Can you guess the fastest growing job markets in the U.S based on how America is changing? The quickest growing occupations reflect a nation’s development and focuses. The top 10 fastest growing jobs, determined by bls.gov, reflect interesting trends happening in the USA. The growth rate of each occupation was projected from 2012 to 2020, then ranked by the percent increase in employment. You can view the list of the top ten at the end of this post, or the full report here.

Personal Care Aides, OT Assistants, PT Assistants, and Home Health Aides are five of the top ten fastest growing occupations, all with something in common. Coincidence? Probably not. People with disabilities and injuries are getting more help than ever before – and it is only going to increase. American is moving toward a new system of health care that requires a lot more hands-on help. The focus is shifting to keeping each individual healthy instead of one healthy nation.

Additionally, Genetic Counselors and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers made the top 10. Meaning that seven of the ten fastest growing jobs are in the medical field. The Affordable Care Act and Obama Care significantly increased the percentage of Americans who have access to health care. Naturally, a higher demand for medical treatment would coincide with a higher demand in jobs in the healthcare field.
The other miscellaneous occupations that made the list are Insulation Workers, Interpreters, and Construction Helpers. Interpreters are used mostly in medical and legal situations when people need to communicate important information. As diversity expands, it makes sense that the need for interpreters does too.

 

Insulation workers and Construction Helpers go together as well, every new construction, and most renovations, require new insulation to be installed. The outlook for these jobs could be on trend with the housing market, which is also increasing. According to Forbes, demand for houses is on the rise, and combined with the fact that there is a shortage of available homes in relation to demand, new constructions are popping up all over the USA.

Another interesting point is that the majority of the jobs in the top ten fall into the middle class pay range. Since the recession officially ended in 2009, low income families have had a difficult time making it back into the middle class. Optimistically, the top fastest growing jobs indicate that the middle class is making their way back.

 

Here are the top ten fastest growing jobs in the USA:

10. Physical Therapist Assistants

2012 Median Pay: $52,160

Projected Growth Rate: 41%

 

9. Genetic Counselors

2012 Median Pay: $56,800

Projected Growth Rate: 41%

 

8. Occupational Therapy Assistants

2012 Median Pay: $53,240

Projected Growth Rate: 43%

 

7. Helpers–brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters

2012 Median Pay: $28,220

Projected Growth Rate: 43%

 

6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

2012 Median Pay: $65,860

Projected Growth Rate: 46%

 

5. Interpreters and Translators

2012 Median Pay: $45,530

Projected Growth Rate: 46%

 

4. Insulation Workers, Mechanical

2012 Median Pay: $39,170

Projected Growth Rate: 47%

 

3. Home Health Aides

2012 Median Pay: $20,820

Projected Growth Rate: 49%

 

2. Personal Care Aides

2012 Median Pay: $19,190

Projected Growth Rate: 49%

 

1. Industrial Organizational Psychologists

2012 Median Pay: $83,580

Projected Growth Rate: 53%

 

What do the top fastest growing occupation tell you about America? Notice any trends that we missed? Let us know!