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Older workers looking for new jobs have reasons to be optimistic about 2024. Entering the year, the unemployment rate nationwide continues to be very low, measuring 3.7 percent at the end of November for people of all ages and 2.9 percent for people 55 and older. Those low numbers mean businesses will have to compete harder to hire and keep workers, which often translates into higher salaries, more flexibility and better benefits.
To identify which jobs will see the most demand for workers in 2024, AARP looked at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections on the prospects for various careers from now until 2032 to see which fields appear to offer promising opportunities for older workers. The analysis found a range of professions suitable for different types of work experience. Overall, jobs related to online shopping — from website design to package delivery — earned the most spots on this list.
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The following 20 jobs are expected to be in high demand in 2024. Though most jobs on the list were chosen based on BLS projections, some jobs were selected based on Google data of occupations that received the most search queries in recent years. The list is presented in alphabetical order. All wage data is from the BLS. Clicking on the “Find” link will take you to the list of current job postings in that profession on the AARP Job Board.
Animal caretaker
Average hourly wage: $14.32
Long-term job growth: 15 percent
Nearly half of U.S. households (45 percent) own at least one dog and 29 percent own at least one cat, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Many of these furry family members will need some type of boarding or pet-sitting at least occasionally, which means there will be steady demand for animal caretakers.
Counselor for mental health, behavioral disorders or substance abuse
Average hourly wage: $23.90
Long-term job growth: 19 percent
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According to a 2022 CNN/KFF survey, 9 out of 10 adults said there is a mental health crisis in the United States. Hiring demand for mental health counselors seems to support that concern. Job opportunities range from working in community centers to owning a private practice. Depending on the position, you may need a master’s degree and a state license.
Data entry clerk
Average hourly wage: $18.26
Long-term job growth: 4 percent decline
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The BLS projects that the number of jobs in this field will shrink slightly over the next decade, mostly due to technologies that can help businesses fill these duties. But in the short term, interest in these jobs — which spiked during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic — remains quite high, according to Google searches. The work-from-home positions common in this field could make these roles good short-term jobs for people looking for additional income.
Data scientist
Average hourly wage: $49.76
Long-term job growth: 35 percent
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Businesses are always looking for ways they can be more efficient, and in many cases, data scientists are the employees who help them figure out how. By combing through the numbers on sales, clients, expenses and other areas, data scientists offer insights on how to make the business run smoother. Most people in this position have a bachelor’s degree in math, statistics or computer science.
Delivery truck driver
Average hourly wage: $18.38
Long-term job growth: 10 percent
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According to a MasterCard SpendingPulse study, online shopping during the 2023 holiday season grew by 6.3 percent over the same period last year. That boom in cybershopping means that demand for delivery drivers continues to grow. The flexible, part-time hours make these positions a good fit for older workers, but keep in mind that you may have to lift packages on a regular basis.
E-commerce website designer
Average hourly wage: $38.81
Long-term job growth: 16 percent
Though most of the large retailers have already carved out their space online, many smaller businesses are still building their e-commerce websites. That means there’s a steady demand for developers. In addition to the BLS projection of 16 percent job growth, Google saw a 140 percent increase in searches for e-commerce website designers during the past year.
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