These are the fastest-growing jobs in Sacramento that pay over $50,000, new analysis says
The Sacramento region will add 162,000 jobs this decade, a growth rate of 16%, according to new projections from the California Employment Development Department.
The state produces local employment projections every two years based on estimated industry growth, anticipated changes in technology and other variables. The newest figures, released earlier this summer, project employment growth for the period from 2020 to 2030.
Many of the jobs projected to grow fastest in Sacramento pay at least $50,000. Several don’t require a four-year college degree.
Here’s a look at 12 jobs the state believes will grow quickest, along with explanations for the increases based on a separate analysis from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1) Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
Jobs in 2020: 1,830 | Jobs in 2030: 3,060 | Projected Change: 67.2% | Median Annual Pay: $52,194 | Entry Level Education: High School Diploma
Why it is growing: Companies increasingly provide incentives to employees to stay in shape. Doctors increasingly encourage patients to stay active or lose weight. Participation in yoga and Pilates continues to grow as baby boomers look for low-impact ways to stay in shape.
2) Nurse practitioners
Jobs in 2020: 900 | Jobs in 2030: 1,480 | Projected Change: 64.4% | Median Annual Pay: $163,573 | Entry Level Education: Master’s Degree
Why it is growing: The population is aging, creating unprecedented demand for health care services. Nurse Practitioners can serve as primary care providers. The state’s nursing agency recently passed a regulation allowing nurse practitioners to practice without physician supervision.
3) Interpreters and translators
Jobs in 2020: 790 | Jobs in 2030: 1,210 | Projected Change: 53.2% | Median Annual Pay: $86,764 | Entry Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Why it is growing: Companies increasingly do business across the globe and rely on global supply chains. California is becoming more diverse every year, partly due to international immigration. American Sign Language interpreters are in demand as well-attended online video calls become a regular part of doing business. While translation software is prevalent and improving, it still can’t do work at the quality of human translators.
4) Information security analysts
Jobs in 2020: 530 | Jobs in 2030: 800 | Projected Change: 50.9% | Median Annual Pay: $108,748 | Entry Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Why it is growing: Cyberattacks have become more common, ranging from sophisticated attempts to breach networks to simple but ubiquitous phishing emails. In addition, sensitive information like personal health data is increasingly stored digitally. These analysts help companies and organizations bulletproof against hackers.
5) Logisticians
Jobs in 2020: 850 | Jobs in 2030: 1,250 | Projected Change: 47.1% | Median Annual Pay: $82,209 | Entry Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Why it is growing: Logisticians develop and maintain a company’s supply chain. E-commerce is growing. Every day, tens of thousands of packages are routed through Sacramento warehouses and delivered to addresses across the region. Getting those goods where they need to be requires complex planning.
6) Computer and information research scientists
Jobs in 2020: 150 | Jobs in 2030: 220 | Projected Change: 46.7% | Median Annual Pay: $154,259 | Entry Level Education: Master’s Degree
Why it is growing: These scientists are the driving force behind much innovation in computing. They will be called upon even more in coming years to make computer networks more efficient, to figure out better ways to mine huge data sets and to help outsmart hackers.
7) Physical therapy assistants
Jobs in 2020: 380 | Jobs in 2030: 550 | Projected Change: 44.7% | Median Annual Pay: $81,958 | Entry Level Education: Associate’s Degree
Why it is growing: Baby boomers are getting older. They are increasingly suffering health- and mobility-related conditions that require physical therapy. Medical technology is making it possible to better recover from a variety of injuries and ailments — with the help of physical therapy. Physical therapy practices will place more reliance on assistants to keep costs low.
8) Veterinarians
Jobs in 2020: 660 | Jobs in 2030: 950 | Projected Change: 43.9% | Median Annual Pay: $127,541 | Entry Level Education: Doctorate
Why it is growing: Many people acquired new pets during the pandemic. This created increased demand for veterinary services— and long wait times to get an appointment. There is a nationwide veterinary shortage. (Despite demand, the analysis does not make clear how Sacramento will get 300 new vets. In a state of 40 million people, California has two accredited veterinary schools that cumulatively graduate fewer than 300 veterinarians each year.)
9) Aircraft mechanics
Jobs in 2020: 420 | Jobs in 2030: 600 | Projected Change: 42.9% | Median Annual Pay: $79,985 | Entry Level Education: Some college
Why it is growing: Sacramento International Airport saw record traffic in 2022. It is undertaking a $1.3 billion expansion project. More air traffic creates more demand for mechanics.
10) Occupational therapy assistants
Jobs in 2020: 140 | Jobs in 2030: 200 | Projected Change: 42.9% | Median Annual Pay: $82,289 | Entry Level Education: Associate’s Degree
Why it is growing: For many of the same reasons, demand for physical therapy aides is increasing: An older population needs help to continue performing activities of daily living.
11) Physician assistants
Jobs in 2020: 600 | Jobs in 2030: 850 | Projected Change: 41.7% | Median Annual Pay: $169,820 | Entry Level Education: Master’s Degree
Why it is growing: For many of the same reasons, demand for nurse practitioners is increasing: Physician Assistants can serve as primary care providers, and there is an increased need for primary care as the population ages.
12) Chefs and head cooks
Jobs in 2020: 1,010 | Jobs in 2030: 1,430 | Projected Change: 41.6% | Median Annual Pay: $51,117 | Entry Level Education: High School Diploma
Why it is growing: The pandemic hit the Sacramento restaurant industry hard, causing many places to close. It is rapidly rebuilding, which requires more chefs.
