13 Best Careers for the Future

There’s a high probability you’ve been told your entire life to think about the future.

This includes thinking about where you want to go to college, your major, and what career path you wish to take.

This is particularly true for high school students since college is the next step to the rest of your life.

But just thinking about your career path isn’t enough.

Instead, since technology and society are advancing rapidly, it can be difficult to know where the labor market will be in the next decade.

So how can students understand the best careers for the future?

Keep reading to learn more about the most stable, highest-demand, and best-paying jobs in the future!

Best Careers for the Future

One: Actuary Professionals

With a 202 median salary of $111,000, actuaries work for insurance companies to determine risk for different clients.

They use statistics, data, and math to advise their employer on whether to offer a policy to a specific customer, an individual, or a business and the premium amount.

Actuaries can evaluate retirement benefits, workers’ compensation insurance, medical malpractice, homeowners, automobile, life, and health insurance.

As the population continues to grow, the need for insurance grows, so the job market is bright for actuaries.

Two: Alternative Energy Experts

Regardless of your stance on climate change or the use of fossil fuels, all experts agree that the role alternate energy will play in the future across the globe will increase.

This could be through new electric cars, solar and wind power, and renewable energy resources.

That means this field has virtually limitless untapped potential.

One of the most exciting aspects of a career in this field is how broad of a spectrum the jobs are.

For those entering the field, there’s a career in every aspect ranging from alternative energy research to installation, engineering, and construction.

Over the next few years, wind turbine technician will be the fastest-growing job in the U.S., with an expected growth rate of 108!

Three: Artificial Intelligence Specialists

While some may be concerned about a robot taking their job in the future, designing the robot will guarantee it doesn’t happen.

Artificial intelligence is a rapidly expanding field with various career paths ranging from researchers to natural language processing to robotics engineers.

Since it’s such a new and exciting field, there’s plenty of room for growth, and it is a lucrative career.

According to the New York Times, top researchers are major companies receiving salaries in the upper six figures.

Therefore, if entering the artificial intelligence field is a path you’d like to take, you must earn at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a master’s degree as the recommended education.

Four: Cybersecurity Professionals

The need for cybersecurity professionals is growing as the world becomes increasingly digital.

Data breaches are a major problem that can expose confidential information costing the company millions of dollars.

In an article released by IBM, they found the average total cost for a data breach is $3.92 million.

With so much money on the line, companies are paying cybersecurity experts big bucks to protect their data.

The median cybersecurity specialist salary starts at $80,000 for information technology security consultants, and that can quickly skyrocket to six figures in other positions like security director.

The best path to get into this field is a bachelor’s degree in engineering, information technology, computer science, or another technical field.

Five: Data Analysts

As one of the fastest-growing fields in the U.S., big data is a rapidly expanding field with excellent and high-paying opportunities for college graduates.

The projections for careers in information research are some of the strongest available.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 16% over the next decade.

This is more than three times the national average of 5%.

Combine this with a median industry salary of around $120,000 annually, and you can make serious money with excellent job stability.

Six: Dental Employees

Regardless of the economy, people still need to visit the dentist.

As the Baby Boomer and the health-minded millennial generations age, they will require more dental care.

As a result, careers in the dental field are projected to grow by 7% in the next decade.

To become a dental hygienist, employees need at least an associate degree.

There’s also an option to become a dental assistant.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a growth of 11% for dental hygienists over the next decade.

To become a dentist, you must have a doctorate.

Seven: Electricians and Plumbers

Not every best future career requires a four-year degree.

Many jobs in the U.S. are desperate for skilled workers, like in the electric and plumbing fields.

Although these positions don’t require a bachelor’s degree, they are still well-paying with promising prospects.

One of the best aspects of these positions is the speed of entering the workforce to start making money.

These career paths require a high school degree and sometimes associates in a related field and are excellent options for those who like to work with their hands.

Eight: Financial Manager

With a median salary of around $135,000 per year and a 15% projected growth rate over the next decade, financial managers are in high demand with high salaries.

A financial manager is accountable for managing a company’s finances.

These professionals can be directly employed by a large organization or a consulting firm where they work for many clients.

Depending on the need, a financial manager could also be responsible for identifying financial risks and developing solutions, researching, creating reports and projections, preparing financial statements, setting goals, and offering suggestions for hitting those goals.

To become a financial manager, you must have detailed business finance knowledge, which may have been gained in the accounting field or as a financial analyst.

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, but master’s degrees are preferred.

Nine: Industrial Engineers

Industrial engineers review efficiency and optimization using engineering principles, science, statistics, and math to evaluate business processes, manufacturing, systems, and people.

An industrial engineer aims to determine the most effective way to integrate the processes and systems to create a service or product.

Their role is to ensure that companies keep low costs while maximizing productivity and reaching organizational goals.

This career boasts a 2020 median salary of $89,000 and will continue to grow due to rising costs of goods and other inflationary measures.

Ten: Medical Professionals

One of the most critical questions to ask when planning your future career is, what services will society need to fulfill?

Medical professionals are consistently at the top of the list.

People always need medical care, and while technology is helping to automate some of those tasks, human medical professionals will always be required.

Depending on which medical career you’re interested in pursuing, countless options for students exist.

Becoming a registered nurse is the best path for those who prefer interacting with patients.

This role requires a minimum of an associate degree in nursing.

If you want to set your sights higher, then becoming a physician requires a doctorate.

There are many roles with shorter education spans, for example

• Phlebotomist
• EKG Technician
• Medical Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician
• Patient Care Technician

Eleven: Mental Health Professionals

The stigma of seeking mental health is lessening at a time when society needs mental health resources more than ever.

However, this field can never be automated because it requires a human connection.

For this reason, mental health careers are expected to grow at a rate of 22% over the next decade.

The fastest-growing areas include behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and general mental health counselors.

In addition to society recognizing the importance of mental health, insurance companies are also starting to offer plans and premiums as a total wellness package.

As a result, there’s a high demand for trained mental health professionals such as social workers, counselors, therapists, and psychologists.

Twelve: Software Developers

Unless you live under a rock, you know how massive of an impact software plays daily.

This ranges from social media platforms to helpful apps to massive corporate systems.

The importance of software developers to modern society cannot be stated enough.

From utility apps to tracking programs and video games, these are all made possible by the dedication of software developers.

Occupations in the STEM and technology fields are some of the hottest in the U.S., including software development functions.

To be considered for a position, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or related.

An advanced degree in these fields will differentiate you from the competition.  

Thirteen: Veterinarians

Everyone loves their pets and is willing to pay boatloads of cash to keep them healthy.

If you’re an individual who loves to work with animals, then becoming a vet could be a great career choice.

One of the downsides is that you have to earn a doctorate from an accredited program to work in the field.

This is a lot of schooling, but the rewards are plentiful.

The projected growth of the veterinary field over the next decade is 18%, three times higher than the national average.

Many fast-growing and high-paying careers are available for U.S. workers, many in the technology industry, but some traditional positions in the skilled trade, medical, and dental fields.

If you’re looking for a career with future growth, demand, and job security, consider one of these positions and the requirements to meet your career goals.

Becoming a vet technician or a vet assistant is a great way to work alongside animals without the long education process of becoming a vet.