The Fastest Growing Careers 2029

💵 Money! 💵

That is what I hear when student​s (even my own) are discussing future career options.

Yes, even as I preach about “solving problems” and “finding your purpose” as the career driver, a high paying job is what is desired.

Okay, I get it.

So lets look at the median salary’s for the fastest growing careers.

There are three paths to good jobs: high school diplomas, middle skills, and postsecondary degrees.

The Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University defines “good jobs as ones that pay at least $35,000; average $56,000 for workers with less than a bachelor’s degree; and average $65,000 for workers with at least a bachelor’s degree.

Let’s look at a few of the fastest growing occupations based on the entry-level education required.

🎓HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

With a high school diploma, you can become a solar photovoltaic installer and earn above the national average. SP installers assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks. At fifty percent growth, this is projected to be the fastest growing occupation over the next decade among the over 300 jobs available for high school graduates.

Fastest Growing Occupation: Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Median Salary: $46,850

Highest Paying Occupation: Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Median Salary: $103,320

🎓MIDDLE SKILLS

There are 45 occupations that require a certificate (also called a postsecondary nondegree award). If you want to enter the fastest growing career in all categories (sixty-one percent) for a few years, consider becoming a wind turbine service technician. WTS technicians inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. They perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

Fastest Growing Occupation: Wind Turbine Service Technician
Median Salary: $56,700

Highest Paying Occupation: First-line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Median Salary: $82,010

🎓POSTSECONDARY DEGREES

There are 46 occupations that require an associate’s degree for employment. Occupational therapy assistants are the fastest growing career for those earning a 2-year degree at a community college. OTAs assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments.

Fastest Growing Occupation: Occupational Therapy Assistants
Median Salary: $61,880

Highest Paying Occupation: Air Traffic Controllers
Median Salary: $122,990

With 169 occupations that require a bachelor’s degree (a 4-year degree), you have a wide range of career clusters to choose from including health science, information technology, STEM, and business management.

Medical and health services managers plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations. This managerial position is the fastest growing career that requires a bachelor’s degree and could grow amid the demands of the pandemic.

In college you could major in Community Health, Emergency Services Management, Health Services Administration/Management, or Health Studies.

Fastest Growing Occupation: Medical and Health Services Managers
Median Salary: $115,160

Highest Paying Occupation: Petroleum Engineers
Median Salary: $156,780

As you can see, there are a lot of occupational options. When you level up your education, you level up your opportunity to earn more money.

To help you narrow down your options, you should begin by answering the following question: what problems do you want to solve?

As you discover that answer, you can research careers that will help you solve that problem.

Then you can enjoy the process of finding the right college for you.

If you need help, work with your high school guidance counselor or consider hiring me as your educational consultant.

Photo: Pixbay