The Bureau of Labor Statistics published its 10-year employment projections, forecasting which occupations will grow or decline through 2036 and updating the federal government’s primary career-planning reference document, on Aug. 28.
The projections arrive as the labor market shows signs of stress — July nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000, the most recent monthly employment report showed — making the forward-looking guidance especially timely for workers, educators, and policymakers.
The 10-year projections are a key input for federal workforce policy, education investment decisions, and individual career planning. They are used by Congress, state workforce agencies, community colleges, and job training programs to allocate resources toward growing fields.
The updated Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on hundreds of occupations, including median pay, education requirements, job outlook, and work environment descriptions. It is one of the most widely accessed federal reference publications.
The projections come against a backdrop of rapid technological change, including the acceleration of artificial intelligence adoption across industries, which is reshaping demand for both technical and non-technical workers.
Full occupational growth and decline data, including sector-specific breakdowns, are available on the BLS website. The projections cover the 2026-2036 period and reflect assumptions about economic growth, demographic trends, and technological change.
The release timing positions the data as an important reference point for the fall congressional session, during which workforce development legislation and education funding are expected to be debated.
Real wages fell 0.1 percent in July as both the Consumer Price Index and earnings each rose 0.1 percent, BLS data showed, adding pressure on workers already navigating a shifting employment landscape.