The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its 2024–2034 employment projections, forecasting a surge of 5 million new jobs across the U.S. economy by 2034. Among the standout occupations, home health and personal care aides are expected to see a massive increase of about 740,000 jobs, far outpacing most other roles. Thirteen occupations are projected to grow by over 100,000 jobs, with the top 15 including healthcare roles, software developers, restaurant cooks, and select managerial positions.
Cory Stahle, an economist at Indeed Hiring Lab, isn’t surprised by the mix. “Food service jobs are ubiquitous,” he said. “Healthcare roles are set to expand with an aging population, and software developers will see growth fueled by AI enthusiasm.”
The BLS highlights a shift in long-term care from nursing homes to home- and community-based settings as a key driver for the demand for care aides. These jobs, however, come with varying pay scales. Software developers earned a median annual wage of $133,080 in 2024, while home health and personal care aides earned $34,900—below the national median of $49,500. Food service roles, like fast food workers and cooks, which are projected to add over 200,000 jobs each, also tend to be lower-paying.
Demographic trends could challenge these projections. Stahle notes that declining immigration and a shrinking labor force may create hurdles for employers looking to fill these roles. “Growing demand for these jobs will likely put upward pressure on wages as employers compete to attract and retain workers,” he said.
Education requirements for the top-growing jobs vary. Roles like stockers and order fillers require no formal credentials, while registered nurses typically need a bachelor’s degree and nurse practitioners a master’s. Many managerial roles in the top 15 also call for a bachelor’s degree.