Certain careers are standing out for their growing demand and promising job outlook.
If you’re exploring new opportunities, understanding these job trends can help you plan for a stable and rewarding future.
Job | Median Annual Salary | Projected Annual Job Openings |
---|---|---|
General and operations manager | $101,280 | 320,800 |
Nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner | $129,480 | 29,000 |
Software developer | $130,160 | 125,100 |
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver | $54,320 | 240,300 |
Registered nurse | $86,070 | 194,500 |
Accountant and auditor | $78,880 | 130,800 |
Management analyst | $99,410 | 95,700 |
Business operations specialist | $79,590 | 107,400 |
Market research analyst | $74,680 | 88,500 |
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor | $53,710 | 48,900 |
Human resources specialist | $67,650 | 86,200 |
Education administrator | $111,020 | 15,200 |
Licensed practical and vocational nurse | $59,730 | 54,000 |
Education, guidance, school, and career counselor | $61,710 | 29,100 |
Instructional coordinator | $74,620 | 20,100 |
What we mean by in-demand jobs
In-demand jobs are careers expected to have high job openings, giving you more opportunities to find work. These roles often come from growing industries and newly created positions. Other in-demand jobs may come from needing workers to replace those retiring or changing careers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 2023 to 2033, 19 million jobs will open each year across all education levels — from entry-level roles to those requiring advanced degrees. So if you’re looking for a stable career with strong hiring potential, focusing on the most in-demand jobs can help you secure long-term opportunities.
Below, we’ve rounded up 15 top jobs expected to grow quickly and stay highly sought-after in 2025.
1. General and operations manager
- Median annual salary: $101,280
- Projected annual job openings: 320,800
- Number of jobs (2023): 3,507,810
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree (varies by industry)
What these professionals do
General and operations managers oversee multiple departments or locations to ensure everything within the business stays on track.
Businesses constantly face new challenges, such as layoffs, rapid AI growth, and changing policies. That’s a major reason why operations managers are in high demand — they help companies streamline inefficiencies and adapt to these changes.
2. Nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner
- Median annual salary: $129,480
- Projected annual job openings: 29,000
- Number of jobs (2023): 349,600
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 40%
- Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
What these professionals do
Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia and manage pain, nurse midwives specialize in childbirth and women’s health, and nurse practitioners diagnose and treat patients, often acting as primary care providers.
These roles are in high demand, with a 40% job growth projected from 2023 to 2033 — much faster than average. The U.S. faces a growing nursing shortage, with an expected 78,610 fewer full-time nurses by 2025, increasing the need for these advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to fill gaps in patient care.
3. Software developer
- Median annual salary: $130,160
- Projected annual job openings: 125,100
- Number of jobs (2023): 1,897,100
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 17%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree or related training
What these professionals do
Software developers create applications and programs that power everything from mobile apps to business tools.
With the rise of AI, cloud computing, and everyday tech tools, the need for new and better software keeps growing. Employers are looking for skilled developers to build these systems and keep up with rapid changes in the tech space.
4. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver
- Median annual salary: $54,320
- Projected annual job openings: 240,300
- Number of jobs (2023): 2,211,300
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
- Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree
What these professionals do
Truck drivers transport goods across cities, states, and even the entire country. Their job involves driving long distances, ensuring deliveries are made on time, and keeping detailed records of their trips.
This profession is always in demand because nearly everything we use — groceries, furniture, electronics — has been transported by truck at some point. As online shopping grows and industries rely on fast deliveries, trucking jobs continue to offer solid pay, job security, and opportunities for those who enjoy life on the road.
5. Registered nurse
- Median annual salary: $86,070
- Projected annual job openings: 194,500
- Number of jobs (2023): 3,300,100
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
What these professionals do
Registered nurses (RNs) ensure people get the care and support they need by providing treatment, checking on patients’ health, and helping people understand their conditions. They work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and even patients’ homes.
BLS predicts that approximately 194,500 nursing jobs will open annually in the next decade as healthcare needs grow and older nurses retire.
6. Accountant and auditor
- Median annual salary: $78,880
- Projected annual job openings: 130,800
- Number of jobs (2023): 1,562,000
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 6%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
What these professionals do
Accountants handle the day-to-day recording and reporting of financial transactions, while Auditors examine these financial records to verify their accuracy and that companies are complying with laws and regulations.
The demand for these professionals is growing. This growth comes from more complex financial rules and the need for transparent, honest financial reporting.
7. Management analyst
- Median annual salary: $99,410
- Projected annual job openings: 95,700
- Number of jobs (2023): 1,018,300
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 11%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
What these professionals do
Management analysts (also known as management consultants) evaluate organizational operations to enhance profits. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, identifying operational challenges, and recommending improvements.
The demand for management analysts is projected to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by organizations seeking ways to improve efficiency and control costs.
8. Business operations specialist
- Median annual salary: $79,590
- Projected annual job openings: 107,400
- Number of jobs (2023): 1,181,500
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 5%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
What these professionals do
Business operations specialists help companies run more efficiently by handling project management, budgeting, supply chains, and compliance. Unlike managers who oversee teams, these specialists analyze data, identify problems, and develop solutions to make operations more efficient.
Although needed everywhere, these professionals are especially in high demand in fields like healthcare, finance, and tech, where companies need to adapt and innovate quickly to meet changing times.
9. Market research analyst
- Median annual salary: $74,680
- Projected annual job openings: 88,500
- Number of jobs (2023): 903,400
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
What these professionals do
Market research analysts gather and examine data and research on consumers, competitors, and market conditions to help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
Market research analysts are in high demand due to the increasing importance of data-driven decision making across many industries.
10. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor
- Median annual salary: $53,710
- Projected annual job openings: 48,900
- Number of jobs (2023): 449,800
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 19%
- Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
What these professionals do
Workers in this field support individuals dealing with issues like addiction, anxiety, and depression. These workers assess clients’ needs, develop treatment plans, and provide counseling to promote recovery and well-being.
These roles are in high demand because of a growing recognition of mental health’s importance and a shift toward treatment over incarceration for substance-related offenses.
11. Human resources specialist
- Median annual salary: $67,650
- Projected annual job openings: 86,200
- Number of jobs (2023): 933,700
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 8%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
What these professionals do
Human resources (HR) specialists help companies find, hire, and manage employees.
Companies need strong HR teams to attract talent, retain employees, and navigate changing workplace laws, and HR specialists are predicted to stay in demand as businesses struggle with labor shortages and skills gaps.
12. Education administrator
- Median annual salary: $111,020
- Projected annual job openings: 15,200
- Number of jobs (2023): 302,580
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%
- Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
What these professionals do
Education administrators lead and manage schools at the kindergarten through secondary levels.
With school populations growing and funding structures changing, schools need strong leadership to handle academic planning, staff supervision, budgeting, and student services to ensure these institutions run effectively.
13. Licensed practical and vocational nurse
- Median annual salary: $59,730
- Projected annual job openings: 54,000
- Number of jobs (2023): 657,800
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 3%
- Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree
What these professionals do
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care, such as monitoring vital signs, changing bandages, and helping patients with daily needs. They work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors.
LPNs and LVNs are vital to patient care, especially as the aging population increases the demand for healthcare services. With many nurses retiring or leaving the workforce, there are plenty of opportunities to enter this stable career field.
The terms LPN and LVN mean the same thing, but the title depends on the state. For example, California and Texas use “Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN),” while most other states use “Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).”
14. Education, guidance, school, and career counselor
- Median annual salary: $61,710
- Projected annual job openings: 29,100
- Number of jobs (2023): 360,800
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 4%
- Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
What these professionals do
Education, guidance, school, and career counselors assist students in navigating academic, personal, and career challenges. They provide individual and group counseling, help develop academic and career plans, and offer support for personal or social issues.
Growth for these roles is driven by increasing student enrollment and a heightened awareness of the importance of mental health and career guidance in educational settings.
15. Instructional coordinator
- Median annual salary: $74,620
- Projected annual job openings: 20,100
- Number of jobs (2023): 225,200
- Estimated job growth (2023–2033): 2%
- Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
What these professionals do
Instructional coordinators develop and implement curriculums, train teachers, and assess educational programs to enhance teaching quality and student learning.
The demand for instructional coordinators is expected to grow because of an increasing emphasis on improving educational quality and student performance. As schools look for new ways to improve the way they educate students, the need for skilled instructional coordinators is predicted to rise by an average of 20,100 each decade.
Methodology
The data for this study was sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), specifically from their Career Outlook publication for 2023–2033. To identify the most in-demand jobs, we focused on careers with strong projected job openings, long-term growth, and salaries above the U.S. median wage of $48,060.
Our analysis included a range of education levels, from no formal education to advanced degrees, to provide a comprehensive look at job demand across industries. We ranked jobs using a weighted scoring system based on three key factors: projected annual job openings (50%), job growth rate (30%), and salary (20%).
Each factor was normalized to ensure fair comparisons across different occupations. We came up with our shortlist of 15 roles based on their final weighted scores to reflect the most in-demand careers of 2025.
Limitations
While these estimates provide insight into future job demand, actual trends may change because of economic shifts in addition to technology and industry disruptions. Also, the list prioritizes high-demand, above-median-wage roles, meaning some lower-wage but essential jobs may not be included.
Sources
- Business Insider, “Labor Shortages, the Skills Gap, and Political Changes are top of the Agenda for the US’ Biggest HR Group in 2025”
- HRSA Health Workforce, “Nurse Workforce Projections 2025 to 2035”
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Education Level and Projected Openings”
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Eva Chan
Senior PR Expert & Certified Professional Resume Writer
Eva Chan is the Senior PR Expert and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) at Resume Genius. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Eva is passionate about researching and discussing the ever-changing career space and its latest trends, and channels this enthusiasm into supporting professionals of all experience levels so they stand out in a competitive job market. Eva graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in English. Eva's insights and career advice have earned recognition from leading platforms including CNBC, Harvard Business Review, The Globe and Mail, Forbes, Newsweek, and Entrepreneur. For any media-related queries or for a future quote, you can reach her at [eva] @ [resumegenius.com] or connect with her via LinkedIn. Please note that we don’t accept any guest posts.
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