What are fastest-growing occupations? These two medical professions rank high on the list

For a growing number of people, a medical appointment is likely to include some face time with a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.

There's reason to believe that trend is likely to continue.

Those two professions rank among what are expected to be the fastest growing occupations between 2022 and 2032, according to a list compiled by the state Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.

Sizing up demand

So, just how quickly is demand for those careers growing?

Consider first that demand for the average of all jobs in Pennsylvania is expected to grow 2.5% by 2032 through a combination of growth, transfers and career exits.

It's a different story for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who often see patients under the supervision of a doctor. Demand for physician assistants is expected to be up 28.3% by 2032, while demand for nurse practitioners is expected to rise 42.3%.

Other medical careers for which demand is expected to rise include genetic counselors, for whom demand is projected to increase by 13.2%. The need for massage therapists is expected to rise by 17.8%.

Other occupations are expected to see growth as well. Demand for restaurant cooks is expected to rise 20% by 2032, while the need for farm equipment mechanics is expected to grow 10.7%.

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Demand for computer information and research scientists is expected to increase by 28% while employment in the field of software development is expected to grow 19.6%.

Not all fields are growing

Meanwhile, there's a long list of occupations for which demand is expected to be flat with growth expected to be zero. The list includes geographers, school psychologists, clergy, home economics teachers and transportation security screeners.

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Demand for other occupations is expected to decline, sharply in some cases. Jobs with falling demand include telemarketers, down 19.5%; switchboard operators, down 24.6%; and bank tellers, down 13.5%.

And in an age of hardwood and laminate floors, demand for carpet installers is expected to fall by 11%.

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.