In celebration of National Bacon Day on the 30th of December, we’re dishing up the tastiest industries in 2024. Get your teeth into juicy statistics on in-demand skills, hot roles, and tips on how to “grease” the wheels and get into your dream job.
Talent shortages in many critical industries mean that there’s plenty of opportunity for job seekers with the right “hambition.” Take a look at the highlights of the hot job market in 2024.
Healthcare
Post-pandemic, the focus on healthcare quality and making services available remotely has increased exponentially. Candidates with experience in healthcare and technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) could be in demand in 2024, particularly in the realms of eldercare and long-term care.
Technology helps with patient supervision, data collation, and even continuous improvement of service quality. Of course, there’s still the requirement for compassionate, patient caregivers, nurses, and other healthcare workers. The average salary for healthcare workers is $54,657, rising to as much as $115,807 for highly skilled or experienced candidates.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity encompasses all aspects of protecting internet-connected devices from attacks via malicious sources. It can also mean training employees on how to spot phishing scams, building digital resilience within organizations, and even “ethical hacking.” This is where a trained cybersecurity specialist emulates a cyberattack to test the strength of a system’s defenses.
Cybercrime is set to cost the world $9.5 trillion in 2024, thanks to the rise in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and cloud-based business apps. Expect to see many more openings in this industry, with salaries as high as $131,000.
E-Commerce
Online retail will always be big business, and as we move into 2024, shifting technologies will shape changes in this marketplace. AI is impacting e-commerce already, with fast-fashion giants like Shein utilizing it for product development. Predictive ML will drive marketing campaigns and customer interactions, and increasingly granular data analysis will help make all kinds of retail processes more efficient.
E-commerce provides a hot job market for professionals in data analytics, marketing, customer support, web design, or people management. Each role requires specific skill sets, so remember to update your resume with any relevant experience. Salaries in e-commerce range from $57,000 to $99,000.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a steadily growing industry that currently employs over 1.66 million people in the United States. Unsurprisingly, microbiologists and epidemiologists (those who investigate causes of disease) are highly in demand. Because biotech requires a high level of education and very specific skills, wages here are high. The average biotech salary is $94,543, rising to $129,605 for specific roles such as biostatistician.
Working in biotechnology brings the opportunity to make changes that can have positive impacts on many people. Make sure your resume highlights any projects you worked on while getting your degree, and consider attending industry conferences and other events to build your network.
Construction
The construction industry has faced many challenges lately, including rising material costs, supply chain issues, and a national labor shortage. This last point could provide opportunities for candidates looking to move into construction in 2024.
Recent government plans and incentives such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and others are set to start pumping money into the industry in 2024. Savvy job seekers should look at construction occurring within green energy, manufacturing, and other supported sectors, as these are likely to have the most career opportunities.
The average salary for entry-level construction workers is $38,399, but with skills and experience, this can rise to $190,026.
Finance and FinTech
2023 was a tumultuous year for FinTech (financial technology) organizations, particularly with the disastrous collapse of Silicon Valley Bank back in March. Despite ensuing struggles to raise capital, the outlook for the FinTech industry is good for 2024, powered by VC (venture capitalist) funding and successful technological innovation.
Working for a successful financial organization in 2024 might mean being a user experience (UX) designer, an app developer, or something more financially traditional, like tax reporting or forecasting. Salaries in the FinTech field average around $132,735, rising to $189,475.
Computer Systems
As more aspects of professional life become digital, organizations need computer systems they can rely on. The search for efficiency and reliability means that computer systems analysts and engineers should have plenty of career options in 2024. A global talent shortage means that talented techies could have their pick of top roles across multiple industries. In fact, you could end up designing, maintaining, or monitoring systems for any of the industries highlighted above!
The average salary for computer systems professionals is $102,240. This role typically requires a bachelor’s degree at minimum.
Don’t be salty if you didn’t see an industry you’re interested in here! MRINetwork works with industry-leading organizations worldwide, so no matter what kind of workplace and role you want, we can help. Visit our Job Seekers page for more insights into how you could bring home the bacon in 2024.