10 degrees that’ll qualify you for 2023’s high-demand jobs

Choosing a degree is no easy task. It’s a tough call made harder still with so many choices out there — and with each degree having its own set of benefits and career prospects.

Knowing the high-demand jobs in 2023 can help you a lot in this aspect.

This is because it gets you to imagine a future with you in one of these high-demand jobs and the perks (and downsides) that come with it.

More importantly, you get to see if any of these high-demand jobs (and the degrees you need to qualify for them) fits your personal interests, talents, ambitions, financial stability, and needs.

If you already have a degree and are working, but want to try a different field or earn some of the biggest salaries today, the list of 2023’s most high-demand jobs should be part of your reading list too.

Do high-demand jobs lead to high salaries?

Life isn’t static. There are new technologies and new trends popping up all the time — impacting the demand for certain skill sets.

Postmen were in demand before email was invented. Lamplighters were needed before electrical streetlights were created.

Predicting what the future holds can be challenging, as what may be in big demand today may not be in a few years. Rapid technological advancements also turn some professions obsolete.

But what you can do is stay ahead of the curve. A key part of this is getting the skills that’ll lead you to high-demand jobs and progressive careers.

High-demand jobs are typically associated with industries that are experiencing rapid growth or have a shortage of skilled professionals.

And they often come with higher salaries, bonuses and better benefits — with low risks of layoffs.

If you seek a comfortable, secure and well-paid future, consider switching or studying towards the following high-demand jobs:

10 degrees to qualify for the high-demand jobs of 2023

1. Master of Nursing

The field of nursing offers various job opportunities, such as registered nurses and personal support workers, among others.

The first step is to obtain a license as a registered nurse, followed by earning a master’s degree and a nurse practitioner’s certification. Nurse practitioners often specialise in specific areas, such as emergency medicine, paediatrics, or psychiatry.

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), nurse practitioners will be the most in-demand job in the coming decade.

The demand for nurses is projected to increase by 6% by 2031, ensuring ample employment opportunities for aspiring nurses upon graduation.

Nurse practitioners have a wide range of responsibilities, including creating treatment plans for patients, managing medical records, and supervising registered nurses. Their versatility contributes to the continuous growth in demand for their services.

Nurses, like many other medical professionals, earn a high salary, with an average annual income of approximately US$93,632.

2. Bachelor of Information Technology

Information security analysts play a crucial role in safeguarding a company’s sensitive information, especially in an era where digital sharing and storage are commonly used. Businesses are constantly at risk from hackers seeking to exploit valuable client data.

To pursue a career as an information security analyst, a bachelor’s degree in information technology is required. You will need to possess comprehensive knowledge of cybersecurity to succeed in this role.

According to the BLS, job opportunities in information security are expected to grow by 33% by 2031.

To secure an information security analyst job, you will first need a bachelor’s degree in information technology. 

3. Bachelor in Marketing

To succeed in marketing roles, you need to be a strong communicator. This will be crucial to securing more business for a company or finding new clients.

Graduates with a marketing degree can find employment in any industry, as nearly all businesses, organisations, and nonprofits worldwide have marketing teams.

However, it is important to note that this profession often puts you in high-pressure situations with frequent deadlines. Sales professionals often work long hours, including weekends and holidays.

4. Bachelor in Web Design

The role of web developers can vary, but most of them are involved in designing, building, and maintaining websites.

The projected growth rate for web developers is significantly higher than the average of 23%.

As web developers create and maintain websites and web applications, coding skills are essential.

Meanwhile, web designers manage website design, layout, and functionality. Their objective is to provide users with a visually appealing and user-friendly website experience.

5. Master of Physician Assistant

A physician assistant is a licensed medical professional who provides routine patient care. PAs have the ability to examine, diagnose, and treat patients, prescribe medication, and develop treatment plans, similar to MDs.

But they’re not doctors, who operate independently. Instead, they work under the supervision of medical doctors.

The demand for physician assistants is expected to grow at a much faster rate than the average. It is projected to increase 31% by 2031, with 40,000 job openings.

The path to becoming a PA is challenging.

To secure a job in this field, you must first earn a master’s degree in PA studies from a university programme accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

6. Bachelor in Data Science

Data scientists and analysts conduct data experiments, implement statistical models and algorithms, develop data products, and optimise frameworks to improve business outcomes.

While there have been speculations about AI systems potentially replacing data analysts, such as Bard or ChatGPT, human expertise remains crucial in areas like data analysis, model development and interpretation, and decision-making.

According to the BLS, employment growth for data scientists is projected to increase by 35.8% by 2031, resulting in 40,500 job openings — making it one of the most high-demand jobs today.

Data scientists are among the highest-paid professionals in the US, with an average annual salary of US$129,753.

7. Bachelor in Culinary Arts

If you’re looking to pursue one of the high-demand jobs in 2023, you may consider pursuing a career as a chef.

The demand for chefs is increasing as new restaurants open. Most successful chefs receive training from culinary schools, which can range from a few months to four years, depending on the degree programme.

As a chef, your responsibilities include selecting dishes to serve, overseeing daily food preparation, and directing the kitchen staff to address any food-related concerns.

You have the opportunity to work with food all day and earn an average salary of around $53,380 per year.

8. Bachelor of Education 

Becoming a teacher requires a bachelor’s degree in education or a specific subject, completion of a teaching programme, and obtaining a teaching license or certification issued by the state. Teaching is one of the high-demand jobs this year, with a projected growth rate of 5%.

While some may perceive teaching as an easy job with many holidays, it is actually one of the most stressful professions. Teachers bear the responsibility of shaping and nurturing young minds, thereby influencing future generations.

On top of that, teachers often endure long working hours grading papers and creating lesson plans.

Special needs teachers face even higher stress levels as they work with students who have diverse personalities and needs, which may include disruptive behaviour.

Patience and the ability to remain calm in challenging situations are necessary.

9. Bachelor of Computer Science

Software developer is another one of 2023’s high-demand jobs.

They create and maintain software programmes — tasks that typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, as well as certifications in programming languages or development frameworks.

The most crucial skill for success as a software developer is coding. Whether you acquire coding skills through a computer science degree, a coding boot camp, or self-study, what matters most is possessing the skills and being able to demonstrate them during technical interviews.

The employment of computer science professionals is projected to experience rapid growth of 21% by 2031, according to the BLS.

10. Bachelor in Finance

With a Bachelor in Finance, you can become an investment banker, financial analyst, financial managers, and many more.

An investment banker issues debt and sells equity to raise capital, manages IPOs and private equity placements, discovers and closes potential investors, and more.

Financial managers are responsible for overseeing the accounts of businesses, a role that becomes particularly important during economic downturns.

Generally, several years of experience are required to qualify for this position.

Working for them are financial analysts — they are in charge of creating financial models to help companies make decisions, develop plans and monitor industry trends, among others.

On average, financial analysts in the US earn up to US$74,159 annually. The BLS predicts a 7% growth in finance sector jobs from 2021 to 2031.