Projections · 2025–2035

Which jobs are projected to grow, and which to shrink

Every ten years of projections BLS publishes, for 831 occupations. Openings count both new positions and the ones left behind by people who retire or move on — which is why a shrinking occupation can still be hiring.

176.2M

jobs projected for 2035

From 170.3 million in 2025

+3.5%

growth across all occupations

5,917,600 more jobs over the decade

17.5M

openings a year, on average

New positions plus replacements for people leaving

Fastest growing Fastest declining Most openings Largest today Highest paid

Filter by field and education(22 occupations)

Fastest growing occupations, 2025 to 2035
Occupation	Jobs 2025	Change	Openings/yr	Median pay
Occupational health and safety specialistsLife, physical & social science	143,100	+18.5%	17,100	$90,150
Forensic science techniciansLife, physical & social science	20,100	+13.3%	2,800	$72,060
Materials scientistsLife, physical & social science	8,600	+8.3%	600	$117,790
Biological techniciansLife, physical & social science	74,400	+7.4%	9,400	$57,510
Soil and plant scientistsLife, physical & social science	19,900	+6.7%	1,400	$78,850
ChemistsLife, physical & social science	84,900	+6.4%	5,900	$91,240
Life scientists, all otherLife, physical & social science	8,000	+6.3%	400	$93,750
Food scientists and technologistsLife, physical & social science	14,100	+6.2%	1,000	$88,720
MicrobiologistsLife, physical & social science	20,100	+6.2%	1,500	$87,990
Environmental scientists and specialists, including healthLife, physical & social science	93,400	+6.1%	7,300	$82,220
Animal scientistsLife, physical & social science	3,400	+5.8%	200	$68,940
Conservation scientistsLife, physical & social science	27,700	+5.3%	2,100	$73,010
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographersLife, physical & social science	25,400	+5.1%	1,800	$101,920
Social science research assistantsLife, physical & social science	38,400	+5.0%	4,900	$61,990
Biological scientists, all otherLife, physical & social science	59,600	+4.7%	4,300	$98,920
Zoologists and wildlife biologistsLife, physical & social science	19,500	+3.6%	1,400	$76,780
Atmospheric and space scientistsLife, physical & social science	10,700	+2.6%	800	$99,070
ForestersLife, physical & social science	13,200	+2.2%	900	$76,400
Physical scientists, all otherLife, physical & social science	26,600	+2.1%	1,400	$122,570
HydrologistsLife, physical & social science	6,300	+1.5%	400	$96,600
Social scientists and related workers, all otherLife, physical & social science	41,500	-0.2%	2,700	$101,110
GeographersLife, physical & social science	1,500	-2.1%	100	$102,040