Education Requirements for the Decade's Fastest Growing Jobs
As industries evolve, certain jobs become more crucial than ever! Choosing a degree that leads to occupations with rapid growth ensures greater job security, even in the face of economic fluctuations.
Erudera.com understands that the landscape of the job market is rapidly evolving and that in the next years, it will be shaped by emerging technologies. Which is why we have made a list of the fastest growing jobs of the decade with higher education requirements.
Our team has analyzed these fastest-growing occupations, revealing that 8 out of the top 20 fastest-growing jobs in the US require a college degree.
Let’s explore the commonalities among these occupations and shed light on the educational paths aspiring professionals should consider.
Highlights
- Only 3 out of these 8 fastest-growing jobs need a master’s degree to get a foot in the job market. At least a master’s degree is required to become a Nurse Practitioner, Statistician, or Physician Assistant.
- Individuals can enter the field of web development even if they only have a high school diploma.
- Nurse Practitioners have the highest job growth rate, with an estimated 46% growth within this decade (2021-31).
- Typically, no experience is required to enter the job market in these fields, except for occupations like Information Security Analysts and Medical and Health Services Managers, which require less than five years of relevant experience.
- Physician Assistants are the highest-paid occupation in this list, with a median salary of $126,010 per year.
- The lowest-paid occupation in this list belongs to Logisticians, with a median salary of $77,520 per year.
Here are the education requirements for the fastest-growing jobs of the decade, along with other complementary details for each occupation:
| Occupation | Degree Needed | Growth Rate, 2021-31* | Experience | Median Annual Salary (BLS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | At least a master’s degree in one of the APRN roles. | 46% | None | $121,610 |
| Data Scientists | At least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field to enter the occupation. | 36% | None | $ 103,500 |
| Information Security Analysts | A bachelor’s degree in a computer science field | 35% | Yes, less than 5 years | $112,000 |
| Statisticians | At least a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics | 33% | None | 98,924 |
| Web Developers | Ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. | 30% | None | $78,580 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | Bachelor's degree in a subject such as healthcare management | 28% | Yes, less than 5 years | $104,830 |
| Logisticians | A bachelor’s degree in logistics | 28% | None | $77,520 |
| Physician Assistants | A master's degree in physician assistant (PA) studies. | 28% | None | $126,010 |
Common Characteristics of Fastest-Growing Jobs Requiring a Degree in the US
- Level of education requirements. All these professions demand a higher level of education, usually at least a bachelor's degree, and often require additional certifications or a master's degree, such as Nurse Practitioners, Statisticians, and Physician Assistants.
- Rapid growth due to increasing demand. Healthcare-related roles like Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are in high demand due to an aging population and changes in healthcare delivery models. Meanwhile, the rise of technology and data-driven decision-making has increased demand for Data Scientists, Information Security Analysts, and Statisticians.
- Technical expertise. All professions require technical expertise, whether it's understanding complex medical procedures, data analysis and interpretation, programming languages, or logistical processes.
- Need for innovation and problem-solving. These professionals need to think creatively and adapt to changes, whether it's finding new ways to provide healthcare services, analyzing data to make strategic business decisions, or developing cutting-edge websites and digital experiences.
- High earning potential. The combination of specialized skills and high demand leads to competitive salaries for professionals in these fields.
- Continued learning is essential. Professionals in these fields must stay updated with the latest advancements, industry trends, and regulations to maintain expertise and stay relevant in fast-paced environments.
Here’s a breakdown of the fastest-growing jobs of the decade and their education requirements:
Nurse Practitioners
Growth rate: 46%
Degree needed: At least a master’s degree in one of the APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) roles.
Experience in the field: None
Nurse practitioners are highly sought-after in the job market due to their advanced training and competence in various medical settings. Depending on their chosen specialty field, the job description for nurse practitioners may vary.
Some key nurse practitioner job duties include conducting patient health assessments, diagnosing medical conditions, prescribing medications, and ordering necessary tests.
Additionally, NPs collaborate closely with other members of the medical team to develop and implement personalized treatment plans for patients.
Data Scientists
Growth rate: 36%
Degree needed: At least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field.
Experience in the field: None
A Data Scientist is a skilled professional who manages large datasets, using their mathematical, problem-solving, and coding skills to extract valuable insights.
They are experts in handling vast amounts of data. They analyze information to develop tailor-made solutions that perfectly match the unique needs of the organization.
With a growth rate of 36% up to 2031, this occupation has a promising future.
Information Security Analysts
Growth rate: 35%
Degree needed: A bachelor’s degree in a computer science field.
Experience in the field: Yes, less than 5 years.
An Information Security Analyst is responsible for various tasks to safeguard their organization's networks. They continuously monitor the networks for any potential security breaches and conduct thorough investigations if one happens.
They actively establish standards and maintain computer networks, effectively protecting the company from potential cyber-attacks.
Statisticians
Growth rate: 33%
Degree needed: At least a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics.
Experience in the field: None
Statisticians play a crucial role in data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. By collecting numerical data and using statistical techniques, they find significant trends and patterns.
Their work is invaluable to organizational leaders as it enables informed decision-making and strategic planning based on reliable data insights.
Web Developers
Growth rate: 30%
Degree needed: Ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
Experience in the field: None
A Web Developer is responsible for both the visual appeal and proper functionality of websites. Working closely with website and graphic designers, they ensure that the website looks good and functions well.
They continuously monitor website traffic and troubleshoot any issues that may arise, analyzing website speed and the capacity to handle traffic, among other things.
Medical and Health Services Managers
Growth rate: 28%
Degree needed: Bachelor's degree in a subject such as healthcare management.
Experience in the field: Yes, less than 5 years.
Medical and health services managers hold diverse managerial and administrative positions in healthcare.
Their duties may vary depending on their specific roles, but some common responsibilities include setting policies and goals, managing finances and budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations, overseeing staff scheduling, and communicating with medical staff.
Their exact tasks will depend on their employer and the healthcare facility they are responsible for.
Logisticians
Growth rate: 28%
Degree needed: A bachelor’s degree in logistics.
Experience in the field: None
Logisticians play an important role in ensuring seamless product delivery, involving warehouse management, product handling, storage, transportation, and final delivery to consumers. They plan and monitor the smooth flow of products using software systems.
They create business relationships with customers and suppliers, identify customer needs, and find solutions. They oversee the delivery of finished products and come up with strategies to reduce the time or cost of transporting goods, among many other duties.
Physician Assistants
Growth rate: 28%
Degree needed: A master's degree in PA studies.
Experience in the field: None
A Physician Assistant is a vital healthcare professional, working alongside doctors to assist in patient care. They actively participate in performing examinations, diagnosing conditions, and providing treatment.
They provide valuable support to doctors across diverse healthcare settings. Physician Assistants offer a range of valuable services, which may include diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic remediation, surgical assistance, and prescription of pharmaceuticals, highly depending on the setting, their specialty, and their experience.