NextChapter

Occupations needing a bachelor's degree projected to grow fastest

Data scientists is projected to grow fastest of the occupations that typically need a bachelor's degree: +34.6% in employment from 2025 to 2035.November 2026 edition. Updated monthly, from open jobs we verified on employer career sites.

Key facts

  • #1 Data scientists, Bachelor's degree: +34.6%
  • #2 Medical and health services managers, Bachelor's degree: +24.2%
  • #3 Information security analysts, Bachelor's degree: +21.0%
  • 87 occupations ranked across all occupations
  • Data as of November 2026
  1. 1Data scientists Bachelor's degree+34.6%
  2. 2Medical and health services managers Bachelor's degree+24.2%
  3. 3Information security analysts Bachelor's degree+21.0%
  4. 4Occupational health and safety specialists Bachelor's degree+18.5%
  5. 5Logisticians Bachelor's degree+17.6%
  6. 6Computer and information systems managers Bachelor's degree+15.8%
  7. 7Industrial engineers Bachelor's degree+12.4%
  8. 8Operations research analysts Bachelor's degree+11.9%
  9. 9Mechanical engineers Bachelor's degree+11.2%
  10. 10Training and development specialists Bachelor's degree+10.8%

What stands out

  • The lead is wide: Data scientists (+34.6%) is well clear of Training and development specialists at #10 (+10.8%).
  • Training and development specialists reaches #10 on a sample of 359 open jobs, a smaller market than most of the top ten, so its rank can move more from month to month.
  • Industrial engineers is the largest market in the top ten, with 7,345 open jobs behind its figure.
  • Occupations with fewer than 200 open jobs are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful.

Why this ranking matters

What it shows

Occupations differ in whether they are expected to add or lose jobs over the next decade. Ranking them by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' projection shows which routes are widening and which are narrowing.

How to use it

If you are choosing between occupations that need the same schooling, growth is a reason to prefer one. A shrinking occupation can still have openings today, so read it with the open-jobs list.

The top 25

  1. 1

    Data scientists Bachelor's degree

    +34.6%

    Open jobs
    4,534
    Median posted pay
    $165k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +34.6%
    Workers in the occupation
    275,600

    Based on 4,534 openings.

  2. 2

    Medical and health services managers Bachelor's degree

    +24.2%

    Open jobs
    4,005
    Median posted pay
    $153k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +24.2%
    Workers in the occupation
    640,400

    Based on 4,005 openings.

  3. 3

    Information security analysts Bachelor's degree

    +21.0%

    Open jobs
    669
    Median posted pay
    $145k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +21.0%
    Workers in the occupation
    192,900

    Based on 669 openings.

  4. 4

    Occupational health and safety specialists Bachelor's degree

    +18.5%

    Open jobs
    366
    Median posted pay
    $98k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +18.5%
    Workers in the occupation
    143,100

    Based on 366 openings.

  5. 5

    Logisticians Bachelor's degree

    +17.6%

    Open jobs
    2,707
    Median posted pay
    $90k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +17.6%
    Workers in the occupation
    255,100

    Based on 2,707 openings.

  6. 6

    Computer and information systems managers Bachelor's degree

    +15.8%

    Open jobs
    2,821
    Median posted pay
    $203k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +15.8%
    Workers in the occupation
    685,800

    Based on 2,821 openings.

  7. 7

    Industrial engineers Bachelor's degree

    +12.4%

    Open jobs
    7,345
    Median posted pay
    $118k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +12.4%
    Workers in the occupation
    365,100

    Based on 7,345 openings.

  8. 8

    Operations research analysts Bachelor's degree

    +11.9%

    Open jobs
    1,055
    Median posted pay
    $110k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +11.9%
    Workers in the occupation
    113,100

    Based on 1,055 openings.

  9. 9

    Mechanical engineers Bachelor's degree

    +11.2%

    Open jobs
    5,326
    Median posted pay
    $155k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +11.2%
    Workers in the occupation
    298,500

    Based on 5,326 openings.

  10. 10

    Training and development specialists Bachelor's degree

    +10.8%

    Open jobs
    359
    Median posted pay
    $92k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +10.8%
    Workers in the occupation
    472,500

    Based on 359 openings.

  11. 11

    Software developers Bachelor's degree

    +10.2%

    Open jobs
    15,559
    Median posted pay
    $201k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +10.2%
    Workers in the occupation
    1,717,800

    Based on 15,559 openings.

  12. 12

    Management analysts Bachelor's degree

    +10.1%

    Open jobs
    1,876
    Median posted pay
    $129k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +10.1%
    Workers in the occupation
    1,077,100

    Based on 1,876 openings.

  13. 13

    Electrical engineers Bachelor's degree

    +9.9%

    Open jobs
    4,785
    Median posted pay
    $150k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +9.9%
    Workers in the occupation
    199,700

    Based on 4,785 openings.

  14. 14

    Financial managers Bachelor's degree

    +9.7%

    Open jobs
    9,566
    Median posted pay
    $150k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +9.7%
    Workers in the occupation
    879,700

    Based on 9,566 openings.

  15. 15

    Database architects Bachelor's degree

    +9.4%

    Open jobs
    2,645
    Median posted pay
    $150k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +9.4%
    Workers in the occupation
    69,500

    Based on 2,645 openings.

  16. 16

    Actuaries Bachelor's degree

    +9.2%

    Open jobs
    740
    Median posted pay
    $135k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +9.2%
    Workers in the occupation
    31,200

    Based on 740 openings.

  17. 17

    Construction managers Bachelor's degree

    +9.1%

    Open jobs
    2,245
    Median posted pay
    $135k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +9.1%
    Workers in the occupation
    609,100

    Based on 2,245 openings.

  18. 18

    Computer hardware engineers Bachelor's degree

    +9.1%

    Open jobs
    2,146
    Median posted pay
    $160k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +9.1%
    Workers in the occupation
    76,100

    Based on 2,146 openings.

  19. 19

    Aerospace engineers Bachelor's degree

    +8.3%

    Open jobs
    1,119
    Median posted pay
    $165k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +8.3%
    Workers in the occupation
    68,700

    Based on 1,119 openings.

  20. 20

    Natural sciences managers Bachelor's degree

    +8.2%

    Open jobs
    1,223
    Median posted pay
    $90k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +8.2%
    Workers in the occupation
    112,200

    Based on 1,223 openings.

  21. 21

    Computer systems analysts Bachelor's degree

    +7.9%

    Open jobs
    2,047
    Median posted pay
    $110k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +7.9%
    Workers in the occupation
    544,400

    Based on 2,047 openings.

  22. 22

    Computer network architects Bachelor's degree

    +7.7%

    Open jobs
    1,319
    Median posted pay
    $174k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +7.7%
    Workers in the occupation
    181,800

    Based on 1,319 openings.

  23. 23

    Bioengineers and biomedical engineers Bachelor's degree

    +7.6%

    Open jobs
    253
    Median posted pay
    $130k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +7.6%
    Workers in the occupation
    23,800

    Based on 253 openings.

  24. 24

    Materials engineers Bachelor's degree

    +7.5%

    Open jobs
    234
    Median posted pay
    $155k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +7.5%
    Workers in the occupation
    23,800

    Based on 234 openings.

  25. 25

    Financial risk specialists Bachelor's degree

    +7.4%

    Open jobs
    604
    Median posted pay
    $150k
    Projected growth to 2035
    +7.4%
    Workers in the occupation
    66,000

    Based on 604 openings.

Full ranking

All 87 occupations that qualified, with the figure each is ranked on.

RankOccupationScoreSample
1Data scientists Bachelor's degree+34.6%4,534
2Medical and health services managers Bachelor's degree+24.2%4,005
3Information security analysts Bachelor's degree+21.0%669
4Occupational health and safety specialists Bachelor's degree+18.5%366
5Logisticians Bachelor's degree+17.6%2,707
6Computer and information systems managers Bachelor's degree+15.8%2,821
7Industrial engineers Bachelor's degree+12.4%7,345
8Operations research analysts Bachelor's degree+11.9%1,055
9Mechanical engineers Bachelor's degree+11.2%5,326
10Training and development specialists Bachelor's degree+10.8%359
11Software developers Bachelor's degree+10.2%15,559
12Management analysts Bachelor's degree+10.1%1,876
13Electrical engineers Bachelor's degree+9.9%4,785
14Financial managers Bachelor's degree+9.7%9,566
15Database architects Bachelor's degree+9.4%2,645
16Actuaries Bachelor's degree+9.2%740
17Construction managers Bachelor's degree+9.1%2,245
18Computer hardware engineers Bachelor's degree+9.1%2,146
19Aerospace engineers Bachelor's degree+8.3%1,119
20Natural sciences managers Bachelor's degree+8.2%1,223
21Computer systems analysts Bachelor's degree+7.9%2,047
22Computer network architects Bachelor's degree+7.7%1,319
23Bioengineers and biomedical engineers Bachelor's degree+7.6%253
24Materials engineers Bachelor's degree+7.5%234
25Financial risk specialists Bachelor's degree+7.4%604
26Financial and investment analysts Bachelor's degree+7.2%3,776
27Social and community service managers Bachelor's degree+7.2%207
28Market research analysts and marketing specialists Bachelor's degree+7.0%3,630
29Marketing managers Bachelor's degree+6.9%10,376
30Agricultural engineers Bachelor's degree+6.9%401
31Project management specialists Bachelor's degree+6.7%5,902
32Human resources specialists Bachelor's degree+6.4%6,107
33Civil engineers Bachelor's degree+6.4%3,069
34Training and development managers Bachelor's degree+6.4%652
35Environmental engineers Bachelor's degree+6.3%317
36Environmental scientists and specialists, including health Bachelor's degree+6.1%521
37Web and digital interface designers Bachelor's degree+6.0%1,861
38Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists Bachelor's degree+6.0%1,187
39Meeting, convention, and event planners Bachelor's degree+5.8%381
40Software quality assurance analysts and testers Bachelor's degree+5.7%1,533
41Public relations managers Bachelor's degree+5.7%857
42Registered nurses Bachelor's degree+5.6%329
43Architectural and engineering managers Bachelor's degree+5.5%4,420
44Human resources managers Bachelor's degree+5.5%2,149
45Fundraising managers Bachelor's degree+5.4%1,100
46Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors Bachelor's degree+5.4%552
47Administrative services managers Bachelor's degree+5.2%210
48Computer occupations, all other Bachelor's degree+5.1%13,156
49General and operations managers Bachelor's degree+5.0%6,351
50Accountants and auditors Bachelor's degree+5.0%5,169
51Managers, all other Bachelor's degree+4.9%3,682
52Chemical engineers Bachelor's degree+4.7%422
53Facilities managers Bachelor's degree+4.6%1,802
54Sales managers Bachelor's degree+4.5%14,081
55Art directors Bachelor's degree+4.2%1,034
56Financial specialists, all other Bachelor's degree+4.1%617
57Purchasing managers Bachelor's degree+4.0%2,279
58Producers and directors Bachelor's degree+4.0%1,021
59Business operations specialists, all other Bachelor's degree+3.9%922
60Compliance officers Bachelor's degree+3.8%1,255
61Web developers Bachelor's degree+3.8%322
62Engineers, all other Bachelor's degree+3.7%4,036
63Electronics engineers, except computer Bachelor's degree+3.7%1,082
64Chief executives Bachelor's degree+3.2%1,799
65Sales engineers Bachelor's degree+2.8%1,597
66Industrial production managers Bachelor's degree+2.6%3,776
67Commercial and industrial designers Bachelor's degree+2.4%246
68Budget analysts Bachelor's degree+1.9%378
69Public relations specialists Bachelor's degree+1.8%611
70Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents Bachelor's degree+1.4%1,210
71Personal financial advisors Bachelor's degree+1.4%874
72Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products Bachelor's degree+1.2%1,515
73Compensation and benefits managers Bachelor's degree+1.1%775
74Loan officers Bachelor's degree+1.1%700
75Technical writers Bachelor's degree+0.8%214
76Nuclear engineers Bachelor's degree+0.4%263
77Database administrators Bachelor's degree−0.1%991
78Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents Bachelor's degree−1.0%413
79Graphic designers Bachelor's degree−1.7%530
80Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare Bachelor's degree−3.1%350
81Cost estimators Bachelor's degree−3.1%227
82Advertising and promotions managers Bachelor's degree−3.7%319
83Insurance underwriters Bachelor's degree−3.8%1,056
84Network and computer systems administrators Bachelor's degree−4.1%1,005
85Credit analysts Bachelor's degree−4.3%712
86News analysts, reporters, and journalists Bachelor's degree−5.9%231
87Computer programmers Bachelor's degree−7.3%329

How this ranking works

An occupation is a standard occupation (SOC) code, and the group is the typical entry-level education the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists for it: here, a bachelor's degree. An occupation's score is the projected change in its employment from 2025 to 2035.

A posting does not state a degree. Each is matched to its standard occupation, and the education shown is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as typical for entering that occupation. Some employers ask for more or less, and about one posting in a hundred has an occupation we could not match, which is left out. Projected growth is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' change in employment from 2025 to 2035 for the occupation, a national forecast and not a promise for any one city. Only occupations with at least 200 open jobs are ranked.

Sample bar: occupations with fewer than 200 openings are not ranked.

Sources: NextChapter job data: open professional roles, matched to standard occupation (SOC) codes; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-35: typical entry-level education and projected employment change by occupation. Data as of November 2026.

Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, so figures describe that market, not every job. Spot an error? Tell us.

Questions

Which occupation ranks first: occupations needing a bachelor's degree projected to grow fastest?
Data scientists is projected to grow fastest of the occupations that typically need a bachelor's degree: +34.6% in employment from 2025 to 2035.
How many occupations are ranked?
87 occupations have at least 200 open jobs, so the list has 87 entries.
How is the ranking calculated?
An occupation is a standard occupation (SOC) code, and the group is the typical entry-level education the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists for it: here, a bachelor's degree. An occupation's score is the projected change in its employment from 2025 to 2035. A posting does not state a degree. Each is matched to its standard occupation, and the education shown is what the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as typical for entering that occupation. Some employers ask for more or less, and about one posting in a hundred has an occupation we could not match, which is left out. Projected growth is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' change in employment from 2025 to 2035 for the occupation, a national forecast and not a promise for any one city. Only occupations with at least 200 open jobs are ranked.
How often is it updated?
Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.

More rankings

Cite this ranking

NextChapter, “Occupations needing a bachelor's degree projected to grow fastest,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/occupations-needing-a-bachelors-degree-projected-to-grow-fastest

Link to it: <a href="https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/occupations-needing-a-bachelors-degree-projected-to-grow-fastest">Occupations needing a bachelor's degree projected to grow fastest (NextChapter, November 2026)</a>

Download the data: CSV · JSON. Free to use with a link back.

The job market, once a week

One email every Tuesday with the week's most useful read on the job market and the search, plus occasional news from NextChapter. No account needed. Unsubscribe any time.

Applying and hearing nothing back?

Find out where you stand: your odds, the jobs that fit you and a plan for the week ahead. Free. No résumé needed.

Already a member? Log in

Get my Market Reality Assessment

Run a workforce board, job center or economic development office, or hire in the places and industries on this list?

Leave your work email. We'll send how organizations use NextChapter to reach job seekers.

See how organizations use it