2018 Fastest Growing Jobs

As you are considering your career choices, it's important to know what the career trends are telling us. Where is the job market heading? What career fields are growing? What kind of education is required for the career path I am considering? Are there any jobs in my area once I graduate from college or will I need to consider moving out of town? Does the career I am considering pay enough for the lifestyle I want to live?

As you research the job market and what you need to get to your dream job, it is also helpful to think about what you are saying yes to. Do you want to work for a small or large organization? Do you like working in a slow or fast-paced environment? Would you consider a longer commute, if it means making more money (if that's where the job is at)?

So many factor's go into choosing our career path. If you are in transition and looking for a new career, here is what is trending in careers to help you as you navigate the growing occupations in 2018. According to Boston.com the fastest growing jobs in 2018 will be:

Biomedical Engineers
Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst
Home Health Aides
Personal and Home Care Aides
Financial Analysts
Medical Scientists
Physician Assistants
Skin Care Specialists
Biochemist and Biophysicists
Athletic Trainers

Biomedical engineers are expected to grow by 72% in the year 2018. The rise of the aging population is increasing the need for better medical equipment designed by biomedical engineers. A bachelor’s degree is required in this field.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, work experience is also taken into consideration by employers seeking network systems and data communications analyst. As newer technology increases, there will also be an increase for analysts to monitor and set up systems.

Home health aides receive training on the job and workshops. Personal and home care aides may require more formal training, such as through a community college or home health care agencies. “Home health aides provide more extensive healthcare.” The need for home services is growing, making these professions explode.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, in 2016 the median pay for financial analysts was over $81,000, almost $40 per hour, and increasing faster than average. A bachelor’s degree is required to enter this field.

Medical scientists, as you probably guessed, require a PhD. These doctors do research and analyze experiment results on “basic life processes,” as well as medical problems. This field has been growing quickly since the 1980’s. Medical scientist can also make $40 per hour, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Growing in this trend, both financially and in demand, is the increasing need for physician assistants (PA). PA’s “provide primary care and assist with medical and surgical procedures.” In an article by Bruce Japsen, PA’s make $100K. That article was in 2016. This field is growing 30% much faster than average.

Estheticians or skin care specialists have also grown by 37.9%. Training for this field can be obtained in high school or through vocational training. Estheticians are employed at spas or medical settings.

Depending on the industry, biochemist and biophysicists will either need a bachelor or master’s degree to work in “applied research, product development, management, or inspection.” In other settings, such as academia, they will need a PhD. One of the benefits of this field are the “rapid employment gains.”

Finally, in addition to a bachelor’s degree, most states require athletic trainers to be licensed or registered. Athletic trainers can find employment in high schools, healthcare settings, college or professional teams and are expected to average over $45,000 per year.

Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Research Cited

Top 30 Fastest-Growing Jobs by 2018

By Boston.com Staff

https://www.boston.com/jobs/untagged/2013/12/27/top-30-fastest-growing-jobs-by-2018

United States Department of Labor and Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm

United States Department of Labor and Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm

Forbes Pharma & Healthcare