If you’re graduating college in 2026, you may be wondering: what will be the most in demand career paths? It’s not easy to tell the future, but there are ways to figure out what fields will be looking for more workers four years from now. Check out our list of projected careers below.
Human Resources
Human Resources, or HR, is a department within a business that handles things like payroll, disputes, employee benefits, and more. Remote work is here to stay for a number of businesses – and HR departments need employees that understand how to manage the tools available and best assist employees to take advantage of those resources. HR representatives will also be more and more responsible for data analytics, software that improves productivity, and chatbots.
Engineering
From Chemical Engineering to Electrical Engineering, several engineering fields will be in demand come 2026. They’re definitely not easy majors, but individuals can find jobs at pharmaceutical companies, labs, corporations, manufacturers, and more. The jobs available and the income really depend on your area of study, but these will be in demand for quite some time.
Nursing
Nursing is a field that has always been in demand and will continue to be in 2026. This is especially the case as the population ages and chronic conditions and illnesses continue to rise. And you don’t always have to complete a Bachelor’s degree to become a nurse – many allow you to get to work with an Associate’s degree, so you can be out in the field in 2024 if you wish. Most in demand career paths will come from hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Business
There will always be a demand for business degrees! And the number of paths you can follow under a business degree are endless. You can opt for finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, or something else. Companies are always looking for consultants, accountants, financial analysis, and similar fields. You can also continue your education after your business degree and go into project management, law, or other fields.
And advertising and marketing are definitely two fields that will see a lot of growth in the next few years!
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another health related field growing at an exceptional rate. While you may need more than a Bachelor’s degree to work in this field, the benefits can be astounding as you help others get mobility back in their lives. Many of these jobs will be opening up in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Cybersecurity
Businesses are starting to wake up to the fact that they need cybersecurity protocols, and many IT departments and businesses are lacking here. Cybersecurity professionals will be needed, especially as technology advances in the next four years. Individuals who study IT and similar fields can find positions in small businesses, government agencies, coding, software development and more.
These, of course, aren’t the only careers that will be widely available when you graduate college! If you’re interested in learning more about careers, employment expectations, job openings, salaries, and more, be sure to check out our Career Finder Tool.
