BLS projects utilities, healthcare to lead US job growth through 2035

September 6, 2026 at 03:05 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects total employment will rise by 5.9 million jobs to 176.2 million from 2025 to 2035, a 3.5% increase. Utilities will grow fastest at 9.8%, while healthcare and social assistance will add 2.2 million jobs, accounting for 37% of all new positions. Office and administrative support will shed 752,100 jobs, the largest decline of any major occupational group.

Key Facts

Total U.S. employment is projected to reach 176.2 million by 2035, an increase of 5.9 million jobs or 3.5% from 2025.
The utility industry is expected to grow employment by 9.8%, the fastest rate among all sectors, driven by demand for electricity including AI power needs.
Healthcare and social assistance will add 2.2 million jobs through 2035, accounting for 37% of all new jobs created.
Nurse practitioners are projected to see a 41% surge in employment, while medical and health services managers will jump 24%.
Office and administrative support occupations will decline by 4%, losing 752,100 jobs, the most of any major occupational group.

Sector Growth Projections

The utility industry is projected to grow employment by 9.8% from 2025 to 2035, the fastest rate among all sectors. Within utilities, solar electric power generation employment is expected to rise 153% and wind electric power generation 62%. Healthcare and social assistance will expand by 2.2 million jobs, a 9.5% growth rate, making it the second-fastest hiring sector. The professional, scientific, and technical services industry is projected to grow 8.6% and add 926,700 jobs, the second most of any sector.

Occupational Shifts

Nurse practitioners are projected to see a 41% increase in employment, while medical and health services managers will rise 24%. Data scientist employment is expected to grow 34.6%, and computer and information research scientists by 21.8%. Office and administrative support occupations will decline by 4%, a loss of 752,100 jobs, the largest drop of any major occupational group. Sales and related occupations will fall by 1.4% as e-commerce expands and AI tools are incorporated into business processes.