We’ve put together a list of the most in-demand jobs and potential careers of the future over the next 10-20 years. With an increase in the private sector jobs, a rise in flexible working in the digital age, never have future jobs looked so exciting.
From working as a bespoke personal care manager, a drone manager to working in virtual reality, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best future-proof jobs and their earning potential.
12 jobs for the future
1. Quantum Data Analyst
This is a lucrative career path and you can expect to currently earn around £80,000 per year. Quantum data is a method of collating and retrieving intricate consumer data. The data is used to highlight trends, patterns, and anomalies.
As an Analyst of this data, you can expect to use that data to improve and alter your product or service. You’ll need a mathematical science degree and strong communication skills. You’ll need to convey your findings both verbally and in writing.
2. Bespoke Health Care Professional.
With continued development in healthcare and science, health care professionals will be able to provide a much more personal and advanced form of care. The UK has an ageing population and the role of the personal carer is set to increase in demand and in skills set.
With the use of AI and machine learning, health care professionals will be able to map and use the information on exercise, nutrition and sleep patterns and combine with the prevention and eradication of some illnesses such as diabetes. Expect to earn around £20,000 but this is set to rise.
3. Drone Pilot
Drones are likely to be used much more in the future to deliver packages and help with passenger transport. Consequently, the role of the Drone Pilot is fast emerging as a coveted career path. You can expect to earn up to £80,000 for this highly skilled job – you will need to work alongside computer technology to ensure the sky path is safe and clear and you could be responsible for a fleet of drones.
4. Healthcare/Yoga Instructor for Elderly People
The elderly wellness market is set to grow as the predicted number of people aged over 60 in the world is projected to be 1.4 billion in 2030 and 2.1 billion in 2050. People are living longer so the role of exercise for the elderly people is set to increase.
Coupled with the continued usage of the digital world, people may have more spare time too. Personal trainers for yoga currently earn around £25 per hour and this could well increase with bespoke services being offered as part of the service such as nutrition and AI modelling.
5. Teachers
Teachers are set to be in high demand with a wide range of skills a strong asset. This certainly seems to be a career where automation and robots can’t take over too easily. You still need that personal touch and a wide range of skills – such as teaching history and mathematical science to a set of students.
Starting salaries currently fare at around £24,000 per year rising to around £55,000 depending on the location.
6. Physio Therapists
With the rise in 24/7 living, the demand for Physio Therapists is set to increase to help sort out any injuries. Appointments may not only be 9-5 pm in the future, offering appointments around the clock and therapists could combine their knowledge with nutrition and health advice to offer a truly bespoke service. Currently,
Physio Therapists earn around £27,000 but if you work with top athletes of having psychology in sports, this can increase to around £48,000.
7. Engineers
Our increased population and built-up areas will see a demand for engineers to help accommodate these people. Environmental engineers, electricians and software engineers will all be required to help build and sustain new urban areas.
There will be an increased focus on protecting and nurturing the environment around these areas – such as using wind and solar energy and protecting wildlife around urban areas. An environmental engineer can currently earn around £45,000 per year. This is a really exciting career path to take with lots of scope for different job roles.
8. Artificial Intelligence Psychologist
AI technology is already used in a number of industries – from health to manufacturing, urban development to shopping. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more dominant in our lives, AI will need to predict human behaviour and understand human emotions.
A strong background in both technology and psychology will be required. AI practitioners will need to analyse data to help model and predict human behaviour and how the robot’s of the future will adapt. Current salaries range from £24k to £85k and are set to grow as technology grows.
According to AI growth statistics, the industry will grow from just $5 billion in 2015 to a whopping $125 billion in 2025.
9. Productivity Officer
As businesses continue to grow, Productivity Officers will be employed to ensure the business is operating at its optimum. This will be a combination of keeping up with growing trends, skills and technology.
You’ll be responsible for staff training to keep the business moving. You’ll also research and prepare training of new skills or buying in of new tools for that business. This could be through implementing system automation in factories, invoicing and accounting software or digital skills and coding. A Chief Productivity Manager will also need to analyse current feedback to ensure production of work is meeting demand at the desired cost and give recommendations for cost-cutting and improvements.
Salaries range from £23,000 depending on the industry.
10. Web Development/System Coders
You can expect to earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per annum for having specialist technical knowledge in computer coding and software development. If you specialise in a particular industry e.g. medicine or retail, you can expect to see this salary increase.
You will also need good communication skills as you’ll need to liaise with customers to determine their requirements, bid for work and present and demo your creations.
11. Augmented reality
So many of us are never far away from our phones and the development of augmented reality – a type of virtual reality – is set to grow. This is where you point your phone at say, a street, the technology will show virtual objects in your field of vision – cafes, dentists. garage, shops. Augmented reality gives you data on things you can’t see – it’s also used in places such as home and garden design – where you pop some goggles on and can then see the potential upgraded version of your home.
Design Architecture would be a typical job – you’ll need an Arts Degree and Software Design experience.
12. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing offers huge career prospects in the future. Facebook, Gmail and Banking Apps are all types of Cloud Computing. This is where the use of both hardware and software deliver a service over the internet.
Jobs include technical coding, customer service representatives and digital marketing. Salaries range between £50,000 and £85,000 per year depending on your role and industry (Source Adzuna). The global cloud computing market is expected to reach £623 billion by 2023 (Source: Report Linker).