When deciding on a professional role to pursue, one factor to consider is how easily you can find employment in that field. Fast-growing industries have many jobs to fill and opportunities to advance your career. Learning more about some careers in fast-growing fields and what they require can help you develop the skills to succeed in a popular industry. In this article, we describe why fast-growing careers are important and list 15 of the fastest-growing careers, with salary and job duty information for each.
Why are fast-growing careers important?
Fast-growing industries often offer exciting job opportunities and the potential for a long and successful career. Benefits of working for growing professions include:
- Increasing job openings
- Ability to work with a successful company
- Good employee morale
- Job stability
- Good pay and benefits
- On-the-job training
- The opportunity to work in different roles
- Career advancement opportunities
15 fastest-growing careers
When choosing a career, consider these 15 growing fields, ranked from lowest to highest pay:
1. Veterinary technician
National average salary: $37,253 per year
Primary duties: Veterinary technicians help diagnose and treat animals’ injuries and illnesses under a veterinarian’s supervision. They observe patients, provide them with first aid, take X-rays, run laboratory tests, give anesthesia and administer medications and vaccines.Veterinary technicians might also bathe, groom, restrain and prepare animals and equipment for surgery. They perform administrative tasks such as collecting and organizing animals’ paperwork and medical histories. Veterinary technicians work with small animals, such as cats and dogs, or large animals such as horses and livestock.
2. Home health aide
National average salary: $46,329 per year
Primary duties: Home health aides work under a nurse or doctor’s supervision to care for seniors and people with physical or mental disabilities, long-term illnesses or injuries. They help clients with daily tasks such as bathing, cooking, eating and dressing. They also perform basic care such as taking vital signs, giving medications and changing bandages. They might also run errands, do household chores and drive patients to appointments or events.
3. Graphic designer
National average salary: $50,656 per year
Primary duties: Graphic designers create visual content for a company’s advertising, website, brochures, logos, packaging and publications. Their goal is often to help market or sell a company’s products or services.They might design artwork by hand or with a computer program. Many graphic designers know how to use photo editing and publishing software. They might present their work to an art director or a client for feedback, then complete several revisions until everyone is happy with the design.
4. Massage therapist
National average salary: $46,232 per year
Primary duties: Massage therapists use massage techniques to relax their client’s muscles and tissues. Their goal is often to relieve pain, improve circulation and mobility, encourage relaxation, alleviate stress and heal injuries.They listen to clients’ goals or concerns, locate the areas of the body that require attention and record and assess their progress. Some massage therapists specialize in one type of massage, such as deep tissue, Swedish or sports massage. Others perform all types of massages based on patients’ needs.
5. Plumber
National average salary: $73,341 per year
Primary duties: Plumbers install and repair the pipes that carry water, gas or other substances to and from homes and businesses. They also create cost estimates, read blueprints, understand local building codes, inspect pipes and solve piping problems. They may work with clients to understand issues within plumbing systems and create efficient fixes.
6. Digital marketer
National average salary: $62,307 per year
Primary duties: Digital marketers develop and oversee companies’ online marketing strategies. Their goal is often to promote a business’s brand, product or service to possible customers and generate new sales leads.They might manage email lists and newsletters, social media profiles, blogs, website analytics, search engine results and advertising. Some digital marketers focus on all these products and skills, while others specialize in one area.
7. Research analyst
National average salary: $66,256 per year
Primary duties: Research analysts help a company’s management make profitable business decisions. They gather information from computer databases, customer feedback and sales reports. They then use math, statistics, modeling and simulations to analyze the company’s data and solve business problems or improve processes. Research analysts often work for finance, insurance, health, manufacturing or technology companies.
8. Family therapist
National average salary: $67,235 per year
Primary duties: Family therapists help individuals, couples and families handle challenges in their lives and relationships. They meet with clients, listen to their concerns and help them find ways to overcome difficult situations.They also help clients make important life decisions and deal with issues such as stress, addiction and substance abuse. Family therapists might use various behavioral therapy approaches to help patients replace negative behaviors or thoughts with positive ones.
9. Occupational therapist
National average salary: $82,227 per year
Primary duties: Occupational therapists help sick, injured or disabled individuals complete daily tasks such as dressing, eating, bathing and moving. They evaluate patients’ conditions, homes or workspaces to create a plan for making their lives safer, more active and more independent.Occupational therapists might provide patients with equipment such as wheelchairs, leg braces and eating aids and recommend exercises and activities they can do to strengthen their bodies. They might work in mental health centers, nursing homes, hospitals, schools or private homes.
10. Physical therapist
National average salary: $85,831 per year
Primary duties: Physical therapists help rehabilitate patients recovering from injuries or illnesses. They use exercises, stretches, hands-on therapy and specialized equipment to improve their patients’ mobility.Based on patients’ medical histories, diagnoses and concerns, physical therapists create custom treatment or prevention plans and help each individual reach their goals. They evaluate patients’ progress and make changes to treatment plans as necessary. They typically work closely with other members of the patient’s healthcare team, such as doctors, surgeons or specialists.
11. Information security analyst
National average salary: $90,425 per year
Primary duties: Information security analysts help protect companies’ computer systems from cyber attacks. They monitor the company’s networks, install protection software, test systems for weaknesses and create computer security plans.Information security analysts must keep up with current information technology and security threats and trends. They might work for banks and financial companies, health centers, government agencies or any other business that needs to protect its data.
12. Dental hygienist
National average salary: $74,321 per year
Primary duties: Dental hygienists clean patients’ teeth by removing stains, tartar and plaque either by hand or by using power or ultrasonic tools. They perform preventive dental health services such as applying sealants, polishes and fluorides and X-raying teeth. They document patients’ dental health and report that information, as well as any concerns, to the supervising dentist. They also teach proper tooth brushing, flossing and other oral hygiene techniques to patients.
13. Biomedical engineer
National average salary: $86,755 per year
Primary duties: Biomedical engineers combine their engineering and medical knowledge to design devices, equipment and software for the health industry. They create prosthetic limbs, artificial organs and joint replacements.They also design software and programs for testing new drugs or running medical equipment. These engineers install, maintain and repair biomedical equipment, teach other people how to use them and assess their safety and efficacy.
14. Nurse practitioner
National average salary: $120,621 per year
Primary duties: Nurse practitioners examine patients, perform tests, run equipment, diagnose conditions, prescribe and give medications and monitor treatment responses. They also give patients advice on how to prevent illness or injuries.They may complete similar duties to a nurse while also prescribing medications. Nurse practitioners may collaborate with doctors and other healthcare employees to help manage their patients’ diagnoses and treatments.
15. Software developer
National average salary: $108,896 per year
Primary duties: Software developers design computer programs and applications. Based on the client’s or user’s needs, they create pieces of a program and determine how they can work together. Developers then give their designs and instructions to programmers, who put the software into code.Software developers might also problem-solve for existing applications, come up with improvements and run updates. Some developers work primarily with computer applications, while others focus on computer operating systems.