Opportunity is a key driver in the job market, where the most sought-after careers not only offer a robust outlook for employment but also significantly influence the economic landscape.
According to the CareerCast.me Jobs Rated report, growth outlook is a primary factor in evaluating the best and worst jobs. Notably, careers that top the list in the 2017 report, as well as those leading in the broader list of 200 jobs, generally boast optimistic forecasts for the next decade.
It’s no surprise that the healthcare sector dominates the list of the most in-demand jobs for 2017. Leading the charge is the Home Health Aide, which, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is expected to see a need for 348,400 new professionals by 2024, making it the field with the second-highest growth outlook this year. This surge is largely driven by an aging Baby Boomer population.
Physical Therapists also see significant demand, ranking sixth with an anticipated growth rate of 34% and an expected 71,800 new positions by 2024. The increasing pursuit of preventative and restorative health measures fuels this demand.
Other healthcare roles seeing high growth include Nurse Practitioners, with an expected 53,400 new jobs; Physician Assistants, with 28,700 new positions; Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, with 27,600 new jobs; and Opticians, with 17,800 new roles projected.
The rising demand in these careers also correlates with growing opportunities in the freelance economy. Web Developers, for instance, see high demand with 19,441 current listings in the CareerCast.me jobs database and an estimated 39,500 new positions by 2024, reflecting a shift towards more temporary and project-based employment.
Beyond healthcare, the IT sector continues to offer in-demand opportunities. However, one of the more surprising entries in the business sector is the Operations Research Analyst. Newly added to the Jobs Rated report this year, this field is expected to have 27,600 job openings by 2024. With 7,684 current listings for Operations Research Analysts, it is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those applying analytical and technical skills in the business realm.
Here are CareerCast.me’s 10 most in-demand jobs for 2017, ranked by growth percentage forecasts and the total number of new positions expected.
Top 10 Most In-Demand and Fast-Growing Jobs of 2017
- Home Health Aide
- Overall Rating: 424
- Median Salary: $22,600
- Projected Growth: 38.00%
- 384,400 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Physical Therapist
- Overall Rating: 387
- Median Salary: $85,400
- Projected Growth: 34.00%
- 71,800 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Nurse Practitioner
- Overall Rating: 408
- Median Salary: $100,910
- Projected Growth: 35.00%
- 53,400 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Physician Assistant
- Overall Rating: 398
- Median Salary: $98,180
- Projected Growth: 31.00%
- 28,700 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Overall Rating: 404
- Median Salary: $69,650
- Projected Growth: 24.00%
- 27,600 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Optician
- Overall Rating: 391
- Median Salary: $36,250
- Projected Growth: 24.00%
- 17,800 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Web Developer
- Overall Rating: 412
- Median Salary: $66,130
- Projected Growth: 27.00%
- 39,500 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Operations Research Analyst
- Overall Rating: 401
- Median Salary: $79,200
- Projected Growth: 30.00%
- 27,600 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Software Engineer
- Overall Rating: 395
- Median Salary: $102,280
- Projected Growth: 17.00%
- 186,600 new jobs projected by 2024.
- Market Research Analyst
- Overall Rating: 382
- Median Salary: $62,560
- Projected Growth: 23.00%
- 92,300 new jobs projected by 2024.
These roles highlight the diverse range of opportunities available in various sectors, with significant projected growth and new job openings by 2024.
