What are the fastest-growing jobs in the US right now? Well, LinkedIn has some answers. While AI plays a prominent role in the top-growing careers of 2026, there are also some interesting alternatives to consider.
The prospect of stepping into the job market can be unnerving on the best of days, but matters are significantly more complex in 2026, where roles are evolving in unprecedented ways. One thing that is clear about the most promising careers is that a significant number of them revolve around the use of artificial intelligence. The technology has noticeably altered everything we know about work, affecting positions outside of IT with just as much confidence as it has within the field of technology.
If you’re just starting your career or looking for a change, these LinkedIn job trends can be a good starting point in determining the jobs that are hiring the most in 2026.
What are the fastest-growing jobs in the US today? A new report from LinkedIn takes a closer look at the job markets best offerings in 2026. (Image: Freepik)
What Are the Top 25 Fastest-Growing Jobs in the US in 2026? A Closer Look at Some Trending Roles
To start the new year off on the right foot, LinkedIn released its Jobs on the Rise 2026 list, an informative summary of the fastest-growing roles in the US, according to its internal data. Many workers and aspiring job seekers are interested in finding work or switching roles this year, but most don’t know where to get started. Much has been said about building lucrative careers in the field of AI, but using a generative tool to summon a Ghibli version of yourself hardly qualifies.
To build careers today, more sophisticated skills are needed to get started in the field, and the only way to develop them is to look at the top jobs in the field and explore the qualifications necessary for the role. This is a useful starting point for developing skills in the field.
Those who aren’t looking at careers in AI can also benefit from exploring some of the 25 fastest-growing careers on the market, gaining a sense of where to look instead.
A List of the Top 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs in 2026
According to LinkedIn’s list of the best career options to pursue right now, the top 10 include:
- AI Engineers or Machine Learning Engineers: As the creators and keepers of this technology, AI engineers with skills in LangChain, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and PyTorch can find success in this stream.
- AI Consultants and Strategists: The implementation of AI is just as important as its construction, and knowledge of LLMs, MLOps, and Computer Vision comes in handy here.
- New Home Sales Specialists: Taking a step away from AI, knowledge of real estate and buyer-seller operations in the field presents a considerable opportunity.
- Data Annotators: These content analysts aid in the organization of data sets and training of AI, with marketing skills like SEO, copywriting, and content production vital in the field.
- AI/ML Researchers: We have only just brushed the surface of the capabilities of AI. Those willing to look deeper into studying these systems may find considerable opportunities ahead of them.
- Healthcare Reimbursement Specialists: While an unusual career path, the healthcare industry has a considerable number of niche roles to offer. Overseeing aspects like billing and claims-submission processes for healthcare services can be an interesting career for those willing to work on the fringes of the industry.
- Strategic Advisor and Independent Consultants: Business advisory roles have always been important to the corporate world, and that has not changed in 2026. Those with interests in problem-solving and strategic partnership planning can explore careers in the area.
- Advertising Sales Specialists: Businesses may be interested in relying on AI in advertising, but customers want real minds behind the sales pitches. Those with experience in media planning, SMO, and other advertising skillsets can benefit from diving deeper into the industry.
- Founders: Entrepreneurs and creators with unique ideas can be best served by building their own empires to compete in the market of their choice.
- Sales Executives: From backend sales planning to customer-facing roles, the sales industry continues to create space for the top growing careers of 2026.
Other High-Demand Careers in the US Right Now
If the top 10 list of careers did not showcase opportunities that catered to your interests, the LinkedIn list of the top 25 fastest-growing careers had a few more options to consider.
- Commissioning managers
- Venture partners
- Field marketing representatives
- Fundraising officers
- Background investigators
- Business development executives
- Datacenter technicians
- Travel advisors
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Quantitative researchers
- Financial advisors
- Construction project leads
- Legal researchers
- Public affairs specialists
- Benefits advisors
At a glance, the list of top career options presents considerable insight into how the landscape of employment is evolving today. Its hard to deny how relevant AI is to the job market and to every industry currently in operation. Still, there are careers beyond AI engineering to consider for those who want to earn a living in a different field. Making the most of these opportunities may take some work, as developing the right skills is essential to the journey, but many overlapping strengths will come in handy even for those who switch careers.
Are there any particular roles in the list of fastest-growing jobs in the US that catch your attention? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.
