Overall employment outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total US employment will rise by 5.9 million jobs to 176.2 million between 2025 and 2035, a growth rate of 3.5 percent. This is far slower than the 10.9 percent expansion recorded in the previous decade.
Utility industry boom
As artificial intelligence drives higher electricity consumption, the utility industry is expected to post the fastest hiring rate, expanding by 9.8 percent. The surge is linked to hyperscalers building data centres that require large power supplies.
Nearly all the job growth is expected from electric power generation, transmission, and distribution due to increasing demand for electricity, including artificial intelligence power demands.
Within utilities, solar power generation jobs could more than double, rising 153 percent, while wind power employment may increase by 62 percent. Overall, the sector could add about 58,800 positions.
Healthcare and social assistance surge
The healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to add 2.2 million jobs, making it the second-fastest hiring area and accounting for roughly 37 percent of all new jobs through 2035.
Strong employment growth is expected to stem from both the aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Among occupations, nurse practitioners may see a 41 percent rise, and medical and health services managers could grow by 24 percent.
Tech and professional services
The professional, scientific and technical services industry is forecast to be the third-fastest growing sector, expanding by 8.6 percent and creating 926,700 jobs. Demand for data scientists may climb 34.6 percent, while computer and information research scientists could increase by 21.8 percent.
Occupations facing decline
The office and administrative support sector is expected to lose 4 percent, or about 752,100 jobs, the largest drop among major occupational groups. Sales and related occupations may fall 1.4 percent as e-commerce expands and AI tools become more prevalent.
Although the growing adoption of AI is expected to support demand for some occupations, associated productivity gains may dampen employment demand for others.
Generative AI software that automates repetitive tasks could also limit demand in arts, design, entertainment, sports and media occupations.