Jobs that Are in High Demand in 2020
Although we are only a third through 2020, it’s proven to be one of the tumultuous years to date. At the start of the year, the unemployment rate in the United States was 3.6%. Three months later, 20 million people have lost their jobs as the world learns to cope with the spread of COVID-19. Yes, it is an unprecedented time in our country, but one that we will overcome. For individuals that have been laid off, recent graduates, or those looking to re-enter the workforce, there are still plenty of opportunities. Many jobs have emerged and are now in demand because of the pandemic.
Here’s a closer look at what those opportunities are, where you can find them, and how you can put yourself in the best position to find a job that is pandemic and recession-proof.
What Jobs Are in High Demand Now?
While some industries have struggled during the pandemic, others have seen an uptick in business and demand.
According to a LinkedIn analysis of job postings in late March, here were the jobs with the highest demand:
♦ Store Associate
♦ System Operator
♦ Certified Public Accountant
♦ Health Care Specialist
♦ Construction Worker
♦ Warehouse Manager
♦ Psychologist
♦ Vehicle Mechanic
♦ Academic Adviser
♦ Delivery Driver
These jobs are in high demand because of the new reality COVID-19 has created. Grocery stores are considered essential, for example, because people need food, medicine, and, yes, toilet paper. They need people to stock the stores and run the register, which is why grocery stores all across the county are hiring at record-pace.
The same goes for convenience stores. 7-Eleven, as of right now, has the most open job postings in the United States. Warehouse workers, delivery drivers, and others are in demand as more people seek goods delivered straight to their doors. Systems operators are needed to ensure critical software and IT are maintained to keep us online and video conferencing with co-workers, family members, and friends.
Psychologists are seeing increased demand as individuals deal with the stress and mental anguish of living in quarantine.
How Does COVID-19 Affect Searching for a Job?
Since many businesses are not operating in the office and social distancing is now the norm, for the time being, the hiring process is very different. Some companies are trying out Zoom and Skype interviews rather than in-person interviews.
This is especially the case with grocery stores and other businesses that are trying to fill positions quickly to meet demand. Even if they are not open for business right now, many companies may be still looking at candidates, hoping to build a pipeline for when the economy opens up.
If you are currently searching for a job, it’s important to keep your head high and do the work you would do if there wasn’t a pandemic going on. Indeed, the job postings search engine, offers a few excellent recommendations that you should consider as you conduct your job search. They include the following:
- Keep applying to the job that best matches your skills, experience, and qualifications.
- Assess your resume, cover letter, and overall job search to see if you can make improvements.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter. Be as specific as possible to the needs of the position.
- If you need income fast, consider applying for gig work to build up your resume and bolster your income. There are apps available that may help you find work fast.
We would also encourage you to continue to visit our website where you will find the latest job postings from companies looking to hire right now. Our team can help place you into a position that best suits your skills and desired goals.
What Jobs Are Always in Demand?
Many of the most in-demand jobs are in fields that will continue to grow now and into the foreseeable future. Although COVID-19 will certainly impact some industries, there will still be a demand for people with experience in healthcare, transportation, warehousing, customer service, and IT.
If you have the ability to go back to school and get a degree, some of the most in-demand jobs for 2020 are also the highest paying. You may be able to qualify with an associate degree if you can show that you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the role.
Here are some of the most in-demand jobs for 2020, according to Glassdoor:
| Job | Median Base Salary | Degree |
| Front-end Engineer | $105,240 | Bachelor’s |
| Data Scientist | $107,801 | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Product Manager | $117,713 | Bachelor’s |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $71,867 | Master’s |
| Business Development Manager | $78,480 | Bachelor’s |
| Nursing Manager | $85,389 | Master’s |
| HR Manager | $83,190 | Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Operations Manager | $70,189 | Bachelor’s |
| Accounting Manager | $85,794 | Master’s |
| Physical Therapist | $71,483 | Doctoral |
Although many of the most in-demand jobs do require a four-year degree, there are many other opportunities out there that do not.
The following are in-demand jobs that only require an Associate’s degree or high school diploma. (Note that you still may have to obtain certain licenses and certifications, provide relevant work experience, or demonstrate skills to show that you are qualified for the position.)
- Executive Assistant
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Customer Service Representative
- Web Developer
- Respiratory Therapist
- Medical Records Technician
- Sound Engineer
- Industrial Machine Repairer
- Paralegal
What Jobs Have Growing Demand?
As you see what kind of jobs are in-demand now and others that have always been in-demand, there are a few commonalities. Most of them involve either healthcare or technology as these are the fields that have sustained growth and where growth is expected to continue.
- As Baby Boomers age, there will be many openings in healthcare to make sure they receive the care they need.
- Tech positions will be in need as more companies opt for remote work solutions and other software/IT services to reduce their overhead, improve their efficiency, and stay flexible.
- And let’s not forget about the renewable energy industry. Some of the fastest-growing jobs are in this field as more companies and households invest in solar and wind energy to reduce their carbon footprint and save on utility bills.
Here are some of the fastest-growing jobs, according to Monster.com.
| Job | Median Base Salary | Projected Growth |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $39,490 | 105% |
| Wind Turbine Service Tech | $53,880 | 96% |
| Home Care Aide | $23,210 | 47% |
| Personal Care Aide | $23,100 | 39% |
| Physician Assistant | $104,860 | 37% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $103,380 | 36% |
| Statistician | $84,060 | 34% |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $57,430 | 31% |
| Software Developer | $101,790 | 31% |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $25,730 | 29% |
What Are the Top Jobs in Demand in Your State?
Depending on the size, location, and the economy in your state, you may be more likely or less likely to find opportunities in your field. If you are looking for a career in your state, here are the most in-demand jobs based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| State | Job |
| Alabama | Information Security Analyst |
| Alaska | Dental Hygienist |
| Arizona | Nurse Practitioner |
| Arkansas | Physician Assistant |
| California | Solar Photovoltaic Installer |
| Connecticut | Statistician |
| Delaware | Personal Financial Advisor |
| Florida | Physician Assistant |
| Georgia | Physician Assistant |
| Hawaii | Software Developer |
| Idaho | Respiratory Therapist |
| Illinois | Nurse Practitioner |
| Indiana | Nurse Practitioner |
| Iowa | Operations Research Analyst |
| Kansas | Information Security Analyst |
| Kentucky | Nurse Practitioner |
| State | Job |
| Louisiana | Software Developer |
| Maine | Physician Assistant |
| Maryland | Photographer |
| Massachusetts | Statistician |
| Michigan | Physician Assistant |
| Minnesota | Statistician |
| Mississippi | Software Developer |
| Missouri | Information Security Analyst |
| Montana | Nurse Practitioner |
| Nebraska | Information Security Analyst |
| Nevada | Electrical Equipment Assembler |
| New Hampshire | Physician Assistant |
| New Jersey | Solar Photovoltaic Installer |
| New Mexico | Information Security Analyst |
| New York | Solar Photovoltaic Installer |
| North Carolina | Statistician |
State Job North Dakota Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas Ohio Physician Assistant Oklahoma Home Health Aide Oregon Physician Assistant Pennsylvania Statistician Rhode Island Software Developer South Carolina Physician Assistant South Dakota Software Developer Tennessee Software Developer Texas Wind Turbine Service Technician Utah Software Developer Vermont Software Developer Virginia Nurse Practitioner Washington Marketing Manager West Virginia Nurse Practitioner Wisconsin Veterinarian Wyoming Petroleum Engineer
While these are the most in-demand jobs in every state, they are by no means the only sought after jobs.
As we have learned over the past few months, things can change very quickly, which is why we encourage you to reach out to our experienced staffing coordinators if you are in need of a job. You might find something that stays in-demand and keeps you employed now and long into the future.
Staffing Services In Greater Philadelphia
J & J Staffing Resources is a professional staffing agency that connects local businesses to job seekers throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
We bring over 45 years of expertise in office, industrial, technical, and professional staffing placements as well as payroll management, and offer a wide range of services for both employers and job seekers.
Need help? J & J Staffing has offices in Newark, Bridgeport, Woodbury, Cherry Hill, Ewing, Princeton, Langhorne, and Horsham. Visit your local J & J staffing center or get started below.