Trends in Occupations - Fastest Growing Occupations

The chart above shows the occupations likely to grow most rapidly in the 2000 to 2010 period. Growth is shown in percentages. The fastest growing occupations reflect our changing society. Most of the occupations involve computers or health care. In looking at such projections, it is well to remember that they are made by knowledgeable people peering ahead at the unknowable future — and reflect perceptions of trends at the time the projections are made. Events — such as those of September 11, 2001 — could clearly cause changes in these perceptions and in occupational outcomes ten years out.

The worldwide web is, technologically, the dominant phenomenon of the early 21st century. Computers touch nearly every facet of our lives. As businesses expand and new ones develop, the need to improve and develop new systems and software arises. As a result, the need for more computer professionals — especially software engineers, networking experts, database administrators, and systems managers — is predicted.

Medical advances and an emphasis on preventive care and healthy living have caused people to live longer and healthier lives. As a result, there will be an increased need for workers in the health and wellness fields. The rise in popularity of health clubs and fitness centers has created a high demand for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors.

Aging Baby Boomers are creating an increase in the elderly population. Certain surgical advances have created an increased need for physical and occupational therapy aides and assistants. The increased risk of suffering a debilitating stroke has created a greater need for physical and occupational therapy in this population. All this creates an even higher demand for physical and occupational therapy assistants.

More families are choosing to take care of elderly relatives in their homes. This demand is increasing the call for home care aides.

The demand for physicians' assistants is also high, stimulated by the shortage of physicians (medical school applications are down 26% over the last 5 years²). Because physicians' assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of the physician, patients with less serious illnesses may be treated by physicians' assistants, so that the physicians have the time to spend with patients who have more serious health problems.

More patients and increased paperwork from insurance companies are creating a high demand for medical assistants and medical records and health information technicians. In doctors' offices with many patients, there may be multiple medical assistants to take care of all the clerical tasks so that the office runs smoothly. Medical assistants may also handle tasks that once were performed by nurses. They administer lab tests, draw blood, remove sutures and change dressings. As the shortage of nurses grows, the demand for medical assistants to do some of the simpler tasks nurses used to do will increase.

The next panel examines the 20 occupations that will decline most in the next decade.

Source: Chart data: Hecker, Daniel E. "Occupational employment projections to 2010." Monthly Labor Review, November 2001. Physician assistant and medical assistant data: U.S. Bureau of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook 2002-03 Edition. Barbara Martinez. "Some Doctors Say They May Stop Seeing Medicare Patients After Cuts." Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2002.