The Top Jobs of 2024

Key findings from the End-of-Year Report:

The labor market was white-hot in 2022 but slowed down in 2023 and 2024. The economy looks mostly recovered as of Q3 of 2024, with wages exceeding inflation both annually and cumulatively since 2020. In 2025, the outlook for the job market is uncertain, as it will depend on reactions to a new presidential administration and policies that may impact inflation, wages, or the labor market.

The top in-demand jobs by wage growth are a mix of white-collar and blue-collar jobs this year. Blue-collar positions dominated the list last year in what some were referring to as a “white-collar recession.” In 2024, the job market looks more even, but Technology sector jobs are still missing.

The top jobs people are most seeking to quit include more Healthcare & Social Assistance positions than any other sector. The Healthcare sector has had more competition for talent in 2024. Also on the list are Teachers (both elementary and secondary), customer service positions, and skilled blue-collar positions such as Heavy Truck Drivers.

The top jobs list by job postings growth is eclectic but features many highly technical positions in Healthcare as well as Computer Scientists, Survey Researchers, and Copywriters. These jobs all require a high degree of skill

HR predictions for 2025:

With a conservative U.S. administration, we might expect to see:

• Increased friction in the employer vs. employee power dynamic
• Employers embracing the gig economy to fill skills gaps without having to provide benefits
• A slow-down of pay transparency initiatives and a “quieting” around pay equity and DEI
• Increased investment in AI for HR-related activities, with or without regulation
• Increased interest in compensation technology that enables skills-based pay

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the economy is looking pretty good. GDP growth is positive, consumer spending is strong, and unemployment is 4.1 percent — which is a little higher than before the pandemic but solid for the job market overall historically.

Inflation has also come down from record highs in 2022 to 2.6 percent in 2024. Wage growth also exceeds inflation — which is good news for workers — but is down from the heights of the Great Resignation, where it was higher than employers wanted but not meeting inflation or the needs of workers at that time.

Collectively, this is a normalization of an economy after years of uncertainty. The United States is poised for a growth cycle in late 2024. However, changes to policy in 2025 could result in another outcome.

Prices are still high for American workers, which is impacting perceptions of the economy. It is worth pointing out that cumulative inflation is over 22 percent since 2020 but that cumulative wages have caught up.

This is a good story that employers could work into manager training on pay communications when it comes to pay increases, especially if individual employee wages have seen commiserate increases over this time period.

If wages have not kept pace with inflation, or if employees are not aware of it, employers should review the market data and make the necessary adjustments to ensure fair and competitive pay as well as communicate how the organization is taking care of employees given the increase in cost of living.

When it comes to the job market, we are continuing to see a slowdown. Job openings continue to fall and be filled at slower rates. Quits have likewise fallen as Americans choose to remain in their jobs rather than risk the market. Layoffs have ticked up slightly, especially in the Technology sector, which is more impacted by higher interest rates and lags other industries when it comes to hiring.

The labor market favored employers in the Technology sector throughout 2024. However, in other sectors, such as Healthcare & Social Assistance, demand for talent continues to outstrip supply.

Economists largely agree now that a soft landing was achieved in 2024, and a recession avoided. In fact, the Federal Reserve started to cut interest rates beginning in September and cut rates again in November. However, after the U.S. presidential election, there is less clarity about what next year will look like as a new administration could change the trajectory.

Whether the job market continues to improve and we enter a growth period, or if inflation spirals out of control and we enter a recession, HR leaders and compensation professionals will need to invest in fair pay management to attract and retain employees.

The top jobs by wage growth according to Payscale’s Employee Reported data include a mix of blue-collar and white-collar positions, which is a shift from last year when blue-collar positions dominated the top ten list.

Top white-collar positions this year include Customer Service Team Leader, Content Strategist, Urban Planner, Operations Team Leader, Business Operations Manager, Insurance Sales Agent, General Manager (Hotel), and Mental Health Counselor.

Blue-collar positions include Child Care Worker and Crew Leader.

Reemergence of white-collar positions in 2024 compared to 2023 suggests that the job economy is starting to rebalance. We can also see from the job postings growth rate and the quits rate which of these jobs are likely to be the hardest to fill — such as Customer Service Team Leader and Business Operations Manager, which have a higher job postings growth rate, meaning these jobs will be more competitive to fill. Unsurprisingly, all these positions have higher than average quits rates, which contributes to the rapid wage growth.

It should be noted that Technology sector jobs do not make the list, as they did in years past. The Technology sector is still reacting to high interest rates with slower growth and more attention on efficiency. The adoption of AI may also be impacting this industry, especially in software development.

Jump to profiles of the top ten fastest-growing jobs by wages.

We also ranked jobs by the positions with the highest quits rates. About half of these positions are in the Healthcare sector, which has experienced a more competitive job market over the last year as well as more stressful work environments due to staff shortages and budget constraints.

The reason these top jobs are experiencing the highest quits rates is a mixture of high stress, low pay, and limited career growth opportunities. Both Elementary School Teacher and Secondary School Teacher are represented, as are customer service positions, IT help desk roles, and Heavy Truck Drivers. These are all skilled positions where employees may feel overworked and underappreciated and may hop to different organizations in hopes of increasing their pay or benefits.

The types of stress endured by individuals in these positions were worsened by the pandemic, a competitive job market, and policies impacting job satisfaction and safety. Interestingly, Technology sector jobs have also fallen off this list, suggesting that people employed in the Technology sector are holding onto the jobs they have rather than risk a tough market.

We also looked at the top jobs by growth in job postings, which is an indicator of what is hottest in the market.

The top job with the most growth in job postings is MRI/Technician, which is a skilled role in a hospital or outpatient lab that pays well. While this job has relatively low wage growth (6 percent, which is only slightly higher than average), it can be difficult to fill due to lack of supply. Ultrasound Technologist, number eight on the list, is a similar diagnostic-related role.

Other technical Healthcare jobs also appear on this list — some with higher wage growth, such as Cytogenetic Technologist, Neurodiagnostic Technician, Respiratory Therapist, and EKG Technician.

A non-Healthcare related job is Personal Shopper, which was one of the hottest jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and is still showing high wage growth of 13 percent. This job has grown in popularity since people started working from home and relying on home deliveries. Computer Scientist is the most highly paid job on the list while Funeral Assistant is the lowest-paid job, both in high demand but with widely different skills.

Roles with high job postings growth but low or negative wage growth include Copywriter, Political Community Organizer, Community Health Worker, Pharmacist, and Door-to-Door Sales Representative. Negative wage growth doesn’t mean employees in these positions are being paid less, but they may be hired at reduced rates due to changing dynamics in supply and demand.

Below is a more detailed analysis of the top 10 jobs by fastest-growing wages in 2024. Definitions for these occupations align with the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a free online database that contains hundreds of job definitions to help students, job seekers, businesses, and workforce development professionals understand today’s world of work in the United States.

To get a more complete understanding of the salary range for your position, check out Payfactors Freemium with Payscale.

A Customer Service Team Leader is responsible for team training, handling customer inquiries, following up on account or service escalations, and resolving problems.

Wages for this position have grown 20 percent just in the last year. This is a position with a relatively high quits rate, which contributes to rapid wage growth.

People in this position must manage the stress of overworked teams who deal continuously with customer complaints while having to report on customer satisfaction and productivity metrics to management. In the stagnant job market of the last year, this position may have become more stressful due to organizations being understaffed with high expectations in an uncertain economy.

Child Care Workers attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and institutions, performing a variety of tasks such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.

Wages for Child Care Workers have grown 18 percent just in the last year, and over a third of our sample (37 percent) have signaled their intention to quit. These roles show a very low job postings growth rate, but this is likely because they can often be filled through in-person networks and word of mouth. Additionally, there has been increased attention on child care as part of political conversations related to the presidential election.

Child Care Workers complain of being underpaid, overworked, and disrespected by clients/parents or management at daycare facilities where they work, especially given the value of the work they do. While most Child Care Workers proclaim to love children, it can be a mentally and physically exhausting job requiring knowledge of child development, limitless patience, and an array of skills.

Content Strategists develop marketing content plans and ensure content is consistent and compelling across channels for designated audiences. Content Strategists are often also responsible for measuring content effectiveness in terms of engagement, conversions, and ROI.

Wages for Content Strategists have grown 16 percent in the past year, with a relatively high quits rate of 51 percent but a relatively low job postings growth rate.

Content Strategists likely make the list due to the continuing importance of content marketing and the difficulty in finding industry-knowledgeable and skilled professionals. Demand is likely especially high for Content Strategists who understand how to leverage generative AI for content marketing or how to compete with generative AI in SEO-related marketing strategies.

Urban Planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in various jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, or metropolitan areas.

Wages for Urban Planners are up 14 percent in the past year, with a quits rate of 56 percent and a job postings growth rate of 10 percent.

Urban Planners require a high amount of education, so this is a frustrating job for entry-level workers, as salaries do not offset expenses. While job postings growth is not remarkably high, this is a position that is seeing more demand post-COVID and potentially due to the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed in November 2021. Job postings are frequent and filling positions is taking more time, especially in locations that are less attractive to job seekers.

Operations Team Leaders are responsible for ensuring a safe work environment, maximizing profitable growth, driving quality improvements, and providing premier customer service.

Wages for Operations Team Leaders have grown 14 percent, with a quits rate of 56 percent and a job postings growth rate of 5 percent.

Operations Team Leaders provide a critical function in an economy that has been focused more on increased productivity, operational efficiency, and meeting customer expectations while struggling with continued challenges around the global supply chain. Rapid digital transformation, labor shortages, and regulatory compliance complicate this position. Despite low growth in job postings, wage growth remains high due to a shortage of qualified candidates who can meet the evolving expectations of the role.

Business Operations Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services.

Wages for Business Operations Managers have grown 14 percent, with a quits rate of 56 percent and a job postings growth rate of 23 percent.

The role involves overseeing multiple functions like supply chain, finance, and HR amid increasing operational complexity. Expertise in strategic planning, digital tools, data and analytics, and cross-department coordination is increasingly needed for this position. The skill gap contributes to higher salaries as organizations seek professionals who can adapt to evolving business environments.

Insurance Sales Agents sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. They may be employed by an insurance company or work as an independent broker.

Wages for Insurance Sales Agents increased by 14 percent, with a quits rate of 48 percent and a job postings growth rate of only 1 percent.

The insurance market has seen rapid rate increases due to high inflation, making it a tough job for sales professionals over the last two years. Escalating costs of car insurance due to electric car repairs as well as severe weather events have also put Insurance Sales Agents at the forefront of insurance agencies. The impact of climate change requires not only higher rates but also higher sales volume. This position has also been impacted by AI, as customers are often routed to chatbots before they can get on the phone with a real representative, which can sour relations and create more stressful interactions.

Crew Leaders assign tasks to workers, communicate with suppliers and customers, and oversee loading, unloading, assembly, caretaking, and construction for safety and speed.

Wages for Crew Leaders have increased 13 percent in the last year, with a quits rate of 41 percent and a job postings growth rate of only 4 percent.

This position is subject to job dissatisfaction and burnout from demanding physical work, safety responsibilities, and relationship management. Employers are likely raising wages to retain skilled leaders who can effectively manage teams, ensure safety, and handle operational challenges, especially amid labor shortages in construction and logistics industries.

General Managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities of an organization that provides lodging and other accommodations, such as a hotel, motel, inn, bed and breakfast, or resort. They may manage financial activities, guest services, and the front desk, among other responsibilities.

Wages for General Managers of Hotels have increased 13 percent in the past year, with a quits rate of 46 percent and a job postings growth rate of only 6 percent.

Lodging and accommodations organizations have been under stress since the COVID-19 pandemic cratered the travel industry. Many hotels are finding it difficult to attract and retain workers, especially without fair pay policies, including rewarding premiums for more difficult shifts. The General Manager of a hotel is responsible for paying workers and has also seen their own pay increase as the travel industry resumes normal operations.

Mental Health Counselors advise individuals and groups on how to navigate a broad range of mental health challenges, such as those associated with addiction and substance misuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.

Wages for Mental Health Counselors have increased 13 percent in the past year, with a quits rate of 52 percent and a job postings growth rate of only 2 percent.

High wage growth for this position reflects rising caseloads and emotional strain as demand for mental health services surges. Some practitioners are having to raise rates in response to market demand. The low job postings growth may not signify low demand, but rather alternative methods for recruiting or starting a business in this field outside of online job boards.