Top 30 Slowest-Growing Jobs: 2023 Ranking

As media coverage tends to favor the latest trends and innovation, some careers find themselves in the shadows, lacking the spotlight that high-growth industries receive.

Everyone wants to know what the most prestigious and fastest-growing jobs are. But the slowest growing jobs are also worthy of attention. And remember, the slowest growing doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the lowest paying or least exciting career choices.

Hold onto your hats as we delve into the careers that might need a few rays of hope to brighten their future.

Here’s how we made our list:

Our primary source was the US Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment projections for 2021–2031 and 2022 wage data.
We only looked at jobs that showed positive growth in their projections. This is a list of the slowest-growing jobs rather than the fastest-declining ones that are experiencing negative growth.
We took the geometric mean of median annual wages and projected employment growth for each occupation.
The lower the geometric mean, the lower the job in our ranking.
Each profession included in our ranking pays above $46,310 (the median US annual salary) and has the lowest geometric mean.
Catchall occupation titles such as “computer occupations, all other” were excluded.

The BLS estimates total employment to grow by 8.3 million jobs from 2021 to 2031.

However, not all jobs were created equal, as growth is not uniform across all occupations and industries. The pace of job development can vary significantly, and this divergence can be caused by several factors.

On the one hand, the reason may be extensive specialization and stringent prerequisites. On the other hand, the culprits may be the decline or extinction of certain professions due to technological advancements, shifts in market demand, or changes in business practices.

1. Dredge operators

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +2.9%
Median annual wage in 2022: $47,090
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

2. Sailors and marine oilers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.4%
Median annual wage in 2022: $47,490
Typical educational requirements: No formal educational credential
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

3. Statistical assistants

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +1.7%
Median annual wage in 2022: $48,880
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

4. Embalmers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +3.5%
Median annual wage in 2022: $49,910
Typical educational requirements: Associate’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Long-term on-the-job training

5. Farm and home management educators

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.5%
Median annual wage in 2022: $53,450
Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

6. Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +2.1%
Median annual wage in 2022: $56,340
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

7. Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +1.5%
Median annual wage in 2022: $56,670
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Long-term on-the-job training

8. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.1%
Median annual wage in 2022: $59,860
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Short-term on-the-job training

9. Historians

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +4.5%
Median annual wage in 2022: $64,540
Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

10. Zoologists and wildlife biologists

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.7%
Median annual wage in 2022: $67,430
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

11. Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +1.2%
Median annual wage in 2022: $67,540
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

12. Transit and railroad police

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +3.2%
Median annual wage in 2022: $69,150
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

13. Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +8.3%
Median annual wage in 2022: $96,500
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

14. Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0,1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +1.9%
Median annual wage in 2022: $97,490
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

15. Traffic technicians

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +2.3%
Median annual wage in 2022: $50,050
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

16. Continuous mining machine operators

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +1.6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $57,360
Typical educational requirements: No formal educational credential
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

17. Crane and tower operators

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.4%
Median annual wage in 2022: $61,340
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

18. Astronomers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +5.6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $128,330
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

19. Pile driver operators

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $64,310
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

20. Medical dosimetrists

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +2.6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $128,970
Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

21. Air traffic controllers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $132,250
Typical educational requirements: Associate’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Long-term on-the-job training

22. Industrial-organizational psychologists

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.1
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +3.8%
Median annual wage in 2022: $139,280
Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Internship/residency

23. First-line supervisors of security workers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.3
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $48,810
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

24. Farm labor contractors

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.3
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +22.3%
Median annual wage in 2022: $49,330
Typical educational requirements: No formal educational credential
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Short-term on-the-job training

25. Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +6.6%
Median annual wage in 2022: $76,440
Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

26. Signal and track switch repairers

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +3.7%
Median annual wage in 2022: $81,300
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

27. Calibration technologists and technicians

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.3
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +3.9%
Median annual wage in 2022: $62,050
Typical educational requirements: Associate’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

28. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.3
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +1.4%
Median annual wage in 2022: $63,560
Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Short-term on-the-job training

29. Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.3
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +0.7%
Median annual wage in 2022: $64,810
Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

30. Sociologists

Projected change in employment from 2021 to 2031: +0.2
Percent employment change from 2021 to 2031: +5.4%
Median annual wage in 2022: $98,590
Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree
Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

Key takeaways

That’s how the situation on the market looks like for the slowest growing jobs.

If you found your job on the list, don’t despair, remember that the labor market is a dynamic canvas, subject to constant change.

Who knows, maybe in a few years, with more NASA or SpaceX missions and flights to Mars, an astronomer will become one of the fastest-growing jobs. Or maybe, with the invention of new cancer treatments, medical dosimetrists would be one of the most sought-after professions.

Remember that whether your profession grows slow or fast doesn’t matter; your job satisfaction depends on whether you like your job, feel appreciated, and find avenues for continuous growth. When you genuinely enjoy what you do, a sense of fulfillment infuses your daily tasks, transforming them into meaningful contributions.

Feeling valued for your efforts and contributions boosts morale and cultivates a positive work environment where your potential can flourish. Yet, the journey doesn’t stop there – the opportunity for ongoing personal and professional development ensures that you remain engaged, challenged, and ready to seize new prospects.

Sources

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