32 Most In-Demand Jobs 2025 [This is Where the Jobs Will Be]
The world is always changing. While some may disagree with me, we have left the information age and with it, we’ve also left behind some jobs that are becoming obsolete in this country. Those of us who adapt will continue to experience fruitful careers. Just as the early 2000s brought about a large decline in manufacturing and construction jobs due to robotics innovations, we are about to enter a new era of transformation.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of changes, considering making a career change, or looking for careers in demand for a 2025 high school graduate, or college graduate, here is my list of the most in-demand jobs this year. While some of this will line up with government data, some of these job predictions are based on the current economic and political climate, as well as an analysis of adjacent industries to emerging technology.
Nuclear Engineers
Nuclear engineers research new uses and manage nuclear power material.
Why They’re on the List
While there are no new large-scale nuclear plants being built in the US as I write this, big tech companies are looking to SMRs (small modular reactors) to power their AI data centers. The power needed for artificial intelligence is expected to double over the next 3 years and reach 96 gigawatts. These data centers require an enormous amount of power.
Estimated Salary
While salaries can fluctuate quite a bit across the US, the median annual wage nationally is around $125,000 per year.
How to Become a Nuclear Engineer
This job requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering often followed by a graduate degree. State licensure is typically required as well as a passing score on two exams and several years of work experience.
Artificial Intelligence Project Managers
An AI project manager is similar to any other project manager, except that they work with overseeing the lifecycles of an artificial intelligence project. This involves scoping new projects, managing planning activities, allocating resources, assessing risks, tracking budgets, communicating with stakeholders, and leveraging other AI tools and techniques to ensure project success.
Why They’re on the List
I expect many project manager roles to evolve over the next few years. AI has bled into so many areas of business and companies are rushing to stay ahead of the current advancement curve. With this, there is an increased need for project managers proficient with AI tools, techniques, and processes. I expect this to be an emerging job opportunity throughout 2025.
Estimated Salary
This is a new job that hasn’t existed before. There are many factors that seem to be impacting the salary including location and the scope of the AI projects being worked on. Many companies have turned to freelancers and consultants in 2024 for this type of work, but I expect that to shift in 2025.
I’ve seen salaries as low as $100,000 and as high as $220,000. I can only guess at the median wage because there is so little data out there, but I would estimate it to be around $120,000 per year.
How to Become an AI Project Manager
For this job, you’ll need a foundation in project management including managing schedules, resources, and people. Beyond that, you’ll also need to understand the unique risks associated with failed AI projects, and regulations, and stay current on a rapidly evolving compliance environment.
The skills needed to manage AI projects are different because the same AI prompt might give you a different answer tomorrow than it does today. It’s a role that requires a lot of flexibility and a mastery of data analysis.
Most AI project managers have a bachelor's degree, but it’s such a new role that it’s hard to say with certainty that a specific degree will be required.
Caretakers
Memory care, elder care, and childcare workers all take care of others who are not capable of taking care of themselves. This may involve working at a designated facility or traveling to individual homes to check on patients or stay with patients for an extended amount of time.
Why They’re on the List
Return to Work (RTO) initiatives are in full swing whether we like it or not. Most news sources say that anywhere from 65% to 90% of companies will return to the office by the end of 2025.
With that, comes a need for someone to watch over our elders, our sick, and our young. With fewer remote jobs available, I expect many will have to ultimately decide to return to an office and will no longer be able to both work and care for their families in the same way we did during the immediate post-pandemic world.
Estimated Salary
Most of these positions are hourly jobs earning anywhere from $15 per hour to $20 per hour. Depending on the location, I’ve seen memory care and childcare workers make as little as minimum wage.
How to Become a Caretaker
Most of these roles only require a high school diploma. There’s a good chance you will also have to pass a background check and you may have to complete a certification program such as a CDP (certified dementia practitioner) for memory care or an ECE (early childhood education) for childcare work.
Compensation Analysts
Compensation analysts research, analyze and implement pay structures. They study market trends, conduct salary surveys, and evaluate jobs to ensure employees are paid competitively.
Why They’re on the List
I’ve put them on the list for two reasons. First, as jobs begin to transform and new skills are needed as we exit the information age, we need to determine how much to pay these people.
Secondly, I don’t think the economy has quite rebounded and found its happy place yet since the pandemic. We lost a ton of jobs, then we overgrew and overpaid as we rebounded, and the last two years we’ve seen the effects of all of that.
Compensation analysts will play an important role in 2025 in determining pay structures that align with budgets and legal regulations.
Estimated Salary
The average salary for a compensation analyst in the US is around $80,000 per year.
How to Become a Compensation Analyst
Most comp analysts have a bachelor's degree in finance, human resources, or business. It’s also a good idea to gain experience in human resources. If you’re starting your career, you could look at HR assistant or payroll specialist roles as an entry point and then move into the compensation department. I’ve also seen people enter after being a data analyst.
Urban Farming and Vertical Farming Specialists
The US lags behind other countries in urban and vertical farming. That’s probably because of how much space we have to grow crops on large scales without doing it. However, over the past few years, more and more of our food has been imported. In 2023 nearly half of our vegetable, fruit, and nut imports came from Mexico. I suspect that urban farming and jobs such as agronomists will be on the rise.
Why They’re on the List
It’s not hard to find a story these days about climate change affecting farms in the US. The extremes are taking a toll on many crops and our ability to grow them in mass production. I have a hunch that as this continues to be a problem, we will start investing more in urban and vertical farming methods, and along with that comes jobs.
Estimated Salary
This isn’t one particular job, but a set of jobs. Those in urban farming can make anywhere from $25 per hour working on an urban farm to $80,000 in planning these farms.
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers transport goods from one location to another.
Why They’re on the List
Trade and transportation have been at the top of job lists for years in terms of the number of jobs available. I see this trend continuing. There has also been a shortage of qualified truck drivers for several years now.
Even if imports decline with political policies such as tariffs (which I don’t think a big decline will happen, but that’s a whole different topic), we still have to move goods around the country regardless of whether it’s imported from overseas or made here in the US. This will continue to be an in-demand job.
Estimated Salary
The BLS states that the mean pay for truck drivers is around $55,000, but I’ve known several truck drivers who make closer to $90,000 per year. Much of this depends on the distance of your routes and the type of work you do. If you’re moving goods from a port of entry to a warehouse several states away, you’re likely to make more than the truck driver who is delivering goods from the warehouse to local stores.
How to Become a Truck Driver
Most states require that you are 21 years of age, have a good driving record, attend a truck driving school, and pass the CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) exam. You also will have to pass a DOT physical and clear a background check.
Related Article: 37 Best Driving Jobs [For People Who Love Driving]
Artificial Intelligence Security Architects
AI security architects design, implement and maintain security frameworks for generative systems. Their job is to make sure AIs are secure, compliant, and protected against threats.
Why They’re on the List
As more AI systems come online, there is a growing need to protect them from hackers and people who would do harm to them. I also predict that we will see a wave of new legislation governing AI and its use and companies will need to respond to ensure compliance.
Estimated Salary
This is a fairly new job type, so it’s hard to get enough data to make an accurate prediction but I would estimate this role paying around $135,000 per year based on what similar jobs pay currently.
How to Become an AI Security Architect
Most people entering these roles tend to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or another IT field. I’ve noticed that several also have an MBA in IT Management. These jobs require technical and analytical skills, but also a deep knowledge of industry regulations and experience. Some people in these jobs also hold a CISSP or CISM certification.
Cole Sperry has been a recruiter and resume writer since 2015, working with tens of thousands of job seekers, and hundreds of employers. Today Cole runs a boutique advisory firm consulting with dozens of recruiting firms and is the Managing Editor at OptimCareers.com.
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