25 Best Careers for the Future

It’s so important to talk to teens about their plans for life after high school. Share this list of the best careers for the future with them as part of career counseling or life skills classes. There are jobs here that make terrific future careers for almost any student!

How We Chose the Best Careers for the Future

We considered several factors when choosing the best future careers for this list. One of the most important was projected job growth over the next few years. These numbers help predict whether jobs will actually be available when today’s teens are ready to start full-time work. The average growth rate for most careers is around 4%, while the careers on our list range from 9% to a whopping 60%!

In addition to projected growth, we took a look at average salaries and the education and training involved. Most jobs on this list require a bachelor’s degree, but some need only an associate’s degree or post-secondary training like apprenticeships. A few, but not many, do require more advanced degrees. Salaries range from $48K to $145K per year.

All data found here comes from the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, published in August 2024.

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Best Science & Technology Future Careers

Almost any job in the technology and engineering sectors can be an excellent career choice these days. These fields are already growing at an enormous rate and will likely only accelerate in the years to come!

A pair of glasses sits in front of A collection of computer monitors displaying programming text — Kevin Ku via Unsplash

Cybersecurity Analyst

Keeping people and their online data safe is more important now than ever before. This is a career that will offer huge opportunities for growth going forward.

Average Salary: $120,360
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 33%

Mechanical Engineer

If you love the idea of designing something new and overseeing the process of building, testing, and rolling it out to consumers, mechanical engineering could be right up your alley!

Average Salary: $99,500
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 11%

A software engineer sits with her back to a computer typing code on a keyboard — This Is Engineering via Pixabay

Software Developer

Designing new software programs means assessing consumer needs, writing code, debugging errors, and using programming skills to solve problems and enhance user experiences. It’s a terrific career for those fascinated by technology.

Average Salary: $130,160
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 17%

A software engineer sits with their back to a computer, typing code on a keyboard — Arif Riyanto via Unsplash

Data Scientist

Love numbers? Data scientists spend their days immersed in them, analyzing those numbers for meaningful statistics and overall trends. They use that data to advise businesses as they make important strategic decisions.

Average Salary: $108,020
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 36%

Computer Research Scientist

Don’t wait for new technologies to emerge—be one of the people who help create them! From artificial intelligence to quantum computing, these research scientists pave the way for technological progress.

Average Salary: $145,080
Education/Training: Master’s degree
Projected Growth: 26%

Chemical Engineer

These scientists use chemistry, physics, and engineering to develop cutting-edge new products and processes in fields like pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and environmental science.

Average Salary: $112,100
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 10%

Best Healthcare Careers for the Future

Healthcare careers are generally well paid, and many don’t require as much formal education as you might think. Nearly all healthcare jobs are going to be in high demand over the next decade, making them a smart choice for today’s teens.

Nurse Practitioner

Doctors spend years (and hundreds of thousands of dollars) before they’re fully qualified to practice medicine. Nurse practitioners only need a master’s degree and are able to do many of the same types of patient treatment that doctors do. This field (along with the similar job of physician assistant) is going to grow dramatically over the next 10 years.

Average Salary: $129,480
Education/Training: Master’s degree
Projected Growth: 40%

A doctor and a hospital administrator shake hands — herbert11timtim via Pixabay

Healthcare Administrator

Help manage doctors’ practices, hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities as a healthcare administrator. It’s a chance to put your organizational and managerial skills to use while helping others stay healthy.

Average Salary: $110,480
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 29%

A person wearing scrubs and a medical map consults data on a computer — Irwan via Unsplash

Epidemiologist

These scientists track the trends of diseases to predict, control, and understand outbreaks. They spend a lot of time gathering and analyzing data, working with public health agencies to reduce the spread of illness.

Average Salary: $81,390
Education/Training: Master’s degree
Projected Growth: 19%

Physical Therapist

While not among the highest-paid jobs on this list, physical therapists only need to spend a few years in post-secondary education to begin working with patients. They make a real difference in many people’s lives, helping them heal and regain mobility after injuries and illnesses.

Average Salary: $58,740
Education/Training: Associate’s degree
Projected Growth: 19%

A female speech therapist works with a young boy on his speech as they sit together on the floor. She is holding up alphabetical cue cards to help as they work through the sounds together. — Getty Images

Speech-Language Pathologist

These healthcare professionals work in hospitals and schools to diagnose and treat speech, language, and throat disorders. (They’re sometimes known as “speech therapists” as well.)

Average Salary: $89,290
Education/Training: Master’s degree
Projected Growth: 18%

Veterinarian

Taking care of animals can be incredibly rewarding, although this is one of the few jobs on this list that requires a doctoral degree. That means a real commitment of time and money toward education, but the ability to help people and their pets makes it all worthwhile for many people.

Average Salary: $119,100
Education/Training: Doctoral degree
Projected Growth: 19%

Dental Hygienist

Hygienists clean teeth and educate people on how to take care of their oral health. They also take X-rays and work alongside dentists during procedures.

Average Salary: $87,530
Education/Training: Associate’s degree
Projected Growth: 9%

Top Trades & Skilled Labor Future Careers

Skilled trades offer amazing opportunities for those who want to jump into the workforce as soon as possible. Most of these jobs require very little formal post-secondary schooling, instead providing on-the-job training and hands-on apprenticeships.

Electrician

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. They’re trained to help keep people and property safe, while ensuring power access to all.

Average Salary: $61,590
Education/Training: Apprenticeship program
Projected Growth: 11%

A HVAC repair technician works on an AC unit with specialized tools — Jose_pachecoph via Pixabay

HVAC Technicians

Technicians in this field work with the systems that control heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. They install and repair these systems in homes and businesses.

Average Salary: $57,300
Education/Training: Post-secondary certification
Projected Growth: 9%

Construction Manager

Construction managers oversee worksites and projects from start to finish. They schedule and supervise employees and handle supplies, logistics, budgeting, and more.

Average Salary: $104,900
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 9%

A wind turbine in the midst of construction stands against a background of completed wind turbines — HansLinde via Pixabay

Wind Turbine Technician

Renewable energy technologies are on the rise, and experts expect these fields to boom in the near future. Technicians who build and maintain wind turbines will find themselves in high demand, making this one of the best careers for the future that doesn’t require a college education.

Average Salary: $61,770
Education/Training: Post-secondary certification
Projected Growth: 60%

Solar Photovoltaic Technician

Solar technology technicians will also benefit from the boom in renewable energy technology that’s happening right now. This is the kind of future career that will offer excellent job security in areas that use solar power extensively.

Average Salary: $48,800
Education/Training: High school diploma
Projected Growth: 48%

A maintenance worker repairs a circuit board — This Is Engineering via Unsplash

Medical Equipment Repairer

Healthcare technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent decades. All those machines need to be maintained and repaired, meaning those who gain the know-how will find plenty of job opportunities in their future.

Average Salary: $60,670
Education/Training: Associate’s degree
Projected Growth: 18%

Best Finance & Business Careers for the Future

Many students major in business without any real idea of what they’d like to do. These particular careers are worth shooting for, since they offer good salaries and opportunities for growth.

A person holds a pencil and writes on a pad between two laptops — Scott Graham via Unsplash

Financial Analyst

These business professionals evaluate financial data, market trends, and investment opportunities for businesses. They may work full-time for one large business or as a consultant to multiple businesses instead.

Average Salary: $99,890
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 9%

Actuary

This is a specific type of data analysis that focuses on risk factors, helping businesses make informed decisions that take into account the likelihood of accidents or market fluctuations. They often work for insurance companies, though not exclusively.

Average Salary: $120,000
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 22%

Management Analyst

These professionals evaluate an organization’s operations and recommend strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability. They’re also known as management consultants.

Average Salary: $99,410
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 11%

A corporate trainer stands in front of a class of people — Matthew Osborn via Unsplash

Training and Development Specialist

Businesses use training and development specialists to write and deliver corporate training programs to their employees. This can be a terrific alternative to teaching in primary and secondary schools, where the current climate is a bit unpredictable, or for those who’d rather work with adults than children.

Average Salary: $64,340
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 12%

A store manager and employee look at a clipboard as they walk down the aisle of a warehouse — Centre for Ageing Better via Unsplash

Logistician

Logistics is the field of overseeing the movement of goods, services, and materials through the supply chain. Logisticians need excellent organizational skills and the ability to see both small details and the broad picture.

Average Salary: $79,400
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 19%

A talent agent shakes hands with a client in an office — styles66 via Pixabay

Agent / Business Manager

Professional athletes, musicians, actors, and others in the entertainment business need agents and business managers to make deals, handle finances, and help keep their career on track. This is an exciting, fast-paced field that makes excellent use of a business degree!

Average Salary: $84,900
Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree
Projected Growth: 9%

Don’t forget to grab your free career exploration lesson plans!

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