Projected job openings by educational requirements

Across all occupations, more than 19 million openings are projected each year, on average, from 2023 to 2033. Whatever your education level or goal, you have lots of career options. Let’s take a look at which occupations are expected to have the most openings for new entrants with various levels of education.

Among occupations that require no formal educational credential, fast food and counter workers is projected to have more openings than any other occupation in the economy: 912,400 each year, on average, from 2023 to 2033. There are 327 occupations that typically require a high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)—nearly twice as many occupations as at any other level of education. With 718,900 openings expected each year, on average, over the decade, home health and personal care aides is projected to have the most openings among these careers.

As far as occupations requiring postsecondary education but not a bachelor’s degree, heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers is projected to have the most openings: about 240,300 each year, on average, from 2023 to 2033. This occupation also has wages that were higher than the median for all occupations. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is another occupation at this education level with a positive future jobs projection and wages that were higher than the median for all occupations.

A bachelor’s degree is typically required for entry in 178 occupations that the BLS tracks. General and operations managers is projected to have the most openings (320,800) annually, on average, of any occupation that typically requires a bachelor’s degree for entry.

In 40 occupations, a master’s degree is typically required for entry. From 2023 to 2033, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to have more openings (48,900) each year, on average, than any other occupation at this level of education. Seventy-three occupations typically require a doctoral or professional degree (such as a Ph.D. or J.D.). Among these, lawyers (35,600) are projected to have the most openings each year on average.

These data are from the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections programs. For more information, see “Education level and projected openings, 2023–33” in the Career Outlook.