The job market has changed dramatically over the previous decade as professions and industries adapt to new technology and challenges. If you’re looking to switch careers or find out where to start, consider these high-paying jobs that will be in demand in the future.
Actuary
An actuary primarily works for insurance companies to assess data and risk when issuing an individual or business policy. Actuaries use math, data, and statistics to balance risk, so it requires a degree in actuarial science, which is heavy on statistical modeling.
Actuaries already earn a median salary in the low six-figures, but industry experts predict that the profession could grow by as much as 20 percent over the next decade. By the end of the 2020s, actuaries may be among the most sought-after professionals in a growing industry.
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurses (RNs) play a vital role in the healthcare industry by providing the essential services of caring for patients in various settings, from hospitals to surgical centers to schools. As we saw with the pandemic, frontline workers like RNs are crucial to the American healthcare industry operating at full capacity and functionality.
But one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry in 2022 and beyond is a shortage of workers, RNs included. By 2026, experts say there could be a shortage of over 3 million medical professionals. At the top of that list are RNs, and they’ll become more sought after by medical facilities as they become scarcer in the coming years.
Data Analyst
Data analysis is one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative industries, with strong projections for even more growth in the coming years. Data analysts gather and interpret data, clearly a valuable skill in today’s information economy, and can work in various industries.
The median salary for data analysts is already in the six figures, and the profession’s projected growth rate is over three times the national average. If you’re looking to join a booming field, you can’t do much better than the data analysis industry.
Skilled Worker
No matter how technology and the economy change, skilled laborers will always be crucial. There was already a shortage of skilled workers before the pandemic, and COVID-19 exasperated the problem.
Skilled workers earn good salaries, and most don’t require an undergraduate degree but rather an education from a technical college or apprenticeship program. Some professions that will be in high demand in the coming years include:
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- Machinists
- Welders
- Mechanics
As you can see, numerous high-paying jobs will be in demand in the future from various industries, like healthcare, construction, and the information sector. Whatever your skill set or interests, odds are there’s a profession looking for someone like you!
