Daniel Lehewych, M.A. | Writer

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Here Are The Job Fields That Will Be The Most Lucrative By 2030

Why software development might be the most lucrative career of the decade

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  • The most lucrative job of 2030 will be registered nursing (RNs); this profession has projected job growth of 15% over the next decade.

  • Software development will be the most lucrative STEM job by 2030.

  • Success in the future of work will be determined by how much workers are willing to expand their skill-set.

Are you looking for a job that pays better and will do so for a long time? Are you looking for a job that will provide you the most bang for your buck? For most Americans, the answer is “yes!” 

62% of Americans are considering changing their job in 2022. And at least 36% are making such considerations for the sake of earning more money. 

Keeping the long-term future in mind is vital in looking for a lucrative job. A job that might be lucrative now might not be as lucrative in 2030. But which jobs will be lucrative by 2030? Which jobs will see the highest increases in employment by 2030?  

The healthcare industry will see the biggest boom in lucrative jobs. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be quite devastating to healthcare systems. As a result, healthcare providers are tired, and many are even quitting jobs they’ve had for decades to escape the overwhelming stress.  

Despite this, healthcare will see a massive boom in employment opportunities by 2030. According to The Motley Fool, the most lucrative job of 2030 will be registered nursing (RNs). RNs have projected job growth of 15% over the next decade.  

“Registered nurses (RNs) assess patients’ health problems and needs, develop care plans, and maintain patient medical records. In 2016 there were around 2.9 million registered nurse positions in the U.S. By 2030, there could be 3.5 million RN positions. The median wage for registered nurses last year was $68,450. This position requires an associate’s degree at minimum, although many registered nurses hold bachelor’s degrees,” according to the report.  

In the same report, various other professions in the domain of healthcare are mentioned:  

  • Physical Therapists: “The number of physical therapists could increase to 337,000 by 2030, up from nearly 217,000 last year.”

  • Nurse Practitioners: “Employment for nurse practitioners is expected to grow from 150,000 last year to 205,000 by 2030.”

  • Physician Assistant: “There were around 104,000 physician assistant positions in the U.S. last year. By 2030, that number could rise to more than 144,000.”

In each case, The Motley Fool determines the “lucrativeness” of each position not by its salary but by job growth. In each case, however, healthcare jobs are well-paying –in the positions mentioned above, salaries range from $80,000-$110,000.  

Software development takes the cake for STEM.  

Software development will be the most lucrative STEM job by 2030. Indeed, more accurately, it is slated to remain the most lucrative STEM job by 2030, as it is currently the most lucrative.  

“There could be around 947,000 applications software developer positions in the U.S. by 2030, up from 718,000 in 2014. The median wage for applications software developers last year was $102,280. This position typically requires a bachelor’s degree,” according to The Motley Fool.  

Various sources agree with this projection or one that is similar. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in software development will increase by 22% from 2020 to 2030.  

Industries that are growing the fastest into 2030  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the following jobs will be the fastest-growing (in terms of increased employment) industries from now until 2030:  

  • Motion picture projectionists (70.5%

  • Wind turbine service technicians (68.2%)

  • Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers (61.8%)

  • Solar photovoltaic installers (52.1%)

  • Cooks at restaurants (48.9%)

  • Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes (46.3%)

  • Costume attendants (44.3%)

  • Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (39.3%)

The most lucrative jobs require more significant skill acquisition on the part of workers.  

For job seekers, what is essential to keep in mind about all of these growing positions is that almost all of them require specific training. To acquire these jobs, you will be required to gain skills through either certificates, experience, or schooling.  

Therefore, success in the future of work will be determined by how much workers are willing to expand their skill-set. Likewise, those who are willing to further their education will reap the benefits of these growing fields.  

There are plenty of ways workers can gain such skills from the comfort of their homes. Coursera, Masterclass, and Udemy are all online options that offer classes from experts from all industries.   

Many of the classes these services offer provide certificates that can translate into real jobs. For instance, Udemy provides a personal training certification course –a certification that is required to legally obtain a career as a fitness trainer at a gym.  

Conclusion:

By 2030, substantial increases in healthcare employment will be seen. If you are solely concerned about which job will be the most lucrative in 2030, becoming a registered nurse is your best bet.   

In all cases, however, an interest in the most lucrative jobs of 2030 must be had in conjunction with an interest in skill development. All of the fields expected to grow in employment opportunities over the next eight years require that workers obtain specialized skills.  

Thus, if there is one thing for workers to take away from learning about 2030’s most lucrative fields, they should seek out the skills they need to acquire lucrative positions by enrolling in online courses, certificates, or even by going back to school.  

Meta-description: By 2030, the fields that will be most lucrative will require workers to obtain new skills. To keep up with the future of work, workers should enroll in courses, certificates, or schooling that can help them obtain these new skills.