Best Jobs to Get Right Now in 2026: Top In-Demand Careers in the US Labor Market
In a job market reshaped by AI, economic shifts, and an aging population, finding stable, high-paying work is crucial--especially for Gen Z, career changers, and entry-level seekers. Drawing from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, LinkedIn's 2026 Jobs on the Rise report, and industry analyses, this guide spotlights the fastest-growing careers through 2030. Expect massive shortages in healthcare (8.4% sector growth), booming renewables (13.7 million global jobs), and AI-resilient tech roles. Whether you're eyeing no-degree paths, remote gigs, or trades immune to automation, get stats, trends, and step-by-step entry plans to land these opportunities now.
Quick Answer: The Top 10 Best Jobs to Get Hired for in 2026
For immediate value, here's a ranked list of top jobs based on BLS growth rates, LinkedIn demand, median salaries (2026 estimates), and entry barriers. Prioritize healthcare and green energy for stability; tech for remote pay.
- Nurse Practitioner - 45.7% growth (BLS); $120,680 median wage; MSN required, but RN-to-MSN bridges in 12-24 months.
- Wind Turbine Technician - 68% growth (BLS); $68,000+ entry; 1-year cert, no degree.
- Cybersecurity Analyst - 35%+ pay premium with AI skills (CyberSeek); $100k+ entry; certs like CompTIA (57% postings require).
- Medical and Health Services Manager - 28% growth (BLS); $110k+; Associate's or experience.
- Data Annotator (AI) - $20-180/hr (LinkedIn); Entry-level, remote; No degree, AI tool familiarity.
- Physician Assistant - 27.6% growth (USCI); $120k+; Master's, but accelerated programs.
- Renewable Energy Technician (Solar/Wind) - 13.7M global jobs (IRENA); $60k+; Certs in 6-12 months.
- Software Developer - Remote-heavy (LinkedIn); $120k+; Bootcamps, skills over degrees (88% postings omit).
- Dental Hygienist - High demand; $80k+; Associate's (2 years).
- Electrician/Plumber - 0% automation risk (USCI); $60k+ entry; Apprenticeships, no degree.
These roles boast low unemployment (healthcare <2%) and 63% of employers planning hires, per ZipRecruiter.
Key Takeaways: Fastest-Growing Careers at a Glance
- Healthcare (8.4% growth): Nurse practitioners (45.7%), managers (28%); shortages from retiring RNs (median age 52, 23% retiring soon).
- Tech/AI: Data centers ($68k median), annotators ($180/hr peak); 60% jobs AI-exposed (IMF), but specialists thrive.
- Renewables/EV: Wind techs (68%), solar (40% women hires); EV sales surging (68% Denmark, 20% CA).
- Trades/Logistics: 0% AI risk; nursing shortages at 10-20% gaps.
- Gig/Remote: Digital marketing, data annotation; 70% hires lack Bachelor's (ZipRecruiter).
BLS notes revisions from 7% to lower growth in some areas due to AI, but healthcare remains recession-proof.
Healthcare Careers: The #1 Recession-Proof Sector with Massive Shortages
Healthcare leads with 8.4% growth through 2030 (PARWCC), fueled by boomers (1 in 5 at retirement age by 2030), chronic diseases (92% of seniors have one), and post-COVID burnout. Unemployment stays low during downturns, unlike tech. States like Wyoming boast 103% RN surplus, but others face 10-20% gaps (Nightingale).
Mini Case: Aging population + retiring RNs (median age 52) creates a "perfect storm" (Herzing). Wages up 4% in 2025 (MGMA).
Nursing and Support Roles: Entry-Level Opportunities No Degree Needed
RNs are 50% of health workforce (BLS), with 0% automation risk (USCI). Entry via 1-year certs for LPNs ($50k+), or RN bridges.
Checklist to Enter:
- Complete 1-year LPN cert (Herzing/Nightingale).
- Gain experience as medical assistant (administrative/clinical tasks, <1-year programs).
- Upskill to RN/BSN online (12 months).
- Target shortages: CA (13% gap) vs surpluses like IL (8%).
Dental hygienists/assistants: 1-2 year programs, $80k+.
Tech and AI Jobs: Highest Demand with Remote Potential
LinkedIn's 2026 report flags AI roles amid $61B data center spend. 88% entry postings skip degrees; 38% use skills tests (ZipRecruiter). Remote software devs dominate.
Cybersecurity Specialist: Salaries, Openings, and AI Skills Boost
57% postings need certs (CyberSeek); entry $100k+, +35% for ML threat modeling (Programs.com). Low turnover (11%).
Entry: CompTIA Security+ (3-6 months), AI hardening skills. 91% employers prefer certs (Fortinet).
Data scientists: SQL/Python entry ($100k junior); no degree if skilled.
Renewable Energy and EV Jobs: Booming Green Careers
IRENA: 13.7M jobs globally, doubling last decade. BLS: Wind techs 68% growth. EV surge: 68% BEV in Denmark, 20% CA (Guardian). Solar: 40% women.
Mini Case: UK net-zero pushes 50GW offshore wind; US mirrors with incentives.
Roles: Technicians ($60k, certs), EV engineers (scarce, software-defined vehicles).
Trade and Logistics Jobs: High-Demand, No-Degree Paths Least Affected by AI
Trades like electricians/plumbers: 0% automation (USCI) vs 60% AI exposure elsewhere (IMF). Supply chain booms; gig hustles scale to full-time.
High pay ($60k+ entry), apprenticeships.
Entry-Level No-Degree Jobs vs Degree-Required: Highest Paying Options Compared
| Category | No-Degree (Certs/Training) | Degree-Required | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Medical Asst ($40k, 1-yr), Wind Tech (68% growth) | Nurse Practitioner (45.7%, MSN) | No-degree: Fast entry (70% hires <Bachelor's); Degree: Higher pay/stability |
| Tech | Data Annotator ($20-180/hr), Cyber Certs ($100k) | Data Scientist (SQL/Python) | Skills > degrees (88% postings); AI boosts pay 35% |
| Green | Solar Tech ($60k) | EV Engineer | Accessible, booming vs specialized risks |
ZipRecruiter: 63% hiring increases, focusing entry-level.
Jobs Least Affected by AI Automation: Safe Bets for 2026
USCI lists 65 at 0% risk: Nurse practitioners top (45.7% growth), PAs (27.6%). Healthcare low unemployment vs WEF's 23% global change.
Best Remote Jobs and Gig Economy Side Hustles with Full-Time Potential
LinkedIn: Software devs, digital marketing (SEO/content). Data annotation: Remote, scales to full-time. Gen Z: 65% network struggles (Korn Ferry)--fix via LinkedIn.
Gen Z Tip: Gig services (e.g., local tasks) to $1k+/mo, per Rosie Parsons.
How to Land These Jobs: Step-by-Step Action Plan and Checklist
- Assess Skills: Match to roles (e.g., math for data, hands-on for trades).
- Get Certs: 88% no-degree entry (ZipRecruiter); CompTIA, LPN (1-yr).
- Build Portfolio: GitHub for tech, freelance gigs.
- Network/LinkedIn: 65% Gen Z gap--message pros.
- Apply: Job boards like Indeed; 67% employers share salaries upfront.
63% firms hiring more (ZipRecruiter).
Gen Z Career Advice: Navigating 2026 Job Market Trends and Unemployment Projections
NACE: 1.6% college hiring. Low unemployment in healthcare; splits by sector (PARWCC). Mini Case: Career changers leverage data analysis (e.g., mortgage to healthcare).
Focus skills: AI tools, digital marketing. Employers value "what you can do" (SEOSquads).
Pros & Cons: Traditional vs Future-Proof Careers in 2026
| Career Type | Pros | Cons | Growth/Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Recession-proof (8.4%), shortages | Shift work | Low UE, 45.7% NPs |
| Tech/AI | Remote, $100k+ | 60% AI exposure (IMF) | High pay risks |
| Renewables | Booming (68%), green | Location-dependent | EV surge |
| Trades | 0% AI risk, no degree | Physical | Stable |
BLS revisions note cooling, but demand persists.
FAQ
What are the fastest growing careers in 2026 US labor market?
Nurse practitioners (45.7%), wind turbine techs (68%), medical managers (28%) per BLS/LinkedIn.
What are the top in-demand jobs 2026 per Bureau of Labor Statistics?
Healthcare (8.4% sector), renewables, cybersecurity.
Which highest paying entry-level jobs 2026 require no degree?
Cybersecurity ($100k+ certs), data annotator ($20-180/hr), wind tech ($68k).
What AI-related jobs have the highest demand in 2026?
Data annotators, cybersecurity with ML (+35% pay), data centers ($68k).
What healthcare careers have projected growth 2026-2030 per BLS?
Nurse practitioners (45.7%), managers (28%), PAs (27.6%).
What are jobs least affected by AI automation in 2026?
65 roles at 0% risk (USCI): Healthcare leaders like NPs, trades.