A Look at Projected Employment in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 2021‒31 : Spotlight on Statistics: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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March 2023

A Look at Projected Employment in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 2021‒31

Lindsey Ice

Every day, millions of workers provide professional and business services that keep American businesses and the economy running. Demand for these services has grown significantly over the last several decades, resulting in fast job growth.

Professional, scientific, and technical services is the largest sector within professional and business services and employed about 1 in every 15 jobs in 2021. These establishments specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities such as advertising and public relations, accounting and tax preparation, computer systems design, architectural and engineering services, and much more. These services typically require a high degree of expertise and training and many of the occupations employed in this sector earned wages above the $45,760 median annual wage for all occupations in 2021.

In this Spotlight on Statistics, we look at employment in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector and the projected employment growth for the 2021–31 decade for some of its detailed industries and top-employing occupations.

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Major industry sector, share of 2021 total wage and salary employment
Industry sector	Employment	Share of total employment
Professional and business services*	21,249,500	14.3%
Health care and social assistance	20,084,000	13.6
State and local government	19,118,900	12.9
Retail trade	15,396,000	10.4
Leisure and hospitality	14,100,800	9.5
Manufacturing	12,346,600	8.3
Financial activities	8,777,000	5.9
Construction	7,413,300	5.0
Other services	6,114,100	4.1
Transportation and warehousing	6,092,000	4.1
Wholesale trade	5,677,900	3.8
Educational services	3,589,300	2.4
Federal government	2,885,700	1.9
Information	2,831,400	1.9
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting	1,460,200	1.0
Utilities	540,800	0.4
Mining	519,600	0.4

Professional and business services had the most employment of any major industry in 2021

BLS produces employment estimates for 17 major industries and approximately 300 detailed industries. Of the 17 major industries, professional and business services had the most employment in 2021—about 21.2 million, or nearly 15 percent of the total economy (excluding the self-employed).

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Wage and salary employment change by major industry sector, 2021–31 projected
Industry Sector	2021 employment	2031 employment	Percent change	Employment change
Total wage and salary	148,196,900	156,408,300	5.5%	8,211,200
Leisure and hospitality	14,100,800	16,024,200	13.6	1,923,400
Health care and social assistance	20,084,000	22,694,000	13.0	2,610,000
Mining	519,600	583,400	12.3	63,800
Educational services	3,589,300	4,026,500	12.2	437,200
Other services	6,114,100	6,641,400	8.6	527,300
Transportation and warehousing	6,092,000	6,558,500	7.7	466,500
Information	2,831,400	3,041,200	7.4	209,800
Professional and business services*	21,249,500	22,798,900	7.3	1,549,400
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting	1,460,200	1,520,100	4.1	59,900
Financial activities	8,777,000	9,113,200	3.8	336,200
Construction	7,413,300	7,618,000	2.8	204,700
Wholesale trade	5,677,900	5,813,700	2.4	135,800
State and local government	19,118,900	19,417,900	1.6	299,000
Manufacturing	12,346,600	12,207,200	-1.1	-139,400
Retail trade	15,396,000	15,063,300	-2.2	-332,700
Federal government	2,885,700	2,780,700	-3.6	-105,000
Utilities	540,800	506,200	-6.4	-34,600

Professional and business services expected to have third-largest increase in jobs over 2021–31

The professional and business services major industry sector is projected to grow 7.3 percent over the 2021–31 decade, which is slightly faster than the 5.5 percent growth projected for total wage and salary employment. Due to its large size, this translates into approximately 1.5 million new jobs over the decade, which is the third-largest projected increase in employment across all major industry sectors.

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Professional and business services sectors, projected percent employment change, 2021–31
Industry	2021 employment	2031 employment	Change
Professional and business services	21,249,500	22,798,900	7.3%
Professional, scientific, and technical services	9,882,800	10,957,500	10.9
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services	9,029,400	9,435,700	4.5
Management of companies and enterprises	2,337,500	2,405,700	2.9

Employment in professional, scientific, and technical services sector projected to grow the fastest

The professional and business services sector consists of three industries:

Professional, scientific, and technical services

Management of companies and enterprises

Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services

The professional, scientific, and technical services industry is the largest of the three, accounting for almost 50 percent of professional and business services employment. It employed about 9.9 million people in 2021.

The professional, scientific, and technical services industry is also projected to grow the fastest of the three, at 10.9 percent, which is much faster than the average for the total economy, and more than twice as fast as employment growth in the two other professional and business services industries. As a result, about 7 out of every 10 new jobs expected to be created in professional and business services over 2021–31 will be in professional, scientific, and technical services.

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Professional, scientific, and technical services industries, 2021 employment
Industry	2021 employment
Computer systems design and related services	2,301,300
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	1,634,300
Architectural, engineering, and related services	1,545,000
Legal services	1,154,800
Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services	1,048,900
Scientific research and development services	823,200
Other professional, scientific, and technical services	788,100
Advertising, public relations, and related services	445,700
Specialized design services	141,400

The computer systems design and related services industry is the largest

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector has nine broad industries. The largest among these nine industries is the computer systems design and related services industry, which had an employment level of about 2.3 million in 2021.

For some of these broad industries, BLS produces projections at a more detailed industry level. For example, for scientific research and development services, BLS projects employment for two detailed industries:

Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences

Research and development in the social sciences and humanities

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Professional, scientific, and technical services industries with the fastest projected growth, 2021–31
Industry	Percent change	Employment change
Wage and salary total employment	5.5%	8,211,200
Computer systems design and related services	19.8	455,200
Veterinary services	16.9	74,200
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	13.5	220,100
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences	12.7	97,100

Computer systems design and related services projected to grow the fastest and add the most jobs

Within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, four industries are projected to have employment growth greater than 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, more than twice the growth rate projected for total wage and salary employment. The computer systems design and related services industry is projected to grow the fastest as well as create the most new jobs among all professional, scientific, and technical services industries—about 455,200. Notable job gains are also expected in the second largest industry, management, scientific, and technical consulting services, which is projected to add about 220,100 jobs over the decade.

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Computer systems design and related services employment, 2001–21 and 2031 projected
Year	Employment
2001	1,302,200
2002	1,157,400
2003	1,121,600
2004	1,153,900
2005	1,201,000
2006	1,290,800
2007	1,378,700
2008	1,446,300
2009	1,429,000
2010	1,455,500
2011	1,542,600
2012	1,628,400
2013	1,709,500
2014	1,797,800
2015	1,915,800
2016	1,993,200
2017	2,051,200
2018	2,118,000
2019	2,194,600
2020	2,196,500
2021	2,301,300
Proj. 2031	2,756,500

Demand for IT solutions to boost computer systems design and related services employment

Establishments in computer systems design and related services provide expertise in the field of information technology (IT). Businesses in this industry may provide custom services for clients, such as computer programming; writing and testing software; or managing their computer systems.

Employment in computer systems design and related services is expected to grow 19.8 percent from 2021 to 2031, driven by strong demand for IT goods and services. More businesses are offering their goods and services online or using software and online platforms to facilitate business operations. This should generate demand for IT professionals to create custom software solutions and to manage firms’ IT infrastructure.

Moreover, as businesses continue to expand their digital footprint, cybersecurity will become increasingly important, especially as cyberattacks have grown in frequency and severity in recent years.

In addition, the increase in remote and hybrid work will also drive demand for workers to plan, design, test, and operate the infrastructure and services of a remote work environment.

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Veterinary services employment, 2001–21 and 2031 projected
Year	Employment
2001	232,200
2002	240,500
2003	250,100
2004	260,000
2005	268,000
2006	281,200
2007	292,600
2008	296,500
2009	293,600
2010	295,300
2011	299,400
2012	306,500
2013	318,100
2014	329,100
2015	343,700
2016	358,600
2017	374,200
2018	389,600
2019	403,100
2020	411,300
2021	438,500
Proj. 2031	512,700

Americans’ love for their pets to drive job growth in veterinary services

Establishments in veterinary services include licensed veterinary practitioners primarily engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, dentistry, or surgery for animals; and establishments that provide testing services for veterinary practitioners.

Employment in veterinary services is projected to grow 16.9 percent and add 74,200 jobs from 2021 to 2031.

Many American households own a pet, and pet ownership is expected to continue to rise over the 2021–31 decade. That should lead to more demand for veterinary services.

In addition, the introduction of new veterinary treatment options, such as the use of laser surgery, should result in more spending on pet care.

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Management, scientific, and technical consulting services employment, 2001–21 and 2031 projected
Year	Employment
2001	736,500
2002	730,300
2003	742,500
2004	789,400
2005	852,600
2006	916,600
2007	984,800
2008	1,034,800
2009	1,026,500
2010	1,031,100
2011	1,098,200
2012	1,152,400
2013	1,215,200
2014	1,267,700
2015	1,318,100
2016	1,394,200
2017	1,433,100
2018	1,481,500
2019	1,534,600
2020	1,527,900
2021	1,634,300
Proj. 2031	1,854,400

Employment in management, scientific, and technical consulting services to climb higher over 2021‒31

Establishments in management, scientific, and technical consulting services primarily provide advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on management, environmental, scientific, and technical issues. Employment in management, scientific, and technical consulting services is projected to grow 13.5 percent and add 220,100 jobs from 2021 to 2031.

Businesses will continue to need expertise and advice on how to address complex challenges such as adopting new technologies, incorporating sustainability practices, complying with regulations, managing global supply chains, and more. Sustained demand for consulting services in market research and analysis and management strategy should also support employment over the 2021–31 decade.

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Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences employment, 2001–21 and 2031 projected
Year	Employment
2001	464,100
2002	469,600
2003	475,200
2004	487,600
2005	515,100
2006	529,200
2007	540,100
2008	559,400
2009	559,200
2010	564,800
2011	571,900
2012	579,600
2013	575,700
2014	578,800
2015	601,500
2016	609,600
2017	600,400
2018	629,000
2019	669,700
2020	702,800
2021	762,100
Proj. 2031	859,200

R&D jobs in the physical, engineering, and life sciences to increase over 2021‒31

Establishments in research and development (R&D) in the physical, engineering, and life sciences conduct research and experimental development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as in agriculture, electronics, environmental science, biotechnology, food, health, and other disciplines. Employment in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences is projected to grow 12.7 percent from 2021 to 2031, an increase of 97,100 jobs.

Research and development activities play an important role in addressing global and national challenges and driving innovation and economic growth. Demand for innovations in transportation, defense, information and communications technology, robotics and automation, agriculture, energy, and more will drive spending on R&D services. In addition, as the U.S. population continues to get older and more individuals live with chronic diseases, demand for new medical equipment and devices and biotechnology applications should spur demand for healthcare R&D services.

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Percent distribution of employment by occupational group in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry, 2021 and projected 2031
Occupational group	2021	2031
Management	11.7%	11.9%
Office and administrative support	15.2	13.0
Business and financial operations	18.2	18.5
Computer and mathematical	17.5	19.3
Other occupational groups	37.3	37.2

Computer and mathematical occupations expected to become largest occupational group by 2031

Let's now look at the types of occupations employed in professional, scientific, and technical services and their projected employment changes.

Computer and mathematical occupations are projected to be the largest group employed in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector by 2031. This is primarily the result of the fast projected growth in computer systems design and related services, in which most of these occupations are concentrated.

Business and financial operations occupations are expected to be the second largest group employed in professional, scientific and technical services in 2031. The share of total industry employment of the business and financial operations occupational group is projected to increase slightly, driven by demand for services such as human resources, project management, and market research.

In contrast, employment of office and administrative support occupations is projected to decline from 2021 to 2031, due in large part to the automation of administrative and clerical tasks through the use of software and other technologies, leading to a lower share of total industry employment in 2031.

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Occupations with the fastest projected employment growth in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, 2021–31
Occupation	Percent change	Occupational group
Information security analysts	42.3%	Computer and mathematical
Data scientists	41.9	Computer and mathematical
Statisticians	40.7	Computer and mathematical
Logisticians	38.9	Other
Medical and health services managers	35.4	Other
Interpreters and translators	34.5	Other
Epidemiologists	34.3	Other
Software developers	30.9	Computer and mathematical
Operations research analysts	29.5	Computer and mathematical
Actuaries	29.3	Computer and mathematical

Six of the fastest growing occupations within the sector are computer and mathematical occupations

Among the top ten fastest growing occupations in professional, scientific, and technical services, six are computer and mathematical occupations, including the top three. Strong demand for cybersecurity services will lead to higher employment of information security analysts. Similarly, data scientists and statisticians will be in demand to develop models and tools to extract and analyze data and present data insights. Other fast-growing occupations—medical and health services managers and epidemiologists—provide healthcare services, including research and development, which are expected to be in greater demand over the projections period.

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Occupations with the most projected employment growth in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, 2021–31
Occupation	Employment growth	Occupational group
Software developers	184,900	Computer and mathematical
Lawyers	64,900	Legal
Market research analysts and marketing specialists	50,700	Business and financial operations
Paralegals and legal assistants	43,900	Legal
General and operations managers	41,400	Management
Management analysts	39,700	Business and financial operations
Computer and information systems managers	36,700	Management
Computer user support specialists	34,000	Computer and mathematical
Computer systems analysts	31,900	Computer and mathematical
Project management specialists	30,300	Business and financial operations

Computer and mathematical occupations among the occupations with the most projected job growth

Among the top ten occupations with the most projected job growth in professional, scientific, and technical services, three are computer and mathematical occupations, three are business and financial operations occupations, two are legal occupations, and two are management occupations. These occupations will provide a variety of vital services to businesses across a range of industries.

Software developers, the occupation expected to add the most jobs in the sector over 2021–31, will be in demand to create software products for organizations.

Demand for legal work is expected to continue to grow as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services, supporting demand for l awyers and paralegals and legal assistants, the occupations with the second and fourth largest projected job increases.

Businesses will need market research analysts and marketing specialists to help understand the needs and wants of customers, measure the effectiveness of marketing and business strategies, and to identify the factors affecting product demand. Similarly, as markets become more competitive, firms will need to use resources more efficiently and organizations will consult management analysts for ways to improve efficiency and control costs.

More information

Lindsey Ice is an economist in the Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For questions about this Spotlight on Statistics, please email Ice.Lindsey@bls.gov.

The BLS Employment Projections program uses Current Employment Statistics (CES) data as an input for base year industry employment levels. Due to annual benchmark revisions to CES data, some 2021 employment levels shown in the charts and tables have been revised since the release of the 2021‒31 projections in September 2022. All 2021 historical data in this Spotlight are 2021 base year employment levels for the 2021‒31 projections.

See Projections overview and highlights, 2021–31 for an overview of 2021–31 economy-wide employment projections. To learn more about the occupations discussed in this Spotlight, along with hundreds of others, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). Each OOH profile includes detailed information about job duties, wages, job outlook, and more.