Discover the Best Industries to Work In

Job growth, measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is a U.S. economic indicator that measures and tracks the number of new jobs created in the country in a variety of fields on a monthly basis. The BLS considers fields with a 9% or higher projected growth rate over the next 10 years to be growing faster than average. Below are the fastest-growing occupations in the job growth category:

Renewable energy

Wind turbines look like modern windmills. They’re huge machines that convert energy from wind currents into electricity. Wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, are responsible for inspecting and routinely maintaining the turbines, replacing worn-out or malfunctioning parts, testing and troubleshooting all mechanical components and systems, and collecting data for analysis and research. Solar photovoltaic installers (PV installers) are responsible for setting up and maintaining rooftop or other systems designed to convert sunlight into energy.

The BLS projects wind turbine technicians and PV installers to have the highest rate of job growth of all occupations by 2026. Wind turbine technician employment is projected to grow 61% over the next decade, with PV installation jobs growing 51% — both leaps and bounds beyond most occupations’ averages.

Health care

The health care industry covers everything from athletic trainers who specialize in diagnosing and preventing muscle and bone ailments to genetic counselors who assess and study an individual or a family’s risk for inherited conditions to veterinary technicians who run diagnostic tests on animals. Health care jobs often get grouped into five categories: hospitals, health care practitioners, nursing and residential care, home health care, and outpatient/laboratory services.

Because this industry includes so many different jobs, the BLS expects overall health care employment growth to average 15% in the next decade. The health care industry is projected to add more jobs than any other industry, mainly due to the aging population.

Cybersecurity

The importance of cybersecurity grows as more businesses use and share data on a regular basis. Information security analysts are responsible for planning and executing operations that protect an organization’s computer network and system. IT security analysts are also responsible for creating disaster recovery plans for a company’s IT staff to follow during emergencies. They must stay current with IT security technologies and methods people are using to invade computer systems. The BLS expects overall employment in this industry to grow 31% over the next decade.

Most of us value financial stability. Additionally, when a person is well-paid, they’re more likely to perform to their potential and feel valued by their employers. According to the BLS, the median income for a career or industry represents the halfway point of all salaries for that particular career. This means half the people who work in that field make less than the median income, and the other half make more. Below are some industries with high potentials for earning:

Learn more: Get a free, personalized salary estimate based on today’s job market

Portfolio management

Portfolio managers are responsible for building and maintaining investment strategies for individuals and families or corporate investors. They’re often referred to as financial managers, asset managers, wealth managers, and financial advisors. While portfolio management does involve buying and selling securities to follow a specific investment strategy or reach a client’s goals, a true portfolio manager typically focuses on the analytical aspect of investing, as opposed to sales.

According to the BLS, in 2019 the median yearly salary in the portfolio/financial management industry was $129,890.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that focuses on the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in mental health and are licensed to evaluate both the mental and physical elements of psychological issues. Psychiatrists work in a variety of environments, including clinics, psychiatric hospitals, private practice offices, university medical centers, and government and military settings. Though they sound similar, psychiatrists differ from psychologists in that they have medical degrees, specialties in psychiatry, and advanced qualifications from residency.

The average annual salary in the psychiatry industry was $220,430 in 2019.

Flight

Also known as aviators, pilots operate aircraft in a variety of sectors, including:

• Airlines: Passengers and cargo, transported on a fixed schedule
• Commercial: Charter flights, aerial tours, agricultural practices, etc.
• Military: Transporting troops and equipment to execute combat missions
• Private: Transporting private customers, such as professional sports teams, celebrities, and corporate executives

Typically, pilots are part of a crew that includes a captain and a co-pilot. Together, they are responsible for safely navigating aircraft and performing inspections. Many pilots are also instructors who use dual-controlled aircraft and flight simulators to teach students how to fly.

Commercial pilots must have a high school diploma and a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Airline pilots typically begin their careers as commercial pilots or instructors and then earn a bachelor’s degree and an FAA-issued Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

The 2019 median yearly salary in this industry was $121,430.

When considering jobs, three out of five people consider benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans one of their top priorities. While many people receive benefits at work, the quality of those benefits varies greatly, especially across different industries. Below are a few industries that offer employees the highest standard of benefits:

Education

The educational services industry comprises institutions such as schools, universities, trade schools, and training centers that provide instruction or training in a wide variety of subjects. Overall, the industry is responsible for helping students of all ages learn new skills, find purposeful employment, and precipitate economic growth. The education industry is vast and includes occupations ranging from curators and museum workers to high school teachers and college professors.

When it comes to benefits, the education industry is among those with the highest-rated parental leave.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is defined as the systematic fabrication, processing, and preparation of products from raw materials on a large scale through division of labor. This includes a wide variety of categories, such as aircraft, cars, apparel, chemicals, electronics, tools, dyes, and heavy machinery. The manufacturing industry employs workers from a full spectrum of skills and education levels, where you’ll find CEOs, accountants, sales workers, marketing specialists, engineers, secretaries, and customer service workers, among others.

The manufacturing industry offers some of the highest-rated 401(k) retirement benefits.

Business services

This industry encompasses many categories of business operations, all of which render nonfinancial services to other businesses. The business services industry includes but isn’t limited to marketing and advertising, logistics, staffing, administration, security, waste management, consulting, and travel. If you’re looking for free meals and snacks, the business service industry is among those with the best food-related benefits.

Job satisfaction involves any combination of environmental and psychological circumstances that compel a person to be happy with their job. Many factors can affect job satisfaction, including working conditions, opportunities, pay, recognition, and culture. The following industries rank highest in overall job satisfaction:

Marketing

Market researchers are marketing specialists responsible for collecting and analyzing consumer data to help companies improve and effectively promote their goods or services. This also involves researching competitors and their strategies. Typically, market researchers work for consulting firms contracted by large organizations, while others work for a company as part of its marketing team.

Contrary to what many believe, job satisfaction isn’t tied directly to salary. Pay in this industry varies widely based on employer, with a median of $63,120 and the top 10% coming in at $121,080.

Entertainment and the arts

People working in this creative industry include writers, musicians, painters, actors, and a variety of other visual artists. Job satisfaction in this sector is particularly high because those working in it are passionate about what they’re doing. The term “starving artist” exists for a reason, though — many people working in creative fields choose a flexible schedule over job stability. However, an abundance of artistic careers meet the key $75,000 per year mark, including:

• Producers and directors
• Fashion designers
• University arts teachers
• Animators
• Landscape architects
• Writers and authors

Human resources

Reporting one of the highest rates of job satisfaction, human resources (HR) professionals are typically responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing, employee relations, benefits, and training. HR specialists are trained in all human resources disciplines, but focus heavily on one area at a time, such as training or interviewing. HR generalists tend to work on a number of tasks simultaneously.

You can choose from thousands of rewarding and enjoyable jobs when selecting a career. Use this guide to figure out what you want from your professional life and get started.