Choosing a career path can feel overwhelming, especially with so many factors to consider. One important factor to look at is the job outlook for the career you’re interested in. In simple terms, job outlook is a forecast of how a particular job or occupation is expected to grow or shrink in the future.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what job outlook means, why it’s important, and how you can use it to make smart career decisions. You’ll also see real examples of jobs with strong, average, and weak outlooks, plus tips for applying this info to your own career planning.
What Is Job Outlook?
Job outlook refers to the projected change in employment for a specific job over a certain time period—usually 10 years. It tells you whether a job is expected to add new positions, stay the same, or decline.
This information is usually provided as a percentage. For example:
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“Employment of data analysts is expected to grow 36% from 2023 to 2033.”
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“Employment of word processors is expected to decline 38% over the same period.”
These projections come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and are published in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Here’s how the BLS generally categorizes job growth:
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Much faster than average: 8% or more
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Faster than average: 5–7%
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About as fast as average: 3–4%
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Slower than average: 1–2%
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Little or no change: 0%
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Decline: Negative percentage
If a job has a projected growth rate of 10%, that’s considered strong. A –5% rate would mean a decline, suggesting fewer opportunities over time.
Why Is Job Outlook Important?
When choosing a career or considering a job change, job outlook helps you understand:
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Job security and demand: High growth means more openings and less risk of being laid off due to downsizing.
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Education and training investments: Is the time and money required for a degree or certification worth it?
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Career growth potential: Growing fields often offer more chances for advancement.
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Location planning: Some jobs may grow nationally but shrink locally.
In short, job outlook tells you whether a job is likely to still exist—and be hiring—by the time you’re ready to apply.
Careers With a Strong Job Outlook
These careers are growing much faster than the national average and offer strong future opportunities:
Nurse Practitioners
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Growth: 40% from 2023 to 2033
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Why: Aging population and rising demand for healthcare
Wind Turbine Technicians
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Growth: 60%
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Why: Surge in clean and renewable energy use
Information Security Analysts
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Growth: 33%
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Why: Growing need for cybersecurity as businesses go digital
Data Scientists
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Growth: 36%
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Why: Expansion of data collection and the need for data-driven decisions
Other strong-growth roles include:
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Physician Assistants
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Solar Photovoltaic Installers
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Operations Research Analysts
In these careers, opportunities are plentiful, and employers often have more openings than qualified applicants.
Careers With an Average Job Outlook
These fields are growing at about the same rate as the overall job market:
Accountants and Auditors
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Growth: 6%
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Why: Steady demand for financial services across all industries
Physicians (Doctors)
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Growth: 4%
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Why: Growth tied to population size and aging, but balanced by new tech and telehealth
Other examples:
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Registered Nurses
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Elementary School Teachers
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Electricians
These careers offer stability, with steady job openings driven by retirements and replacements.
Careers With a Weak or Declining Job Outlook
Some jobs are shrinking or flatlining, often due to automation or changing technologies:
High School Teachers
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Growth: –1%
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Why: Slower growth in student populations in some areas
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
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Growth: –5%
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Why: Automation and accounting software replacing manual data entry
Word Processors/Typists
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Growth: –38%
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Why: Job nearly obsolete due to digital tools and automation
Cashiers
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Growth: –10%
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Why: Growth of self-checkout and online shopping
In these fields, it may be harder to find new roles, and future employment may not be secure. If you’re currently in one of these careers, it may be worth considering upskilling or transitioning to a related field.
Where to Find Job Outlook Information
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is your best resource:
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Visit: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
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Search by job title
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Look for the “Job Outlook” section on the profile page
You’ll also see:
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Expected growth rate (in %)
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How that compares to the national average
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A short explanation of the projection
Other helpful resources:
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O*NET OnLine: Highlights “Bright Outlook” occupations
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State Labor Websites: Find job outlook by city or region
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CareerOneStop: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
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College career centers and professional associations
How to Use Job Outlook in Career Planning
1. Don’t base your decision on job outlook alone.
A fast-growing career isn’t worth it if it doesn’t interest you. Find something you enjoy and then check the outlook.
2. Use strong outlooks as a green light.
If you love healthcare, and nurse practitioners are in demand, that’s a great sign to move forward.
3. Be cautious with declining careers.
You can still pursue a passion, but have a backup plan or develop skills that transfer to other roles.
4. Plan for the long-term.
Strong job outlooks often lead to more advancement opportunities and stability over time.
5. Recheck outlooks every few years.
Industries change. Job outlooks are updated every two years by the BLS.
6. Use it with other research.
Combine job outlook with salary data, education requirements, and job satisfaction ratings for a complete picture.
Final Thoughts
Job outlook helps you understand where the jobs of the future will be. It’s a key part of career planning that can help you avoid dead-end paths and aim for roles full of growth and opportunity.
Whether you’re a student choosing a major, a career changer looking for a new direction, or an entry-level worker planning your future, make sure to check the job outlook for any path you’re considering.
It takes just a few minutes and can give you valuable insight into your next move. Combine it with your passion and skills—and you’ll be well on your way to building a future you’ll be excited about.
Want access to even more great career resources? Become a PathWise member! Basic membership is free, so sign up today!
Sources:
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment Projections: 2023–2033 Summary. U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Fastest Growing Occupations.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “High School Teachers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Wind Turbine Technicians.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Information Security Analysts.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
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ONET OnLine. Bright Outlook Occupations, National Center for ONET Development, www.onetonline.org/find/bright.
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CareerOneStop. Occupation Profile, U.S. Department of Labor, www.careeronestop.org.
