Five Jobs That Will Be In Demand By 2022

For those still in school, choosing a career path that can land you jobs fairly quickly is usually of importance. You have probably taken at least some time to research how your current skills and passions align with the job market.

Is there sufficient demand for what you can bring to the table? Or are the fields that you’re looking to go into on the decline?

On the other hand, there’s no guarantee you’ll always stay in the same field for the duration of your working life. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost one-third of U.S. workers under 40 years of age considered changing their field of work. Millions have already switched, while others are still weighing their options.

While it’s reassuring that you can always change your mind and go in a new direction, you should still consider which jobs will be in demand in the coming days, weeks, and years. According to a recent analysis by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. will have an increase of 11.9 million jobs through the year 2030.

The highest growing fields are in leisure and hospitality as well as the construction, healthcare, and social assistance sectors. They alone will account for around one-third of all employment growth by next year. In 2022 specifically, there are five jobs that stand out as up-and-coming.

They differ in their pay grade, level of skill needed, and requirements but should prove to have plenty of room for recent graduates and those who’d like a career change alike.

1. Wind Turbine Service Technicians

A wind turbine turns energy from the wind into electricity utilizing rotating rotor blades. Wind turbine service technicians, or wind techs, are the people who install, fix, and perform general maintenance on them as needed.

The growth rate for wind turbine service technicians is expected to be around a whopping 68%. States like Texas will have the most growth in this field since they have the most wind turbines installed.

In fact, it’s the fastest-growing job in Texas overall.

Wind techs make around $56,230 on average per year. You don’t need a formal degree to become one; most people attend a technical school and receive on-the-job training to learn everything they need to be successful.

These service technicians work mostly outdoors, in small spaces, and usually very high up in the air. Most work full-time, but others are on call for emergencies and the like during some weekends and evenings.

2. Nurse Practitioners (NP)

Nurse practitioners are those that have graduated with an advanced degree in nursing. The difference between nurse practitioners and registered nurses is the amount of training and scope of autonomy allowed.

Registered nurses have not acquired the additional knowledge, advanced skill set, and qualifications that nurse practitioners have. The expected job growth for nurse practitioners is 52% and they can work in physician’s offices, outpatient centers, universities, and other general and surgical hospitals.

The salary for a nurse practitioner can vary greatly, depending on where you live and in what type of setting you do your work. On the lower end, they make about $82,960; on the higher end, they make around $156,160.

You need a specialized graduate education after first becoming an RN. The job itself is normally very flexible and you can work full or part-time.

3. Mental Health Professionals

With more and more people requiring mental health services, especially after lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, more professionals are needed to handle the influx of new patients. On top of that, an increasing number of insurance companies are starting to cover mental health services, leading more people to take advantage of their plans. Between counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other providers, the job growth is expected to be around 29%. This is almost 3 times the job growth of other occupations.

The salary for a mental health service provider varies greatly depending on the specific field and specialty an individual has. For example, psychiatrists are on the high end of the spectrum and make an average of $208,000 annually. On the other hand, mental health counselors who help people with addictions, substance abuse, stress management, and anger problems make $43,290 per year on average. Education, experience, location, and many other factors will influence how much one can make in the mental health field.

4. Artificial Intelligence Engineers, Scientists, and Architects

Artificial Intelligence or AI refers to a type of computing that allows technology or machines to mimic human behavior and perform human tasks, often replacing the need for a human entirely. By 2022, one in five workers will rely on AI to do their job, according to a study done by Gartner. Jobs like data entry specialists, payroll clerks, and other accounting positions will cease to exist as AI takes its place in the world.  While it will eliminate jobs, it will also create 133 million new jobs by 2022. Over the past several years, the growth rate has been almost 75%.

Most AI jobs require some type of advanced degree and intensive training. Master’s degrees are a common requirement for many top-level positions, but you can get by with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or math for entry-level jobs. The highest-paid AI jobs include machine learning engineers, data scientists, computer vision engineers, data warehouse architects, and algorithm engineers. Machine learning engineers make an average of $142,858 and most other positions pay generously as well.

5. Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Solar energy solutions are on the rise in both businesses and everyday households as people become more eco-conscious and environmentally friendly.

A solar panel works by letting fragments of light (photons) knock electrons away from atoms, which causes a flow of electricity. In other words, installing solar panels on your home or business allows you to use the sunlight to your advantage and, in many cases, reduce the cost of your electricity bills.

The people who are in charge of installing these panels are called solar photovoltaic installers. They’re responsible for assembling, setting up, and maintaining the solar systems that others purchase. The job growth for this occupation is 52%, substantially higher than the majority of other jobs.

A high school diploma or the equivalent is all that’s needed to become a solar photovoltaic installer. The majority of training is done on the job.  Most of the work is done outdoors, and travel is required at times. The median salary is about $46,470.

The availability of jobs is certainly dependent on many factors, like where you live, what degree you hold, and your experience and skillset.

While a job might have a lot of growth, that growth may be limited to urban or rural settings specifically or might require more expertise than you currently have. On the other hand, many jobs that are growing are entry-level and you may be looking for something more advanced. While it’s important to look at job growth projections, it’s also vital to focus on what you’re passionate about. Hopefully, you can find a career that has lots of opportunities, room for advancement, and also takes you down a path you know you’ll enjoy for years to come.