According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners, solar photovoltaic installers, and data scientists represent the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, with projected employment growth rates ranging from 35% to 41% over the decade leading to 2035.
Healthcare and clean energy roles dominate the top tier of the 20 occupations projected to see the highest percentage changes in employment.
Healthcare Occupations Lead Growth Projections
Nurse practitioners top the national growth list with a projected 41% increase in employment between 2025 and 2035, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The median annual pay for nurse practitioners stood at $132,300.
Other healthcare support and practitioner roles also feature prominently in the federal projections. Medical and health services managers face a projected growth rate of 24% with a median annual salary of $123,860. Physical therapist assistants expect 23% growth at a median pay of $68,380, while psychiatric technicians anticipate a 22% increase with median earnings of $45,130.
Additional clinical roles scaling rapidly include occupational therapy assistants and ophthalmic medical technicians, both projected at 21% growth.
Renewable Energy and Technology Sectors Expand
Clean energy jobs show significant momentum in the federal labor outlook. Solar photovoltaic installers rank second overall among fastest-growing careers, with a projected 37% employment increase and a median annual wage of $53,140. Wind turbine service technicians follow closely with a 30% growth rate and median yearly pay of $64,120.
In the technology sector, data scientists secure the third spot overall, driven by an expected 35% growth rate and a median annual salary of $120,230.
Infrastructure, Support, and Specialized Roles
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projections also account for steady expansion across specialized technical, counseling, and mechanical fields. Occupational health and safety specialists expect an 18% growth rate with a median salary of $90,150. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors anticipate 18% growth alongside median yearly earnings of $59,350.
Home health and personal care aides account for substantial volume growth within the 18% projection bracket, supported by a median annual pay of $35,800. Postsecondary health specialties teachers share that 18% growth metric with a median salary of $107,310, while industrial machinery mechanics round out the group at 18% growth and $64,520 in median yearly compensation.
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