Which Careers Have The Most Job Openings (And Big Salaries!)

There are 8.14 million jobs that are currently up for grabs (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2024).

More than half of these jobs are in the top high-demand industries with the best pay, namely:

• Professional business services

• Private education and health services

• Government,

• Leisure and hospitality, and

• Trade, transportation, and utilities.

In this article, we’ll explore these top five most in-demand industries along with fast-growing occupations, salary ranges, companies hiring, as well as degree requirements to thrive in each sector.

If you’re looking to maximize your career potential, these industries provide a headstart on where you can start your job search.

1. Professional Business Services

There are 1,485,000 job openings in the professional business services sector.

This industry includes firms that provide specialized expertise, technical services, and professional advice. Key areas in this segment include legal services, accounting, management consulting, advertising, and engineering services.

According to Forbes, annual salaries in this sector often range from $50,000 to $150,000 per year.

Here are examples of fast-growing jobs within the professional business services sector and the salary ranges you can expect, according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

• Marketing managers - $79,600 - $208,000

• Lawyer -  $69,760 - $217,360

• Accountants and auditors - $50,440 - $137,280

• Project Managers - $57,500 - $163,040

• Management Analysts - $57,840 - $172,280

Top companies hiring in professional business services

Listed below are some of the top companies with job openings in the professional business services sector, along with the positions they are looking to fill and annual starting salaries based on more than 40,000 salary disclosures on Glassdoor:

• Jacobs - Project Manager - $111K 

• Accenture - Manager - $147K

• Deloitte - Senior Consultant - $109K 

Perks of working in professional business services

Working in this industry offers several advantages, including a high earning potential due to competitive salaries and lucrative bonuses.

Companies in the sector are also typically well-established and offer stable employment, despite potential threats from automation due to the advent of AI and robots.

Many roles, especially in IT and consulting, offer flexible working hours and remote work options

Do you need a degree to work in professional business services?

Generally, yes.

Most positions in the professional business services sector require a degree, typically at least a bachelor's.

Lawyers need a Juris Doctor (JD) and bar passage, while accountants usually need a bachelor's in accounting, and CPAs must pass the CPA exam. 

Management consultants often hold an MBA, and marketing professionals usually need a bachelor's in marketing. Public relations professionals usually have a degree in PR or communications. 

Scientific research roles often need advanced degrees.

2. Private Education and Health Services 

This sector consists of two distinct but related areas within the larger service industry.

Private education includes institutions that provide educational services outside of the public school system, while the health services sector includes a broad range of services for maintaining health and well-being.

There are 1,693,000 job openings in the private education and health services sector.

Forbes reports that the average salaries vary depending on the specific role and level of experience but can range from $30,000 to $100,000 or more per year.

Listed are examples of fast-growing occupations within the private education and health services sector and the salary ranges you can expect according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

• Nurse practitioners - $94,530 - $168,030

• Medical and health services managers - $67,900 - $216,750

• Occupational therapists - $65,210 - $129,620

• School administrators - $70,050 - $163,010

• School and Career Counselors and Advisors - $40,140 - $100,050

• Home health and personal care aides - $23,910 - $42,450

Top companies hiring in private education and health services

Here are some of the top companies hiring in this field, along with the positions they are looking to fill and the competitive annual starting salaries they offer based on more than 9,000 salary disclosures on Glassdoor:

• HCA Healthcare - Registered Nurse - $71K

• CVS Health - Pharmacists - $116K 

• Kaplan - Instructors - $60K 

Perks of working in private education and health services

The private education and health services sector has also increasingly embraced remote or semi-flexible working opportunities.

Virtual classrooms and e-learning platforms such as Kaplan have allowed instructors to work from anywhere, providing flexibility and access to a nationwide student base. 

Similarly, the health services sector has seen a rise in telehealth, where medical professionals can consult with patients and provide follow-up care through digital tools.

Do you need a degree to work in private education and health services?

Most jobs in private education and health services require a degree, depending on the specific role.

Teaching positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, with higher education instructors needing a master’s or PhD. 

In health services, medical practitioners need specialized degrees. Allied health professionals also need specific degrees, such as DPT for physical therapists. Even administrative roles often require degrees in health administration.

On the other hand, support roles such as medical billing specialists may only need certificates. Some positions, like home health aides, require minimal formal education but typically do not need specialized training and certification.

3. Government

There are 1,085,000 job openings within the government sector.

According to Forbes, salaries in government roles range from $30,000 to $100,000 or more per year. It varies depending on factors such as location, level of government, and position.

Here are fast-growing occupations within this sector and annual salary ranges you can expect:

• Fire inspectors and Investigators - $46,360 - $137,220

• Social workers - $39,580 - $104,580

• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors - $36,700 - $89,920

Top government agencies that are hiring

Listed below are government organizations with job openings and expected starting salaries from postings on USAJobs, the official website for federal government jobs in the US.

• Defense Contract Management Agency - Contract Administrator - $99,302

• US Marine Corps - Operations Research Analyst - $99,200 

• Veterans Health Administration - Social Worker - $84,434

• District of Columbia Courts - Administrative Analyst - $68,405

• Army National Guard Units - Administrative Support Assistant - $41,966

• Office of the Secretary - Police Officer - $52,850

Perks of working in the government

Working in the government sector offers several attractive perks, including competitive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Employees also benefit from job security, pension plans, and the satisfaction of contributing to public service and societal well-being. 

Do you need a degree to work in the government?

According to USAJobs, some federal jobs require a college degree or specific academic courses at the baccalaureate or graduate level, while others will accept a degree in any field or don't require a college degree at all.

Many federal jobs will accept a baccalaureate degree in any field.

Jobs that require specific degrees tend to involve research, scientific, or professional work (such as a specialist in contracts, medicine, engineering, biology, psychology, or accounting).

If you're just starting, you can qualify for jobs at the GS-2 level with just a high school diploma. The GS-2 level is one of the lower grades in the General Schedule (GS) pay scale.

You can also qualify for most clerical and assistant positions with as little as 3 months of general work experience.

4. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities

This sector encompasses a diverse range of industries, including retail, logistics, transportation, and energy.

There are currently 1,016,000 jobs in the trade, transportation, and utilities (TTU) sector according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

One of the fastest-growing occupations, wind turbine technicians, is in this sector. This job alone is expected to grow by 45% and exponentially outpaces the average job growth for all jobs by 2032.

Here are some examples of job titles within the TTU sector and annual salary ranges you can expect:

• Logisticians - $79,400

• Electricians - $38,470 - $104,180

• Wind turbine technicians - $47,360 - $90,300

• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers - $39,440 - $92,140

• Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers - $37,440 - $76,780

Top companies hiring in trade, transportation, and utilities

• Johnson Controls - Sales Representatives - $97K

• Ryder System - Customer Logistics Manager - $65K

• Ricoh - Field Service Technician - $47K

Perks of working in trade, transportation, and utilities

If you enjoy working with your hands and seeing tangible results, the TTU sector offers a perfect fit. Many roles in this sector involve practical skills and problem-solving in real-world settings.

Many TTU jobs also offer potential union benefits. A union membership provides additional benefits such as collective bargaining power for better wages, improved working conditions, and job security.

And since the TTU sector builds our society’s infrastructures, there’s a constant need for skilled professionals. This translates to job security despite economic fluctuations.

Do you need a degree to work in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector?

Many positions in the TTU sector do not require a formal degree and instead focus on vocational training, apprenticeships, or certifications.

Truck drivers need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) obtained through specialized training programs, not necessarily a degree. 

Positions in construction, maintenance, and logistics often emphasize hands-on experience and technical skills over formal education.

However, management, engineering, and some technical roles within utilities and transportation may require a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as engineering or logistics. 

5. Leisure and Hospitality

The Leisure and Hospitality sector encompasses industries that provide services for leisure activities and accommodations for travelers.

There are 990,000 job openings in this industry.

Those who earn the most in this industry are in managerial positions, although the employment opportunities in this sector are wide-ranging.

Here are examples of jobs within this sector and the annual salary ranges according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

• Food service managers - $42,990 - $101,240

• Entertainment and Recreation Managers (except Gambling) - $42,730 - $133,680

• Lodging Managers - $39,270 - $127,090

• Chefs and Head Cooks - $36,040 - $93,900

• Private household cook -$27,140 - $87,410

Top companies hiring in leisure and hospitality

With travel becoming normal again post-pandemic, there’s no shortage of companies hiring in the leisure and hospitality sector.

Here are examples of top companies with job openings and starting salaries you can expect, based on over 490 salary disclosures on Glassdoor:

• Mariott International - General Manager - $94K

• American Airlines - Customer Service Manager - $65K

• Hilton - Bartender - $54K

Perks of working in leisure and hospitality

You get to experience different cultures and unique atmospheres in leisure and hospitality due to plenty of opportunities to travel and work in various settings such as hotels, resorts, event spaces, and restaurants.

If you’re good with people, you’ll also thrive in this sector as you get to interact daily with a diverse clientele.

Depending on your role and company, you can also enjoy access to employee discounts on accommodations, dining, and entertainment services.

Do you need a degree to work in leisure and hospitality?

Degree requirements vary widely in this industry.

Entry-level positions, such as front desk associates, servers, and housekeeping staff, typically do not require a degree and may offer on-the-job training.

Managerial roles in hospitality management, event planning, and culinary arts often prefer candidates with relevant degrees, such as a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management, Tourism, Culinary Arts, or Business Administration.

Specialized positions, such as chefs or sommeliers, may also require formal culinary or hospitality education from accredited institutions.

Conclusion

There’s a wealth of opportunities for anyone looking to enter or advance within the workforce.

The top five industries with the highest demand not only offer competitive salaries but also cater to various interests.

Whether you prefer to embrace a flexible lifestyle in a remote work setting, work outdoors with your hands, or in a structured office environment, these sectors offer promising prospects for anyone seeking a potential for growth and personal fulfillment.

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