Predicting what the professional landscape is going to look like in a couple of years is a challenging endeavor. Regardless, we can make a good educated guess about some of the best jobs for the future.
This is important regardless of where you are on your professional journey. If you’re an entry-level job seeker, these predictions can help you decide which path to take. Experienced veterans can gain valuable insight into which field of specialization to pursue or what skills to consider improving.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Key Takeaways
Many of the best jobs for the future are currently in demand and have a high projected job outlook.
The fields to pay attention to when looking for future jobs include healthcare, IT, and finance.
Some of the best jobs for the future include physician assistants, data scientists, information security analysts, web developers, psychologists, nurse practitioners, actuaries, financial managers, and more.
15+ Best Jobs for the Future That Will Be in Demand
Let’s check out what some of the best jobs for the future are based on current demand and future predictions. We’ll look into different roles and careers, the requirements needed to get started, expected salaries, job outcomes, and more.
#1. Physician Assistant
Physician assistants (PA) are medical professionals who work under physicians’ supervision to examine and treat patients. Their job involves everything from diagnosing illnesses to developing treatment plans and prescribing medication.
PAs work in various settings and institutions, like physician offices, private clinics, public hospitals, etc., collaborating with other healthcare professionals from many different fields. Their job is vital to providing exceptional and personalized care, thus increasing overall healthcare accessibility.
The job outlook for this profession is much higher than average, with an expected 27% between 2022 and 2032. However, entry-level candidates need to have a master’s degree from an accredited program and a license, in addition to a strong physician assistant resume. A lucrative median salary of $126,010 per year makes the effort of getting there worth it.
#2. Data Scientist
Data scientists are experts at working with information. Their job revolves around extracting raw data and turning it into useful insights that can be used to make decisions and create plans. For this, they need exceptional technical skills such as proficiency in programming, data analysis, data visualization, machine learning, etc.
These professionals are invaluable in any enterprise that operates with large sets of data. Their work is vital for business growth and innovation, as they can come up with models that predict trends and influence outcomes.
To become a data scientist, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, or other relevant fields. Apart from that, most employers don’t look for professional experience in entry-level candidates. All you need is a well-written data scientist resume.
The exceptional job outlook of 35% and a high median salary of $103,500 make this one of the best jobs for the future.
#3. Information Security Analyst
The job of an information security analyst is to protect networks and computer systems. These professionals devise robust plans and come up with intricate security measures to guard IT infrastructures against hacking attempts and various other cyber-attacks and threats.
Most information security analysts work for financial and computer companies and businesses within that sphere. Their work is essential to maintaining the integrity and availability of data and processes.
This is another field with an outstanding job outlook of 32% and a high median pay of $112,000 per year. The minimum requirement to get into the field is a bachelor’s degree, but most employers expect candidates to have at least five years of experience. Also, a specific certification highlighted in your cyber security resume can improve your employability.
#4. Web Developer
Web developers are IT professionals who specialize in building websites and web applications. Their job represents a combination of graphic design and programming. It involves conceptualizing, designing, developing, and maintaining the layouts and functionality of websites and interfaces.
To achieve that, they need strong web developer skills, which include everything from proficiency in HTML, CSS, and various programming languages like JavaScript and PHP to graphic design skills, UI, UX, and more.
The job outlook for web developers is much faster than average, at 15%. The salary is also competitive at $80,730 per year. An entry-level candidate only needs a bachelor’s degree, a solid web developer resume, and no work experience.
Finally, many employers don’t even look for a degree and will hire candidates who have finished boot camps or are even self-taught. This makes web development one of the best jobs for the future without a degree.
#5. Psychologist
Psychologists are the healthcare experts on the human mind, and their job revolves around exploring its intricacies for medicinal purposes. They analyze cognitive and emotional processes and combine that data with the extensive knowledge in the field to help individuals improve their mental health.
The demand for these professionals and their expertise is on the rise as the stigma surrounding mental health issues declines. They are highly sought-after in various healthcare and educational institutions, while many do private practice as well.
Psychologists typically need at least a master’s degree or higher to get into the field. Depending on the state and position, you might also need to have an appropriate license. The job outlook for psychologists is 6%, which is faster than average, and the median salary is $85,330.
#6. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are experts in providing primary and specialty healthcare. They can conduct exams and order tests, treat various conditions, prescribe medication, and more. The focus of their profession is patient-centered care, and they work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private clinics, and physician offices.
To become an NP, you need to pass a national exam, have a master’s degree, and hold a relevant certification. Such a steep barrier to entry nets these professionals a $125,900 median salary. On top of that, the job outlook is one of the highest in the current market, sitting at an impressive 38%. A strong nurse resume can all but guarantee you an interview.
#7. Information Systems Manager
Information systems managers work with the computer-related infrastructure of an organization. They are in charge of making complex plans and coordinating these intricate technological systems. This includes everything from overseeing the system’s security to planning for future hardware and software updates or implementing new features.
The career of an information systems manager is highly demanding but also very rewarding. To get the job, you’ll typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields, like computer science. On top of that, most employers look for candidates who have at least five years of work experience.
If you match these requirements, you’re looking at a lucrative vocation where the median salary is $164,070 per year. That, coupled with a job outlook of 15%, makes this one of the best jobs for the future in the world, as long as it matches your qualifications and career goals.
#8. Software Developer
Software development is another in the line of well-paid and on-the-rise careers in the IT sector that keeps growing. These developers are the professionals behind computer programs and applications that we use on a daily basis.
Developers are adept at using coding languages such as Java, Python, PHP, C++, and many others to craft everything from niche mobile apps to large-scale enterprise systems. They typically need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as information technology.
The job outlook of 25% is much faster than average. Furthermore, this is a rather profitable career, as it offers a median salary of $124,200 per year. That makes this a highly sought-after profession, especially considering you can get into it without prior work experience and based on your resume and developer skills alone.
#9. Actuary
Actuaries are experts in mathematics, statistics, and finance. They use extensive knowledge in these fields to try and predict future events to minimize economic risks and uncertainty. That makes actuaries a must-have in insurance companies, though many work in other sectors, like banking, technology, healthcare, and even climate change.
To become an actuary, you generally don’t need any prior experience, but you do need a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Furthermore, actuaries need to be certified, which involves passing a series of specialized tests. After that, they can expect to receive prolonged training on the job.
Ultimately, the job outcome of 23% is quite positive, and a median salary of $113,990 makes this another one of the best jobs for the future.
#10. Financial Manager
Financial managers are in charge of the financial health, plans, and goals of an organization. They conduct analysis to find relevant data and derive valuable insights before creating financial reports and advising on investment opportunities. Their goal is to ensure the long-term financial well-being of a business.
These professionals are needed in many industries, but mainly in banking, insurance, and investment companies. The volatility of financial markets makes the demand for individuals who know how to navigate them exceptionally high.
This results in a positive job outlook of 16% and a median salary of $139,790 per year. To get an entry-level position, you need a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in related roles, like accounting.
#11. Social Service Manager
Social service managers devise programs and lead projects to support populations and communities. Their focus is on public well-being, which involves continuous cooperation with various community members, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Some of the key responsibilities of social service managers include analyzing policies, suggesting modifications or devising new ones, organizing staff, managing goals and projects, and more. Most of them work full-time for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and similar institutions.
Social service managers earn a median annual salary of $74,240, and their job outlook is at a solid 9%, which is much faster than most other occupations. Entry-level requirements include a bachelor’s degree and some work experience, but no more than 5 years.
#12. Management Analyst
Management analysts are detailed professionals whose job is to improve an organization’s efficiency. They are the problem-solvers in the professional landscape, always looking for ways to improve the company’s productivity and increase profits.
Their job includes tasks like financial data analysis and workflow and business process optimization. These tasks allow management analysts to identify inefficiencies, spot areas for improvement, and develop plans and recommendations to fix them.
They then either present solutions to management, train and educate teams on how to implement them, or carry out the tasks themselves. For this, management analysts can expect a median salary of $95,290 per year and a job outlook of 10%. Entry-level requirements include a bachelor’s degree and some experience in the field, but no more than 5 years.
#13. Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers work with intricate processes and systems that involve information, energy, materials, machines, and so on. They leverage deep knowledge of their field and strong engineering skills in combination with work experience to create products and provide services across many different spheres of life.
For example, industrial engineers may focus on process optimization, looking for ways to cut manufacturing time and costs. Their work can involve data analysis using an office computer and quality assurance at an assembly line in a factory.
The average median salary for industrial engineers is $96,350 per year, and the job outlook is 12%. These technical jobs are in demand across many different industries, and most of them don’t require work experience. All you need is a bachelor’s degree and a well-written engineering resume that highlights your qualifications.
#14. Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are in charge of developing tactics and strategies to promote products and services. Their job involves grabbing people’s attention, gaining their interest and trust, and turning them into customers. This includes devising campaigns, enhancing the company’s branding, boosting its market presence, and more.
To get a job, you need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience in related careers. A well-written marketing manager resume can help you highlight all that, increasing your chances of getting into this highly lucrative field. The median salary is $138,730 per year, and the job outlook is 6%.
Marketing management is also one of the best jobs for the future for girls. The combination of its growing properties, the work-life balance that the careers offer, and the opportunity to be creative makes this one of the best fields for women.
#15. Database Administrator
Database administrators are IT professionals who work on storing and securing digital information. They are in charge of the organization’s databases and are typically tasked with performing various installations, monitoring, and maintenance. This is vital to ensuring the security of data, preventing unauthorized access, and allowing for smooth operations.
The median salary for this career is $112,120 per year, and the job outlook is 8%. Typically, candidates need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or relevant fields. Some employers might even prefer those with a master’s degree.
Depending on the exact role, software, and equipment that you’re going to work with, you might also need a certification. In general, database managers work in industries where there are large sets of data, such as education, insurance, computer design, etc.
#16. Public Relations Manager
Public relations managers create and manage the public image of their organization, company, or employer. This includes schools, professional associations, media buyers, and more. Public relations managers work on everything from media releases to public interaction strategies.
This requires many valuable soft skills in addition to a bachelor’s degree. However, employers don’t ask for experience from entry-level candidates. The median salary is $67,440 per year, and the job outlook is 6%, but you need a well-written public relations resume to secure you an interview.
Final Thoughts
The work landscape shifts continuously. With recent advancements in the fields of AI and automation, the future is becoming even more unpredictable.
That’s why we carefully examined some of the best jobs for the future by looking into current trends and expected outlooks. Information technologies, healthcare, and finance remain some of the best fields to get into, and, by all accounts, they are here to stay.
This list can be a good starting point regardless of whether you’re looking for your first internship or seeking a career change. It gives you a general idea of what salary to expect and how easy it is to get the job. Best of luck out there!
