High-Demand Government Career Options
With roles spread across the country, and vacancies across most departments, it's not surprising that the federal government is our biggest employer. Looking for thousands of new hires each year, there are many job openings you could consider. Read on to find out which are classed as the highest in demand.
| Job Title | Median Salary (2020)* | Job Growth (2019-2029)* |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $60,950 | 32% |
| Nurse Practitioners | $111,680 | 52% |
| Statisticians | $92,270 | 35% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,280 | 32% |
| Information Security Analysts | $103,590 | 31% |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Information for High-Demand Government Jobs
Occupational Therapy Assistants
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires a range of different medical and health professionals to work on behalf of the federal government. Of all of the roles available, occupational therapy assistants are to see one of the largest increase in jobs until 2029, according to the BLS, at 32%. Occupational therapy assistants work with patients' recovery, provide therapy, and prepare them for everyday life. Hospitals are one of the largest employers. Education wise, an associate's degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program is required.
Nurse Practitioners
Coming in a close second in the medical and health field is the role of a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners provide advanced nursing services to their patients at the primary and specialty care levels. Physicians' offices employ the most nurse practitioners, but the federal government is also a large employer for this job role, according to the BLS. To become a nurse practitioner, you will need a registered nurse (RN) license and to obtain a master's degree in the field.
Statisticians
Statisticians work with data to solve problems within their respective industries. Working for the Federal Government, Statisticians are often employed by departments such as the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Agricultural Statistics Service, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics, according to the BLS. The federal government is the largest employer of statisticians, and currently the job outlook is projected at 35%. A master's degree in a field such as mathematics, economics, computer science will be required.
Medical and Health Services Managers
Another promising medical and healthcare role that is in high demand is the role of medical and health services managers. According to the BLS, the field is set to grow by 32% until 2029. Hospitals, including state hospitals, are the largest employers of medical and health services managers. Their role largely involves planning and coordinating medical services for better quality and efficiency. A master's degree in a field such as health administration, health management, public health administration, or business administration are favored by employers.
Information Security Analysts
The role of an information security analyst mainly focuses on protecting the computer system of the company they work for. According to the BLS, the federal government boasts many IT based roles across a range of different agencies and departments, and the role of an information security analyst is becoming increasingly in demand. To become an information security analyst, a bachelor's degree in a field such as computer science or programming will be required.
