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!

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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.

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%

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%

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%

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%

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