By Robert Serenbetz
After the recession wiped out
millions of jobs, the American labor market has at least partially
recovered. So far this year, the United States has added roughly 1.6
million jobs. And in the 10 years through 2022, the BLS estimates that
employment will grow by over 15 million jobs, or by 11%.
Some jobs are
expected to better capitalize on economic, demographic, and workplace
trends than others. For example, industrial-organizational psychologists
are expected to grow 53.4%, the fastest in the nation, and occupations
in the health sector are also anticipated to disproportionately grow.
Based on estimated employment figures and projections for 2012 and 2022
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for more than 1,000
occupations, 24/7 Wall St. identified the fastest growing jobs in
America.
The
jobs with the largest expected growth are often those that benefit from
America’s changing demographics. In an interview with 24/7 Wall St.,
Martin Kohli, chief regional economist for the BLS, noted that the
effects of an aging population, which has access to Medicare, “combined
with innovations that provide new treatments” has led to increases in
health care spending. In turn, more spending creates “a high demand for
jobs to provide these services,” he added.
In fact, the average of
all health support occupations is expected to grow 28% by 2022. Six
jobs within the top 10 are in the health care sector.
Some of the
fastest growing jobs are expected to receive a boost from economic
trends. For example, the BLS expects that a continued economic rebound
will lead to greater demand for construction and renovations. While
construction laborers and helpers are expected to grow 25%, jobs such as
masons' helpers are expected to grow at a considerably higher rate of
45%.
Government
and private sector initiatives are also expected to contribute to
growth in specific occupations. New federal health care legislation is
expected to increase access to health care and, in turn, to the scale of
the health care industry. Meanwhile, mechanical insulators are expected
to benefit from an increased focus on environmental sustainability.
Most
of the occupations with the highest estimated growth rates are not
especially large. Only two occupations, home health aides and personal
care aides, are estimated to be among the larger jobs by number of
people employed in 2022.
There
does not appear to be wage or educational trends among the jobs with
the largest growth rates. These occupations all have various levels of
median wage as well as differing educational requirements.
To
determine the jobs with the highest forecast rate of employment growth,
24/7 Wall St. reviewed BLS Employment Projections program data for 2012
and 2022. In order to qualify, occupations needed to reference a
specific job rather than a broader classification. Figures from the BLS
for 2012 represent estimates, while figures for 2022 represent forecasts
and may be revised. Further information on each occupation came from
the BLS’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.
These are the fastest growing jobs in America.
10. Physical Therapist Assistants
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 41.0%
> Number employed, 2012: 71,400
> Number employed, 2022: 100,700
> Median annual income: $52,160
> Educational qualification: Associate’s degree
Physical
therapist assistants work for physical therapists to facilitate patient
treatment. The profession is expected to be among the fastest growing
occupations in America. Typically, their job includes observing,
stretching, monitoring, and educating the patients. According to the
BLS, demand for physical therapy in general is expected to rise due to
the greater needs of America’s aging population. Aging baby boomers may
require more rehabilitation services as they grow old. Additionally,
health conditions that are increasingly affecting the population, such
as obesity and diabetes, are expected to require greater rehabilitation
services.
9. Genetic Counselors
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 41.2%
> Number employed, 2012: 2,100
> Number employed, 2022: 3,000
> Median annual income: $56,800
> Educational qualification: Master’s degree
The
BLS estimates a 41.2% growth in the number of genetic counselors
between 2012 and 2022, more than double the rate of other health care
practitioners. This growth is largely due to technological advancements
in lab testing and genomics. Such development will allow genetic
counselors to more accurately assess “individual or family risks for a
variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders or birth
defects,” the BLS noted. And yet, the field will remain relatively
small. With only 2,100 people working as genetic counselors as of 2012,
the extremely fast growth will result in just 900 new jobs.
8. Occupational Therapy Assistants
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 42.6%
> Number employed, 2012: 30,300
> Number employed, 2022: 43,200
> Median annual income: $53,240
> Educational qualification: Associate’s degree
Like
other medical related occupations, the demand for occupational therapy
assistants is expected to rise the population ages. As baby boomers
become more prone to stroke or arthritis, they will require treatment
from an increased number of occupational therapy assistants. Therapy
assistants help their patients recover and maintain the skills needed
for daily living. Additionally, occupational therapists assistants will
be required to meet continued demand for the care of children and adults
with disabilities. The BLS expects the growing demand will result in a
nearly 43% job growth, well above the national job growth rate of 10.8%.
7. Masons’ Helpers
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 43.0%
> Number employed, 2012: 24,400
> Number employed, 2022: 34,900
> Median annual income: $28,220
> Educational qualification: Less than high school
Mason's
helpers provide assistance to lead masons, who make plans, read
blueprints, and lay out foundation patterns. As of 2012, there were only
24,400 people working as masons’ helpers. However, the BLS forecasts
that a post-recession rebound in construction will result in a large
increase in new schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, and other
buildings. This new construction will require a large number of workers
with training in building fences, walkways, and walls. The BLS estimates
that the need for onsite mason helpers should grow by 43% between 2012
and 2022, almost twice the growth rate of construction sector employment
as a whole. Despite the expected construction boom, the construction
sector, including mason’s helpers, is highly dependent on cyclical
factors.
6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 46.0%
> Number employed, 2012: 58,800
> Number employed, 2022: 85,900
> Median annual income: $65,860
> Educational qualification: Associate’s degree
Diagnostic
medical sonographers provide medical imaging of the human body’s organs
and tissues. Like other health occupations, demand for diagnostic
medical sonographers is expected to grow rapidly. As a large segment of
the population ages and the health care industry grows, the need for
diagnostic services will expand. Developments in medical imaging
technology will make procedures less expensive and invasive, resulting
in increased demand. The employment of medical sonographers is
anticipated to grow by about 27,000, or 46%.
5. Interpreters and Translators
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 46.1%
> Number employed, 2012: 63,600
> Number employed, 2022: 92,900
> Median annual income: $45,430
> Educational qualification: Bachelor’s degree
The
BLS pointed to increased globalization and greater diversity within the
United States as the primary driver of growth for the profession.
Although computers have greatly increased the efficiency and
productivity of interpreters and translators, technology cannot provide
the specific nuances of human translation. Demand will likely remain
strong for frequently translated languages, but most growth will likely
be due to greater need for translators in American Sign Language and
emerging market languages. According to the BLS, “growing international
trade and broadening global ties” will create new jobs for interpreters
and translators.
4. Mechanical Insulation Workers
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 46.7%
> Number employed, 2012: 28,900
> Number employed, 2022: 42,400
> Median annual income: $39,170
> Educational qualification: High school diploma
While
the BLS forecasts above average growth in construction employment, the
estimated growth rate of mechanical insulation workers is projected to
be more-than twice that, at 47%. Unlike other types of insulators,
mechanical insulation workers require greater specialty given the
challenges of applying insulation to pipes and ducts in all types of
buildings. Increased emphasis on energy efficiency will result in
growing demand for mechanical insulation workers instead of
non-mechanical insulation workers.
3. Home Health Aides
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 48.5%
> Number employed, 2012: 875,100
> Number employed, 2022: 1,299,300
> Median annual income: $20,820
> Educational qualification: Less than high school
An
aging population will likely result in a greater need for home health
aides, who provide individualized daily client care. The number of such
aides is expected to grow by over 48% in the 10 years from 2012 and
become one of the most commonly-held jobs by 2022. Home health aides
typically work for a medical institution and keep a record of services
performed and the client’s conditions, in addition to providing home
care and companionship. For elderly clients, home health care is
increasingly popular because it offers a “less expensive alternative to
nursing homes or hospitals,” the BLS notes.
2. Personal Care Aides
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 48.8%
> Number employed, 2012: 1,190,600
> Number employed, 2022: 1,771,400
> Median annual income: $19,190
> Educational qualification: Less than high school
Similar
to home health aides, personal care aides provide individualized home
health services to elderly clients living at home. However, personal
care aids are restricted to providing only basic medical services and
will often work in conjunction with nurses or social workers. The BLS
expects that over 580,000 jobs for personal care aides will be created
in the decade through 2022, the most out of any of America’s fastest
growing jobs. Yet, the median annual wage for personal care aids was
just $19,910 as of 2012, well below the nationwide median of $34,750 for
all occupations.
1. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
> Pct. change in employment 2012 - 2022: 53.4%
> Number employed, 2012: 1,600
> Number employed, 2022: 2,500
> Median annual income: $83,580
> Educational qualification: Master’s degree
Industrial
organizational psychologists are anticipated to be the fastest growing
job in the U.S. in the 10 years through 2022. The BLS estimates that in
the 10-year period through 2022, employment of industrial-organizational
psychologists will rise more than 53%, dramatically higher than the
growth rates for all jobs and for other psychologist professions. The
use of psychology is expected to increase across the nation as
individuals and institutions look for help in solving or managing
problems. Industrial-organizational psychologists address issues
relating to workplace productivity, organizational developments, and
employee screening. Becoming an industrial-organizational psychologist
typically requires a master’s degree, as well as an internship or
residency. Despite the forecast growth rate, the actual number of jobs
expected to be added is very small -- just 900 by 2022.
