With millions of Americans looking for work, CareerBuilder is releasing new research that identifies seven major trends that have significantly influenced job creation over the last seven years (2010-2017). The study also highlights occupations that have benefitted from these trends and grown at an accelerated rate post-recession.
“At the heart of different factors shaping labor market dynamics today is this idea of constant connectivity,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder and co-author of The Talent Equation. “The ability to connect with people or data anytime, anywhere speeds up technology innovation and medical advancements, bridges global markets and local communities, changes lifestyles and consumer expectations, and gives people more control over when and how they work. All of these trends in turn create a wide range of jobs.”
The study is based on data from Emsi, CareerBuilder’s labor market analysis arm which aggregates information from multiple national and local employment resources. While there are numerous factors that will contribute to employment shifts, for the purposes of this study, CareerBuilder focused on a specific set of trends that have played some part in the growth of different occupations. Examples of impacted occupations are included under each trend with job growth rates from 2010 to 2017.
- Rapid Technology Innovation – Technology touches almost everything we do, and the pace of innovation continues to accelerate. From an endless selection of apps to inventions in machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics and 3-D printing, technology is introducing new possibilities for business and everyday life.
- Software developers (applications) added 201,961 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 31 percent increase.
- Software developers (systems software) added 74,813 jobs, a 21 percent increase.
- Computer and information systems managers added 67,748 jobs, a 22 percent increase.
- The On-Demand Culture – Consumers have developed a “right now” mentality. With 24/7 access to the Internet, consumers expect information to be delivered on demand in bite-sized pieces, they expect purchases to happen with a click and they want deliverables the same day.
- Web developers added 44,558 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 34 percent increase.
- Light truck or delivery service drivers added 128,885 jobs, a 16 percent increase.
- Film and video editors added 9,647 jobs, a 30 percent increase.
- Lifestyle Changes – Americans are becoming more health-conscious and focusing on self-improvement, and there is a greater emphasis on planning for the long-term.
- Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors added 58,482 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 22 percent increase.
- Self-enrichment education teachers added 63,251 jobs, a 19 percent increase.
- Personal financial advisors added 35,056 jobs, a 16 percent increase.
- The Gig Economy – With the advent of Uber, Airbnb, TaskRabbit and others, more people are going to work for themselves and take on freelance assignments.
- Taxi drivers and chauffeurs added 81,687 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 35 percent increase.
- Chefs and head cooks added 29,948 jobs, a 24 percent increase.
- Graphic designers added 24,895 jobs, a 9 percent increase.
- Globalization – Global markets are far more accessible and intertwined. Companies are moving beyond borders, serving customers in different time zones and languages with different market needs.
- Customer service representatives added 388,961 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 16 percent increase.
- Interpreters and translators added 21,646 jobs, a 36 percent increase.
- Market research analysts and marketing specialists added 125,338 jobs, a 26 percent increase.
- Medical Advancements – New discoveries in medicine are increasing survival rates, enabling people to manage chronic conditions more effectively and are extending life spans.
- Registered nurses added 334,757 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 13 percent increase.
- Home health aides added 256,459 jobs, a 35 percent increase.
- Physical therapists added 42,001 jobs, a 21 percent increase.
- The Race to Rebuild – From the government’s investment in infrastructure to families renovating their homes, there is a growing movement to rebuild and repair.
- Construction laborers added 228,375 jobs from 2010 to 2017, a 20 percent increase.
- Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters added 84,250 jobs, a 21 percent increase.
- Electricians added 98,753 jobs, a 17 percent increase.