The most in-demand jobs: the most projected openings, 2025–35
The 30 occupations with the most projected openings each year, what they pay and what they take to enter.
By BLS projections, Fast Food and Counter Workers will have the most openings: about 827,400 a year over 2025 to 2035. Openings count new jobs plus jobs left by people who retire or change occupation, so large occupations with high turnover lead; 24 of these 30 pay less than the $50,980 all-occupation median.
30 occupations with the most projected openings
Data BLS projected openings each year, 2025–35: new jobs plus jobs left by workers who leave the labor force or change occupation. Not current vacancies or listings.
| # | Occupation | Openings per year | Projected change | Employment 2025 | Median pay | Typical entry-level education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 827,400 | +5.8% | 3,855,900 | $31,200 | No formal credential |
| 2 | Cashier | 521,300 | -6.5% | 3,106,300 | $32,880 | No formal credential |
| 3 | Sales Associate | 520,600 | -0.3% | 3,998,100 | $35,410 | No formal credential |
| 4 | Stocker | 430,700 | +8.9% | 2,804,300 | $37,330 | No formal credential |
| 5 | Server | 423,100 | +2.0% | 2,284,400 | $35,230 | No formal credential |
| 6 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 340,500 | +1.8% | 2,940,300 | $40,240 | No formal credential |
| 7 | Janitor | 321,800 | +2.2% | 2,432,600 | $36,840 | No formal credential |
| 8 | Customer Service Representative | 289,500 | -5.3% | 2,666,000 | $44,770 | High school diploma |
| 9 | Operations Manager | 285,000 | +5.0% | 3,599,000 | $105,770 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Office Clerks, General | 249,000 | -6.0% | 2,600,000 | $45,010 | High school diploma |
| 11 | Line Cook | 218,600 | +12.1% | 1,417,500 | $37,390 | No formal credential |
| 12 | Truck Driver | 214,500 | +3.8% | 2,221,200 | $58,640 | Postsecondary certificate |
| 13 | CNA | 196,200 | +2.6% | 1,505,900 | $42,260 | Postsecondary certificate |
| 14 | Registered Nurse | 180,800 | +5.6% | 3,465,400 | $97,550 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Housekeeper | 175,500 | +0.6% | 1,332,100 | $35,510 | No formal credential |
| 16 | First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 171,500 | +5.4% | 1,236,400 | $44,080 | High school diploma |
| 17 | Administrative Assistant | 163,900 | -6.0% | 1,889,800 | $47,540 | High school diploma |
| 18 | Security Guard | 156,000 | +0.9% | 1,294,300 | $38,020 | High school diploma |
| 19 | Daycare Worker | 150,300 | -2.0% | 1,010,300 | $34,980 | High school diploma |
| 20 | Landscaper | 149,500 | +4.7% | 1,188,600 | $39,150 | No formal credential |
| 21 | Maintenance Technician | 148,700 | +4.2% | 1,621,800 | $49,590 | High school diploma |
| 22 | Bookkeeper | 144,100 | -5.6% | 1,532,400 | $50,670 | Some college |
| 23 | Food Preparation Workers | 135,700 | -3.0% | 908,500 | $35,320 | No formal credential |
| 24 | Office Manager | 127,400 | +0.1% | 1,506,100 | $69,500 | High school diploma |
| 25 | Bartender | 121,200 | +5.0% | 762,600 | $34,340 | No formal credential |
| 26 | Construction Worker | 120,000 | +7.3% | 1,489,300 | $47,120 | No formal credential |
| 27 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 115,700 | +2.7% | 1,272,700 | $69,990 | High school diploma |
| 28 | Accountant | 115,300 | +5.0% | 1,595,200 | $83,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| 29 | Store Manager | 113,500 | -3.7% | 1,419,800 | $48,520 | High school diploma |
| 30 | Medical Assistant | 109,700 | +12.9% | 833,900 | $45,690 | Postsecondary certificate |
How this page is built
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35: projected occupational openings per year (growth plus replacement of workers who exit the labor force or transfer to another occupation), ranked highest first; residual “all other” categories are left out. Not current vacancies or job postings. Median pay from BLS OEWS May 2025.
- Current job postings or who is hiring now.
- Openings in your area: these are national.
- Competition for each opening.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025–35 (released Aug 27, 2026; public domain): typical entry-level education, work experience, on-the-job training, projected change and annual openings.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).