Methodology

For the 2025 list, U.S. News first identified jobs with the largest number and percentage of projected openings between 2023 and 2033, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These jobs were then ranked in several categories, including an overall top 100 list, a best-paying list, and industry-specific lists.

Each job was ranked based on its overall score, which combined multiple metrics into a single weighted average between 0 and 10. The metrics used to calculate this year's rankings included:

• Future prospects, which represent the amount of sustained growth a job is expected to see over the next few years (30%)
• Wage potential, which considers the median wage, wage range, and wage growth of a job (25%)
• Employment, which examines employment/unemployment rates, people who are working part-time because full-time work is unavailable, and the amount of on-the-job training required (20%)
• Job safety and stability, which evaluates factors that can contribute to employees' safety and well-being, both on and off the job (15%)
• Work/life balance, which considers full-time work hours and other factors, such as work pace and telework availability (10%)

The best jobs in healthcare

According to U.S. News, the 10 best jobs in healthcare for 2025 are:

1.       Nurse practitioner

2.       Physician assistant

3.       Speech-language pathologist

4.       Veterinarian

5.       Nurse anesthetist

6.       Veterinary technologist and technician

7.       Physical therapist

8.       Occupational therapist

9.       Respiratory therapist

10.   Dental hygienist

Multiple healthcare professions also made the top 10 of U.S. News' "100 Best Jobs" list, including:

• Nurse practitioner (No. 1)
• Physician assistant (No. 3)
• Medical and health services manager (No. 7)
• Speech-language pathologist (No. 9)

"Careers in healthcare and healthcare support continue to show promise in the 2025 rankings due to a steady need for medical professionals that aid in the health and well-being of the population," said Carly Chase, VP of careers at U.S. News. "Nurse practitioner maintains the No. 1 spot as this year's best job because of its critical role in health management, the flexibility it provides, and its strong 10-year career outlook."

Healthcare jobs also made up a large portion of the professions on U.S. News' "Best Jobs That Pay $100K or More" list, taking up nine out of 25 spots:

• Nurse practitioner (No. 1, $126,260)
• Physician assistant (No. 3, $130,020)
• Medical and health services manager (No. 7, $110,680)
• Veterinarian (No. 11, $119,100)
• Nurse anesthetist (No. 13, $212,650)
• Anesthesiologist (No. 18, $239,200)
•  Psychiatrist (No. 19, $239,200)
• Optometrist (No. 22, $131,860)
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon (No. 23, $239,200)