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Job growth is an important consideration when choosing a career. Some of the fastest-growing jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), include nurse practitioners, wind turbine service technicians, and data scientists.

Whether you’re preparing to enter the job market or switching careers, it’s good to know which industries and fields have the brightest hiring outlook. Keep reading for a breakdown of the fastest-growing jobs in 2024 and beyond.

What Is Considered a Fast-Growing Job?

The BLS regularly projects which occupations will see the highest growth. The most recent data available predicts changes from 2023 to 2033. Some occupations grow faster than others as demand for those jobs rises. A fast-growing job is one that’s expected to grow at an above-average rate. Our list includes both on-site roles and remote opportunities. (Here’s a great roundup of more work-at-home jobs for retirees and stay-at-home parents.)

Who Should Consider a Fast-Growing Job?

Fast-growing jobs are appealing to a wide range of people because it can be easier to find a position when there are more openings to go around. Companies may also be more likely to offer signing bonuses to attract talent.

However, it’s important to consider whether the current demand is sustainable over the long term. After large numbers of people rush to fill jobs in a specific industry, hiring may then taper off.

The economy is another consideration. A job that’s fast-growing in a healthy economy may be less so in a downturn or recession. In-demand jobs that are connected to entertainment, travel, or recreation, for example, may be less attractive if people are cutting back their spending on trips to the movies, vacations, or costly hobbies.

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Pros and Cons of Being in a Fast-Growing Job

Every job has advantages and disadvantages, and fast-growing fields are no exception. Considering the potential benefits and drawbacks can help you to decide if pursuing a fast growing job makes sense for you.

Pros of Fast-Growing Jobs	Cons of Fast-Growing Jobs
More room for advancement at a faster pace	Accelerated job growth in newer industries may not be sustainable over the long term
Higher salaries if demand for qualified workers outpaces supply	Fast growth does not always translate to higher pay, especially in fields that don’t require higher education
Opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new industry or sector that’s poised for long-term growth and development	May be more demanding in terms of the time involved and scope of duties

What to Expect in a Fast-Growing Job

One of the main advantages of a fast-growing job is that it may be easier to get hired when demand is high. Employers may also offer higher pay or enhanced employee benefits to attract talent. If a high salary is important to you, check out this list of the highest paying jobs by state.

On the other hand, landing a bigger entry-level salary isn’t guaranteed. Fast-growing tech jobs, for instance, will pay more than food service jobs even if demand is at a similar level.

If you do manage to snag a higher salary with a fast-growing job, it’s important to think about what you’ll be required to do in exchange for those paychecks. For example, accepting a role with a clean energy startup could pay well, but if the company is small, you might be expected to work well beyond the standard 40-hour week.

No matter the size of your paycheck, it helps to stay on top of your budget. A spending app lets you see all of your money in one place.

Top 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in 2024

The BLS collects data on job growth and employment outlook across a variety of occupations. We’re breaking down the fastest growing jobs through 2033.

You may also be interested in our list of trades that make the most money.

1. Wind Turbine Service Technician

Median annual pay: $61,770

Job growth outlook: 60%

Job description: Install, repair, and service wind turbines. May work full-time or on-call for emergency repairs.

Job duties:

•   Install wind turbines

•   Make necessary repairs to turbine equipment

•   Complete regular maintenance and service to keep turbines operating properly

Pros:

•   Technical or trade school degree may be the only required education

•   Opportunity to travel

•   Job growth should hold steady as the industry develops

Cons:

•   Long on-the-job training period

•   Candidates must be comfortable with heights

•   Higher potential for accidental injury

Recommended: Jobs That Don’t Require College

2. Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Median pay: $48,800/year

Job growth outlook: 48%

Job description: Also called PV installers, solar photovoltaic installers are responsible for assembling and maintaining systems that convert sunlight into energy. They may also connect the system’s solar panels to the electrical grid. This job may be salaried or hourly.

Job duties:

•   Measure, cut, and assemble the support structure for solar panels

•   Install solar modules, panels, and support structures, then activate and test the system.

•   Perform routine PV system maintenance

Pros:

•   Significant job growth is expected through 2033

•   Higher education may not be required

•   There may be opportunities for advancement in the field

Cons:

•   Requires lifting and handling heavy equipment

•   Candidates should have strong math and communication skills

•   Must be comfortable with heights

3. Nurse Practitioner

Median pay: $126,260

Job growth outlook: 46%

Job description: Nurse practitioner (NP) is one of the fastest-growing healthcare jobs. NPs can act as primary care providers or specialty care providers in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. NPs may specialize in a particular type of care, such as geriatrics or pediatrics.

Job duties:

•   Assess patients to determine care needs

•   Determine how to improve or manage patient health

•   Develop strategies for implementing a plan of care

Pros:

•   High earning potential (an all-in-one money tracker tool can help you stay on top of your money game)

•   Well above-average job growth

•   Opportunity to specialize

Cons:

•   Potentially a highly stressful job

•   Requires advanced education

•   May require working long shifts

4. Data Scientist

Median pay: $108,020/year

Job growth outlook: 36%

Job description: Extract and analyze data. May collect or categorize data, offer interpretations of data, or create visual representations to showcase their findings. These individuals typically work in an office setting or from home. Because this role doesn’t require much interaction with customers or colleagues, it can be a good job for antisocial people.

Job duties:

•   Collect and organize data

•   Test data and use it to develop algorithmic models

•   Analyze data to create recommendations for business entities

Pros:

•   Competitive pay and outstanding earning potential

•   Opportunity to work a flexible schedule or remotely

•   May appeal to people looking for a creative-adjacent job

Cons:

•   Some aspects of the job may be tedious or boring

•   Hours can be long and require the completion of menial tasks

•   Master’s degree or higher may be required for certain jobs

5. Information Security Analyst

Median pay: $120,360/year

Job growth outlook: 33%

Job description: Information security analysts review an entity or organization’s security measures and develop strategies for protecting and safeguarding data. This is one of the fastest-growing IT jobs as more companies turn their focus to increasing cybersecurity in order to prevent fraud or data hacks. This is a strong option if you need a job that will pay off your student loans.

Job duties:

•   Analyze security measures in order to look for potential flaws or weak spots

•   Develop cybersecurity strategies to enhance a company or organization’s data safety

•   Maintain security software, including encryption and firewall services

Pros:

•   Job growth may be sustainable long term as more companies seek to step up their cybersecurity efforts

•   Salary ranges are competitive compared to other fast-growing jobs

•   May offer opportunity for remote work

Cons:

•   Some jobs may require a master’s degree or higher

•   May be required to complete tasks on short notice

•   Potentially stressful and high-pressure

6. Medical and Health Services Manager

Median pay: $110,680/year

Job growth outlook: 29%

Job description: Responsible for managing their facility and coordinating medical and health services for patients. Should be up to date on the latest laws, regulations, and technology in healthcare.

Job duties:

•   Create and execute policies, goals, and procedures for facility

•   Ensure facility complies with laws and regulations

•   Recruit, train, and manage staff

Pros:

•   Competitive salary

•   Flexible hours

•   Room for advancement for those interested in leadership roles

Cons:

•   Hours may be long

•   May be required to have a bachelor’s degree, a license, and/or work experience

•   The job has a high rate of injury and illness

7. Physician Assistant

Median pay: $130,020/year

Job growth outlook: 28%

Job description: Responsible for examining, diagnosing, and treating patients under the supervision of a physician. PAs can work in a variety of settings, including a hospital, doctor’s office, outpatient care center.

Job duties:

•   Examine and diagnose patients

•   Prescribe medication

•   Educate patients on their health issues

Pros:

•   Can be rewarding to help care for patients

•   Competitive pay, particularly for jobs at outpatient care centers and hospitals

•   Can work in a variety of specialized areas, such as dermatology, pathology, or emergency medicine

Cons:

•   Work can be physically and emotionally demanding

•   May be required to work nights, weekends, or holidays

•   Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and be licensed

8. Computer and Information Research Scientist

Median pay: $145,080

Job growth outlook: 26%

Job description: Use expertise and experience to improve existing technologies and create new ones. The work can help fuel innovation and solve problems in science, medicine, and business, among other fields.

Job duties:

•   Develop and/or improve computer software and hardware

•   Create new computing languages and tools

•   Design and oversee experiments on software systems

Pros:

•   Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects

•   Ability to help create innovations and improvements

•   Can specialize in various fields, including artificial intelligence or robotics

Cons:

•   Much of the work is online, which could be an issue for extroverted people

•   Most jobs typically require a master’s degree or Ph.D.

•   May work long hours

9. Physical Therapist Assistant

Median pay: $64,080/year

Job growth outlook: 25%

Job description: Collaborate with physician therapists to help patients regain their mobility and manage their pain. PTAs may also be responsible for cleaning and setting up treatment areas or moving patients around the facility.

Job duties:

•   Treat patients through exercise, massage, and other interventions, under the supervision of a physical therapist

•   Record the patient’s progress and share progress with the physical therapist

•   Help move patients in and/or out of treatment area

Pros:

•   Solid earning potential

•   May have the option to work part-time

•   Helping patients recover can be professionally rewarding

Cons:

•   Often requires standing for long periods of time

•   Moving patients could put strain on the body

•   May be required to work nights and weekends

10. Operations Research Analyst

Median pay: $83,640/year

Job growth outlook: 26%

Job description: Evaluate a company’s operations using advanced analytical and mathematical techniques, and recommend ways to increase efficiency and solve problems.

Job duties:

•   Analyze data to identify or solve operational problems

•   Provide recommendations to decision makers

•   Document and present finding to support recommendations

Pros:

•   May have opportunities for advancement

•   Often work on teams, which can be a good fit for extroverts

•   Can help businesses operate more efficiently

Cons:

•   Advanced education and training are often required

•   Role can be demanding

•   May be required to work in the office

Fastest-Growing Jobs by 2025 Outlook

The fastest growing jobs in 2024 include all of the options listed above. Other jobs projected to have above-average growth through 2033 include:

•   Occupational therapy assistants

•   Actuaries

•   Financial examiners

•   Home health and personal care aides

•   Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

•   Veterinary technologists and technicians

•   Logisticians

•   Veterinarians

•   Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

•   Epidemiologists

Which job skills will be most in demand in the future? According to the World Economic Forum, the following skills will be highly sought after by employers within the next few years:

•   Analytical thinking

•   Creative thinking

•   Resilience, flexibility, and agility

•   Motivation and self-awareness

•   Curiosity and lifelong learning

•   Technological literacy

•   Dependability and attention to detail

Some of these are “soft skills,” meaning they’re based around communication and self-management. However, it’s clear that technological skills and computer skills will continue to be an important consideration for employers in the future.

The Takeaway

The Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly publishes lists of jobs with good potential for recent grads and career changers. This year’s list of the top fields for job growth include energy, healthcare, computers, and data science. It’s a wide range, with something for everyone. And while some roles require a college degree, others welcome high school grads.

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FAQ

What is the most needed job in 2024?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners are among the fastest growing jobs for 2024 and beyond. That’s due largely to increased demand for healthcare providers during the pandemic era, but it was also one of the fastest growing jobs pre-COVID.

What job has the highest future growth?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that wind turbine service technicians are set to see the highest job growth through 2033. As the country looks to reduce carbon emissions — and demand for electricity increases — more wind turbines are expected to be built. This will likely create more job opportunities for qualified service technicians who can install and maintain the equipment.

Which jobs will be in demand in the next 10 years?

Some of the jobs that will be in the highest demand in the next 10 years include nurse practitioners, wind turbine service technicians, data analysts, information security analysts, and medical and health services managers.

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The Arms Index or Trading Index (TRIN) is a breadth indicator used to indicate when the stock market is overbought and oversold. In simpler terms, it measures how strong or weak the market is on any given day.

Technical analyst Richard W. Arms developed the Arms Index formula in 1967 as a tool for gauging market sentiment. Investors still use TRIN indicators to track volatility and price movements. By looking for upward or downward trends in the TRIN and comparing them to other technical indicators, investors can potentially identify buy or sell signals.

What Is the Arms Index (TRIN)?

The Arms Index, Trading Index or TRIN for short is a breadth oscillator used to identify pricing and value trends in the stock market. Specifically, the index looks at two things: Advance Decline ratio and Advance Decline volume ratio.

The former represents the number of advancing and declining stocks while the latter represents advancing and declining stock volume.

💡 Quick Tip: The best stock trading app? That’s a personal preference, of course. Generally speaking, though, a great app is one with an intuitive interface and powerful features to help make trades quickly and easily.

The TRIN Formula

TRIN = (Advancing stocks/Declining stocks) / (Composite volume of advancing stocks/Composite volume of declining stocks)

In this formula:

•   Advancing stocks refers to the number stocks trading higher

•   Declining stocks refers to the number of stocks trading lower

•   Advancing volume is the total volume of all advancing stocks

•   Declining volume is the total volume of all declining stocks

Investors use moving averages to smooth out the data and understand the relationship between the supply and demand for stocks during a given time period. The Arms Index aims to highlight bearish or bullish trends based on the relationship between the number of stocks being traded and the volume.

How to Calculate TRIN

To calculate TRIN, you’d simply apply the formula outlined earlier. Again, it looks like this:

TRIN = (Advancing stocks/Declining stocks) / (Composite volume of advancing stocks/Composite volume of declining stocks)

Here’s what calculating TRIN might look like in action:

•   Find AD ratio by dividing the number of advancing stocks by the number of declining stocks

•   Find AD volume ratio by dividing total advancing volume by total declining volume

•   Divide AD ratio by AD volume ratio

You’d perform these calculations over a set time period, recording each figure on a graph or chart as you go. For example, you might space the calculations out every few minutes, hourly or daily. You’d then connect each data point on your graph or chart to whether the TRIN is moving up or down.

Dive Deeper: How to Calculate AD Ratio

What Does TRIN Show You?

TRIN shows you the market’s volatility and the short-term direction of prices to help investors identify buying opportunities. When reading or interpreting TRIN data, you’re looking to see if it’s above 1.0 or below 1.0. This can tell you whether the market is bearish or bullish. A reading of exactly 1.0 is considered neutral.

For example, a reading below 1.0 is common when there are strong upward trends in price movements. Meanwhile, a reading above 1.0 is typical when there’s a strong downward trend. Here’s another way to think of it. When the reading is below 1.0 that means advancing stocks are driving volume but when it’s above 1.0, declining stocks are in the driver’s seat for generating volume.

You may also look at the direction TRIN is moving. A rising TRIN could indicate a weak market, while a falling TRIN may mean the market is getting stronger. Understanding how to read the data matters when determining whether the market is overbought or oversold at any given time.

Overbought

In stock trading, overbought means a stock is selling at a price above its intrinsic value. When the market is overbought, there’s generally a bullish attitude as investors keep buying in and driving up market capitalizations.

But a sell-off can happen if market sentiment turns negative. In that case, you get a reversal and prices begin to drop, potentially pushing market capitalizations down. Investors use the Arms Index or TRIN to spot this type of price movement trend and get ahead of a reversal before it happens.

Oversold

When an asset is oversold it means it’s trading below its intrinsic value. In other words, it’s trading for less than what it’s actually worth. This scenario can happen if an asset is undervalued for an extended period of time.

When investors assume the market is oversold, that can lead to an increase in buying activity. This, in turn, can drive stock prices up.

💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

Example of Using TRIN

If you wanted to apply the TRIN in real time, you could do that using stock charts that illustrate technical indicators. So, say you want to track the movements of the S&P 500 Index for a single day, looking at prices in five-minute intervals. You begin calculating TRIN at 10:00 am, at which time it’s 1.10. This sends a sell signal to the market and prices begin edging down.

An hour later, you see that TRIN has dropped to 0.85 sending a buy signal. At this point, prices begin to move upward again. By following TRIN throughout the day you could see whether the upward trend looks like it will continue or whether it will eventually reverse. If you’re following the rule of “buy low, sell high“, you might want to time trades to correlate with stock price movements based on the trends forecasted by the TRIN.

How Is TRIN Different Than TICK?

The TRIN measures the spread or gap between supply and demand in the markets. The Tick Index or Tick Indicator shows the number of stocks trading on an uptick minus the number of stocks trading on a downtick. This trend indicator measures all of the stocks that trade on an exchange such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or Nasdaq.

Unlike Arms Index or TRIN, the Tick indicator does not factor in volumes. Instead, Tick index aims to pinpoint extreme buying or extreme selling on an intraday basis.

Is TRIN a Good Indicator?

The TRIN has both good points and bad points when used as an investment decision-making tool. No technical analysis indicator can yield precise answers when determining the best time to buy or sell.

It’s important to keep in mind that the Trading Index is just one indicator analysts use to evaluate the stock market and stock volatility. The TRIN is most helpful when used with other indicators in order to create a more comprehensive snapshot of the markets at a particular moment in time.

Pros of TRIN

The Arms Index or TRIN closely analyzes trends between advancing and declining assets. By comparing net advances to volume, it provides a picture of price movements. Volume can be a useful indicator in itself, as higher volumes can suggest more significant shifts in stock pricing.

The TRIN is forward-looking so it can be useful in forecasting which way the market will head next. By pointing out stocks that may be overbought or oversold, the indicator can provide investors with some direction when trying to buy the bottom or sell the top to maximize profits in the market.

Cons of TRIN

If the TRIN has one big flaw it’s that it may generate inaccurate readings because of the way the index accounts for volume. Specifically, you can run into problems when advancing volume falls short of expectations.

For example, say that on a given day the number of stocks advancing significantly outpaces the number of stocks declining. Meanwhile, the same trend happens with volumes, with advancing volume outstripping declining volume. When you calculate TRIN, the numbers could effectively cancel one another out, resulting in a neutral reading.

This can make it difficult to figure out if the market is trending bearish or bullish. For that reason, it may be helpful to apply a 10-day moving average (MA) to help even out the numbers and provide a more accurate picture of pricing trends.

How Investors Can Use TRIN

Technical investors can use the TRIN to analyze the market, decide whether to buy or sell, and when to make those trades to produce the best results. When using the index, you’re looking for clear markers of strength or weakness in the markets. By gauging overall market sentiment, it may become easier to make predictions about future prices.

The TRIN is, by nature, designed to monitor short-term trading activity so it may not work as well for spotting longer term trends. But you can use it to get a feel for whether the market is leaning more on the bullish or bearish side and how likely that trend is to either continue or reverse.

The Takeaway

The Arms Index or TRIN is an important concept to understand if you’re an active day trader using technical analysis. With technical analysis, you’re trying to find trends in the near term so that you can take action to capitalize them.

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