lot of trades such as builders, plumbers and electricians are in very high demand as the education system has focused on people going to uni rather than learning practical hands on skills and trades. Some people are now making big money in these trades.

[LuxLiving]

6. & 17. both are Physical Therapist Assistants?

[Valerie S. Johnson]

6. & 17. both are Physical Therapist Assistants?

Thanks, I've fixed it. Number 17 is Physical Therapist Aides. I have no idea what the difference is between that occupation and #6, Physical Therapist Assistants.

[th_tan]

Truck Drivers is not on the list? I don't think its that accurate, if you look in the newspapers, your almost guarnteed to see these, look up on monster.com...Theres ads for truck drivers all over the place, that should be near the top of the list.