10 Fastest Growing Jobs in Human Services

What are the fastest growing careers in Human Services?

Human Services careers include jobs in helping people meet a variety of personal needs. 

Here is a list of 10 fastest growing careers in the Human Services career cluster with substantial job demand. 

1. Personal Care Aides: Projected Job Growth: 17.12%
   Provide personalized assistance to individuals with disabilities or illness who require help with personal care and activities of daily living support (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation). May also provide help with tasks such as preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, and doing laundry. Work is performed in various settings depending on the needs of the care recipient and may include locations such as their home, place of work, out in the community, or at a daytime nonresidential facility.
2. Massage Therapists: Projected Job Growth: 15.27%
   Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
3. Manicurists and Pedicurists: Projected Job Growth: 14.63%
   Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails. 
4. Mental Health Counselors: Projected Job Growth: 13.76%
   Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
5. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors: Projected Job Growth: 13.76%
   Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
6. Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors: Projected Job Growth: 13.46%
   Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise. 
7. Social and Community Service Managers: Projected Job Growth: 9.41%
   Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
8. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: Projected Job Growth: 9.41%
   Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
9. Social and Human Service Assistants: Projected Job Growth: 8.96%
   Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
10. Healthcare Social Workers: Projected Job Growth: 7.80%
    Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

This list was developed to provide meaningful information, so only occupations with a minimum number of available jobs were included.

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