The next decade is set to bring a different picture of the labor market, according to new projections from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as technology, the energy transition, and the needs of an aging population significantly shift the balance of demand.

Projections for the 2025-2035 period show that not all specialties will be equally in demand. Some jobs are expected to see dramatic growth, while others will shrink. According to Business Insider, healthcare, renewable energy, and technology occupations are leading the pack.

Nurse Practitioners Take the Top Spot

The occupation expected to post the biggest gain is nurse practitioners, with employment projected to grow 41% over the decade, several times faster than the 3.5% overall employment growth forecast for the US.

The demand isn’t random. In several states, nurse practitioners now have the authority to take on duties once reserved exclusively for physicians. That expanded scope, combined with rising demands on the healthcare system, is expected to further boost demand.

Overall, healthcare and social assistance is expected to be one of the largest employers of the coming decade. An aging population and rising rates of chronic illness are driving increasing need for medical and support services.

The Energy Transition Is Creating New Jobs

The shift toward renewable energy is also showing up in labor market projections. Solar photovoltaic installers rank second among the fastest-growing occupations, while wind turbine service technicians also land among the top spots.

The BLS expects falling solar panel costs to push more households toward installing solar systems, which in turn will boost demand for workers who can handle both installation and maintenance. Notably, unlike many high-skill occupations, entry into this field doesn’t require a college degree. Hiring for solar installer roles typically requires only a high school diploma or equivalent.

The Data and AI Boom

In the tech world, data scientists are expected to take a leading role. Their employment is projected to grow around 35%, as businesses generate and collect ever-larger volumes of data and need specialized workers to analyze it and turn it into useful insights.

Computer and information research scientists are following a similar trajectory, expected to benefit from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. The development of new AI tools and applications is increasing demand for people with deep expertise in computing and computer systems.

High pay in these fields, however, often comes with steep educational requirements. Many of the most specialized roles, including computer research positions and certain healthcare specialties, typically require graduate degrees.

More Jobs, But Slower Overall Growth

Despite the strong outlook in specific sectors, the broader picture for the US labor market is more restrained. The BLS projects roughly 5.9 million new jobs by 2035, a 3.5% increase, notably slower than the 10.9% growth recorded between 2015 and 2025.

At the same time, new needs are emerging directly from technological change itself. Utilities offer a telling example: rising electricity consumption from data centers needed to support AI development is expected to boost demand, with the BLS projecting roughly 10% employment growth in the utilities sector by 2035.

The takeaway from these projections is clear: the labor market of the next decade won’t just change in terms of how many jobs are available. It will change most in terms of which skills carry the most value, with healthcare, green energy, data, and artificial intelligence at the center of it all.