---
title: "Best Careers to Start in 2027, According to BLS Projections | NetMentors"
description: "The best careers to start in 2027, using BLS 2025-35 projections: fastest-growing jobs, 2025 median pay, and which you can train for in under two years."
---

[Career Guides](https://netmentors.com/category/career-guides/)

# Best Careers to Start in 2027, According to BLS Projections

By the [NetMentors Editorial Team](https://netmentors.com/about/)

The best careers to start in 2027 are the ones where projected demand, pay and a realistic training route line up. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics projections for 2025 to 2035, released in August 2026, that points mainly to healthcare (nurse practitioners, physical therapist and occupational therapy assistants, medical assistants), data and security work (data scientists, information security analysts), and a handful of skilled technical roles (solar installers, wind turbine technicians, industrial machinery mechanics). Below, the shortlist is organised by how long it takes to get in, because that is the question most people starting something new in January actually need answered.

## What the 2025–35 Projections Say Overall

BLS projects total US employment to rise from 170.3 million to 176.2 million between 2025 and 2035, a gain of 5.9 million jobs, or 3.5 percent ([BLS Employment Projections release, August 27, 2026](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm)). That is much slower than the 10.9 percent growth of the previous decade, which makes picking a growing field more important, not less.

Three themes stand out in the release:

- **Healthcare dominates.** Healthcare support occupations are the fastest-growing of all 22 major groups (+13.3 percent), and private healthcare and social assistance is projected to add over 2.2 million jobs, about 37 percent of all new jobs.
- **AI cuts both ways.** BLS expects AI adoption to drive growth in computing infrastructure and data work (data scientists +34.6 percent), while productivity gains may reduce demand for some office support roles.
- **Office and administrative support shrinks.** It is projected to decline 4.0 percent, losing 752,100 jobs, more than any other group.

## The Fastest-Growing Occupations, 2025–35

These are the top entries from the BLS [fastest-growing occupations list](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm), with 2025 median pay as published by BLS.

| Occupation | Projected growth 2025–35 | 2025 median pay |
|---|---|---|
| [Nurse practitioners](https://netmentors.com/careers/nurse-practitioners/) | 41% | $132,300 |
| [Solar photovoltaic installers](https://netmentors.com/careers/solar-photovoltaic-installers/) | 37% | $53,140 |
| [Data scientists](https://netmentors.com/careers/data-scientists/) | 35% | $120,230 |
| Wind turbine service technicians | 30% | $64,120 |
| Medical and health services managers | 24% | $123,860 |
| [Physical therapist assistants](https://netmentors.com/careers/physical-therapist-assistants/) | 23% | $68,380 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | 21% | $72,300 |
| [Information security analysts](https://netmentors.com/careers/information-security-analysts/) | 21% | $129,180 |
| Occupational health and safety technicians | 19% | $61,560 |
| [Industrial machinery mechanics](https://netmentors.com/careers/industrial-machinery-mechanics/) | 18% | $64,520 |

Growth rate alone can mislead. Solar installers grow fast from a small base: BLS counts about 31,100 jobs in 2025 and about 4,200 openings a year. Compare that with the occupations that add the most jobs in absolute terms, such as registered nurses (194,700 new jobs projected) and software developers (174,700), from the BLS [most new jobs list](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/most-new-jobs.htm). A field with more total openings may be easier to break into, even if its percentage growth is lower.

## Careers You Can Start in 2027 by Training Time

### Under a year: start working by late 2027

- **Solar photovoltaic installer.** BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry education, with moderate-term on-the-job training of up to a year. It is physical work at heights: the Handbook mentions lifting up to 60 pounds and climbing ladders many times a day.
- **[Medical assistant](https://netmentors.com/careers/medical-assistants/).** Typically a postsecondary nondegree award. BLS projects 13 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, a 2025 median of $45,690, and about 109,700 openings a year. Most states do not require certification, but employers may prefer it.
- **Home health and personal care aide.** The single largest source of new jobs (847,300 projected), though with a 2025 median of $35,800 it is better seen as an entry point to healthcare than a destination.

### One to two years: working by 2028 or 2029

- **Physical therapist assistant.** An associate's degree from an accredited program, plus a state licence or certification, which all states require. 23 percent projected growth and a 2025 median of $68,380.
- **Occupational therapy assistant.** Similar route, 21 percent growth, $72,300 median.
- **Wind turbine service technician.** BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical, followed by long-term employer or manufacturer training on the specific turbines. Many people first earn a wind energy certificate or associate's degree at a technical school or community college.
- **Industrial machinery mechanic.** A high school diploma is the typical entry level, but mechanics usually get more than a year of on-the-job training, and some complete a two-year associate's degree in industrial maintenance first. With a $64,520 median and about 79,700 new jobs projected, it is one of the stronger non-degree options.

### Longer routes: worth starting now if you have the base

- **Information security analyst.** BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry level, plus some related work experience; many analysts start in an IT department, often as network or systems administrators. A realistic 2027 pivot if you already work in IT.
- **Data scientist.** A strong fit for people already working with data in analytics, finance or research. Our look at [what a data scientist actually does day to day](https://netmentors.com/what-does-data-scientist-do-day-to-day/) is a useful reality check before you enrol in anything.
- **Nurse practitioner.** Requires a registered nursing background and graduate study. If you are already an RN, our [RN to nurse practitioner transition guide](https://netmentors.com/registered-nurse-to-nurse-practitioner-career-transition/) lays out the steps.

## How to Pick the Right One for You

Projections are about the whole country over ten years. Your decision is about you, your area and the next two or three years. Work through these filters in order:

1. **Training you can actually finish.** Be honest about money, time and family obligations. A one-year credential you complete beats a four-year plan you abandon.
2. **The work itself.** Read the "What They Do" and "Work Environment" sections of each BLS Handbook profile, then compare tasks on O\*NET. Our guide to [using O\*NET for career research](https://netmentors.com/how-to-use-onet-for-career-research/) walks through it.
3. **Local demand.** Check the "State and Area Data" tab on the Handbook profile and search real job postings in your area.
4. **A test before you commit.** Talk to two or three people in the role, shadow if you can, or take a short introductory course first. These [free online courses that come with certificates](https://lifelearningjourney.com/free-online-courses-with-certificates-the-complete-guide/) are a low-risk way to check whether you enjoy a subject before paying for a full program.

Be wary of certificates that promise a job. Our framework for deciding [whether a professional certification is worth it](https://netmentors.com/are-professional-certifications-worth-it-a-practical-framework/) applies to every option on this list.

## Fields to Approach With Care

BLS projections flag some declines worth knowing about if you are choosing now. Office and administrative support is projected to lose the most jobs of any group, and the release names AI and automation as one factor that may reduce demand for some office support and arts and media roles. Retail trade and the federal government are also projected to shrink slightly. None of that means those jobs disappear, but it does mean competition for them may rise.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the fastest-growing job for 2025 to 2035?

Nurse practitioners, with projected growth of 41 percent from 2025 to 2035 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Solar photovoltaic installers (37 percent) and data scientists (35 percent) follow.

### What careers are in demand in 2027 without a degree?

From the BLS fastest-growing list, solar photovoltaic installers typically need a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, and medical assistants typically need a postsecondary nondegree award. Physical therapist and occupational therapy assistants need an associate's degree rather than a bachelor's.

### Which industry will add the most jobs by 2035?

Private healthcare and social assistance. BLS projects it will add over 2.2 million jobs from 2025 to 2035, about 37 percent of all new jobs.

### Will AI reduce jobs over the next decade?

BLS expects mixed effects. Its 2025–35 projections link AI to growth in computing infrastructure and data work, and to possible reduced demand for some office support and arts and media occupations because of productivity gains.

### Is it too late to start a new career in 2027?

No. Many of the growing roles above take one to two years of training. Start by testing your interest cheaply, then choose a program you can realistically finish.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career advice. Occupational data sourced from O\*NET and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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