Jan 29, 2026
While many Americans may have found the job market to be tough in 2025, a new report reveals that 2026 could hold some serious opportunities for those who work in health care.
Indeed, which ranks its top jobs based on salary, demand for workers, growth in wages and the number of postings on its platform, recently found that eight of its top 10 jobs for 2026 are in health-related fields, with many more health care occupations rounding out the top 50 (1).
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Though health care roles make up just 11% of total jobs in the U.S., they represent 72% of job growth in the broader market, according to Laura Ullrich, North America research director for the Indeed Hiring Lab.
Top 10 jobs in the U.S. in 2026
The most in-demand job for 2026 is cardiac medical techs, according to Indeed’s ranking. These professionals earn a median salary of $133,907 per year, and this kind of work has seen a 34% increase in both wage growth and job postings since 2022.
Here are the occupations that round out Indeed’s Top 10:
- Truck driver owner-operator: $160,000 per year
- Nurse practitioner: $143,183
- Speech language pathologist: $109,431
- Licensed professional counselor: $107,812
- Licensed clinical social worker: $119,618
- Physical therapist: $110,848
- Occupational therapist: $105,580
- Radiation therapist: $115,923
- Data scientist: $115,079
CNBC notes that while registered nurses slide into Indeed’s ranking at No. 22, these jobs are still among the most in-demand occupations, with 12,330 open roles per one million postings on Indeed’s platform (2).
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The state of the job market in 2026
While health care job growth in 2026 is an encouraging update, this industry is not the only one that’s showing resilience. Take the tech sector, for example.
“While the tech hiring market has experienced a significant pullback from its post-pandemic peak, this shift is largely a correction following a period of unsustainable growth,” Ullrich noted in the Indeed report (1).
“Despite a 36% decline in job postings since early 2020, actual employment in computer and mathematical occupations remains nearly 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels. This indicates that the current slowdown is a structural rebalancing versus a dramatic collapse.”
This demand is reflected in the occupation that ranked No. 10 on Indeed’s ranking: data scientist. Solution architect, a more specialized software role that comes with a six-figure salary and plenty of options for remote work, is ranked No. 20 on Indeed’s list.
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Elsewhere in the job market, trades are still in demand. While truck driver owner-operators are ranked at No. 2, HVAC technicians and electricians also made appearances on Indeed’s list, as CNBC notes these roles are less likely to feel the impacts of AI disruption (2).
What job seekers need to know now
While Indeed’s report includes a lot of noteworthy information, one of its underlying themes is how the nature of work in America is evolving.
Specialized expertise is still in high demand, but many of the roles that can’t be replaced by technology and require human connection remain at the top of Indeed’s ranking. The report also notes that job stability is becoming more important for Americans, as waves of layoffs rocked the job market in 2024 and 2025.
If you’re looking for work in 2026 and you’re open to a career change, investing in health care skills can potentially give you the job stability you’re looking for. However, researchers note that health care roles come with a high risk of burnout and can take a toll on the mental and emotional health of professionals. With this in mind, weighing job security and a high salary against these risks is a must if you’re considering switching to a career in health care.
For those who are looking for work in 2026 — whether it’s a role in health care or any other industry — here are some tips to keep in mind.
Find what you love, and hate
Applying for jobs and doing interviews can help you zero in on the kind of jobs you don’t want, as well as the ones you do. Treat each job description and potential interview as opportunities to gather information and make note of the environments and work requirements that you feel will not suit you. This can help you identify your ideal role beyond a job title.
Learn about yourself
Self reflection in the job hunt can be critical. For example (3), data from Fidelity Charitable shows that 86% of workers across all generations feel “it’s important to work for a company with values that align with my own.” Finding companies that are aligned with your values and interests can help you find the ideal fit for you.
Networking
While online applications are standard in modern-day job hunting, finding a way to stand out from the competition is always a good idea, and that often means getting a solid recommendation. With this in mind, don’t be afraid to reconnect with an old colleague or boss that may be able to give you a recommendation for a particular role, or a recommendation that you can share on your LinkedIn profile.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Indeed (1); CNBC (2); Fidelity Charitable (3).
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Rebecca Holland is dedicated to creating clear, accessible advice for readers navigating the complexities of money management, investing and financial planning. Her work has been featured in respected publications including the Financial Post, The Globe & Mail, and the Edmonton Journal.
