Focusing on jobs that are in demand can be a smart way to plan your career and educational path. By focusing on growing industries or jobs expected to have many openings, you’re increasing the odds that you’ll have plenty of opportunities for fulfilling employment in your chosen field.
With that in mind, we compiled this list of the top in-demand jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We also provided guidance on how to find and apply for an in-demand job from Intelligent.com’s chief education and career advisor, Huy Nguyen.
How to Find an In-Demand Job
Consider interests and aptitudes
Just because there are many employment opportunities in a field doesn’t necessarily mean that the career path is a good fit for everyone.
Before beginning their job hunt, job-seekers should consider their educational background, skills, interests, and personal needs to ensure they pursue opportunities that align with those factors. They should also review the educational and training requirements for these roles to determine if they need additional preparation to qualify for the jobs they want.
Utilizing tools like career assessments and personality tests can help you determine what industries or careers might be worth pursuing based on your abilities and interests.
Determine long-term goals
Are you seeking an in-demand job to find work as quickly as possible, or are you looking to build a career with longevity? This is an important question to ask before you begin applying, as it can impact the type of jobs you seek.
Demand for jobs fluctuates as industries evolve to accommodate new technologies, changing consumer needs, and shifts in worker populations.
If this job is meant to be the foundation of a lasting career, you may want to consider the long-term employment outlook and growth potential, as well as the number of jobs currently available in the field.
Meanwhile, those who want to get hired as quickly as possible right now, even if they pivot later, can focus on the jobs that are most in demand at this particular moment.
Review all career and education options
It’s also essential to confirm that you have the necessary educational credentials for the job you’re seeking. Some in-demand jobs, like delivery truck drivers and occupational health and safety technicians, have few education requirements beyond a high school diploma. Others, like data scientists and mental health counselors, require formal degrees to qualify for most jobs. If you already have a degree but in a different area of study, post-secondary certificate programs may help develop the necessary skills for a particular in-demand job.
In-Demand Jobs
Delivery truck drivers
Median annual salary: $39,950
Projected job growth (through 2033): 9%
Average number of new jobs per year: 183,800
Minimum education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Delivery truck drivers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. They drive trucks weighing less than 26,001 pounds total for the vehicle, passengers, and cargo. Delivery truck drivers usually transport merchandise from a distribution center to businesses and households.
Occupational health and safety technician
Median annual salary: $57,920
Projected job growth (through 2033): 14%
Average number of new jobs per year: 18,200
Minimum education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Occupational health and safety technicians collect data on, analyze, and design improvements to many work environments and procedures. They work to implement and evaluate programs aimed at mitigating risks to workers, property, the environment, and the public. In the event of a workplace safety incident, they investigate its cause and analyze data from the incident to recommend improvements to prevent future incidents. Although some technicians earn an associate degree, many learn about their responsibilities and develop skills through on-the-job training.
Home health and personal care aides
Median annual salary: $33,530
Projected job growth (through 2033): 21%
Average number of new jobs per year: 718,900
Minimum education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing, and housekeeping tasks. Under the direction of a nurse or other healthcare practitioner, home health aides may be allowed to give a client medication or to check the client’s vital signs.
Registered nurses
Median annual salary: $86,070
Projected job growth (through 2033): 6%
Average number of new jobs per year: 194,500
Minimum education required: Bachelor’s degree
Registered nurses, often called RNs, provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Most registered nurses work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some registered nurses oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides. There are several specializations within nursing, including critical care, pediatrics, cardiology, nephrology, and rehabilitation.
Management analyst
Median annual salary: $99,410
Projected job growth (through 2033): 11%
Average number of new jobs per year: 95,700
Minimum education required: Bachelor’s degree
Also known as management consultants, these professionals recommend improving an organization’s efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues. Specific tasks generally vary from project to project. Some management consultants work for the company they analyze, while others work as consultants on a contractual basis.
Computer and information systems manager
Median annual salary: $169,510
Projected job growth (through 2033): 17%
Average number of new jobs per year: 54,700
Minimum education required: Bachelor’s degree
Also known as IT managers or IT project managers, these professionals plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine an organization’s information technology goals and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals. The umbrella of computer and information systems manager includes many specific roles, including chief information officer, chief technology officer, IT director, and IT security manager.
Data scientists
Median annual salary: $108,020
Projected job growth (through 2033): 36%
Average number of new jobs per year: 20,800
Minimum education required: Master’s degree
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data. They often use various methods to obtain data, including access to other organizations’ databases or web-scraping tools. They also develop algorithms and models to support machine learning programs, which are then used to classify or categorize data or make predictions related to the models. Scientists also must test the algorithms and models for accuracy, including for updates with newly collected data.
Market research analysts
Median annual salary: $74,680
Projected job growth (through 2033): 8%
Average number of new jobs per year: 88,500
Minimum education required: Bachelor’s degree
Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential product or service sales. They use various methods to collect data and information, such as focus groups, interviews, literature reviews, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, and questionnaires. This information is then used to help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
Median annual salary: $53,710
Projected job growth (through 2033): 19%
Average number of new jobs per year: 48,900
Minimum education required: Bachelor’s degree
Substance abuse counselors and behavioral disorder counselors, also called addiction counselors, work with clients individually and in group sessions to help them recover from substance abuse and addiction and build new habits to prevent relapses. Mental health counselors advise individuals, families, couples, and groups to treat conditions including anxiety, depression, grief, and stress and help with emotional health and relationship problems.
Software developers
Median annual salary: $130,160
Projected job growth (through 2033): 17%
Average number of new jobs per year: 140,100
Minimum education required: Bachelor’s degree
Software developers create computer applications that allow users to do specific tasks and the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks. Their responsibilities include analyzing users’ needs and designing and developing software to meet those needs, designing the pieces of an application or system and planning how the pieces will work together, and ensuring that a program continues to function normally through software maintenance and testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find an in-demand job?
Most job searches nowadays start online, through sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Monster,, and LinkedIn. Many companies and organizations also post available jobs on their own websites. Specific industries, like food service and retail, may post signs and information in their establishments if they’re hiring.
Utilizing your network is also crucial if you’re job-seeking. Let the people in your life know that you’re looking for employment opportunities, and provide them with details about the type of job you’re looking for. Connect with people in person and online who may be able to connect you with employment opportunities in your area of interest. Make sure you have up-to-date profiles on sites like LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter so potential employers can reach out to you if they feel you’re right for a role.
What basic skills do you need for an in-demand job?
Every in-demand job requires a different skill set based on the responsibilities of the position. However, certain skills apply to most jobs, regardless of industry or essential tasks.
“With the rapid pace of technology and industry change, employers are increasingly placing more value on candidates that can adapt and learn new skills on demand,” says Nguyen. “They are looking for people who can thrive in uncertainty, adapt to new technologies and processes, and creatively solve challenges.”
According to Nguyen, other in-demand skills include time management, effective communication, collaboration, digital literacy the ability to learn new technology, and emotional intelligence.
Individuals can develop these skills through work, volunteer, or general life experience or by enrolling in an easy certificate program that will also provide them with a credential to add to their resume for added appeal to prospective employers.
How do you apply to an in-demand job?
The specific application process will differ from job to job. For the most accurate information about how to apply for the in-demand job you’re seeking, read the job posting carefully and speak to a hiring manager or human resources representative if you have questions.
Generally, individuals apply for a job by submitting an application, resume, and cover letter. Hiring managers review these materials and invite candidates who seem most well-suited for the position for an interview. Depending on the position, skill assessments or background checks may also be required as part of the interview process.
While it’s a good idea to have an updated resume and general cover letter on hand, tailoring your resume and cover letter to the specific jobs you’re applying to can increase your odds of passing the initial screening process and obtaining an interview.
How much can you make per year with an in-demand job?
Earnings vary by specific job, industry, education and skill level required, and location.
For example, jobs that require more education, such as a master’s degree, may pay a higher salary. However, industries with many positions to fill, such as computer and information technology or transportation, may offer higher salaries to incentivize workers to enter the field or recruit top talent.
Location is also a factor, as median salaries vary by state and city. Cost-of-living also contributes to this, as a lower salary in an area with a lower cost-of-living may be more beneficial than a higher salary in a more expensive area.