Here are the 10 Best Jobs to Move Into in 2024

Are you looking for a career change or growth? Just in the US, at least 8 million new jobs will be added by 2024. If you’d like to take stock of your career and life goals, now would be a good time. With this list of best jobs 2024, you will be able to decide on what skills you have that can be adapted to a different industry or if you can change streams altogether with a little help from online learning. 

Here are the most in-demand jobs of 2024:

1. Data Scientist

Haven’t you heard yet? Data is the new gold and the ‘gold rush’ it has created in the job market ain’t going away soon. Data science-related jobs will continue to rule the roost in 2024. In fact, according to Business Insider, data science jobs will continue to be relevant all the way up to 2030. Now, there is a catch. There are several different roles and jobs that come under the purview of data science. And for someone who is just starting out or looking to switch career streams, this can be very confusing. So, you can go through our Ultimate Guide to Become a Data Scientist for guidance and clarity. 

Perks: Apart from an enviable pay package, you are in a career that is future-proof

Projected Average Salary: $101,736 per year in the US

 Skills Required: 

• Data analysis and modeling
• Math and statistics
• Basic knowledge of coding: Java/ Python is an added advantage
• Data visualization and presentation skills

To have a successful career in this field, explore online data science courses hosted by Emeritus. 

2. Machine Learning Engineer

According to LinkedIn, hiring of machine learning engineers grew by 32% between 2019 and 2020. With more and more companies investigating machine learning as a way to protect their businesses from future disruptions, the demand for machine learning engineers is still shooting up! And that is how machine learning engineers have earned the second spot on the list of best jobs 2024!

You can explore different types of artificial intelligence and machine learning courses on Emeritus depending the stage you are in your career. 

Perks: Your career graph will grow exponentially and you have the option to solve real-life problems

Projected Average Salary: $124,059 per year in the US

Skills Required: 

• Statistics and probability
• Data modeling
• Programming languages like Python, C++
• Artificial intelligence algorithms 

ALSO READ: What is the Best Salary for a Machine Learning Engineer in the Global Market?

3. Nurse Practitioner

According to the Business Insider, nurse practitioners are going to be the most in demand jobs 2024. This is primarily because quality healthcare is one of the most valued professions in the future. The first step is to become a certified nurse and then keep adding to your skills. 

Emeritus has a whole range of healthcare courses partnered with the best universities around the world. 

Perks: Career longevity and the option to work independently

Projected Average Salary: $122,744 per year in the US

Skills Required: 

• Ability to communicate with patients
• Impeccable assessment and diagnosis
• Aptitude to educate the patients
• Ability to convert medical research into practice
• All round general knowledge of latest medical practices 

To grow up the ladder in this career, explore online courses in healthcare on Emeritus

4. Marketing Analyst

Marketing analyst roles are also an off-shoot of data science jobs but as it is not a core-stream profile, we have listed it separately here. A marketing analyst is expected to analyze data sets of market segments or campaigns and come up with usable insights. As one of top picks on the best jobs 2024 list, it requires both scientific knowledge and business acumen. 

Perks: Option to work from anywhere and the opportunity to show your creativity

Projected Average Salary: $76,470 per year in the US

Skills Required: 

• Advanced data analysis skills 
• Ability to build attribution models
• Knowledge of experiment designing
• Data reporting in the form of dashboards or reports
• A knack for forecasting trends using data

To kickstart your career as a marketing analyst, you can explore marketing courses from the world’s best universities at Emeritus.

5. Network Security

Did you know that the global annual cost of cybercrime is estimated to be $6 trillion per year? Also, cybercrimes have grown by over 600% since the pandemic. So, if there ever was a time to get into network security jobs, it is now. Network security professionals are expected to keep the internal data of companies as well as their clients and partners secure. As the cost of a security breach is excessively high, this is a rather lucrative job opportunity. 

Perks: The scope for network security roles is only growing in the future, so there is job security and continuous learning 

Projected Average Salary: $103,518 per year in the US 

Skills Required:

• The ability to pre-empt security breaches
• Having the mindset of a ethical hacker
• Requisite technical skills and certifications
• The perspective to understand the larger picture of data ethics

The field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving and hence, one must always be up to date. You can explore online cybersecurity courses on Emeritus here. 

6. Project Manager

About 89% organizations now have at least one project management office (PMO), and 50% have more than one. This goes on to show that project managers add tremendous value to an organization by making sure that all resources are utilized in the most efficient way. The role of a project is a mix of many aspects like people management, technical trouble shooting, leadership, and planning. The need for project managers will only grow with the new hybrid or work-from-anywhere models that are coming into practice post pandemic.  

To chalk out a career in project management, you can check out our Comprehensive Guide to Become an Effective Project Manager. 

Perks: Loads of transferable skills and overseas travel opportunities

Projected Average Salary: $81,121 per year in the US 

Skills Required:

• Strategy
• Time management
• People management
• Leadership skills
• Good communication skills
• Excellent Excel skills

To stay ahead of the curve, explore online courses on project management with Emeritus. 

7. Human Resources Roles

Human resources have been an integral part of any organization starting from the late 1960s. However, this is a field that has seen major growth and transformation during the pandemic. Remote work, hybrid models, and what we call the ‘gig economy’ (an increased focus on outsourcing work as short contractual gigs) have completely changed the job description of HR professionals. While their roles might have altered, the importance of their role has grown as the workforce adapts to new working models. 

To have an in-depth understanding of human resource as a career path, check out our guide. 

Perks: Job security and the possibility of making workplaces more equitable

Projected Average Salary: $70,838 per year in the US 

Skills Required:

• Top-notch communication skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strategic and team orientation

Being up-to-date is a crucial part of having a successful career in human resources. Explore Emeritus courses in human resources to stay in tune with the latest trends in global workforce management. 

8. Blockchain Engineer

Research has predicted that from 2020 to 2030, its market size for blockchain technology will scale at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 85.9%! No wonder blockchain has made it to the list of the most in demand jobs 2024. This technology that powers new-age cryptocurrency and banking applications has a massive growth potential in the next decade or so.

To know more about blockchain technology, explore our career guide. 

Perks: This field is nascent, which means it has tremendous growth potential as the demand for blockchain resources is higher than the supply. 

Projected Average Salary: $120,000 per year in the US 

Skills Required:

• Programming languages like JavaScript, Java, C++, and Python
• Knowledge of blockchain architectures like a hybrid, consortium, public, and private 
• Fluent in concepts like smart contracts, cryptography, hash functions, and consensus

9. Digital Marketer

Did you know that the average age of a digital marketing manager is 38 years in the US? Like its predecessor on this list — blockchain technology — digital marketing too is a field in its infancy. Hence, it draws young people with the potential to learn and grow. Before the pandemic, digital marketing was a part of the marketing mix for most companies. Post the pandemic, almost all marketing is digital marketing due its proven benefits, like correct attribution to channels and the option to course correct during a campaign, over traditional marketing channels.

You can gain more perspective about this career path from our guide to how digital marketing works. 

Perks: A wide variety of roles to choose from and the option to work from anywhere

Projected Average Salary: $60,267 per year in the US 

Skills Required:

• Data-driven decision making
• The ability to draw insights from data
• A thorough understanding of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Ability to bid for the right keywords, affiliates, and display slots
• Good budgeting skills
• Ace communication skills

To enter or switch to a career in digital marketing, explore the online courses on Emeritus. 

10. Financial Manager

Investment, both personal and organizational, is coming up as a huge sector in the near future. Financial management jobs are, thus, gaining significance. A finance manager is expected to manage the investment portfolio of a company, invest judiciously and with intent, thereby creating wealth for the company. It is a critical job profile that requires rigor and in-depth knowledge of finance.

Perks: Great work-life balance and high demand in the job market

Projected Average Salary: $103,064 per year in the US 

Skills Required:

• Excellent business acumen
• Communication and presentation skills
• An aptitude to crunch numbers quickly
• Ability to do risk management

To start a career in financial management, explore finance courses from the world’s best universities on Emeritus. 

Note: All salary numbers are curated from Indeed.com

With disruptive technologies coming into the market on a regular basis, future relevance of certain jobs is extremely important. Use this list of best jobs 2024 to analyze which careers have a future and choose your path accordingly.