The US job market added 353,000 jobs in January 2024, with a strong labor market and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. The overall outlook for the US economy remains positive, with strong wage growth, high consumer confidence, and a tight labor market [700728cf].
Job openings in various industries have seen major shifts, with some sectors experiencing a decline in labor shortages while others continue to struggle. In light of these trends, Yahoo Finance has compiled a list of the 25 easiest and best-paying jobs of 2024. These jobs offer a combination of high pay and relatively low barriers to entry, making them attractive options for job seekers.
Some of the easiest and best-paying jobs of 2024 include:
1. Freelance writer
2. Digital marketer
3. Life insurance agent
4. Virtual assistant
5. Funeral home manager
6. Dental hygienist
7. Equity research associate
8. Professional sleeper
9. SEO director
10. Private island caretaker
11. HR manager
12. Senior editor
13. Fire chief
14. Scrum master
15. Software tester
These jobs span a range of industries, from writing and marketing to finance and healthcare. They offer opportunities for individuals with various skill sets and interests to find well-paying work [700728cf].
The United States labor market is off to a flying start for the year, with the economy adding 350,000 jobs last month. American firms expect to increase the average worker's salary by 4% in 2024, higher than previous years. Additional employee benefits may include paid bereavement leave for a broader circle of loved ones, work-flex options, and time off for women experiencing menopause. Many companies also plan to offer financial coaching and debt counseling services to their employees. The concept of a four-day workweek is gaining traction, with 18% of US businesses already transitioning towards it. Artificial intelligence is expected to pick up the slack for the extra day off. Despite concerns about AI replacing human workers, it is also creating demand for new roles. The top jobs in the US for 2024 include nurse practitioner, financial manager, software developer, IT manager, and physician's assistant. Non-college degree jobs are also available, such as hearing aid specialists, community health workers, electricians, wind turbine technicians, and flight attendants. The US labor market offers abundant opportunities, higher pay, improved benefits, and the potential for a shorter workweek in 2024 [a896a531].
The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides comprehensive data on the physical requirements of about 480 jobs at 56,300 U.S. workplaces. The data set aims to help the Social Security Administration (SSA) make better decisions on disability claims by determining if individuals can perform their old job or any other possible job in the country. Firefighters are found to be the most physically demanding job, with requirements such as standing 56% of the time, lifting a maximum weight of 126 pounds, exposure to extreme heat and hazardous materials, and a high risk of cancer. Other physically demanding jobs include RV and bus-and-truck mechanics, roofers, paramedics, and police officers. Dishwashers have the wettest job, with about two-thirds of them constantly or frequently exposed to water. The job that requires the most work experience is managing engineers and architects, with an average of 9.2 years of previous experience. HVAC mechanics and installers require the most on-the-job training, averaging 6.1 months. [d435207e].
The February 2024 jobs report revealed a strong addition of 275,000 jobs to the US economy, surpassing expectations and indicating continued strength in the labor market. Sectors like health care, leisure and hospitality, and government experienced growth. Mark Zuckerberg revealed Meta Platforms Inc's pivot towards a leaner operational model, signaling a departure from its previous hiring practices. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc faced major challenges in rebuilding its workforce post-pandemic. Mental healthcare professions dominate the list of top jobs in the US. The list of 12 jobs that will be in demand in the next 10 years includes Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides, Actuaries, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, Physician Assistants, Epidemiologists, Medical and Health Services Managers, and more. The list is presented in ascending order based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' employment growth rates [67955174].
This article explores ten low-paying jobs in the USA that are facing a decline in popularity. The jobs include pest control workers, tradespeople (welders, carpenters, HVAC technicians, and plumbers), retail workers, grocery store workers, bus drivers, butchers, corrections officers, pest control workers, hospitality workers, teachers, nurses, and grocery store workers. The reasons behind the declining interest in these jobs vary, including low salaries, demanding work conditions, physical strain, high stress, and lack of benefits. The article highlights the need for a more sustainable and equitable approach to the workforce and calls for attention and reform to address the shortcomings of these professions [1e324a75].
According to a report by CompTIA, the US tech workforce is projected to grow by 3.1% in 2024, adding more than 300,000 new workers. The report also highlights that 20 states and 14 metropolitan areas are expected to exceed the average growth rate. The tech industry is projected to have a significant economic impact, with tech sectors in 30 states generating $1 billion or more in direct economic impact. The report provides long-term projections for job growth, with tech occupation employment expected to expand at about twice the rate of overall employment across the US economy over the next 10 years [a3637719].
AI is estimated to automate up to 30% of working hours in the US economy by 2030. 37% of business leaders replaced employees with AI in 2023. Jobs in healthcare, education, law, and creative professions are considered safe from AI. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, mental health counselors, and post-secondary nursing instructors have the highest projected growth. Teachers' jobs will be transformed but not disappear. Legal work still requires a human touch. Writers, artists, and other creatives develop a unique blend of cultural understanding and personal expression that remains elusive to algorithms [b06664c1].
Seattle, already known for its tech industry, has become one of the top three new AI job hotspots in the country, with over 3,000 AI jobs available. The University of Washington offers a curriculum in artificial intelligence through the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering. Seattle also remains among the nation's top 10 overall job markets, according to the Wall Street Journal and Moody's Analytics [c2ac14aa].
Meanwhile, New York City is set to benefit from the rise of artificial intelligence. A study suggests that AI will create $320 billion worth of value in New York City over the next 15 years. The city already has 40,000 AI professionals and is the second-biggest venue for raising money for AI companies. The number of AI professionals is expected to grow significantly in the next three years as 90% of executives in the city try to bring in more talent. Within 15 years, AI will become so prevalent that two-thirds of New Yorkers' working hours will either be automated or augmented by AI, adding billions to the economy. The study suggests that AI will simplify jobs rather than replace them and level the playing field for younger workers and those without connections. New York is already home to 35 AI 'unicorns' and has the opportunity to implement AI in unique ways across multiple sectors. The city's cultural and social scene, research labs, and immigrant population of entrepreneurs make it an ideal place to recruit AI talent. The state of New York is also investing $400 million in AI research and investments to become an AI hub [76698dc0].
The rate of businesses in the US using AI is still relatively small but growing rapidly, with firms in information technology and professional services, and in locations like Colorado and the District of Columbia, leading the way. Overall use of AI tools by firms in the production of goods and services rose from 3.7% last fall to 5.4% in February, and it is expected to rise in the US to 6.6% by early fall, according to the bureau's Business Trends and Outlook Survey released this spring. Few firms utilizing AI tools reported laying off workers because of it. The rate of AI use among business sectors varied widely, from 1.4% in construction and agriculture to 18.1% in information technology. The two places with the nation's highest AI use by firms, Colorado and the District of Columbia, had adoption rates of 7.4% and 7.2%, respectively. The type of work AI was used for the most included marketing tasks, customer service chatbots, getting computers to understand human languages, text and data analytics, and voice recognition. [14111bc9].
A recent study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that most US jobs are considered boring. The study surveyed around 1.2 million people and revealed that two-thirds of people were most interested in 'people-oriented' jobs, while one-third preferred 'things-oriented' jobs. The distribution of people's interests did not align with US job demands in 2014, 2019, and projected 2029, indicating large gaps between interest supply and demand. Interest gaps were generally larger at lower education levels, suggesting that higher education can provide more opportunities for interest fit at work. 'Boring jobs' were typically those involving working with hands or machinery, such as construction or manufacturing jobs, as well as jobs involving data and processing like accountants or auditors. The study suggests that the way jobs are introduced to young people and stereotypes around trades may contribute to these perceptions. However, there is still a need for skilled trade jobs, and efforts should be made to ensure a pipeline of interested young people to fill them [3a5881ad].
Many companies are shifting towards skills-based hiring, prioritizing practical skills and real-world experience over formal education. Data from job site Indeed shows a decrease in the mention of college degrees in 87% of occupational groups. A ZipRecruiter survey of 2,000 employers found that 45% of employers have removed degree requirements for certain roles and 72% prioritize skills over certificates in job candidates. The trend is attributed to the high demand for workers following the reopening of the U.S. economy in 2021. The focus on skills-based hiring is also in line with efforts towards workplace equity. While traditional measures of job fit remain important in certain professions, skills-based hiring offers new career opportunities and benefits for both businesses and workers. However, there are challenges to implementing this shift, such as entrenched behavior among hiring managers. Job seekers should align their resumes with skills-based job ads and be prepared for skills tests during the hiring process. [fc775901] [5f888f28]
The most common jobs in the United States are home health care aide, retail salesperson, and fast-food and counter worker, which are all tied for first place on a long list of professions tracked by the government. However, the 2023 median salaries listed for these jobs do not offer a living wage in any state across the country. The median salaries offered by the top three most common jobs are at least $11,000 short of what is needed to make ends meet in states with the cheapest cost of living. Wages for other essential workers, such as restaurant servers, janitors, and warehouse stockers, are also insufficient. President Joe Biden is trailing Donald Trump in the polls and hemorrhaging support from voters without college degrees.