The Top 5 Fastest-Growing Jobs to Consider in the New Year

The job market took a hard hit during the COVID-19 crisis, leaving millions without work. Yet as industries adapted and economies slowly reopened, a surprising shift began to take shape. By late 2020 and into 2021, hiring trends started pointing upward again. Data from Indeed revealed that several occupations didn’t just recover—they surged. Some roles expanded rapidly because the pandemic forced businesses, hospitals, and entire industries to rethink how they operate.

Healthcare jobs led much of that growth. Positions like travel nurses and telemedicine professionals saw explosive demand as hospitals struggled to handle patient surges while maintaining safety protocols. Remote medical consultations became a lifeline for patients who couldn’t easily visit clinics, pushing telehealth services into the mainstream almost overnight. What once felt like a niche corner of healthcare suddenly became a core part of modern medical care.

The ripple effects spread far beyond hospitals. Technology, logistics, remote support, and digital services all experienced strong hiring momentum. As companies shifted toward online operations and flexible work environments, businesses needed professionals who could support remote systems, digital communication, and distributed teams. In short, the pandemic accelerated trends that were already emerging—turning certain skills into must-haves almost overnight.

For job seekers heading into the new labor landscape, preparation matters more than ever. Updating a resume to highlight adaptable skills, remote work experience, and digital tools can make a big difference. A strong cover letter that shows flexibility and problem-solving ability also helps candidates stand out. Platforms like Indeed offer job listings, career insights, and application tools that help candidates navigate this evolving market—because while the job landscape has changed, new opportunities are clearly on the rise.

Fastest-growing jobs in 2020

Below, you’ll find a list of the fastest-growing jobs from 2017-2020 with jobs that had the highest growth at the top. You will also find information about the jobs including national average salary and common job duties. For a list of all jobs available now, start your search on Indeed.com.

1. Relocation assistant

Primary duties: Relocation assistants typically work for consulting companies that help businesses relocate current or newly-hired employees. Relocation assistants often help consultants with administrative duties while learning the relocation industry, as it is typically an entry-level job. They may learn about real estate, transportation of household goods, and how to review contracts.

This industry has seen recent growth as companies headquartered in places with a higher cost of living—such as New York City or San Jose—were drawn by lighter tax burdens and a lower cost of living to secondary cities like Austin, Atlanta, Dallas, and Phoenix. In 2020, local governments also sought relocation assistants to help low-income citizens facing eviction or homelessness during the pandemic.

Growth in job postings, 2017-2020: 600%
National average salary: $52,670 per year

2. Travel nurse

Primary duties: A travel nurse is a registered nurse—encompassing various clinical backgrounds—who fill short-term employment needs in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Travel nursing became popular when there was a nationwide shortage of nurses, and it has surged in 2020 as facilities sought assistance to cover nurse shortages when coronavirus cases skyrocket in their area. To attract RNs, healthcare facilities offer to cover housing and relocation costs in addition to higher pay. A travel nurse usually stays in one location for 13 to 26 weeks or until the healthcare facility they are working at no longer needs them.

Growth in job postings, 2017-2020: 269%
National average salary: $103,093 per year

3. Telemetry nurse

Primary duties: A telemetry nurse generally works with patients who are placed in the telemetry unit of a hospital and are suffering from heart disease, heart failure, and complications associated with cardiac conditions. They use specialized equipment like EKG and breathing machines to monitor patients’ progress and provide cardiac intervention methods in the event of an emergency. Nurse placement companies are reporting all-time-high demand for this specialty.

Growth in job postings, 2017-2020: 254%
National average salary: $158,473 per year

4. Real estate agent

Primary duties: Real estate agents assist clients with the sale, purchase, and rental of residential, commercial, and industrial property. They manage everything from finding real estate that meets clients’ needs and preparing contracts to create property listings and arranging viewings. A typical real estate agent works under a licensed broker to develop a client roster, publish and review listings, arrange property viewings, negotiate purchase offers, and create contracts and deeds.

The rise and resilience of the real estate industry have been a cornerstone of 2020, as many buyers began house hunting to take advantage of low mortgage rates, and sellers were motivated to take advantage of rising property values due to demand.

Growth in job postings, 2017-2020: 213%
National average salary: $82,689 per year

5. Telemedicine physician

Primary duties: Telemedicine physicians communicate with patients via telephone, online chat, or through a video call. Telemedicine jobs were already on the rise, but the field has seen accelerated growth in 2020 after the CDC issued guidance to adopt social distancing practices, specifically recommending that healthcare facilities and providers offer virtual clinical services. This allowed patients to seek care for non-emergency conditions, get prescriptions renewed or changed, or get a referral to other physicians without going into a hospital or doctor’s office.

Growth in job postings, 2017-2020: 212%
National average salary: $192,755 per year

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