10 hottest careers for college graduates

What are the best jobs for college grads? What are possible career options after high school or grad school? These are good question to ask as your teen researches college majors and career prospects. These careers are not the end-all, be-all, but it can be helpful to know what areas of employment are projected to grow over the next 10 years. In the , government economists estimate which occupations will have the most job openings between 2023 and 2033.

Whether your teen is planning to get a graduate degree, a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree, or vocational education, here’s a roundup of the top 10 careers for projected growth by educational attainment. Have your teen take a look at this list to see what, if anything, clicks. Then, have them take a personality test to see what career paths might suit them based on their interests and passions and revisit this list. Then be sure to check out our month-by-month college prep timelines for 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade. Remember, college and career planning can be overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to break it up into smaller chunks of research. And whenever possible, talk about what your teen is learning and thinking.

10 growing careers with a graduate degree

1. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

Projected average annual openings: 48,900
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $53,710

2. Lawyers

Projected average annual openings: 35,600
Typical education needed: Doctoral or professional degree
Median salary in 2023: $145,760

3. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

Projected average annual openings: 29,100
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $61,710

4. Nurse practitioners

Projected average annual openings: 29,000
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $126,260

5. Health specialties teachers, postsecondary

Projected average annual openings: 28,400
Typical education needed: Doctoral or professional degree
Median salary in 2023: $105,650

6. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

Projected average annual openings: 20,800
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $103,460

7. Instructional coordinators

Projected average annual openings: 20,100
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $74,620

8. Healthcare social workers

Projected average annual openings: 18,800
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $62,940

9. Postsecondary teachers

Projected average annual openings: 15,900
Typical education needed: Doctoral or professional degree
Median salary in 2023: $79,870

10. Education administrators, postsecondary

Projected average annual openings: 15,200
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $102,610

10 growing careers for college graduates

1. General and operations managers

Projected average annual openings: 320,800
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $101,280

2. Registered nurses

Projected average annual openings: 194,500
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $86,070

3. Accountants and auditors

Projected average annual openings: 130,800
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $79,880

4. Software developers

Projected average annual openings: 125,100
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $132,270
Related: read more about becoming a web developer

5. Business operations specialists

Projected average annual openings: 107,400
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $79,590

6. Managers

Projected average annual openings: 105,800
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $133,560

7. Management analysts

Projected average annual openings: 95,700
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $99,410

8. Elementary school teachers, except special education

Projected average annual openings: 93,200
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $63,680
Related: Read more about what makes a great teacher

9. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

Projected average annual openings: 88,500
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $74,680

10. Human resource specialists

Projected average annual openings: 86,200
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $67,650

10 growing careers with an associate’s degree or vocational training

1. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

Projected average annual openings: 240,300
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $54,320

2. Nursing assistants

Projected average annual openings: 208,600
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $38,200

3. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Projected average annual openings: 174,900
Typical education needed: Some college, no degree required
Median salary in 2023: $47,440

4. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Projected average annual openings: 161,900
Typical education needed: Some college, no degree required
Median salary in 2023: $35,550

5. Medical assistants

Projected average annual openings: 119,800
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $42,000

6. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Projected average annual openings: 80,000
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $34,970

7. Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Projected average annual openings: 67,800
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $47,770

8. Preschool teachers, except special education

Projected average annual openings: 61,400
Typical education needed: Associate’s degree
Median salary in 2023: $37,130

9. Dental assistants

Projected average annual openings: 54,900
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $46,540
Related: Read more about becoming a dental hygienist

10. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Projected average annual openings: 54,000
Typical education needed: Vocational training
Median salary in 2023: $59,730
Related: Read more about becoming a radiology technologist

10 growing careers for high school graduates

1. Home health and personal care aides

Projected average annual openings: 718,900
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $33,530

2. Stockers and order fillers

Projected average annual openings: 485,800
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $36,390

3. Customer service representatives

Projected average annual openings: 365,300
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $39,680

4. Office clerks, general

Projected average annual openings: 284,600
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $40,480

5. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except medical, legal and executive

Projected average annual openings: 214,400
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $44,280

6. First line supervisors or food preparation and serving workers

Projected average annual openings: 186,900
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $38,520

7. Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators

Projected average annual openings: 163,700
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $38,920

8. Childcare workers

Projected average annual openings: 162,500
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $30,370

9. Security guards

Projected average annual openings: 161,000
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $37,070

10. Maintenance and repair workers, general

Projected average annual openings: 157,200
Typical education needed: High school diploma or GED
Median salary in 2023: $46,700