Workers in these fields are likely to remain employed regardless of economic conditions or automation trends.
Many people worry that someday soon, a robot will steal their job.
Technology will inevitably make some jobs obsolete in the future. However, other jobs simply cannot be performed by a machine.
Some careers also will likely remain in demand regardless of economic ups and downs. People who work in these stable industries may need to adjust workplace practices or make room for new technologies, but these professionals can count on work for years to come.
Following are 12 jobs that will definitely survive — and may even be in high demand — over the next 20 years. If you are looking for a way to boost your bank account over the long haul, these may be careers to consider.
1. Nurses
Several different types of nurses are expected to be in high demand throughout the decade ending in 2031, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Employment in health care occupations overall is projected to grow 13% over the course of the decade, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
Nurse practitioners — as well as nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives — will be in high demand, according to the BLS data, with overall employment expected to grow 40% over the decade.
2. Electricians
Most of us still need to call an electrician when the lights go out. These workers install, maintain and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and other systems.
Electricians can most likely count on work for years to come. Employment in the field is expected to grow around 7% through 2031, putting it on pace with all occupations across the U.S.
3. Plumbers
The projected job growth for plumbers across the U.S is lower than the average across all occupations, at just 2% through 2031.
However, as with electricians, most of us need to call an expert when a sink is clogged or a pipe is leaking. It’s also not likely that we’re going to trust robots to fix such a critical part of our homes anytime soon.
4. Marketing managers
Marketing managers help advertise, promote, and generate interest in certain products, services, and companies. They will be in high demand over the next decade, according to the BLS.
Overall employment for people in advertising, promotions, and marketing management is projected to grow a faster-than-average 10% through 2031.
5. Construction managers
Construction managers help plan, coordinate, budget for, and supervise construction projects.
The BLS projects the need for these workers will grow 8% through 2031, faster than the average across all occupations.
6. Mental health counselors
Mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, from alcoholism and other addictions to depression and more.
This career field is projected to remain in high demand, with expected growth at a whopping 22% through 2031.
7. Data scientists
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to collect insights and data for the companies they work for. This information may drive marketing strategies or even lead to upgrades of products.
This is another gig where employment is expected to grow on a massive scale over the decade, surging 36% through 2031.
8. Personal financial advisors
In addition to being a well-paying gig — with a median salary of more than $94,000 a year — personal finance advisors are expected to be in high demand over the next decade or so.
BLS statistics suggest that job growth for personal finance advisors — who help individuals manage their money and plan for their futures — will rise a much-faster-than-average 15% through 2031.
Pro tip: Considering a change to one of these fast-growing careers? If you need to quit your job and return to school, one way to make ends meet until you graduate is to take a part-time job or start a side hustle that can help you tap into a new source of income.
9. Truck drivers
Work for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers across the U.S. is expected to remain fairly steady over the next decade or so, with a projected job growth of around 4% through 2031. That is close to the average for all occupations.
For those interested in the driver lifestyle — which requires workers to be on the road for long stretches of time and to work non-traditional hours — the BLS expects nearly 260,000 positions to open up each year.
10. Lawyers
People are not likely to stop needing lawyers anytime soon, given how often lawyers are brought in to mediate everything from real estate contracts to divorce proceedings.
Employment of lawyers is projected to grow a faster-than-average 10% over the decade.
11. Computer support specialists
With pretty much everything done on computers these days, the demand for people who know how to set up and fix these machines is projected to stay steady over the next decade.
Employment for workers who maintain computer networks and/or provide technical help is expected to grow about 6% through 2031.
12. Software developers
Software developers can expect many opportunities to come their way through 2031, with job growth spiking 25%.
Those numbers translate to around 163,000 new openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers each year over the decade.
Bottom line
The rise in automation does not necessarily mean jobs will disappear in massive numbers. And for the 12 jobs on this list, opportunities are likely to abound.
So, if you are hoping to find an in-demand job that allows you to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck, these career paths are worth considering.
