Jobs expected to grow the most by 2026

Deciding which career to pursue after high school often involves carefully balancing passion and finance, which only becomes harder when the average college graduate holds around $37,000 in student-loan debt. For the last decade, educators from elementary schools to colleges are pushing more students toward the growing fields of science, technology, math, and engineering to better their chances of finding a good job once they enter the workforce. Critics worry the renewed focus on STEM will lead to sacrifices in other areas of U.S. education. Others see STEM as the future of the U.S. economy in the 21st century, with growth of over 20% in these fields compared to just 4% in non-STEM sectors.

STEM occupations may be the present for the U.S. job market, but will they continue to be the wave of the future? Stacker analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data comparing 2016 statistics to projections for 2026 to rank the 100 jobs that will see the most growth over the next eight years by percentage change in jobs. If two jobs had the same projected growth, the field that employed more people was ranked higher.

It looks like the U.S. will be riding the STEM wave for a while longer. The results reveal that over 90 of the 100 jobs on this list require some level of technical knowledge, from pipelayers to computer programmers. Read on to discover the few non-STEM jobs that managed to make the cut, and see why pursuing the health care field might be the safest bet if you're planning on job hunting in the next few years.

ALSO: Jobs expected to shrink the most by 2026

Divulgação Petrobras // Wikipedia

1 / 100

#100: Geological and petroleum technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 16.4%
Total employment in 2016: 15,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 17,400

U.S. Army

2 / 100

#99: Social and human service assistants

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 16.4%
Total employment in 2016: 389,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 453,600

Fred W. Baker III // USDOD

3 / 100

#98: Forensic science technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 16.8%
Total employment in 2016: 15,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 18,000

Ethan // Flickr

4 / 100

#97: Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 16.8%
Total employment in 2016: 3,452,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 4,032,100

Klaus Eichler // Wikicommons

5 / 100

#96: Film and video editors

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17%
Total employment in 2016: 34,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 40,000

USDA

6 / 100

#95: Counselors

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17%
Total employment in 2016: 744,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 870,700

Forestfolks // Flickr

7 / 100

#94: Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.2%
Total employment in 2016: 28,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 33,400

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum // Flickr

8 / 100

#93: Pipelayers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.2%
Total employment in 2016: 44,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 51,700

Pixabay

9 / 100

#92: Hazardous materials removal workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.2%
Total employment in 2016: 46,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 54,100

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade // Wikimedia Commons

10 / 100

#91: Miscellaneous health practitioners and technical workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.3%
Total employment in 2016: 70,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 83,100

Juan Ci // Shutterstock

11 / 100

#90: Interpreters and translators

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.7%
Total employment in 2016: 68,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 80,300

Staff Sgt. Taylor L. Marr // USAF

12 / 100

#89: Speech-language pathologists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.8%
Total employment in 2016: 145,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 171,000

Sergey Galyonkin // Flickr

13 / 100

#88: Software developers and programmers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.8%
Total employment in 2016: 1,714,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 2,019,600

Pixabay

14 / 100

#87: Optometrists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 17.9%
Total employment in 2016: 40,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 47,400

Pixabay

15 / 100

#86: Social and community service managers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18%
Total employment in 2016: 147,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 173,800

CDC Global // Flickr

16 / 100

#85: Community health workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18.1%
Total employment in 2016: 57,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 67,800

Pixabay

17 / 100

#84: Business teachers, postsecondary

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18.1%
Total employment in 2016: 104,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 123,000

Pixabay

18 / 100

#83: Helpers—pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18.6%
Total employment in 2016: 55,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 65,800

Sgt. Dani Salvatore // Wikimedia Commons

19 / 100

#82: Extraction workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18.6%
Total employment in 2016: 194,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 230,600

Pixabay

20 / 100

#81: Financial managers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18.7%
Total employment in 2016: 580,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 689,000

Pixabay

21 / 100

#80: Veterinarians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 18.8%
Total employment in 2016: 79,600
Total projected employment in 2026: 94,600

Maj. [Dr.] Dennis Holt // USAF

22 / 100

#79: Prosthodontists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.1%
Total employment in 2016: 900
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,100

Pixabay

23 / 100

#78: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.1%
Total employment in 2016: 6,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 8,100

Pixabay

24 / 100

#77: Dentists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.1%
Total employment in 2016: 153,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 182,800

Pixabay

25 / 100

#76: Personal care and service occupations

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.1%
Total employment in 2016: 6,419,700
Total projected employment in 2026: 7,647,400

Pixabay

26 / 100

#75: Computer and information research scientists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.2%
Total employment in 2016: 27,900
Total projected employment in 2026: 33,200

Pixabay

27 / 100

#74: Orthodontists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.3%
Total employment in 2016: 6,600
Total projected employment in 2026: 7,800

ESB Professional // Shutterstock

28 / 100

#73: Mental health and substance abuse social workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.3%
Total employment in 2016: 123,900
Total projected employment in 2026: 147,900

Cindy Funk // Flickr

29 / 100

#72: Cartographers and photogrammetrists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.4%
Total employment in 2016: 12,600
Total projected employment in 2026: 15,000

Pixabay

30 / 100

#71: Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.4%
Total employment in 2016: 83,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 100,000

Pixabay

31 / 100

#70: Dentists, general

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.4%
Total employment in 2016: 132,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 158,500

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

32 / 100

#69: Hearing aid specialists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.5%
Total employment in 2016: 6,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 8,200

Pixabay

33 / 100

#68: Ophthalmic medical technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.5%
Total employment in 2016: 44,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 53,200

Pixabay

34 / 100

#67: Dental assistants

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.5%
Total employment in 2016: 332,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 396,600

Staff Sgt. Joshua Kleinholz // USAF

35 / 100

#66: Earth drillers, except oil and gas

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.6%
Total employment in 2016: 19,600
Total projected employment in 2026: 23,500

Airman 1st Class Chester Mientkiewicz // USAF

36 / 100

#65: Helpers—extraction workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.7%
Total employment in 2016: 17,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 20,300

santypan // Shutterstock

37 / 100

#64: Health technologists and technicians, all other

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.7%
Total employment in 2016: 127,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 152,900

Cukierspace // Wikimedia Commons

38 / 100

#63: Dental hygienists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.7%
Total employment in 2016: 207,900
Total projected employment in 2026: 248,900

Pixabay

39 / 100

#62: Miscellaneous health technologists and technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.8%
Total employment in 2016: 142,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 170,600

Pixabay

40 / 100

#61: Therapists, all other

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 19.9%
Total employment in 2016: 24,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 28,900

Pixabay

41 / 100

#60: Veterinary technologists and technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 20%
Total employment in 2016: 102,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 122,400

Pixabay

42 / 100

#59: Health care social workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 20.1%
Total employment in 2016: 176,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 212,000

Pixabay

43 / 100

#58: Medical and health services managers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 20.5%
Total employment in 2016: 352,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 424,300

Pixabay

44 / 100

#57: Nurse midwives

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 20.7%
Total employment in 2016: 6,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 7,800

Pixabay

45 / 100

#56: Audiologists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 20.7%
Total employment in 2016: 14,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 17,800

Sanjay Acharya // Wikimedia Commons

46 / 100

#55: Wellhead pumpers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 21.7%
Total employment in 2016: 11,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 14,000

Pixabay

47 / 100

#54: Miscellaneous health care support occupations

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 21.7%
Total employment in 2016: 1,418,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,727,400

Pixabay

48 / 100

#53: Animal care and service workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 21.8%
Total employment in 2016: 296,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 361,000

Pixabay

49 / 100

#52: Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 21.9%
Total employment in 2016: 17,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 21,100

USN

50 / 100

#51: Orthotists and prosthetists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 22.2%
Total employment in 2016: 7,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,500

Pixabay

51 / 100

#50: Other health care support occupations

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 22.2%
Total employment in 2016: 1,579,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,929,800

Pixabay

52 / 100

#49: Actuaries

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 22.5%
Total employment in 2016: 23,600
Total projected employment in 2026: 28,900

Pixabay

53 / 100

#48: Medical secretaries

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 22.5%
Total employment in 2016: 574,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 703,200

Pixabay

54 / 100

#47: Athletic trainers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 22.8%
Total employment in 2016: 27,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 34,100

Pixabay

55 / 100

#46: Therapists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 22.8%
Total employment in 2016: 723,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 888,000

Pixabay

56 / 100

#45: Other personal care and service workers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23%
Total employment in 2016: 4,129,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 5,077,900

Pixabay

57 / 100

#44: Mental health counselors

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.1%
Total employment in 2016: 157,700
Total projected employment in 2026: 194,200

Leval // Wikimedia Commons

58 / 100

#43: Diagnostic medical sonographers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.2%
Total employment in 2016: 67,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 82,900

Pixabay

59 / 100

#42: Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.2%
Total employment in 2016: 102,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 126,200

Pixabay

60 / 100

#41: Market research analysts and marketing specialists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.2%
Total employment in 2016: 595,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 733,700

Pixabay

61 / 100

#40: Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.4%
Total employment in 2016: 41,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 51,100

USDA // Flickr

62 / 100

#39: Marriage and family therapists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.4%
Total employment in 2016: 41,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 51,200

Medill DC // Flickr

63 / 100

#38: Respiratory therapists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.4%
Total employment in 2016: 130,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 160,600

USN // Wikimedia Commons

64 / 100

#37: Health care support occupations

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.6%
Total employment in 2016: 4,315,600
Total projected employment in 2026: 5,335,200

Pixabay

65 / 100

#36: Occupational therapists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 23.8%
Total employment in 2016: 130,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 161,400

COD Newsroom // Flickr

66 / 100

#35: Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24%
Total employment in 2016: 67,900
Total projected employment in 2026: 84,200

Raimond Spekking // Wikimedia Commons

67 / 100

#34: Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24%
Total employment in 2016: 69,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 85,800

Pixabay

68 / 100

#33: Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24%
Total employment in 2016: 2,549,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 3,162,400

BSEE // Flickr

69 / 100

#32: Rotary drill operators, oil and gas

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24.2%
Total employment in 2016: 16,700
Total projected employment in 2026: 20,800

RadioFan // Wikimedia Commons

70 / 100

#31: Nonfarm animal caretakers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24.2%
Total employment in 2016: 241,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 300,000

HYS_NP // Shutterstock

71 / 100

#30: Phlebotomists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24.5%
Total employment in 2016: 122,700
Total projected employment in 2026: 152,800

USN Seaman Joseph A. Boomhower // Wikimedia Commons

72 / 100

#29: Occupational therapy aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24.7%
Total employment in 2016: 7,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 9,300

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health // Wikimedia Commons

73 / 100

#28: Roustabouts, oil and gas

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 24.8%
Total employment in 2016: 50,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 62,400

*christopher* // Wikimedia Commons

74 / 100

#27: Health teachers, postsecondary

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 25.5%
Total employment in 2016: 301,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 378,300

Ian Mantel // Wikimedia Commons

75 / 100

#26: Derrick operators, oil and gas

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 25.7%
Total employment in 2016: 11,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 13,900

George Serdechny // Wikimedia Commons

76 / 100

#25: Health specialties teachers, postsecondary

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 25.9%
Total employment in 2016: 233,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 294,000

Pixabay

77 / 100

#24: Massage therapists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 26.3%
Total employment in 2016: 160,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 202,400

Staff Sgt. Mike Meares // USAF

78 / 100

#23: Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 26.6%
Total employment in 2016: 1,700
Total projected employment in 2026: 2,200

Pixabay

79 / 100

#22: Operations research analysts

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 27.4%
Total employment in 2016: 114,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 145,300

Pixabay

80 / 100

#21: Mathematical science occupations

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 27.9%
Total employment in 2016: 180,700
Total projected employment in 2026: 231,000

Pixabay

81 / 100

#20: Physical therapists

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 28%
Total employment in 2016: 239,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 306,900

Andre’ Askew // USAF

82 / 100

#19: Occupational therapy assistants and aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 28.3%
Total employment in 2016: 46,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 60,000

Susan Lawson // USAF

83 / 100

#18: Information security analysts

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 28.5%
Total employment in 2016: 100,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 128,500

Andre’ Askew // USAF

84 / 100

#17: Occupational therapy assistants

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 28.9%
Total employment in 2016: 39,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 50,700

Steve Pivnick // USAF

85 / 100

#16: Genetic counselors

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 29%
Total employment in 2016: 3,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 4,000

Pixabay

86 / 100

#15: Medical assistants

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 29%
Total employment in 2016: 634,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 818,400

Moritz Poll // Wikimedia Commons

87 / 100

#14: Bicycle repairers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 29.3%
Total employment in 2016: 12,400
Total projected employment in 2026: 16,100

Pixabay

88 / 100

#13: Physical therapist aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 29.4%
Total employment in 2016: 52,000
Total projected employment in 2026: 67,200

Mathematical Association of America // Flickr

89 / 100

#12: Mathematicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 29.7%
Total employment in 2016: 3,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 4,000

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade // Wikimedia Commons

90 / 100

#11: Occupational therapy and physical therapist assistants and aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 29.9%
Total employment in 2016: 187,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 243,000

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade // Flickr

91 / 100

#10: Physical therapist assistants and aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 30.4%
Total employment in 2016: 140,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 183,000

Matthew // Wikimedia Commons

92 / 100

#9: Software developers, applications

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 30.7%
Total employment in 2016: 831,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,086,600

Josep Suria // Shutterstock

93 / 100

#8: Physical therapist assistants

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 31%
Total employment in 2016: 88,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 115,800

2010 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships // Flickr

94 / 100

#7: Statisticians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 33.8%
Total employment in 2016: 37,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 49,800

U.S. Department of State // Flickr

95 / 100

#6: Nurse practitioners

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 36.1%
Total employment in 2016: 155,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 211,600

Robert Shields // USAF

96 / 100

#5: Physician assistants

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 37.3%
Total employment in 2016: 106,200
Total projected employment in 2026: 145,900

agilemktg1 // Flickr

97 / 100

#4: Personal care aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 38.6%
Total employment in 2016: 2,016,100
Total projected employment in 2026: 2,793,800

Myfuture.com // Flickr

98 / 100

#3: Home health aides

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 47.3%
Total employment in 2016: 911,500
Total projected employment in 2026: 1,342,700

Pixabay

99 / 100

#2: Wind turbine service technicians

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 96.3%
Total employment in 2016: 5,800
Total projected employment in 2026: 11,300

Pixabay

100 / 100

#1: Solar photovoltaic installers

Projected percent change in employment between 2016 and 2026: 104.9%
Total employment in 2016: 11,300
Total projected employment in 2026: 23,100