U.S. Department of Labor Blog
Helping people manage their health and wellness is an important job. In careers with this focus, workers
support people seeking to maintain or improve self-care through healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction and other lifestyle habits.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, from 2020 to 2030, employment in some of these occupations will grow faster than the average for all occupations (7.7%). If you’re curious about fast-growing careers related to health and wellness, check out these eight occupations:
Athletic trainers
Athletic trainers keep people healthy by preventing, diagnosing and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 23% (much faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 7,000
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2020 number of jobs: 30,000
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2021 median annual wage: $48,420
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Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Chiropractors
Chiropractors manipulate the spine and musculoskeletal system, helping patients to improve their sense of well-being.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 11% (faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 5,600
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2020 number of jobs: 51,400
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2021 median annual wage: $75,000
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Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
Dietitians and nutritionists
Dietitians and nutritionists plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 11% (faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 7,800
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2020 number of jobs: 73,000
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2021 median annual wage: $61,650
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Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Exercise physiologists
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs to help patients improve their health.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 13% (faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 2,400
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2020 number of jobs: 18,000
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2021 median annual wage: $47,940
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Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Fitness trainers and instructors
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors lead and motivate individuals or groups in physical activities to encourage health and wellness.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 39% (much faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 121,700
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2020 number of jobs: 309,800
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2021 median annual wage: $40,700
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Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
Health education specialists
Health education specialists develop programs to help people maintain and improve a healthy lifestyle.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 12% (faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 7,600
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2020 number of jobs: 61,100
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2021 median annual wage: $60,600
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Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Massage therapists
Massage therapists manipulate soft tissue and joints for purposes such as healing injuries, improving circulation and aiding general wellness.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 32% (much faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 46,500
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2020 number of jobs: 144,600
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2021 median annual wage: $46,910
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Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Physical therapists
Physical therapists use exercises and other treatments to help patients increase their mobility, relieve pain and improve health and wellness.
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2020-30 projected employment growth: 21% (much faster than average)
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2020-30 projected new jobs: 49,100
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2020 number of jobs: 239,200
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2021 median annual wage: $95,620
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Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
Explore these and hundreds of other occupations in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. You’ll find career exploration and assessment tools at the Department of Labor’s O*NET Resource Center.
Stanislava Ilic-Godfrey and Patricia Tate are economists in the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Follow BLS on Twitter at @BLS_gov.
