The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released 2025-35 employment projections for over 600 occupations across different industries. Overall, the U.S. economy is projected to add 5.9 million jobs from 2025 to 2035, with CTE-related occupations ranking among the fastest-growing jobs as well as those with the highest number of projected openings.
Occupational Projections
Fastest-growing Occupations (% change in employment)
- Data scientists (+35%)
- Physical therapist assistants (+23%)
- Information security analysts (+21%)
- Health specialties teachers, postsecondary (+18%)
- Industrial machinery mechanics (+18%)
- …among other occupations
Occupations with the Highest Number of Projected Openings
- Software developers (+174,700)
- Construction laborers (+109,300)
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors (+98,000)
- Accountants and auditors (+79,400)
- Electricians (+75,900)
- …among other occupations
Industry sectors projected to exceed the national average growth rate of 3.5% include utilities (+9.8%); health care and social assistance (+9.5%); arts, entertainment and recreation (+5.7%); and construction (+5%).
Occupations by AI Exposure
Alongside the 2025-35 projections, the BLS introduced new categories of occupations by their relative exposure to AI. This identifies occupations whose work is likely to be exposed to or assisted by AI technologies in some capacity.
Occupations vary in their potential AI exposure. Examples include:
| Low | Moderate |
| Firefighters; farmworkers; ship engineers; paramedics; brickmasons; crane operators | Foresters; electro-mechanical technicians; truck drivers; air traffic controllers; correctional officers |
| High | Very High |
| CTE teachers; pharmacy technicians; audio and video technicians; community health workers; surveyors | Transportation and distribution managers; financial analysts; computer network architects; education, guidance and career counselors |
Occupations by Critical Skillsets
The BLS also provides information on what skills are the most important for each occupation. Occupations that highly value specific skills include the following:
- Adaptability: Film and video editors; physician assistants; detectives and criminal investigators; CTE teachers
- Creativity and innovation: Graphic designers; architects; occupational therapy assistants; computer programmers
- Mechanical: Aircraft mechanics; broadcast technicians; chemical equipment operators; clinical laboratory technologists
- Critical and analytical thinking: Nuclear power reactor operators; database architects; industrial engineering technicians; marketing specialists
- Problem solving and decision making: Education administrators; meeting and event planners; social workers; automotive service technicians
Readers interested in viewing the data themselves are encouraged to explore the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook as well as skills and AI exposure data for each occupation. Questions can be sent to ACTE’s Research and Policy Coordinator Jesus Galvan (jgalvan@acteonline.org).
