Fastest-growing jobs in Washington DC

Written by:
April 15, 2024
Stacker // Canva

Fastest-growing jobs in Washington DC

With the country eager to put the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the American economy continued to boom in 2023. The national unemployment rate remained around 3.6%, while the total number of people employed grew to roughly 152 million, up from 148 million in 2022.

The economy has seen several significant changes in recent years. Many people are leaving expensive coastal states such as California and New York and moving to more affordable places in the Mountain West region and the South, buoyed by companies that have embraced remote work. What's more, in a reversal of past trends, wages grew the fastest for lower-earning workers.

Stacker analyzed jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the fastest-growing jobs in Washington D.C. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2022 and 2023. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Washington D.C.

1 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#50. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +5.5% (60 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,150
--- Employment in 2022: 1,090
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $67,700

2 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#49. Teachers and instructors, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +5.9% (60 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,080
--- Employment in 2022: 1,020
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $81,200

3 / 50
Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock

#48. Logisticians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +5.9% (70 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Employment in 2022: 1,180
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $105,330

4 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#47. Medical and health services managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +6.1% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,900
--- Employment in 2022: 1,790
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $144,350

5 / 50
Canva

#46. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +6.6% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,460
--- Employment in 2022: 1,370
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $130,770

6 / 50
DGLimages // Shutterstock

#45. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +7.0% (80 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,230
--- Employment in 2022: 1,150
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $82,040

7 / 50
Canva

#44. Stockers and order fillers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +7.1% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,320
--- Employment in 2022: 3,100
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $38,670

8 / 50
ImageFlow // Shutterstock

#43. Accountants and auditors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +7.9% (830 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 11,310
--- Employment in 2022: 10,480
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $101,940

9 / 50
Canva

#42. General and operations managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +7.9% (2,540 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 34,580
--- Employment in 2022: 32,040
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $162,990

10 / 50
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

#41. Software developers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +9.1% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,470
--- Employment in 2022: 7,760
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $140,360

11 / 50
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

#40. Network and computer systems administrators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +11.0% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,710
--- Employment in 2022: 1,540
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $110,140

12 / 50
VH-studio // Shutterstock

#39. Child, family, and school social workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +11.9% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,920
--- Employment in 2022: 2,610
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $73,560

13 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#38. Human resources managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +11.9% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,160
--- Employment in 2022: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $171,220

14 / 50
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#37. Chefs and head cooks

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +12.7% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,770
--- Employment in 2022: 1,570
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $69,410

15 / 50
Canva

#36. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +12.8% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,500
--- Employment in 2022: 1,330
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $43,200

16 / 50
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

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

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +13.4% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,390
--- Employment in 2022: 2,990
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $57,520

17 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#34. Computer network architects

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +13.7% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,160
--- Employment in 2022: 1,020
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $133,890

18 / 50
Canva

#33. Carpenters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.7% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Employment in 2022: 1,020
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $63,290

19 / 50
aboutsung // Shutterstock

#32. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.6% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,780
--- Employment in 2022: 3,270
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $38,890

20 / 50
Canva

#31. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.9% (2,010 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 14,640
--- Employment in 2022: 12,630
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,660

21 / 50
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#30. Meeting, convention, and event planners

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.2% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,300
--- Employment in 2022: 1,980
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $69,990

22 / 50
Canva

#29. Sales managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.5% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,620
--- Employment in 2022: 1,390
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $138,680

23 / 50
PR Image Factory // Shutterstock

#28. Operations research analysts

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.8% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,230
--- Employment in 2022: 1,910
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $109,990

24 / 50
Canva

#27. Preschool teachers, except special education

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.2% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,250
--- Employment in 2022: 1,920
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $49,030

25 / 50
New Africa // Shutterstock

#26. First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.4% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,550
--- Employment in 2022: 1,320
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $52,710

26 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#25. Fundraisers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.6% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,410
--- Employment in 2022: 2,050
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $78,150

27 / 50
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

#24. Physicians, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.8% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,260
--- Employment in 2022: 1,070
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

28 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#23. Education administrators, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +18.5% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,600
--- Employment in 2022: 1,350
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $110,100

29 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#22. Public relations managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +20.4% (1,390 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,220
--- Employment in 2022: 6,830
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $183,500

30 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#21. Marketing managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +21.1% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,330
--- Employment in 2022: 2,750
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $156,750

31 / 50
Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#20. Social science research assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +21.3% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,390
--- Employment in 2022: 1,970
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $65,460

32 / 50
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock

#19. Cooks, fast food

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +25.6% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,010
--- Employment in 2022: 1,600
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $35,250

33 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#18. Legal support workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +26.0% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,890
--- Employment in 2022: 1,500
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $79,710

34 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17. Waiters and waitresses

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.6% (2,730 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 11,640
--- Employment in 2022: 8,910
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,390

35 / 50
Canva

#16. News analysts, reporters, and journalists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +31.2% (590 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,480
--- Employment in 2022: 1,890
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $86,130

36 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#15. Retail salespersons

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +33.7% (1,170 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 4,640
--- Employment in 2022: 3,470
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,380

37 / 50
Lopolo // Shutterstock

#14. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +34.0% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Employment in 2022: 970
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $78,660

38 / 50
Rawpixel.com //Shutterstock

#13. Web and digital interface designers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +34.1% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Employment in 2022: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $104,410

39 / 50
Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#12. Medical assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.1% (670 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Employment in 2022: 1,910
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $48,710

40 / 50
BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock

#11. Fast food and counter workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.6% (2,210 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,420
--- Employment in 2022: 6,210
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,010

41 / 50
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#10. Social and human service assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.6% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Employment in 2022: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $55,750

42 / 50
Flamingo Images // Shutterstock

#9. Concierges

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.8% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,900
--- Employment in 2022: 2,090
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,110

43 / 50
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#8. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.0% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,890
--- Employment in 2022: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $47,800

44 / 50
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#7. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +50.0% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,150
--- Employment in 2022: 2,100
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,010

45 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#6. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +50.9% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,720
--- Employment in 2022: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,400

46 / 50
Canva

#5. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +51.8% (1,130 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,310
--- Employment in 2022: 2,180
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $74,270

47 / 50
Canva

#4. Cooks, restaurant

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +53.6% (2,430 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 6,960
--- Employment in 2022: 4,530
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $38,120

48 / 50
Freedomz // Shutterstock

#3. Health technologists and technicians, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +59.2% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Employment in 2022: 760
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $54,700

49 / 50
Canva

#2. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +76.4% (680 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,570
--- Employment in 2022: 890
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $123,360

50 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#1. Political science teachers, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +115.5% (670 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Employment in 2022: 580
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $93,290

This story features data reporting and writing by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

Trending Now