Aiming to pursue the American Dream? It’s wise to plan ahead. While career opportunities in the States are wide-ranging, some roles are more in-demand than others. Here’s an overview of the most needed jobs in the USA.
Current Job Market Overview
In recent years, job vacancies in America have surged to record levels. With around 10 million positions currently open, it is an excellent time to consider a career in the country. Many roles are expected to become even more needed over the next few years.
Job Roles with the Most Vacancies
Healthcare and Social Assistance: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare and social assistance are the top sectors with job openings. As of July 2023, there were around 1.71 million vacancies in this area, nearly one in five of all job openings in the country.
Jobs in this category include specialist medical roles and support positions, such as:
- Doctors
- Dentists
- Surgeons
- Speech therapists
- Administrative roles like secretaries, managers, and transcribers
Home Healthcare: Demand in home healthcare is particularly high, with around 684,000 openings expected each year until 2032. This sector reflects a shift towards healthcare being provided in home and community settings.
Nursing: Registered nurse jobs are projected to grow by 177,000 between 2022 and 2032. Nurse practitioners are expected to see the second-fastest growth, with an additional 119,000 jobs by 2032.
For those interested in healthcare careers, explore our guide to the top medical schools in the USA.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: With 1.44 million job openings, this sector includes roles like truck drivers, warehouse operators, cashiers, and utilities workers. There is a high demand for individuals with engineering degrees in utilities.
Interested in this field? Check out our guide to the best engineering schools in the USA.
Professional and Business Services: This broad category includes jobs from lawyers and accountants to security guards and cleaners. In 2022, there were 826,000 positions for lawyers and this number is expected to grow by 62,000 by 2032. Positions for accountants and auditors are projected to increase by 67,000, reaching over 1.53 million.
Explore more with our guides to the best law schools and business schools in the USA.
Fastest-Growing Jobs in the USA
Here are the top five fastest-growing jobs and their projected growth rates (2022-2032):
| Job Title | Projected Growth Rate (%) | Projected Job Numbers (2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Turbine Service Technician | 45% | 16,200 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 45% | 384,900 |
| Data Scientist | 35% | 228,200 |
| Statistician | 32% | 43,900 |
| Information Security Analyst | 32% | 222,200 |
Jobs with the Greatest Growth in the USA
The following jobs are expected to see the greatest numerical growth (2022-2032):
| Job Title | Projected Number of New Jobs | Projected Job Numbers (2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | 804,600 | 4,520,100 |
| Software Developer | 410,400 | 2,004,900 |
| Restaurant Cook | 277,600 | 1,638,900 |
| Stocker/Order Filler | 178,600 | 3,030,300 |
| Registered Nurse | 177,400 | 3,349,900 |
STEM Careers
Many of the most in-demand jobs are in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). For more opportunities in these areas, check out our list of top careers for STEM graduates.
Jobs That Help You Get a USA Visa
The USA doesn’t have an official list of jobs that support visa applications but offers employment-based visas for certain qualifications and skills. About 40,000 visas are allocated annually for:
- EB-1: Priority Workers and Persons of Extraordinary Ability
- EB-2: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability
- EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers
For more on post-study work options, see our guide to applying for a post-study visa in the USA.
Conclusion
Planning to work in the USA post-education? Explore our guides to top graduate jobs and cities with the best job markets. If you’re ready to start your journey, contact SIEC for personalized guidance on pursuing your dream career in the USA.