Fastest-growing Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree

Prostock-studio // Shutterstock

Fastest-growing jobs that don't require a college degree

Having a good job doesn't always require a college degree. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 37% of 2024 high school graduates opted out of attending college, up from 33.8% in 2019. Instead of going to college, these workers are filling labor shortages created by retiring baby boomers and a trend to reshore manufacturing within the U.S.

Companies are also reexamining degree requirements across entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions. In a May 2025 survey from ResumeTemplates, 1 in 4 hiring managers stated that their companies would eliminate degree requirements by the end of 2025 and emphasize relevant experience over college education.

That's good news for those who don't want to go the college route, but finding a job could be a challenge in a softening market. Unemployment is slowly rising and hit 4.3% in August 2025, its highest rate since October 2021. According to the BLS, from January to August 2025, the monthly number of job openings also decreased by nearly 7%, and monthly hires dropped by 4.6%.

Even with a hiring slowdown, some sectors are still experiencing robust growth, with a high demand for workers. Stacker ranked the top 50 fastest-growing jobs that do not generally require a college degree, using 2024 data from the BLS Employment Projections. Occupations are ranked by percentage change in jobs between 2024 and 2034.

These jobs span a wide range of industries, from transportation to health care. Some jobs, including roles in food service, require little to no training. Others, such as those in the trades, typically call for more intensive on-the-job training or apprenticeships.

Read on to learn about the many career possibilities available to those without a college degree.

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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#50. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 1,215,000
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +73,000
- 2024 median annual income: $42,010

Department of Labor job description: "Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food."

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fizkes // Shutterstock

#49. Farm labor contractors

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 3,900
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +200
- 2024 median annual income: $48,690

Department of Labor job description: "Recruit and hire seasonal or temporary agricultural laborers. May transport, house, and provide meals for workers."

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Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#48. Private detectives and investigators

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 43,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,600
- 2024 median annual income: $52,370

Department of Labor job description: "Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment."

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PHILIPIMAGE // Shutterstock

#47. Motorboat mechanics and service technicians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 26,200
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +1,600
- 2024 median annual income: $54,950

Department of Labor job description: "Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines."

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Standret // Shutterstock

#46. Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 35,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,100
- 2024 median annual income: Data not available

Department of Labor job description: "All entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately."

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Studio Romantic // Shutterstock

#45. Choreographers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 4,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +300
- 2024 median annual income: $55,600

Department of Labor job description: "Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations."

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goodluz // Shutterstock

#44. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 216,700
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +13,100
- 2024 median annual income: $102,010

Department of Labor job description: "Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers."

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Kuznetsov Dmitriy // Shutterstock

#43. Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.2%
- Total employment in 2024: 41,700
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,600
- 2024 median annual income: $45,690

Department of Labor job description: "Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials."

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GaudiLab // Shutterstock

#42. First-line supervisors of entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.3%
- Total employment in 2024: 123,300
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +7,800
- 2024 median annual income: $46,900

Department of Labor job description: "Directly supervise and coordinate activities of entertainment and recreation related workers."

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Motortion Films // Shutterstock

#41. Personal care and service workers, all other

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 94,400
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +6,000
- 2024 median annual income: $37,900

Department of Labor job description: "All personal care and service workers not listed separately."

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Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#40. Social and human service assistants

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 449,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +28,900
- 2024 median annual income: $45,120

Department of Labor job description: "Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care."

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Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#39. Food service managers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 352,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +22,600
- 2024 median annual income: $65,310

Department of Labor job description: "Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages."

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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#38. Pharmacy technicians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 490,400
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +31,500
- 2024 median annual income: $43,460

Department of Labor job description: "Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders."

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SpeedKingz // Shutterstock

#37. Personal service managers, all other

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 25,100
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +1,600
- 2024 median annual income: $61,340

Department of Labor job description: "All personal service managers not listed separately."

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Luisa Leal Photography // Shutterstock

#36. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.6%
- Total employment in 2024: 127,400
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +8,400
- 2024 median annual income: $92,560

Department of Labor job description: "Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy-duty transmission towers."

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Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#35. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.7%
- Total employment in 2024: 243,900
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +16,400
- 2024 median annual income: $36,670

Department of Labor job description: "Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on a planned or scheduled basis. May collect a fare. Includes nonemergency medical transporters and hearse drivers."

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fizkes // Shutterstock

#34. First-line supervisors of personal service workers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.7%
- Total employment in 2024: 149,100
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +10,000
- 2024 median annual income: $47,080

Department of Labor job description: "Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers."

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Kitreel // Shutterstock

#33. Food batchmakers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 6.9%
- Total employment in 2024: 173,500
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +11,900
- 2024 median annual income: $40,790

Department of Labor job description: "Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers."

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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#32. Chefs and head cooks

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 7.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 197,300
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +14,000
- 2024 median annual income: $60,990

Department of Labor job description: "Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts."

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Parilov // Shutterstock

#31. Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 7.2%
- Total employment in 2024: 7,100
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +500
- 2024 median annual income: $40,160

Department of Labor job description: "Operate or tend equipment such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to cool or freeze products, food, blood plasma, and chemicals."

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#30. Light truck drivers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 7.3%
- Total employment in 2024: 1,079,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +78,900
- 2024 median annual income: $44,140

Department of Labor job description: "Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle."

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Randy Hergenrether // Shutterstock

#29. Construction laborers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 7.3%
- Total employment in 2024: 1,457,000
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +106,500
- 2024 median annual income: $46,730

Department of Labor job description: "Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers."

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Steve Hamann // Shutterstock

#28. Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 7.6%
- Total employment in 2024: 30,400
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,300
- 2024 median annual income: $49,140

Department of Labor job description: "Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping."

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Peter Braakmann // Shutterstock

#27. Agricultural equipment operators

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 7.7%
- Total employment in 2024: 65,200
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +5,000
- 2024 median annual income: $42,580

Department of Labor job description: "Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning."

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#26. Tour and travel guides

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 55,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +4,500
- 2024 median annual income: $36,660

Department of Labor job description: "Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries."

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#25. Couriers and messengers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.2%
- Total employment in 2024: 247,200
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +20,400
- 2024 median annual income: $38,340

Department of Labor job description: "Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance."

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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#24. Stockers and order fillers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 2,764,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +235,000
- 2024 median annual income: $37,090

Department of Labor job description: "Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays."

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#23. Cargo and freight agents

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 100,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +8,600
- 2024 median annual income: $49,900

Department of Labor job description: "Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs."

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Wipas Rojjanakard // Shutterstock

#22. Occupational health and safety technicians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 31,900
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,700
- 2024 median annual income: $58,440

Department of Labor job description: "Collect data on work environments for analysis by occupational health and safety specialists. Implement and conduct evaluation of programs designed to limit chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks to workers."

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ORION PRODUCTION // Shutterstock

#21. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.7%
- Total employment in 2024: 117,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +10,300
- 2024 median annual income: $37,320

Department of Labor job description: "Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists."

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#20. Driver/sales workers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 8.8%
- Total employment in 2024: 451,500
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +39,800
- 2024 median annual income: $37,130

Department of Labor job description: "Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery."

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4 PM production // Shutterstock

#19. Flight attendants

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 9.2%
- Total employment in 2024: 130,800
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +12,100
- 2024 median annual income: $67,130

Department of Labor job description: "Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents."

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Fusionstudio // Shutterstock

#18. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 9.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 33,700
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +3,200
- 2024 median annual income: $54,340

Department of Labor job description: "Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors."

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Etaphop photo // Shutterstock

#17. Electricians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 9.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 818,700
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +77,400
- 2024 median annual income: $62,350

Department of Labor job description: "Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems."

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Medical equipment preparers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 10.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 76,500
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +7,600
- 2024 median annual income: $46,490

Department of Labor job description: "Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment."

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mahc // Shutterstock

#15. Tile and stone setters

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 10.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 52,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +5,300
- 2024 median annual income: $52,240

Department of Labor job description: "Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks."

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GolF2532 // Shutterstock

#14. Security and fire alarm systems installers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 10.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 85,900
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +8,900
- 2024 median annual income: $59,300

Department of Labor job description: "Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes."

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#13. Semiconductor processing technicians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 10.9%
- Total employment in 2024: 31,900
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +3,500
- 2024 median annual income: $51,180

Department of Labor job description: "Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties."

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welcomia // Shutterstock

#12. Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 11.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 39,000
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +4,300
- 2024 median annual income: $52,080

Department of Labor job description: "Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems."

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Cameris // Shutterstock

#11. Taxi drivers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 11.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 204,000
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +22,600
- 2024 median annual income: $36,220

Department of Labor job description: "Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on an unplanned basis and charge a fare, usually based on a meter."

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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#10. Community health workers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 11.3%
- Total employment in 2024: 65,100
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +7,400
- 2024 median annual income: $51,030

Department of Labor job description: "Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs."

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Aleksandar Malivuk // Shutterstock

#9. Mechanical door repairers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 11.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 28,400
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +3,200
- 2024 median annual income: $51,050

Department of Labor job description: "Install, service, or repair automatic door mechanisms and hydraulic doors. Includes garage door mechanics."

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welcomia // Shutterstock

#8. Recreational vehicle service technicians

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 11.5%
- Total employment in 2024: 19,500
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,200
- 2024 median annual income: $50,540

Department of Labor job description: "Diagnose, inspect, adjust, repair, or overhaul recreational vehicles including travel trailers. May specialize in maintaining gas, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, or chassis/towing systems as well as repairing generators, appliances, and interior components. Includes workers who perform customized van conversions."

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Lucky Business // Shutterstock

#7. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 11.9%
- Total employment in 2024: 370,100
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +44,100
- 2024 median annual income: $46,180

Department of Labor job description: "Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise."

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NancyS // Shutterstock

#6. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 14.6%
- Total employment in 2024: 2,900
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +400
- 2024 median annual income: $52,380

Department of Labor job description: "Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions."

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Paolo Bona // Shutterstock

#5. Cooks, restaurant

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 14.9%
- Total employment in 2024: 1,460,200
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +217,000
- 2024 median annual income: $36,830

Department of Labor job description: "Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu."

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SritanaN // Shutterstock

#4. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 16.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 439,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +70,700
- 2024 median annual income: $63,760

Department of Labor job description: "Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans."

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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#3. Home health and personal care aides

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 17.0%
- Total employment in 2024: 4,347,700
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +739,800
- 2024 median annual income: $34,900

Department of Labor job description: "Monitor the health status of an individual with disabilities or illness, and address their health-related needs, such as changing bandages, dressing wounds, or administering medication. Work is performed under the direction of offsite or intermittent onsite licensed nursing staff. Provide assistance with routine healthcare tasks or activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, or ambulation. May also help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry depending on the patient's abilities."

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wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#2. Hearing aid specialists

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 18.4%
- Total employment in 2024: 10,700
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +2,000
- 2024 median annual income: $61,560

Department of Labor job description: "Select and fit hearing aids for customers. Administer and interpret tests of hearing. Assess hearing instrument efficacy. Take ear impressions and prepare, design, and modify ear molds."

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anatoliy_gleb // Shutterstock

#1. Solar photovoltaic installers

- Projected job growth rate, 2024-34: 42.1%
- Total employment in 2024: 28,600
- Projected employment change, 2024-34: +12,000
- 2024 median annual income: $51,860

Department of Labor job description: "Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks."

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