Dawn Allcot

Tue, May 20, 2025, 4:02 PM4 min read

In spite of rising wages, many Americans are worried about their future in the job market right now. Roughly 33% of Americans reported “layoff anxiety,” while 25% said they feel insecure about their job because of the current economic climate, a survey by lending firm Clarify Capital revealed. Half of American workers are looking to change industries, according to a separate report from SideHustles.com.

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The good news is that workers in certain sectors and those willing to change industries, will find plenty of opportunities for jobs with average hourly wages over $20 an hour, according to research from Talroo and Resume Now. Below are the seven industries with both the highest demand and wage growth.

“Despite continued uncertainty across sectors and broader economic concerns, the need for skilled frontline workers remains strong — and in many industries, it’s growing,” Thad Price, CEO of Talroo, said in the Top Frontline Industries by Demand and Wage Growth: Q1 2025 report.

Using data from Talroo, Resume Now broke down some of the industries with the largest demand right now, based on the number of applicants compared to the number of job postings. Trucking remains a secure industry, for now and happens to have both the largest talent gap and the highest wage growth of 16%.

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Not surprisingly, high-pressure fields like allied healthcare, caregiving and customer service held spots two through four in terms of talent gaps, with retail coming in not far behind in the sixth slot. While healthcare showed the smallest increase in wages, a mere 3%, it’s also the highest paying industry on the list, with an average hourly wage of $33.80.

When you’re changing industries, evaluate your existing skillset and consider areas where you might need additional training. For instance, if you’re entering the field of healthcare or even upper-level caregiving, like a Home Health Aide or Certified Nursing Assistant, you might need specific degrees or certifications.