Quick Facts: The 7 High Demand Careers for 2019-2029

Healthful Vitality | 07/28/2021 | By NP Contributor | 7 High Demand Careers for 2019-2029

The 7 high demand careers in 2019-2029 shed light on while the US reported 9.5 million unemployed people as of June 2021. Research exhibits unemployment has detrimental effects. For example, vulnerable households, displacement, mental health issues, hurts the earnings and personal wealth, and cost the economy. Therefore, choosing an in-demand career would be an intelligent choice. 

The 7 high demand, high paying healthcare jobs are among the fastest-growing occupations estimated in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predictions for 2019-2029. Jobs in the healthcare sector seem evolving. Indeed, as NP previously reported, healthcare is exploding!

For example, nurse practitioners and occupational therapy assistants were at their outset only a decade ago. However, thousands of individuals now work in such jobs, which are among the fastest-growing occupations in the nation. At the same time, the public’s attention is centering on our healthcare professionals. They did a fantastic job during the Covid-19 crisis; they are real heroes! As a result, mainly, nurses’ job has gradually grown in importance over several decades. Initially seen as an entirely assistant to physicians, increasing development and skills enhancement have turned this profession into a highly sought-after career.

Out of the 20 occupations BLS has estimated with the highest percent change of employment in the U.S. for 2019-2029, the following 7 careers are in the healthcare sector.

1) Nurse practitioners

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners’ job growth rate is on top of healthcare-related jobs. It is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., notably with a 52% growth rate, 2019 to 2029, with a median annual wage of $117,670 for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in May 2020. Nurse practitioners job involves the coordination of patient care and provides primary and specialty healthcare.

Nurse practitioners’ higher-than-average expected job growth rate seems because of the aging population’s increased demand for healthcare support and the industry’s changing views about nurse practitioners’ service scope. Another aspect of the outlook is physician shortage. Last 12 years, the physician shortage has almost doubled, and in less than a year, it has increased by 9%. As a result, more Registered Nurses opt to advance their education further and choose Nurse Practitioners than before. Nurses have several options to select from various training programs, including conventional full-time classroom instruction, online with hands-on clinical assignments, and a combination of both. Indeed, nurses can explore several types of advanced studies and programs that enable them to specialize in many different topics of their interest of practice area.

Many nurse practitioners share their unique experiences and opportunities in this field with specialty higher education in nursing. For example, registered nurses can become board-certified pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Several nationally ranked research and teaching universities offer nurse practitioner programs, and several practice specializations are available.

2) Occupational therapy assistants

With a growth rate of 35%, 2019-2029, $62,940 per year median pay (2020), occupational therapy assistant is another highly demanded U.S. professional. The growth rate of occupational therapy assistants is much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the BLS, occupational therapy assistants and aides assist patients in developing, recovering, improving, and maintaining the skills needed for daily living and working.

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) website has listings to find an occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant school by degree program.

3) Home health and personal care aides

According to the BLS report, home health and personal care aides have a 34% growth rate from 2019 to 2029, with the per year median pay of $27,080 (2020). Home health and personal care aides perform to monitor the health of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities. Admittedly, many elderly individuals would need the help of a personal care assistant. Hence, anyone interested in this area of the profession must possess compassion. In 2050, the population aged 65 and over will be 83.7 million, almost double its estimated 43.1 million in 2012. The increase of this age group has a significant impact on the job growth of home health and personal care aides.

4) Physical therapist assistants

Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides have a 33% growth rate with the 2020 median pay of $59,770 per year. Under the supervision of a physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant works to helping patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses. Physical therapy is a fast-expanding sector in the healthcare industry to rehabilitate individuals after accident, sickness, and surgery.

To become a physical therapist, you must first have a master’s in science (biomechanics, neuroscience, exercise physiology, and anatomy); several schools train physical therapists at the doctorate level (DPT).

5) Medical and health services managers

Medical and health services managers are forecasted to expand by 32% between 2019 and 2029, with a median annual pay of $104,280 in 2020. Medical and health services managers engage in the planning, direction, and coordination activities of healthcare providers.

As healthcare professionals’ numbers are fastest-growing, the demand for medical and health services managers will grow. In addition, medical and health services managers are critical to the smooth functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions and group medical offices, including nursing homes and palliative care facilities. 

Many schools offer health care management programs to become health care executives in medical settings, hospitals, health insurance companies, and nursing homes.

6) Physician assistants

Physician assistants’ jobs have a 31% growth rate from 2019 to 2029, with a median pay in 2020 of $115,390 per year. Physician assistants practice medicine in connection with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers.

While physician assistants have competitive salaries, they need to get a comprehensive medical education and work under a physician’s supervision. In addition, due to the doctor crisis, physician assistants may gain greater authority soon.

As several universities and schools offer physician assistants programs; you can explore the best schools suitable for your best interests.

7) Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors’ jobs have a 25% growth rate, with 2020 a median pay of $47,660 per year. These counselors provide treatment and advice to individuals who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental or behavioral problems. Indeed, improvements in the criminal justice system significantly impact a demand increase for drug addiction counseling, which would affect employment growth in this area. 

In addition to the U.S., other countries, including the UK, Canada, have also reported a shortage of healthcare professionals. For example, the U.K. alone currently estimates its deficit of trained staff over 100,000. Indeed, with the 7 high demand careers estimated for 2019-2029, the outlook seems strong for health care jobs over the next decade.