The Fastest-Growing U.S. Job Isn't in Tech, It's in Healthcare

There's a job growing faster than any other in the country over the next ten years, and it has nothing to do with AI, software, or a single line of code.

If you’re wondering what career would be your best bet for employment, think healthcare, not tech. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners are projected to be the fastest-growing occupation in the country, with employment expected to grow 41% between 2025 and 2035 and a median pay of $132,300 a year.

So what does the job actually involve? Nurse practitioners take patients' medical histories, perform physical exams, and diagnose health problems. They can order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and treatments, and advise patients and families on how to manage their health. Depending on the state, many NPs function much like a primary care physician.

Nurse practitioners fall under the category of advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, which also includes nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives. Together, that group is projected to grow 36% over the same period, with a median salary of $134,920 and about 32,200 job openings expected each year.

So what makes a nurse practitioner stand out? According to the American Nurses Association, to be one, you must first work as a registered nurse, then earn a master's or doctoral degree, plus pass a national certification exam.

With healthcare demand only expected to rise, nurse practitioners are stepping in to help meet it, and the job market reflects this.