Skills Outlook: Skills Map - United States

The U.S. job market is experiencing changes driven by automation, AI, and an aging population. Pearson's Skills Map of the United States offers a comprehensive analysis of how these factors are reshaping employment, including a projected 1.9 million new jobs through 2028.

Using our proprietary Skills Outlook data, we examined trends in job growth, sector shifts, and skill demands through 2028 at a national level and for the states of California, Florida, Michigan, New York, and Texas. Skills Map insights are intended to support employers, educators, policymakers, and workers preparing for the future of work in America.

Key findings reveal a dynamic landscape where technology is simultaneously changing existing roles and creating new opportunities across all sectors, shaking up our definition of a tech job.

A New Understanding of Tech Jobs

The Skills Map U.S. points to a future where advanced technologies will continue to change how we work: nurses using on-site data analytics for patient care, educators skilled in AI for personalizing learning, and manufacturing experts employing 3-D printing and robotics. In one way or another, all jobs will become "tech jobs," and it is happening fast.

At the same time, the demand for expertise to support technology implementation and maintenance across all industries will see a surge of 1.87 million additional jobs in 2028. Similarly, Systems Software Engineers, Computer and Information Systems Managers, and Computer Programmers will find opportunities in all sectors and are among the top rising roles (319,970 new jobs through 2028, up 15.4%).
  
The impact of technology is disruptive. By 2028, automation and tech augmentation are projected to impact 11.2 million jobs, transforming these roles and, in some cases, reducing their demand. It will also be a time of exciting new opportunities, especially for younger generations. Their digital fluency and adaptability will not only position them well as skilled workers, but also as catalysts for change in how we incorporate technology into our working lives.
  
As we look ahead, workers with tech and field-specific expertise will be highly sought after. The call for upskilling and reskilling is loud and urgent.

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U.S. Job Market Trends

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Job Growth + Tech Integration

The U.S. job market will add 1.9 million jobs through 2028, with growth varying by state and sector. Today's major sectors such as Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing, will remain key employers, though all sectors will evolve with advances in technology.

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Healthcare Boom

The Healthcare sector will add 782,810 new jobs through 2028, driven by an aging population. Top roles like Personal Care and Home Health Aides, Nursing Assistants, and Registered Nurses will add 316,740 (+5%) new jobs.
 

In-Demand Skills

The demand for skills rooted in human qualities, such as empathy and physical dexterity, is thriving alongside technology. Our analysis of 85 million job ads reveals that employers seek a mix of technical proficiency and popular skills like communication, customer service, and heavy lifting.

Retail Transformation

The Retail sector will remain a top employer in 2028 despite significant changes. E-commerce growth will reduce roles like Salesperson and Cashiers (-389,320 and -372,000, respectively) but create opportunities within digital business models and logistics.

The data we used