Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Filterbuy.
The U.S. labor market has been a strong one for workers for much of the two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. After the pandemic shut down large parts of the economy and put millions out of work, employment has recovered quickly, and the unemployment rate sat at 3.5% as of July 2022.
But workers have also been able to be more selective about their job opportunities. Workers across the income scale have sent quit rates to historic highs in what’s been coined the “Great Resignation,” seeking out jobs with better pay, working conditions, or alignment with their lifestyles or professional goals.
Despite the pandemic’s economic disruptions and the looming prospect of a recession, many workers today have excellent opportunities to earn more or advance their careers. And some fields offer even greater opportunities than others thanks to economic, demographic, and technological trends that predate the pandemic.
From globalization to the aging of the population to the rise of the internet, major forces have reshaped the economy and created new professions and even new industries in a matter of years.
Among major occupational categories, health care support professions have seen the most significant growth over the last decade. Other standout high-growth categories include business and financial operations, transportation and material moving, and management.
The economy’s fastest-growing occupational categories share another important characteristic: many of them pay well.
To determine the jobs with the largest growth over the last decade, researchers at Filterbuy calculated the percentage change in employment between 2011 and 2021 with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Here are the jobs that have seen the most growth over 10 years.
15. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +74.5%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +57,590
- Total employment (2021): 134,880
- Median annual wage (2021): $37,630
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +13.3%
14. Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +74.9%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +6,910
- Total employment (2021): 16,140
- Median annual wage (2021): $77,500
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +8.2%
13. Epidemiologists
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +77.4%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +3,570
- Total employment (2021): 8,180
- Median annual wage (2021): $78,830
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +22.7%
12. Education Administrators
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +77.9%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +21,880
- Total employment (2021): 49,970
- Median annual wage (2021): $90,560
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +18.0%
11. Forest Fire Inspectors & Prevention Specialists
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +81.0%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +1,240
- Total employment (2021): 2,770
- Median annual wage (2021): $42,600
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +26.5%
10. Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, & Hard Tiles
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +89.4%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +8,640
- Total employment (2021): 18,300
- Median annual wage (2021): $48,060
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +35.9%
9. Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +99.5%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +41,510
- Total employment (2021): 83,240
- Median annual wage (2021): $29,120
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +47.4%
8. Human Resources Managers
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +103.7%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +84,780
- Total employment (2021): 166,530
- Median annual wage (2021): $126,230
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +27.3%
7. Airfield Operations Specialists
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +108.1%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +6,550
- Total employment (2021): 12,610
- Median annual wage (2021): $47,880
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +1.5%
6. Manicurists & Pedicurists
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +114.2%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +64,270
- Total employment (2021): 120,540
- Median annual wage (2021): $29,210
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +50.3%
5. Financial Examiners
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +116.6%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +32,700
- Total employment (2021): 60,750
- Median annual wage (2021): $81,410
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +8.2%
4. Chemical Equipment Operators & Tenders
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +116.6%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +57,150
- Total employment (2021): 106,170
- Median annual wage (2021): $48,090
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +5.6%
3. Market Research Analysts & Marketing Specialists
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +128.6%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +409,350
- Total employment (2021): 727,540
- Median annual wage (2021): $63,920
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +6.1%
2. Merchandise Displayers & Window Trimmers
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +137.5%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +92,500
- Total employment (2021): 159,790
- Median annual wage (2021): $32,060
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +22.4%
1. Mathematical Science Occupations
- Percentage change in employment (2011-2021): +215.1%
- Total change in employment (2011-2021): +2,710
- Total employment (2021): 3,970
- Median annual wage (2021): $62,460
- Percentage change in median annual wage (2011-2021): +11.4%
Methodology
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. To determine the jobs with the largest growth over the last decade, researchers at Filterbuy calculated the percentage change in employment between 2011 and 2021. In the event of a tie, the job with the greater total change in employment over the same time period was ranked higher. All measures of employment were considered at the national level, and only careers with full employment data were considered in this analysis.
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