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Career crystal ball: The 5 most in-demand jobs of the future

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The U.S. continues to see job growth as payroll giant ADP reported that private-sector companies added 113,000 jobs in October. Many of those gains are coming in traditional sectors like hospitality and health services, but what will the future hold? Here are five jobs that will be the most in-demand over the next decade in this week’s Five For Friday.

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#5: Renewable energy engineer

The transition off of fossil fuels is underway, and renewable energy engineers will be in high demand amid the decarbonization push. These engineers research and develop green solutions and are primarily focused on solar and wind power.

You will need some sort of engineering degree, but the median income for this work is $116,000, according to ZipRecruiter. Alternatively, wind turbine service technicians and solar installers will see growth rates of 45% and 22% respectively over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But those jobs pay only about half as much.

#4: Information security analyst & cybersecurity analyst

Ransomware and cyber attacks have been top of mind in recent years, and that’s why the world needs more information security and cybersecurity analysts. Both of these roles are intended to mitigate risk to a company’s data. Cyber analysts specifically focus on protecting hardware, software and networks.

The median salary for these positions is $112,000, according to BLS. To get the job, you will likely need a degree, but computer-savvy people with the right skills and experience may be able to get around that requirement.

#3: Business intelligence analyst

Analyzing data is crucial to keeping a business humming along. Business intelligence analysts dig through the numbers and turn them into tables that non-data nerds can read. That information is then used to increase profits and efficiency.

A degree in data science or finance doesn’t hurt, and certifications can help you get your foot in the door. A business intelligence analyst pulls in an average of $88,000 per year, according to Glassdoor.

#2: Sustainability Specialist

Here’s another job for going green. Sustainability specialists work with corporations and universities to reduce their employer’s environmental impact. Your dedication to the planet will net you a median income of $68,000, according to Glassdoor.

You will need a bachelor’s degree in a related field like environmental studies or sustainability. Experts also suggest padding your resume with volunteer work in the space to put you ahead of your peers.

#1: AI and machine learning specialist

Artificial intelligence is clearly the wave of the future, and AI and machine learning specialists are set to be the fastest-growing careers in the next several years. The World Economic Forum says the field will see a 40% spike in roles by 2027.

Generative AI is playing a big role in that. LinkedIn’s future of jobs report says that mentions of GPT are up 21-fold since last November. AI engineer job postings on LinkedIn doubled from the first quarter to the second quarter of this year. Median income sits around $140,000, but you will need a degree in computer science. As the field becomes more competitive, a specialty in AI won’t hurt.

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Simone Del Rosario:

America is still hiring! We’re used to seeing job gains in traditional sectors like hospitality and construction, but what will be the jobs of the future? And how can you prepare now? Here are 5 jobs that will be most in-demand in the next decade in this week’s Five For Friday.

The energy transition is happening one way or another. And renewable energy engineers, mostly solar and wind, will be in high demand in the coming years. These are the ones that research and develop green solutions. ZipRecruiter says you’ll need an engineering degree but with a median income of $116,000, at least you can pay back your loans. Alternatively, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says wind turbine service technicians and solar installers will see growth rates of 45% and 22% over the next decade, but get about half the pay.

Ransomware and cyber attacks have been kinda wild in recent years and that’s where information security and cyber security analysts come in. Overall both of these roles focus on mitigating risk to company data. But cyber analysts protect a company’s hardware, software and networks, with a median salary of $112K per year. You likely need a degree for this one, but surely there are some basement dwellers with the right, ahem, experience to get around it.

Every workplace needs a data nerd to make those spreadsheets make sense. Business intelligence analysts dig through the numbers and turn them into tables and reports so us regular people can understand. That info’s then used to drive profits and efficiency. A degree in data science or finance doesn’t hurt, but you can get your foot in the door by collecting certifications. A BI analyst brings home an average $88 grand per year, according to Glassdoor. You’ll also want some glasses held together by tape and a pocket protector.

Two computer geeks down and we’re back to going green. Sustainability specialists work with corporations and universities to reduce their employer’s environmental impact. Your green heart will net you a median income of $68,000, according to Glassdoor. To get in the door, you need a bachelor’s in something like environmental studies or sustainability…who woulda thought? To stand out from the pack, experts suggest you goose your resume with volunteer work in the space.

No surprise here, AI and machine learning specialists top the list of fastest-growing jobs. The World Economic Forum sees a 40% jump in the field by 2027. Generative AI is playing a big role. LinkedIn’s Future of Jobs report says mentions of GPT are up 21-fold since last November. And AI engineer job postings on LinkedIn doubled from Q1 to Q2 this year. Median income is around $140K but you’re gonna need a degree in computer science…A speciality in AI wouldn’t hurt. Just don’t end up creating the tech behind Skynet like Miles Dyson in Terminator. It doesn’t end well.

Back to the present, LinkedIn says the most in-demand jobs this year are for foodies. Bakers, junior cooks and meat cutters are hot commodities. That’s Five For Friday, I’m Simone Del Rosario. It’s Just Business.