Coming in hot: 4 top jobs in 2023 could provide security in the future

Thinking about switching jobs this year — or at least setting a new course for an eventual career change? You might want to make sure you’re entering a field that’s destined for growth. Check out the list below for a few of 2023’s hottest jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. A combination of factors— high numbers of retiring veteran nurses, aging Baby Boomer and Gen X populations and the increasing prevalence of preventative healthcare — continues to make nursing one of the nation’s fastest-growing professions. Jobs are expected to grow by 46 percent over the next decade. Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners must earn advanced degrees and must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam. The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $120,680 in 2021, according to the BLS.

Medical and health services managers

Growing demand for medical procedures and health services from the nation’s aging population has triggered significant demand for qualified professionals to help coordinate the required care, both with patients and with medical service providers. As a result, projected growth in jobs for medical and health service managers will grow 28 percent through 2031, according to the bureau’s data. Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers. The median annual wage was $101,340 in 2021.

Wind turbine service technicians

While the overall number of wind turbine service technicians is still small, jobs in the field will grow by 44 percent in the next 10 years. Wind turbine service technicians install, maintain and repair wind turbines. Preparation may consist of an earned degree or certification at a technical school and on-the-job training. The median annual wage for wind turbine technicians was $56,260 in May 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Current projections don’t take into account any new infrastructure initiative in the years ahead but because wind electricity generation is expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade, additional technicians will be needed to install and maintain new turbines. Job prospects are expected to be excellent.

Solar photovoltaic installer

As the United States looks to increase alternative sources of energy, solar photovoltaic (PV) installers will increase by nearly 30 percent over the next 10 years. Solar PV installers assemble, set up and maintain rooftops or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. While the majority of solar panel installations are done outdoors, PV installers sometimes work in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the electrical grid. Although installers typically need a high school diploma, some take courses at a technical school or community college. Installers typically receive on-the-job training lasting up to one year. In 2021, the median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $47,670.