30 Fastest Growing Occupations

Table 7. The 30 fastest-growing occupations, 2008-18

Table 7. The 30 fastest-growing occupations, 2008-18
(In thousands)

Occupation Occupational group Employment Change Most significant source of
2008 2018 Percent Number postsecondary education
or training (1)

Biomedical engineers........................ Professional and related occupations (2).. 16 28 72.0 12 Bachelor's degree

Network systems and data communications
analysts.................................. Professional and related occupations (2).. 292 448 53.4 156 Bachelor's degree

Home health aides........................... Service occupations (3)................... 922 1,383 50.0 461 Short-term on-the-job
training

Personal and home care aides................ Service occupations (3)................... 817 1,193 46.0 376 Short-term on-the-job
training

Financial examiners......................... Management, business, and financial
occupations (4)......................... 27 38 41.2 11 Bachelor's degree

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists.. Professional and related occupations (2).. 109 154 40.4 44 Doctoral degree

Physician assistants........................ Professional and related occupations (2).. 75 104 39.0 29 Master's degree

Skin care specialists....................... Service occupations (3)................... 39 54 37.9 15 Postsecondary vocational
award

Biochemists and biophysicists............... Professional and related occupations (2).. 23 32 37.4 9 Doctoral degree

Athletic trainers........................... Professional and related occupations (2).. 16 22 37.0 6 Bachelor's degree

Physical therapist aides.................... Service occupations (3)................... 46 63 36.3 17 Short-term on-the-job
training

Dental hygienists........................... Professional and related occupations (2).. 174 237 36.1 63 Associate degree

Veterinary technologists and technicians.... Professional and related occupations (2).. 80 108 35.8 29 Associate degree

Dental assistants........................... Service occupations (3)................... 295 401 35.8 106 Moderate-term on-the-job
training

Computer software engineers, applications... Professional and related occupations (2).. 515 690 34.0 175 Bachelor's degree

Medical assistants.......................... Service occupations (3)................... 484 648 33.9 164 Moderate-term on-the-job
training

Physical therapist assistants............... Service occupations (3)................... 64 85 33.3 21 Associate degree

Veterinarians............................... Professional and related occupations (2).. 60 79 33.0 20 First professional degree

Self-enrichment education teachers.......... Professional and related occupations (2).. 254 335 32.1 81 Work experience in a
related occupation
Compliance officers, except agriculture,
construction, health and safety, and
transportation............................ Management, business, and financial
occupations (4)......................... 260 341 31.1 81 Long-term on-the-job
training

Occupational therapist aides................ Service occupations (3)................... 8 10 30.7 2 Short-term on-the-job
training

Environmental engineers..................... Professional and related occupations (2).. 54 71 30.6 17 Bachelor's degree

Pharmacy technicians........................ Professional and related occupations (2).. 326 426 30.6 100 Moderate-term on-the-job
training

Computer software engineers, systems
software.................................. Professional and related occupations (2).. 395 515 30.4 120 Bachelor's degree

Survey researchers.......................... Professional and related occupations (2).. 23 31 30.4 7 Bachelor's degree

Physical therapists......................... Professional and related occupations (2).. 186 242 30.3 56 Master's degree

Personal financial advisors................. Management, business, and financial
occupations (4)......................... 208 271 30.1 63 Bachelor's degree

Environmental engineering technicians....... Professional and related occupations (2).. 21 28 30.1 6 Associate degree

Occupational therapist assistants........... Service occupations (3)................... 27 35 29.8 8 Associate degree

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors... Service occupations (3)................... 261 338 29.4 77 Postsecondary vocational
award


1 An occupation is placed into 1 of 11 categories that best describes the postsecondary education or training needed by most workers to
become fully qualified in the occupation. For more information, see Measures of Education and Training, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/emp/
ep_projections_methods.htm.
2 Major occupational groups 15-0000 through 29-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
3 Major occupational groups 31-0000 through 39-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
4 Major occupational groups 11-0000 through 13-0000 in the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).