Future Economy

Build the Future

High-growth careers in AI infrastructure, clean energy, biotech, space, robotics, and more. Real jobs with real salary trajectories.

Salary growth trajectories
Time-to-job-ready estimates
Certifications that matter
Explore 35 Jobs

35

Job Roles

$42K-$95K

Salary Range

36%

Avg 3yr Growth

7

Sectors

Current listings include sample data. We’ll surface sources and last-updated timestamps as data partnerships go live.

7 High-Growth Sectors

These sectors are creating the most new jobs. AI infrastructure alone needs 500,000+ workers.

AI Infrastructure

5 roles

Building the physical backbone of AI

Growth

340% since 2020

Time to Ready

8-16 weeks

Clean Energy

5 roles

Powering the energy transition

Growth

180% since 2020

Time to Ready

4-12 weeks

Biotech & Healthcare AI

5 roles

Where biology meets AI

Growth

150% since 2021

Time to Ready

12-24 weeks

Space & Aerospace

5 roles

The final frontier is hiring

Growth

85% since 2020

Time to Ready

12-20 weeks

Robotics & Automation

5 roles

Robots need technicians

Growth

200% since 2020

Time to Ready

8-16 weeks

Climate Adaptation

5 roles

Building resilience

Growth

120% since 2020

Time to Ready

6-16 weeks

AI Data Services

5 roles

The humans behind AI

Growth

500% since 2022

Time to Ready

2-6 weeks

Future Economy Jobs

Build the Future

High-growth careers in emerging sectors. Real salary trajectories, time-to-ready estimates, and the certifications that matter.

Showing 35 of 35 roles

Data Center Electrician

Very High Demand

Install and maintain electrical systems in AI data centers. High-voltage specialists are in extreme demand as tech giants race to build AI compute capacity.

$65,000 - $95,000
+35% in 3yr
2-4 years (apprenticeship)
field

AI data center construction is bottlenecked by electrician shortage. Tech giants are paying 30-50% premiums.

Journeyman Electrici... *OSHA 30 *

Data Center HVAC Technician

Very High Demand

Maintain cooling systems that keep AI servers running. AI chips generate intense heat requiring advanced liquid cooling and precision air handling.

$55,000 - $85,000
+35% in 3yr
6-12 months
field

AI GPUs require 3-5x more cooling than traditional servers. Liquid cooling specialists are especially scarce.

EPA 608 Certificatio... *HVAC Excellence

Data Center Technician

Very High Demand

Operate and maintain data center infrastructure including servers, networking, and power systems. Entry point to the data center industry.

$45,000 - $70,000
+42% in 3yr
8-12 weeks
field

Every new data center needs 24/7 operations staff. Demand is outpacing training programs.

CompTIA Server+Data Center Fundamen...

Fiber Optic Technician

High Demand

Install and maintain fiber optic cables connecting data centers and enabling AI workloads. Critical for the physical internet.

$50,000 - $80,000
+42% in 3yr
8-16 weeks
field

AI data centers need massive fiber connectivity. 5G and broadband expansion add to demand.

FOA CFOTETA Fiber Optics

Facilities Operations Manager

High Demand

Manage day-to-day operations of data center facilities including staff, maintenance, and vendor relationships.

$80,000 - $120,000
+37% in 3yr
3-5 years experience
hybrid

New data centers need experienced operations leaders. Supply of qualified managers is limited.

CDCP (Certified Data...PMP

Solar Panel Installer

Very High Demand

Install residential and commercial solar panel systems. The #1 fastest-growing job in America with strong federal incentives driving demand.

$40,000 - $60,000
+42% in 3yr
4-8 weeks
field

IRA incentives are driving record solar installations. Installer shortage is the main bottleneck.

NABCEP PV AssociateOSHA 10 *

EV Charger Technician

Very High Demand

Install and maintain electric vehicle charging stations. Critical role for the EV transition with massive federal investment.

$45,000 - $70,000
+42% in 3yr
8-12 weeks
field

US needs 1.2M chargers by 2030 (currently 180K). $7.5B federal investment is accelerating deployment.

EVITP CertificationElectrician License *

Battery Storage Technician

High Demand

Install and maintain battery energy storage systems for grid, commercial, and residential applications.

$50,000 - $75,000
+37% in 3yr
12-16 weeks
field

Grid-scale battery storage is exploding. Residential batteries (Powerwall, etc.) add to demand.

NABCEP Energy Storag...Electrical License *

Wind Turbine Technician

High Demand

Maintain and repair wind turbines. Combines mechanical, electrical, and climbing skills in a unique role.

$50,000 - $75,000
+38% in 3yr
6-12 months
field

Wind capacity is growing rapidly. Offshore wind adds new demand for specialized techs.

GWO Basic Safety Tra... *Wind Turbine Certifi...

Energy Auditor

Growing

Assess building energy efficiency and recommend improvements. Growing demand from regulations and incentive programs.

$45,000 - $70,000
+31% in 3yr
8-12 weeks
hybrid

IRA home energy rebates require audits. Building codes increasingly mandate energy assessments.

BPI Building Analyst *RESNET HERS Rater

Laboratory Technician

High Demand

Conduct experiments and maintain laboratory equipment in biotech and pharmaceutical research settings.

$42,000 - $62,000
+30% in 3yr
12-24 months
office

AI drug discovery is accelerating experiments. More lab techs needed to run AI-designed protocols.

Biotech CertificateASCP MLT

Clinical Research Coordinator

High Demand

Manage clinical trials at research sites, coordinating between patients, investigators, and sponsors.

$50,000 - $72,000
+34% in 3yr
6-12 months
hybrid

Record number of clinical trials running globally. AI drug discovery is increasing trial volume.

ACRP CCRCSOCRA CCRP

Bioprocess Technician

High Demand

Operate bioreactors and manufacturing equipment for producing biologics, vaccines, and cell therapies.

$48,000 - $70,000
+34% in 3yr
6-12 months
office

Cell and gene therapy manufacturing is exploding. Every new therapy needs production staff.

Biotech Manufacturin...

Medical Device Assembler

Growing

Assemble medical devices in cleanroom environments. Entry point to medical device manufacturing.

$38,000 - $55,000
+29% in 3yr
4-8 weeks
office

Medical device demand is steady. AI-powered devices (surgical robots, diagnostics) are growing faster.

IPC-A-610 (Acceptabi...

Bioinformatics Assistant

High Demand

Support bioinformatics analysis by processing sequencing data, running pipelines, and managing datasets.

$50,000 - $72,000
+41% in 3yr
6-12 months
remote

Genomics data is exploding. AI-driven biology needs people who can wrangle data.

Bioinformatics Certi...

Satellite Assembly Technician

High Demand

Assemble and test satellites in cleanroom environments. Critical role as satellite production scales up dramatically.

$50,000 - $75,000
+33% in 3yr
6-12 months
office

SpaceX, Amazon, and others are building thousands of satellites. Assembly lines need workers.

IPC J-STD-001 (Solde... *NASA Workmanship Sta...

Launch Operations Technician

High Demand

Support rocket launch operations at spaceports. Work on launch pads, ground systems, and payload integration.

$55,000 - $80,000
+35% in 3yr
6-12 months
field

Launch cadence is increasing rapidly. New spaceports (Texas, Florida, California) need crews.

Hazardous Materials ... *Crane/Rigging Certif...

Avionics Technician

High Demand

Install, test, and maintain electronic systems in aircraft and spacecraft. Combines electronics and aerospace.

$52,000 - $78,000
+32% in 3yr
12-24 months
office

Aerospace manufacturing is growing. Defense spending adds to demand.

FAA A&P LicenseIPC-A-610 *

Ground Systems Operator

High Demand

Operate ground stations that communicate with and control satellites. Monitor telemetry and execute commands.

$55,000 - $80,000
+35% in 3yr
6-12 months
office

Thousands of satellites need ground control. New constellations require 24/7 operations.

Security Clearance *

Quality Inspector - Aerospace

Growing

Inspect aerospace components to ensure they meet strict quality standards. Critical for flight safety.

$48,000 - $72,000
+29% in 3yr
8-16 weeks
office

Aerospace production is increasing. Every part needs inspection.

ASQ CQICMM/GD&T Training

Robot Technician

Very High Demand

Install, maintain, and repair industrial robots in manufacturing and warehouse environments.

$50,000 - $75,000
+37% in 3yr
8-16 weeks
field

Millions of robots deployed, shortage of techs to maintain them. Companies paying 20-30% premiums.

FANUC Certified Robo...ABB Robot Programmin...

PLC Programmer

High Demand

Program and troubleshoot PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) that control automated manufacturing equipment.

$55,000 - $80,000
+38% in 3yr
12-24 weeks
hybrid

Every automated factory runs on PLCs. Experienced programmers are scarce.

Rockwell PLC Certifi...Siemens S7 Training

Warehouse Automation Technician

Very High Demand

Maintain automated warehouse systems including conveyors, sorters, and mobile robots.

$48,000 - $70,000
+34% in 3yr
8-12 weeks
field

E-commerce explosion drove warehouse automation. Every fulfillment center needs technicians.

Amazon RME Training

Industrial Maintenance Technician

High Demand

Maintain and repair manufacturing equipment including mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems.

$50,000 - $72,000
+34% in 3yr
6-12 months
field

Manufacturing reshoring increases maintenance demand. An aging workforce creates openings.

Industrial Maintenan...

Systems Integration Technician

High Demand

Install and commission automated systems at customer sites. Travel to factories to get robots running.

$55,000 - $80,000
+35% in 3yr
6-12 months
field

Every automated system needs installation and commissioning. Skilled integrators are scarce.

Robot manufacturer c...

Water Treatment Operator

High Demand

Operate and maintain water and wastewater treatment facilities. Essential infrastructure role with job security.

$42,000 - $65,000
+27% in 3yr
6-12 months
field

Half of water operators retiring in the next decade. Every community needs water treatment.

State Water Operator... *

Stormwater Technician

Growing

Manage stormwater systems and ensure regulatory compliance. Growing role as flooding concerns increase.

$42,000 - $62,000
+28% in 3yr
8-12 weeks
hybrid

Increased flooding drives stormwater regulation and infrastructure investment.

CESSWI (Erosion/Sedi...MS4 Training

Wildfire Mitigation Technician

High Demand

Reduce wildfire risk through vegetation management, defensible space creation, and community fire prevention.

$40,000 - $60,000
+29% in 3yr
4-8 weeks
field

Western states investing billions in fire prevention. Utility companies mandated to clear vegetation.

S-130/S-190 (Basic F...Chainsaw Certificati... *

Emergency Management Coordinator

Growing

Plan for and respond to emergencies and disasters. Coordinate with agencies and communities for preparedness.

$48,000 - $70,000
+29% in 3yr
6-12 months
hybrid

Climate disasters increasing in frequency. Every community needs emergency management capacity.

FEMA ICS Courses *CEM (Certified Emerg...

Environmental Monitor

Growing

Monitor environmental conditions including air quality, water quality, and soil contamination.

$40,000 - $58,000
+29% in 3yr
8-16 weeks
hybrid

Environmental regulations and climate monitoring are expanding. More data collection needed.

HAZWOPER 40-Hour *40-Hour HAZMAT

Data Annotator

Very High Demand

Label and annotate data used to train AI models. The human workforce behind machine learning.

$35,000 - $55,000
+43% in 3yr
2-4 weeks
remote

Every AI model needs training data. Demand growing exponentially with AI adoption.

Prompt Engineer

Very High Demand

Design and optimize prompts for large language models. Bridge between AI capabilities and user needs.

$60,000 - $95,000
+47% in 3yr
4-8 weeks
remote

Every company adopting AI needs prompt engineering. Demand far exceeds supply of skilled practitioners.

Prompt Engineering C...

AI Content Moderator

High Demand

Review AI outputs for safety, accuracy, and policy compliance. Ensure AI systems behave appropriately.

$45,000 - $68,000
+35% in 3yr
4-8 weeks
remote

AI safety and content moderation are growing concerns. Regulation will increase demand further.

RLHF Specialist

Very High Demand

Provide human feedback to improve AI model behavior through comparison tasks and quality evaluation.

$50,000 - $78,000
+47% in 3yr
4-6 weeks
remote

RLHF is how AI labs make models helpful. Every major AI lab needs RLHF specialists.

Domain Expert Annotator

High Demand

Apply domain expertise (medical, legal, financial) to train specialized AI systems. Premium pay for expertise.

$60,000 - $100,000
+40% in 3yr
4-8 weeks
remote

Specialized AI needs domain experts. Medical, legal, and financial AI training pays 2-3x base rates.

Why These Sectors?

These are sectors with durable demand signals, policy tailwinds, and active hiring. We summarize public reporting and update as sources evolve:

  • AI Infrastructure: Demand for data center build-outs is rising. Skilled trades like electricians and HVAC remain critical.
  • Clean Energy: Policy incentives and grid upgrades continue to expand. Installer, technician, and operations roles remain active.
  • Biotech: AI-assisted discovery and manufacturing are accelerating. Lab techs, QA, and production roles stay in demand.
  • Space: More missions and satellite deployments drive engineering and operations roles across suppliers.
  • Robotics: Automation growth increases demand for technicians and maintenance specialists.
  • Climate Adaptation: Infrastructure resilience work is increasing, with steady demand in water, energy, and civil operations.
  • AI Data Services: Human data workflows remain critical to model quality. Roles include data operations, evaluation, and prompt-focused work.

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