New data has revealed the jobs growing and declining the fastest in the US, with nurse midwives claiming the top spot.
The study, conducted by Plus Docs, has analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on employment figures for occupations from 2020 to 2024. The percentage change in the number of people employed (in thousands) was calculated, and the jobs were ranked.
Fastest-Growing Jobs in the US
| Rank | Occupation | Industry | Change in number employed (%) | Number employed in 2024 (thousands) | Number employed in 2020 (thousands) |
| 1 | Nurse midwives | Healthcare practitioners and technical | 260% | 18 | 5 |
| =2 | Proofreaders and copy markers | Office and administrative support | 250% | 14 | 4 |
| =2 | Tire builders | Production | 250% | 7 | 2 |
| 3 | Natural sciences managers | Management | 231% | 53 | 16 |
| 4 | Photographic process workers and processing machine operators | Production | 220% | 32 | 10 |
| 5 | Reinforcing iron and rebar workers | Construction and extraction | 167% | 8 | 3 |
| 6 | Dancers and choreographers | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 143% | 17 | 7 |
| 7 | Machine feeders and offbearers | Transportation and material moving | 136% | 26 | 11 |
| 8 | Ambulance drivers and attendants | Transportation and material moving | 130% | 23 | 10 |
| 9 | Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators | Construction and extraction | 120% | 11 | 5 |
Image Courtesy of: Plus Docs
1. Nurse midwives: 260% growth
This dual registration profession has grown from 5,000 in 2020 to 18,000 in 2024. According to a 2023 article from the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the US is lagging behind other high-income countries in terms of childbirth care, with only 4 midwives per 1,000 live births. In most other high-income countries, there are between 30 and 70 midwives. The increase in nurse midwife numbers over recent years could be in response to this shortage.
=2. Proofreaders and copy markers: 250% increase
With the rise in AI-powered chatbots, it would seem more plausible for proofreaders to become less in demand, but this is not the case. While AI is convenient, it makes mistakes, and it can be obvious to readers when it has been used. Proofreaders, therefore, are more crucial than ever before.
=2. Tire builders: 250% growth
The US automotive industry is one of the largest in the world, and as more vehicles continue to be sold, more people are needed to produce essential parts like tires. With the rise in electric vehicles, the need for skilled tire builders who specialize in EV tires is required. There has also been an uptick in e-commerce, so more delivery vans and trucks are being produced, requiring even more tires.
3. Natural sciences managers: 231% rise
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have experienced rapid growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the increased demand for new medicines, vaccines, and medical tech. The growing emphasis on sustainability and finding solutions to climate change could also have led to greater demand.
4. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators: 220% rise
The increase in the number of people working in this field could be due to the rise in e-commerce, with the likes of Amazon needing professional product images of their goods to showcase online.
Fastest-Declining Jobs in the US
| Rank | Occupation | Industry | Change in number employed (%) | Number employed in 2024 (thousands) | Number employed in 2020 (thousands) |
| 1 | Model makers and patternmakers, metal and plastic | Production | -88% | 1 | 8 |
| =2 | Survey researchers | Life, physical, and social science | -80% | 1 | 5 |
| =2 | Statistical assistants | Office and administrative support | -80% | 13 | 65 |
| 3 | Animal control workers | Protective service | -75% | 2 | 8 |
| 4 | Agricultural engineers | Architecture and engineering | -71% | 2 | 7 |
| 5 | Etchers and engravers | Production | -60% | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers | Architecture and engineering | -59% | 7 | 17 |
| 7 | Parking enforcement workers | Protective service | -58% | 5 | 12 |
| =8 | Telemarketers | Sales and related | -54% | 22 | 48 |
| =8 | Rehabilitation counselors | Community and social service | -54% | 13 | 28 |
Image Courtesy of: Plus Docs
1. Model makers and patternmakers, metal and plastic: 88% decline
Automation has most likely been the cause of the decline in model makers. Industries like the automotive, aerospace, toy and film spaces are relying more on automated technology to streamline processes, aiding efficiency and cost.
=2. Survey researchers: 80% drop
The most likely reason for the shrinking of this profession is the rise of online survey platforms, such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, and Qualtrics, allowing businesses and researchers to collect data without needing specialized survey researchers.
=2. Statistical assistants: 80% reduction
Like with many other entries in the top ten, the reduction in statistical assistants is most likely due to advancements in technology. AI-powered analytics can now perform statistical research faster and more accurately than humans, and many organizations now implement user-friendly software like Tableau and Power BI, allowing non-statisticians to analyze data.
3. Animal control workers: 75% decline
Most animal control services are primarily funded by local governments, which have faced budget cuts in recent years across many regions. This has led to reduced job openings and staff reductions.
4. Agricultural engineers: 71% decrease
According to the US Department of Agriculture, over recent years, the number of farms and farmers has been steadily declining, with smaller family farms being taken over by large agribusiness operations. This has likely contributed to the shrinking number of agricultural engineers, as there are fewer farms to work on.
Daniel Li, CEO and Co-Founder of Plus Docs, commented on the findings: “The data highlights a fascinating shift in the US workforce. On one hand, we’re seeing explosive growth in professions like nurse midwives and proofreaders, reflecting rising healthcare needs and the ongoing importance of human oversight in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
“On the other hand, traditional roles such as model makers and patternmakers are rapidly declining, largely due to automation and technological advancements. These trends underscore how innovation, societal needs, and technology are reshaping the job landscape, creating opportunities in some sectors while reducing demand in others.”
Methodology:
1. Data on average employment figures (in thousands) for 540 occupations for 2020 and 2024 was found.
2. The percentage change in the number of people employed (in thousands) was calculated and the jobs were ranked.
Full ranking of top 50 fastest-growing occupations:
| Rank | Occupation | Industry | Change in number employed (%) | Number employed in 2024 (thousands) | Number employed in 2020 (thousands) |
| 1 | Nurse midwives | Healthcare practitioners and technical | 260 | 18 | 5 |
| 2 | Proofreaders and copy markers | Office and administrative support | 250 | 14 | 4 |
| 3 | Tire builders | Production | 250 | 7 | 2 |
| 4 | Natural sciences managers | Management | 231 | 53 | 16 |
| 5 | Photographic process workers and processing machine operators | Production | 220 | 32 | 10 |
| 6 | Reinforcing iron and rebar workers | Construction and extraction | 167 | 8 | 3 |
| 7 | Dancers and choreographers | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 143 | 17 | 7 |
| 8 | Machine feeders and offbearers | Transportation and material moving | 136 | 26 | 11 |
| 9 | Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians | Transportation and material moving | 130 | 23 | 10 |
| 10 | Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators | Construction and extraction | 120 | 11 | 5 |
| 11 | Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping | Office and administrative support | 111 | 93 | 44 |
| 12 | Psychiatric technicians | Healthcare practitioners and technical | 106 | 138 | 67 |
| 13 | Fish and game wardens | Protective service | 100 | 8 | 4 |
| 14 | Animal breeders | Farming, fishing, and forestry | 100 | 8 | 4 |
| 15 | Actors | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 97 | 57 | 29 |
| 16 | Models, demonstrators, and product promoters | Sales and related | 86 | 52 | 28 |
| 17 | Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters | Construction and extraction | 83 | 11 | 6 |
| 18 | Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers | Personal care and service | 82 | 40 | 22 |
| 19 | Entertainment and recreation managers | Management | 80 | 72 | 40 |
| 20 | Information security analysts | Computer and mathematical | 77 | 243 | 137 |
| 21 | School bus monitors | Protective service | 76 | 30 | 17 |
| 22 | Correspondence clerks | Office and administrative support | 75 | 7 | 4 |
| 23 | Morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers | Personal care and service | 74 | 33 | 19 |
| 24 | Riggers | Installation, maintenance, and repair | 71 | 12 | 7 |
| 25 | Stationary engineers and boiler operators | Production | 71 | 96 | 56 |
| 26 | Travel agents | Sales and related | 71 | 87 | 51 |
| 27 | Helpers-production workers | Production | 68 | 64 | 38 |
| 28 | Mathematicians | Computer and mathematical | 67 | 5 | 3 |
| 29 | Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 67 | 40 | 24 |
| 30 | Coaches and scouts | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 62 | 340 | 210 |
| 31 | Disc jockeys, except radio | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 60 | 24 | 15 |
| 32 | Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles | Installation, maintenance, and repair | 60 | 8 | 5 |
| 33 | Wind turbine service technicians | Installation, maintenance, and repair | 60 | 8 | 5 |
| 34 | Flight attendants | Transportation and material moving | 59 | 129 | 81 |
| 35 | First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers | Protective service | 58 | 52 | 33 |
| 36 | Taxi drivers | Transportation and material moving | 57 | 514 | 327 |
| 37 | Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners | Construction and extraction | 57 | 11 | 7 |
| 38 | Locksmiths and safe repairers | Installation, maintenance, and repair | 57 | 44 | 28 |
| 39 | Public relations and fundraising managers | Management | 57 | 149 | 95 |
| 40 | Audiologists | Healthcare practitioners and technical | 55 | 31 | 20 |
| 41 | Miscellaneous construction and related workers | Construction and extraction | 55 | 34 | 22 |
| 42 | Gambling cage workers | Office and administrative support | 54 | 20 | 13 |
| 43 | Couriers and messengers | Office and administrative support | 54 | 889 | 578 |
| 44 | Petroleum engineers | Architecture and engineering | 53 | 23 | 15 |
| 45 | Elevator and escalator installers and repairers | Construction and extraction | 53 | 29 | 19 |
| 46 | Broadcast, sound, and lighting technicians | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media | 52 | 117 | 77 |
| 47 | Dishwashers | Food preparation and serving related | 51 | 277 | 184 |
| 48 | Emergency management directors | Management | 50 | 18 | 12 |
| 49 | Social science research assistants | Life, physical, and social science | 50 | 6 | 4 |
| 50 | Bartenders | Food preparation and serving related occupations | 50 | 450 | 301 |
Image Courtesy of: Plus Docs
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