When you think about applying for jobs, you obviously want to work in a field you’re passionate about, but that’s not the only factor. Amidst job market uncertainties and a changing digital landscape, it’s beneficial to think about what jobs are here to stay, growing in demand, and will continue to provide opportunities—in other words, the best jobs for the future.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, there’s a projected net increase of about 78 million jobs this decade. With this many jobs being added, there’s no shortage of new opportunities—especially in areas such as technology, healthcare, and business.
Keep reading to discover what factors are affecting the current and future job market, the most necessary skills to stay up to date in the modern workplace, and the best jobs to secure your career.
Factors Affecting the Job Market
The job market is never static—it’s always changing to reflect the current trends and environment. So what’s causing current and future changes? Well, the most transformative trend has been broadening digital access, and this is expected to continue.
Advancements in specific technologies, such as AI, robotics, and automation, is at the forefront of shifting priorities within the job market. Other factors that influence the trajectory of the job market include a general economic slowdown, demographic shifts within the labor force, and a transition towards sustainable initiatives.
Skills Needed to Thrive in the Future Market
As the workplace evolves, your skills should too. Many companies are currently facing skills gaps within their organization, with upskilling initiatives set to modernize their workforce. But these skills aren’t just for current employees.
In order to keep up with the times, it’s important to hone your skills in the areas that employers consider most important. These skills include:
- Technological skills (Think BIG—as in big data, AI, networks and cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science)
- Creative thinking and resilience
- Flexibility and agility
- Curiosity and lifelong learning
- Leadership and social influence
- Analytical thinking
12 Best Future Jobs By Industry
Within the three main industries expecting high growth, there are many well-paying and secure job opportunities to explore. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and qualifications of these jobs, broken down by each industry—plus Bureau of Labor (BLS) statistics highlighting median pay and projected employment growth.
Healthcare
Learn more about the best future healthcare jobs.
1. Nurse Practitioner
Median 2024 pay: $129,210
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 46.3%
Nurse practitioners deliver advanced nursing care in facilities such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient facilities, and schools. To become a nurse practitioner, you’ll typically need a Master of Science in Nursing degree and become a licensed registered nurse before obtaining a nurse practitioner’s certification.
Nurse practitioners can work with doctors or independently to:
- Prescribe treatment and medication
- Perform physical examinations
- Operate medical equipment
- Diagnose patients
2. Medical and Health Services Manager
Median 2024 pay: $117,960
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 29%
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of healthcare providers. To become a medical and health services manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and prior administrative experience in a hospital or health care facility.
Typical responsibilities of a medical and health services manager include:
- Hiring, scheduling, and evaluating staff
- Monitoring compliance with state and federal guidelines
- Developing reports and budgets
- Managing the daily operations of a healthcare facility
3. Physician Assistant
Median 2024 pay: $133,260
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 28.5%
A physician assistant is a healthcare professional who’s trained to provide medical care under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician. To become a physician assistant, you’ll typically need a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and pass a national certification exam.
Responsibilities of physician assistants usually include:
- Collecting a patient’s medical history
- Ordering diagnostic tests and x-rays
- Diagnosing patients
- Prescribing medications and treatments
RELATED: Nurse Practitioner Vs. Physician Assistant: Know The Difference
4. Veterinarian
Median 2024 pay: $125,510
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 19.1%
Veterinarians are medical professionals who focus on the health and well-being of animals. To become a veterinarian, you’ll need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination.
The day-to-day job duties of a veterinarian typically consist of:
- Examining animals
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries
- Administering vaccinations
- Providing preventative care
Business
Explore the best emerging jobs in business.
1. Actuary
Median 2024 pay: $125,770
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 21.8%
Actuaries assess and calculate risk for their organization. To become an actuary, you’ll need a degree in actuarial science or a related field and become certified by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA).
Typical responsibilities of an actuary include:
- Gathering statistical data for analyses
- Estimating probabilities and costs
- Finding solutions to minimize risk and maximize profits
- Designing policies, investments, or business plans based on risk and profit predictions
2. Financial Advisor
Median 2024 pay: $102,140
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 17.1%
Financial advisors help individuals and organizations manage their finances by providing personalized advice on investments, insurance, retirement planning, and other financial matters. To become a financial advisor, you’ll need a degree in finance, accounting, economics, or another related field.
The general job duties of a financial advisor include:
- Helping clients develop strategies for long-term financial growth
- Recommending insurance products, diversification strategies, and other risk management tools to protect assets and minimize financial risks.
- Ensuring that all advice and actions comply with the right regulations and standards
3. Business Analyst
Median 2024 pay: $101,190
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 11%
Business analysts improve the efficiency of organizations by reviewing processes and boosting operations. To become a business analyst, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in business analysis, business administration, finance, or a related field—though some positions may require a master’s.
The typical day-to-day responsibilities of a business analyst include:
- Identifying bottlenecks and recommending solutions
- Drawing up proposals for new systems or changes to existing systems
- Gathering and analyzing data to identify trends or problems
- Developing recommendations for improving business processes or performance
4. Marketing Manager
Median 2024 pay: $159,660
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 8%
Marketing managers lead an organization’s marketing division and oversee the success of campaigns by developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote a company’s products or services. To become a marketing manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.
Generally, the job duties of a marketing manager include:
- Creating and implementing comprehensive marketing strategies aligned with business goals
- Identifying target audiences, analyzing market trends, and understanding customer behavior
- Overseeing the development and execution of various campaigns across different channels
- Monitoring campaign performance and analyzing data
Technology
Discover top job opportunities in the tech sector.
1. AI and Machine Learning Specialist
Median 2024 pay: $140,150
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 40%
AI and machine learning specialists create and train machine learning models, analyze large data sets, and develop solutions tailored to specific business needs. To become an AI and machine learning specialist, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field, as well as prior AI experience.
The typical daily tasks of an AI and machine learning specialist include:
- Analyzing large data sets to extract insights and patterns
- Developing and implementing machine learning algorithms and neural networks
- Training and validating AI models
- Troubleshooting and resolving issues related to AI systems
2. Data Scientist
Median 2024 pay: $112,590
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 36%
Data scientists create the frameworks that collect, organize, and analyze data for an organization. To become a data scientist, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, statistics, or another related field—though some organizations may require a master’s.
The responsibilities of a data scientist usually consist of:
- Collecting, categorizing, and analyzing data
- Creating, validating, testing, and updating algorithms and models
- Using data visualization software to present findings
- Making business recommendations to stakeholders based on data analysis
3. Information Security Analyst
Median 2024 pay: $124,910
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 32.7%
Information security analysts, also called cybersecurity analysts, plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. To become an information security analyst, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
Daily job requirements typically include:
- Researching and testing security solutions
- Evaluating a company’s current cybersecurity processes
- Identifying and fixing vulnerabilities
- Managing security threats or breaches
4. Software Developer
Median 2024 pay: $133,080
Projected employment growth rate from 2023-2033: 17.9%
Software developers design, build, and maintain computer applications and programs. To become a software developer, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field, plus experience in coding.
General tasks for a software developer include:
- Creating the architecture, algorithms, and code for new applications or features
- Testing code to ensure that software functions correctly
- Fixing bugs and adding new features to maintain the software’s relevancy
- Creating documentation for the software design and functionality
Secure Your Future Today
If you want a job with high pay and stability, then these growing opportunies may be the right fit for you. Now that we’ve gone over some of the best jobs for the future market, it’s up to you to determine your path. And if none of these jobs feel like the perfect match—we can help you find what is.
by Alexandra Woodford 
