New projections from the U.S. Labor Department highlight significant job growth in healthcare and social assistance, while administrative roles are expected to decline due to advancements in artificial intelligence.
The U.S. Labor Department has released new projections indicating that the healthcare and social assistance sectors will experience substantial job growth over the next decade. This growth comes at a time when the nation is facing a rapidly aging population and an increase in chronic health conditions.
From 2025 to 2035, employment in healthcare and social assistance is anticipated to rise by 9.5%, translating to approximately 2.2 million new jobs. This increase is expected to account for roughly 37% of all new jobs created in the United States during that period.
The Labor Department attributes this growth primarily to the rising prevalence of chronic health issues, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These conditions necessitate a larger workforce to provide essential healthcare services, underscoring a significant shift in labor demand toward sectors that directly support public health.
Interestingly, the utilities sector is projected to be the fastest-growing industry over the next decade, with a growth rate of 9.8%. However, due to the relatively modest size of this sector, it is expected to yield only about 58,800 new jobs. The demand for energy, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) technologies become more prevalent, is driving this growth.
Additionally, the professional, scientific, and technical services sector is expected to add nearly 927,000 jobs, largely fueled by the increasing demand for AI-related systems and tools. Breyon Williams, chief labor market economist at Groundwork Collaborative, noted that “a lot of those nearly 1 million jobs relate to AI demand, including roles for software developers, consultants, and engineers.” This trend highlights a significant transformation in the job market, where skills related to AI and technology are becoming increasingly essential.
Within the healthcare sector, specific occupations are projected to see particularly robust growth. Nurse practitioners are expected to experience an extraordinary 41% increase in employment, with a median salary of $132,300 projected for 2025. Other roles anticipated to see substantial growth include solar photovoltaic installers (37% growth), data scientists (35% growth), and wind turbine service technicians (30% growth).
The demand for healthcare services is also expected to drive the need for medical and health services managers, who are projected to see a 24% increase in employment. Other positions, such as physical therapist assistants (23% growth) and psychiatric technicians (22% growth), are also on track for significant increases. These trends reflect broader shifts in demographics and health needs within the American population.
While certain sectors are poised for growth, the rise of AI presents challenges for other industries. Economists forecast that approximately 752,000 administrative jobs will be eliminated over the next decade, impacting roles such as office clerks, customer service representatives, and secretaries. Williams remarked on the mixed nature of these projections, stating, “The story is mixed. There are some gains from AI demand coupled with losses in places where it’s not surprising we’d see some drop-offs.”
Moreover, the Labor Department has indicated that advancements in AI may also limit job opportunities in creative fields, including arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media. The increasing reliance on AI tools could lead to a decline in demand for human labor in these traditionally stable sectors, raising concerns about the future of employment in creative industries.
Federal government jobs are also expected to see a contraction, with a projected decrease of 3.4% from 2025 to 2035. This anticipated reduction reflects wider trends in public sector employment, driven by technological advancements and ongoing budgetary constraints that continue to shape hiring practices within the government.
Focusing on occupations facing the steepest declines, the Labor Department identified several administrative support roles projected to experience significant employment decreases. For instance, word processors and typists are expected to face a staggering 34.4% reduction in employment, while telephone operators and data entry keyers are projected to decline by 27.6% and 25.5%, respectively. These alarming figures highlight a substantial transition within the workforce as automation and digital tools increasingly replace manual tasks traditionally performed by humans.
Overall, the Labor Department’s projections paint a complex and evolving landscape for the U.S. job market. While significant opportunities lie ahead in healthcare and technology sectors, the displacement of jobs in administrative and certain creative fields presents considerable challenges for workers. As the economy continues to evolve, the ability to adapt and acquire new skills will be critical for the workforce to successfully navigate the changes on the horizon, according to Source Name.