Top jobs in-demand in the US and why they’re in high demand

As the US job market continues to evolve, certain professions have become increasingly popular due to various factors, including changing demographics, evolving societal needs, and rapid technological advancements. In this article, we explore some of the most in-demand professions in the US, their average annual gross salaries, job descriptions, estimated number of professionals in the country, average age of those professionals, gender breakdown, average retirement age, and reasons for their high demand in the current job market.

Here are the most in-demand professions in the US and why they’re in high demand

Software Developer (Bachelor’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $109,020 / $52.41 per hour.

Software developers design, create, and test software programs for computers, mobile devices, and other technological devices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 1,456,000 software developers in the US, with an average age of 38. The profession is dominated by males, who make up 75% of software developers, with females accounting for 25%. The average retirement age for software developers is 65 years old.

The increasing need for technology and software in various industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation, has led to a high demand for software developers. Employment of software developers is projected to grow 25 percent to 2031.

Registered Nurse (Bachelor’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $77,600 / $37.31 per hour.

Registered nurses provide patient care, administer medications, and assist with diagnostic tests and medical procedures in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. There are approximately 3,130,600 registered nurses in the US, with an average age of 43. The profession is dominated by females, who make up 90% of registered nurses, with males accounting for 10%. The average retirement age for registered nurses is 62 years old.

The aging population and an increase in chronic diseases have created a higher demand for healthcare services, including registered nurses. Additionally, the covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for healthcare workers and increased the demand for nurses. Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from to 2031.

Data Scientist (Bachelor’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $100,910 / $48.52 per hour.

Data scientists collect and analyze large sets of data to identify patterns and trends that can inform business decisions. There are approximately 113,300 data scientists in the US, with an average age of 37. The profession is dominated by males, who make up 67% of data scientists, with females accounting for 33%. The average retirement age for data scientists is 65 years old.

The increasing amount of data being collected by businesses and organizations has created a need for professionals who can analyze and interpret that data. Data scientists are in high demand in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology. Employment of computer and information research scientists (which includes data scientists) is projected to grow 36 percent to 2031.

Occupational Therapist (Master’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $85,570 / $41.14 per hour.

Occupational therapists help people recover from injuries or illnesses and develop skills needed for daily living and working. There are approximately 133,900 occupational therapists in the US, with an average age of 43. The profession is dominated by females, who make up 87% of occupational therapists, with males accounting for 13%. The average retirement age for occupational therapists is 62 years old.

The aging population and an increase in chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes have created a higher demand for occupational therapy services. Additionally, advancements in medical technology have made it possible for people with disabilities and injuries to live longer, leading to a greater need for occupational therapy. Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 14 percent to 2031.

Physician Assistant (Master’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $121,530 / $58.43 per hour.

Physician assistants work in healthcare settings, performing medical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, and providing treatment under the supervision of a licensed physician. There are approximately 139,100 physician assistants in the US, with an average age of 39. The profession is dominated by females, who make up 66% of physician assistants, with males accounting for 34%. The average retirement age for physician assistants is 62 years old.

The growing demand for healthcare services, particularly primary care, has led to a higher demand for physician assistants. Additionally, physician assistants can perform many of the same duties as physicians, making them an important resource for patients in underserved areas. Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28 percent to 2031.

Dental Hygienist (Associate’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $77,810 / $37.41 per hour.

Dental hygienists work in dental offices, cleaning teeth, taking x-rays, and providing preventive dental care to patients. There are approximately 214,000 dental hygienists in the US, with an average age of 40. The profession is dominated by females, who make up 95% of dental hygienists, with males accounting for 5%. The average retirement age for dental hygienists is 62 years old.

The growing emphasis on preventive dental care has led to a higher demand for dental hygienists. Additionally, advancements in dental technology and techniques have made it possible for dental hygienists to perform more complex procedures, making them an even more valuable asset to dental practices. Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 9 percent to 2031.

Physical Therapist (Doctoral or professional degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $95,620 / $45.97 per hour.

Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and illnesses by providing physical therapy treatments and exercises. There are approximately 238,800 physical therapists in the US, with an average age of 42. The profession is dominated by females, who make up 61% of physical therapists, with males accounting for 39%. The average retirement age for physical therapists is 62 years old.

The aging population and an increase in chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes have created a higher demand for physical therapy services. Additionally, advancements in medical technology and techniques have made it possible for physical therapists to provide more effective treatments to patients. Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 17 percent to 2031.

Financial Manager (Bachelor’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $131,710 / $63.32 per hour.

Financial managers work in a variety of industries, overseeing financial operations and developing financial strategies to help organizations achieve their goals. Today, there are approximately 730,800 financial managers in the US, with an average age of 47. The profession is dominated by males, who make up 67% of financial managers, with females accounting for 33%. The average retirement age for financial managers is 65 years old.

The increasing complexity of financial regulations and the growing importance of financial data in decision-making have created a higher demand for financial managers. Additionally, the global economy and the increasing use of technology in finance have created new opportunities for financial managers to expand their skills and knowledge. Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 17 percent to 2031.

Information Security Analyst (Bachelor’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $102,600 / $49.33 per hour.

Information security analysts work in a variety of industries, monitoring computer systems and networks for security breaches and developing strategies to protect sensitive information. There are approximately 163,000 information security analysts in the US, with an average age of 41. The profession is dominated by males, who make up 82% of information security analysts, with females accounting for 18%. The average retirement age for information security analysts is 65 years old.

The increasing threat of cyber attacks and the growing importance of data security in various industries have created a higher demand for information security analysts. Additionally, advancements in technology and the increasing use of cloud computing have created new security challenges that require skilled professionals to address. Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 35 percent to 2031.

Construction Manager (Bachelor’s degree)

Average Annual Gross Salary: $98,890 / $47.55 per hour.

Construction managers oversee construction projects, managing budgets, schedules, and personnel to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. There are approximately 478,500 construction managers in the US, with an average age of 47. The profession is dominated by males, who make up 92% of construction managers, with females accounting for 8%. The average retirement age for construction managers is 65 years old.

The growing need for infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings, has created a higher demand for construction managers. Additionally, the increasing complexity of construction projects and the need for sustainable construction practices have created new challenges that require skilled professionals to address. Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 8 percent to 2031.

These statistics are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other reliable sources. It’s important to note that the demand for these professions may vary by location, industry, and other factors, and that the job market is constantly evolving. However, these professions are expected to remain in high demand in the coming years due to various trends and developments in their respective industries.

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In-demand professions: conclusions

In conclusion, the job market in the US is constantly changing, and certain professions are in higher demand than others. These professions, such as software developers, registered nurses, data scientists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, dental hygienists, physical therapists, financial managers, information security analysts, and construction managers, generally offer relatively high salaries and job security. Additionally, they play a crucial role in various industries and are essential to the functioning of our society.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections (2021-2031)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has recently released the most employable professions in the next ten years. The projections provides insights into the professions that will have the highest employability based on factors such as the level of education of workers, the growth in the number of workers, and the occupations that will experience the most development.

Sectors with the highest employment growth

The following economic sectors are projected to have the highest employment growth from 2021 to 2031: