25 Jobs That Will Be In Demand in 2025

Some of the big news events of 2024 are affecting the jobs that will be most in demand in 2025. 

For example, in 2024, hurricanes Beryl, Helene and Milton slammed the Southeastern states, leaving billions of dollars of damages in their wake. As a result, insurance agencies are hiring more salespeople and actuaries to help those businesses keep up with customer needs. 

Similarly, with businesses such as Amazon, Dell and Disney announcing plans to bring many of their corporate employees back to the office full-time in 2025, office clerks and receptionists are in high demand.

The following 25 jobs are among those listed by the U.S. Department of Labor projections as “Bright Outlook Occupations,” meaning there are many open positions now, the number of jobs is expected to grow over the next nine years, or both. From that list, AARP focused on roles that have been popular with older workers or do not require extensive training to get hired. The list is presented in alphabetical order. All wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Click on the “Find” link tp see current job postings in that profession on the AARP Job Board.

1. Accountant

• Median wage: $38.41 per hour
• 2025-2033 job outlook: 6 percent increase
• Find accountant jobs

Despite continuous high demand for workers, accounting is not as popular a career as it used to be. According to a Wall Street Journal report, more than 300,000 accountants have left the profession in recent years. During roughly that same period, the number of people taking the exam to become certified public accountants has dropped. That means if you have experience or interest in this field, job opportunities — including contract and freelance work — are plentiful.

2. Actuary

• Median wage: $57.69 per hour
• 2025-2033 job outlook: 9 percent increase
• Find actuary jobs 

A rapidly changing world also means unfamiliar risks that insurance agencies must translate into dollars and sense. Property damage due to extreme weather, improvements in medical treatments and prescription drugs, and cybersecurity threats are some of the reasons why insurance agencies are hiring actuaries to help them figure out financial risks.

3. Barista

• Median wage: $14.20 per hour
• 2025-2033 job outlook: 6 to 8 percent increase
• Find barista jobs  

According to National Coffee Association research, Americans drink roughly 517 million cups of coffee each day, making it the nation’s most popular beverage. While most of that coffee is made at home, there are still plenty of job opportunities for baristas. The bonus is that some larger coffee chains offer their part-time employees benefits like health coverage, retirement plans and paid time off.

4. Bicycle repairer

• Median wage: $18.42 per hour
• 2025-2033 job outlook: 6 to 8 percent increase
• Bicycle repair jobs can be found on Indeed, ZipRecruiter and other job boards.

As cities and counties build more bike lanes and bicycle trails, the need for bicycle mechanics is growing, too. Some bicycle sales and repair shops offer on-the-job training for these positions.

5. Bookkeeper

• Median wage: $22.81 per hour
• 2025-2033 job outlook: 5 percent decline
• Find bookkeeper jobs

The number of job openings in this field will be high in 2025, according to the BLS. Overall, however, it’s a profession in gradual decline as more businesses use software to help them keep track of their financial records. But with opportunities for freelance and contract work, bookkeeping can be an attractive retirement job.

6. Cashier

• Median wage: $14.29 per hour
• 2025-2033 job outlook: 1 percent decline
• Find cashier jobs  

Self-checkout lines have become more common, but there will still be many openings for cashiers in 2025, the BLS says. If you’re looking to earn money for a short-term role with flexible hours, one of these positions could be right for you.

7. Customer service representative

Many of these positions offer the chance to both work from home and have flexible hours. In most cases, the employer will provide the equipment you need to answer calls, along with a script and training on how to answer common queries. The patience to handle challenging customers is something you will have to provide yourself.

8. Data scientist

Nearly every modern company, from small online shops to nationwide car rental agencies, generates volumes of data about its daily operations. Data scientists are the people who funnel that information into formats that help businesses make better-informed decisions. While these roles don’t always require a college degree, previous experience in the field often is necessary to get hired.