In short
The fastest-growing jobs without a bachelor's degree, according to BLS projections for 2025 to 2035, include solar panel installers, wind turbine technicians, physical therapist assistants, psychiatric technicians and occupational therapy assistants. Physical therapist assistants are projected to grow 23% with a median of $68,380.
Ranked by projected growth
| # | Job | Median pay | Typical way in | Growth 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solar photovoltaic installers (BLS) | $53,140 | High school or GED | 36.5% | 4,200 |
| 2 | Wind turbine service technicians (BLS) | $64,120 | Certificate | 29.5% | 1,500 |
| 3 | Physical therapist assistants | $68,380 | Associate degree | 23% | 18,500 |
| 4 | Psychiatric technicians (BLS) | $45,130 | Certificate | 22.3% | 17,000 |
| 5 | Occupational therapy assistants | $72,300 | Associate degree | 21.5% | 8,100 |
| 6 | Ophthalmic medical technicians | $45,570 | Certificate | 21.4% | 11,800 |
| 7 | Occupational health and safety technicians (BLS) | $61,560 | High school or GED | 19.4% | 3,800 |
| 8 | Home health and personal care aides (BLS) | $35,800 | High school or GED | 18.1% | 760,500 |
| 9 | Industrial machinery mechanics (BLS) | $64,520 | High school or GED | 17.8% | 44,400 |
| 10 | Health information technologists and medical registrars (BLS) | $68,020 | Associate degree | 15.9% | 3,000 |
| 11 | Massage therapists | $58,450 | Certificate | 15.3% | 20,400 |
| 12 | Diagnostic medical sonographers | $96,590 | Associate degree | 13.9% | 6,000 |
| 13 | Medical assistants | $45,690 | Certificate | 12.9% | 109,700 |
| 14 | Community health workers (BLS) | $51,850 | High school or GED | 12.7% | 7,000 |
| 15 | Medical equipment repairers (BLS) | $61,660 | Associate degree | 12.6% | 8,200 |
| 16 | Cooks, restaurant (BLS) | $37,390 | No diploma needed | 12.1% | 218,600 |
| 17 | Animal caretakers (BLS) | $35,360 | High school or GED | 12.1% | 62,800 |
| 18 | Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians (BLS) | $82,890 | Associate degree | 11.9% | 1,100 |
| 19 | Taxi drivers (BLS) | $42,100 | No diploma needed | 11.5% | 20,400 |
| 20 | Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $61,010 | Certificate | 10.9% | 40,600 |
| 21 | Medical equipment preparers | $47,700 | High school or GED | 10.8% | 10,700 |
| 22 | Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians (BLS) | $56,550 | High school or GED | 10.7% | 3,700 |
| 23 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers (BLS) | $95,320 | High school or GED | 10.3% | 10,900 |
| 24 | Tile and stone setters (BLS) | $55,690 | No diploma needed | 9.8% | 3,300 |
| 25 | Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay (BLS) | $103,020 | Certificate | 9.7% | 1,800 |
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 (Table 1.2), May 2025 median wages, retrieved 2026-10-09. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or switch fields.
Growth is not everything
A job can grow fast from a small base and still have few openings. Sort by openings to see where the most hiring happens, and check pay too.
Questions people ask
What is the fastest-growing job without a degree?
In the 2025 to 2035 projections, solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine technicians top the list, but both are small fields. Check the table for the latest data.
Why are therapy assistant jobs growing?
An aging population needs more rehabilitation care.
Do fast-growing jobs pay well?
Some do and some do not. Compare the pay column.