15 Jobs Most Likely to Receive a Pay Raise in 2024

Whether you’re thinking of moving on from your current job for a better salary, or you’re researching jobs in a higher-paying career, review our list of careers and industries most likely to get raises in 2024.

By the numbers: the most in-demand jobs

The table below compiles data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to include some of the most in-demand jobs in 2024. Factoring in recent wage growth in these fields, along with the estimated number of new openings each year and the influence of macroeconomic events, we’ve made an educated guess about which jobs are most likely to see pay raises in the coming year.

1. Lawyers and judicial law clerks

What they do: These professionals advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.

Why pay is going up: The pay outlook for legal professionals is quite strong. The Thomson Reuters Institute reports that the clients are paying lawyers record sums for new work, and demand for legal services is at a 15-year high. While the median salary for law clerks ($57,490) is significantly lower than lawyers ($135,740), many law firms give credit toward partnership for time as a clerk. That means former clerks are paid the same as second- or third-year associates.

2. Software and web developers, programmers, and testers

What they do: These professionals design, develop, and test software.

Why pay is going up: Despite the rise of AI and the impact of the 2023 tech layoffs, there continues to be strong market demand for software and web development professionals, which is driving wage growth. The demand for software engineers and developers is projected to increase by 25% over the next decade.

3. Financial analysts and advisors

What they do: These professionals counsel businesses and individuals making investment decisions.

Why pay is going up: In 2023, the finance industry received its highest increase in base pay in a decade, as employers use higher salaries as a tool for retaining top talent and filling vacancies. Finance is also considered to be the most desirable, stable sector to work in among Gen Z job-seekers, according to research by the CFA Institute, which would explain why the industry experienced a 26% surge in new applications last year.

4. Recreation and fitness workers

What they do: These professionals lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.

Why pay is going up: The employment of recreation workers as well as fitness trainers and instructors is also projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations (5% and 14%, respectively). Federal employment researchers attribute this growth to increased public interest in fitness and recreational sports centers, which is expected to add a significant number of jobs in the coming years.

5. Database and network administrators and architects

What they do: These professionals are responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of a database or network.

Why pay is going up: Like IT support professionals, the growing demand for data management systems in every sector of the economy is driving increased demand for skilled network professionals. The demand for Network as a Service (NaaS) is also growing, which is likely to impact salaries positively.

6. Passenger vehicle drivers

What they do: These professionals drive vehicles to transport people.

Why pay is going up: The growth of ride-sharing platforms and the increasing need for transportation services, especially in urban areas, is driving demand and higher pay for drivers. Employment of taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, and chauffeurs is projected to grow by 14% over the next ten years, much faster than the national average.

7. Sales representatives (wholesale and manufacturing)

What they do: These professionals sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals.

Why pay is going up: It’s a good time to consider a sales career in the manufacturing industry, especially if you’re trained to navigate the increasingly globalized marketplace and supply chain. In addition to the steady demand for sales representatives, companies frequently offer commissions as an incentive to attract talent.

8. Computer support specialists

What they do: Computer support specialists provide advice and assistance to computer users and organizations.

Why pay is going up: There’s currently strong demand for technical support pros. This is especially true for those who specialize in helping companies manage cybersecurity, blockchain, remote work, and e-commerce functions. Janco Associates, a management consulting firm, says that recent pay raises for IT support professionals are due to a shortage of skilled workers at a time when many companies are going digital and still handling the fallout from the Great Resignation.

9. Healthcare support occupations

What they do: These workers assist and care for patients in clinical environments, often supporting nurses and other medical professionals.

Why pay is going up: As the U.S. population ages and requires higher levels of medical care, demand for healthcare workers is expected to increase, which could translate into higher wages. Healthcare systems nationwide are also expected to continue expanding their workforces and raising salaries for healthcare staff because evidence shows that improved pay for healthcare workers leads to better patient care. Notably, many of these well paid careers don’t require a four-year college degree.

10. Designers

What they do: Designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers.

Why pay is going up: Pay in the design professions has been growing steadily due to consistent demand for design services, the growing need for specialized skills in this industry, and the economic value that good design brings to products and services. UX design is an especially hot field — demand for digital interface designers is expected to grow three times faster than the national average over the next 10 years.

11. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers

What they do: These professionals drive vehicles over established routes or within a specific territory to sell or deliver goods.

Why pay is going up: There’s a national shortage of professional truck drivers due to early retirements and fewer younger drivers entering the field, which is driving pay raises to attract and retain qualified drivers. Some companies are also offering innovative pay structures, such as offering drivers a percentage of freight rates.

12. Health practitioner support technologists and technicians

What they do: These are healthcare support professionals who assist medical staff in running routine tests, inputting patient data, setting up equipment, and preparing patients for procedures. They also carry out more complex tasks such as analyzing samples and discussing results with physicians.

Why pay is going up: As healthcare services continue to be in high demand, jobs for technologists and technicians are expected to grow. Healthcare employers are likely to invest in attracting and retaining technical specialists to continue improving patient care.

13. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners

What they do: These professionals diagnose or treat health conditions.

Why pay is going up: Medical practitioners have a strong pay outlook because of the overall growth of the healthcare sector and the rising demand for specialist medical care for America’s aging population.

14. Therapists

What they do: Therapists provide treatment to individuals with mental, physical, and emotional issues.

Why pay is going up: There’s been a surge in demand for mental health services in recent years, according to the American Psychological Association. The need for anxiety and depression treatment has many psychologists experiencing increased workloads and longer waitlists.

15. Metal and plastic machine workers

What they do: These professionals set up, operate, or tend machine tools to perform precision machining operations on metal and plastic materials.

Why pay is going up: While overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to decline 6% over the next 10 years, their wages are going up because of the adoption of more advanced tools, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, which require computer programming skills to operate. This means that firms are raising pay to attract, retain, and bring back these workers.

There’s also been a nearly 20% increase in the cost of materials since 2020, which has been shown to have a positive effect on workers’ wages.

Industries giving raises in 2024

As we step into 2024, several industries stand out for experiencing significant pay growth. Let’s take a look below:

Healthcare

• The healthcare sector is expected to hire 2.3 million new workers this year, accounting for about 1 in 4 new jobs in the US.
• In 2023, the US healthcare sector averaged 55,000 new jobs per month, compared to the 2022 average monthly gain of 46,000.
• This demand for healthcare services is expected to result in strong employment growth and, consequently, wage increases in the sector.

Federal government employees

• The Biden Administration has included a 5.2% overall average increase for civilian employees in his Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, marking the largest increase in more than 40 years.
• This raise is based on the Employment Cost Index, which measures private-sector wage growth and is split into two parts: a 4.7% across-the-board pay increase and an additional increase based on local salaries of comparable private-sector jobs. According to the US Office of Personnel Management, this means that some federal employees will see slightly larger raises than expected due to recent changes to the locality pay system.

Manufacturing

• According to Forbes, the manufacturing sector is experiencing a demand for workers with more advanced skills due to technological advancements, such as the adoption of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools.
• With record levels of inflation this year, CFO Dive reports that manufacturers have been raising wages to retain talent, as this is more cost-effective than hiring and training new staff.

Information technology

• As mentioned above, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is expected to grow 25% from 2022 to 2032, which is much higher than the average for all occupations.
• According to CNBC, this growth is being driven by the increasing demand for information technology services and software, as well cybersecurity services and infrastructure.
• The high demand for these skills, coupled with a shortage of qualified workers, is likely to drive up wages in the tech sector.

Methodology

Employment Cost Index: We analyzed reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its Employment Cost Index to compare salaries between 2021 and 2022, allowing us to get hard data on which jobs and industries have seen the fastest recent pay growth.

Occupational Employment Projections: The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases occupational employment projections that provide estimates of the future employment growth in various occupations. These projections can give an indication of which occupations are expected to see increased demand, which could potentially lead to higher wages.

Occupational Outlook Handbook: The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on the job outlook for various occupations, including projected growth rate, median pay, and the number of jobs in the occupation. Occupations with a positive job outlook may be more likely to see wage increases.

Sources

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