A two-day-old thread on Reddit’s r/AskReddit section asked a simple question: what career will be huge in the next 10 years? The answers ranged from plumbing to elder care, psychotherapy, recycling and pet care. What made the thread notable is that many of those suggestions line up with official government projections for the decade ahead.
The Thread That Predicted Jobs
A user posted the question “What career do you think will be huge in the next 10 years?” The post gathered 6,600 upvotes as Redditors weighed in with their guesses. The recurring theme was hands-on work that AI cannot replace.
Plumbing and electrical work came up often, alongside elder care, mental health counseling, recycling, pet care and radiation oncology. Some commenters framed the shift as a return to direct human contact after a decade of automation.
BLS Projections Back Up the Picks
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) produces regular projections for employment growth across hundreds of occupations. Its data for 2025 to 2035 covers the same decade the Reddit thread targets.
| Career | BLS Projected Growth (2025–2035) | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters | +7% | ~42,000 |
| Electricians | +9% | ~72,700 |
| Home health and personal care aides | +18% | ~847,300 |
| Substance abuse counselors | +18% | ~48,900 |
| Radiation oncology | Not tracked as a single category |
The Jobs With Official Numbers
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are projected to see employment rise by 7% over the decade, with about 42,000 openings expected each year. The BLS cites new construction and the upkeep of existing plumbing systems as drivers.
Electricians fare better, with a 9% projected growth rate and 72,700 openings per year. The industry needs electricians for construction and maintaining older electrical systems.
Elder care stands out as the fastest-growing field on the list. Home health and personal care aides are projected to increase by 18%, creating about 847,300 new jobs. The BLS data supports the projection.
Mental health counselors also show 18% growth, with around 48,900 openings annually. The BLS notes the integration of technology into daily life has raised the value of human connections.
The Jobs Without Official Numbers
Recycling and e-waste processing drew attention from several commenters, but the BLS does not track it as a single occupation. The volume and complexity of discarded electronics remain areas of specific interest.
Pet care, including veterinary clinics and dog grooming, was mentioned by users who noted clinics opening in their area and a growing share of consumer spending on pets. The Daily Dot could not say how large the industry will be in the coming decade.
A doctor commented on radiation oncology and radiotherapy, citing rising cancer cases and the need for more trained staff, especially in developing countries. The BLS does not have a single category covering all radiation-related roles, but the medical field shows progress.
After AI, Human Contact Is Valuable
The thread’s central theme is that AI will push people toward jobs that require direct human presence. Plumbing, electrical work, elder care, counseling and pet care all involve physical presence and personal interaction.
The Reddit predictions were opinions, not forecasts. Many of them matched BLS projections, showing where Redditors’ instincts lined up with official data.
Key Facts Box
- Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters: +7% growth, ~42,000 openings/year
- Electricians: +9% growth, ~72,700 openings/year
- Home health and personal care aides: +18% growth, ~847,300 new jobs
- Substance abuse counselors: +18% growth, ~48,900 openings/year
- BLS projections cover 2025 to 2035
- Reddit thread: 6,600 upvotes
Source material: “These Careers Could Be In High Demand Over The Next 10 Years,” The Daily Dot.
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