Editor's note: This popular story from the Daily Briefing's archives was republished on Aug. 9, 2023.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a list of the 20 occupations with the highest projected growth rate between 2021 and 2031, with nurse practitioners claiming the top spot.

The healthcare jobs on the list

For the list, BLS identified the 20 occupations with the highest projected percent growth rate between 2021 and 2031, including four healthcare jobs.

1. NPs

The occupations with the highest projected growth are NPs, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. In May 2021, the median wage was $123,780 annually and $59.51 per hour.

From 2021 to 2031, the projected growth rate is 40%, which is significantly higher than the national average. On average, BLS projects that there will be around 30,200 new openings for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and NPs each year.

15. Medical and health services managers

Medical and health services managers ranked no. 15 on the list. In May 2021, the median wage for this occupation was $101,340 annually and $48.72 per hour.

From 2021 to 2031, the projected growth rate is 28%. On average, BLS projects that there will be around 56,600 new openings for medical and health services managers each year.

17. Physician assistants (PAs)

PAs ranked no. 17 on the list, with a projected growth rate of 28% from 2021 to 2031. In May 2021, the median wage was $121,530 annually and $58.43 per hour.

On average, BLS projects that there will be around 12,700 new openings for PAs each year.

20. Physical therapist assistants

Physical therapist assistants and aids ranked no. 20 on the list, with a projected growth rate of 24% from 2021 to 2031. In May 2021, the median wage for physical therapist assistants and aids was $49,180 annually and $23.64 per hour.

On average, BLS projects that there will be around 25,500 new openings for physical therapist assistants and aides each year.

According to BLS, many of the job openings for these positions will likely result from a need to fill vacant positions resulting from workers leaving the healthcare workforce or retiring. (BLS Fastest Growing Occupations list, accessed 1/20; Taylor, Becker's Hospital Review, 1/19)