Are you concerned about the future of your career? With the news reporting layoffs in some industries in recent months, it’s easy to wonder about your job security. While it’s impossible to predict the security of any job or field with 100% certainty, we’ve gotten pretty good at looking at career trends and knowing which careers are expected to grow and which jobs are facing a decline. In fact, you can have a career in predicting market trends if you love analyzing numbers and looking at data!
If you’re thinking about the future of your career, considering changing fields, or looking to go back to school, there are ways you can be more confident in the long-term stability of your job choices. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is an agency that tracks and reports on trends around employment, compensation, and other factors in the U.S. economy. Let’s look at seven of the most in-demand careers (according to the BLS) and what you can expect to earn working in these fields.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists play a significant role in keeping people in their communities healthier and happier (not to mention smiling!). Dental hygienists work closely with dentists, providing cleanings for patients. In addition, dental hygienists are responsible for teaching patients about the importance of dental care and the impact oral hygiene has on overall health.
If you’ve struggled to book a dental appointment lately, part of the problem is that there is a shortage of qualified dental hygienists. In addition to the shortage, many patients are coming back to in-person healthcare after missing routine visits, like cleanings, during the pandemic. The increase in patients and the shortage of dental hygienists means that professional, caring, and dedicated hygienists are in high demand right now. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9% increase in Dental Hygiene jobs by 2031 — an increase of more than 19,000 jobs.
The average annual salary for a dental hygienist is more than $78,000. If you like the idea of working in a patient-centered healthcare setting, changing people’s lives one smile at a time, then a career as a dental hygienist might be an excellent fit for you!
Manufacturing
With increasingly more sophisticated technological advancements, the manufacturing industry is transforming before our eyes. The United States is expected to lead the manufacturing revolution with advanced manufacturing technologies that will undoubtedly increase the demand for qualified and experienced manufacturing experts across professional industries.
Manufacturing plays a critical role in our economy. From food production to defense technologies, manufacturing professionals keep us moving forward. As a result, advanced manufacturing will lead to more well-paying jobs in the field. As manufacturing continues to evolve, more training and education will be required of professionals in this field. Earning your degree or certificate in advanced manufacturing can help secure your spot in this in-demand career.
Management
Businesses of all sizes and in all industries require dedicated professionals to lead their teams in meeting their organization’s goals. Effective leadership can have a significant impact on organizational culture. Across all sectors, the need for leaders and managers is expected to grow by 6% by 2031. Even better, management positions in the healthcare space are expected to grow by almost 17%, while the need for financial managers is expected to grow by 28%!
The average annual salary for a management professional is around $124,000. Earning your master’s degree in Organizational Leadership is a great way to future-proof your career, no matter your industry, passions, or career interests.
Nursing
Nurses work in virtually every healthcare setting, from private practices and healthcare clinics to hospitals. Nurses even work inside people’s homes providing much-needed end-of-life care. The demand for frontline nurses continues to grow. The need for registered nurses (RNs) is expected to grow by more than 6% by 2031.
The average annual salary for an RN is more than $77,000, and the demand for nursing professionals will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.
Respiratory Therapists
A career in Respiratory Care means working alongside medical teams, including doctors and nurses, to help patients who need breathing assistance. Respiratory therapists (RTTs) provide life-saving treatment to patients in various healthcare settings. A respiratory therapist’s care ranges from helping premature infants whose lungs are underdeveloped to monitoring patients who are on ventilators.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for respiratory therapists will grow by more than 14% by 2031 — adding more than 18,000 jobs for RTTs. With an average annual salary of more than $60,000 and requiring only an associate degree, a career in Respiratory Care is perfect for someone looking to join the frontline of patient care — helping people breathe a little easier.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) work alongside occupational therapists with patients ranging in age from babies and toddlers to adults. OTAs help people with disabilities develop the skills and strength to live as independently as possible. OTAs also help children with developmental delays and people recovering from injury and illness – helping them to restore and maintain their independence.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Therapy Assistant is among the most in-demand healthcare support positions. OTA jobs are expected to grow by more than 25% by 2031. OTAs earn an average of $61,000 per year.
If you’re looking for a rewarding, patient-facing career where no two days are the same, a career as an occupational therapy assistant could be your calling.
Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners (APRNs) are highly skilled nursing professionals who provide important patient-centered care for people in their communities. Nurse practitioners are specialized nurses. Two of the most prominent specialties for nurse practitioners are Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
FNPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including urgent care centers, private medical clinics, hospitals, and more. FNPs are compassionate providers who see patients of all ages.
PMHNPs assess, diagnose, and treat the mental health needs of their patients. PMHNPs work with patients of all ages, helping them cope with a wide range of mental health disorders.
Nurse practitioners are a growing group of nursing professionals, and the need for advanced practice nurses is strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in this field will grow by more than 45% by 2031 — adding more than 100,000 jobs to our economy. The average annual salary for a nurse practitioner is more than $120,000 per year.
Becoming an FNP or a PMHNP requires a master’s degree. If you already have your BSN and want to provide more specialized care to your patients, consider becoming a nurse practitioner — your community needs you.
As a Goodwin University student, you’ll have support every step of the way. We help you gain the necessary skills through our career-focused degree and certificate programs. We also help you prepare for and secure a rewarding and in-demand job through our lifetime Career Services.
Interested in learning more about Goodwin’s career-focused degree and certificate programs? Reach out to us today!
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022.