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If you’re looking for a job, there are many new opportunities available now as unemployment remains low and hiring demand stays high. In fact, some are so new that the occupations didn’t even exist 15 years ago.
Some of these newer occupations already have become popular among older adults. For example, 84 percent of Uber drivers are age 41 and older, according to a report from Brainvire, a technology industry consulting firm. Ride-hailing service Uber launched in 2009, and since then has quickly become an accessible job opportunity for workers of all ages.
The following 15 jobs, listed alphabetically, show just how much the types of career opportunities available can change in just a few years. Average wage data is from salary.com.
Budtender
Why it started: Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana in 2012.
Average wage: $18 per hour
If gardening is one of your favorite hobbies, this occupation gives you the opportunity to earn money too. In little more than a decade, recreational marijuana has been legalized in 21 states and the District of Columbia, and 38 states have approved the drug for medical use. That legalization boom has created demand for people who can help grow the plants.
Cloud computing specialist
Why it started: Google announced its use of cloud computing in 2006.
Average wage: $47.26 per hour
Cloud computing is the backbone of most of today’s internet technology. Movie streaming, photo storage and online shopping are among the many everyday services that are powered by cloud computing in some role. As more businesses shifted to operating remotely during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, hiring demand for cloud computing experts increased.
Contact tracer
Why it started: The United States declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency in March 2020.
Average wage: $21.54 per hour
While contact tracing has existed as an occupation for many decades, the coronavirus pandemic put a new spotlight on the job. Contact tracers are responsible for reaching out to people who may have been exposed to a contagious illness to provide them with information and resources and to determine who else may have been exposed. While many contact tracers got their start through on-the-job training, some people in this field have certifications or degrees in epidemiology or other related disciplines.
Cryptocurrency adviser
Why it started: Bitcoin launched in January 2009.
Average wage: $50.55 per hour
In little more than a dozen years, more than $804 billion globally has been invested in cryptocurrencies. That marketplace continues to evolve rapidly, meaning that investors need guidance from someone who closely follows the field. In addition to overall experience with providing investment advice, cryptocurrency advisers also should have professional certifications in digital assets management.
Delivery driver
Why it started: Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, offering free two-day delivery for most orders.
Average wage: $22.60 per hour
Whether it’s fresh-cooked meals from a favorite restaurant or discount merchandise from an online store, we’ve come to expect our orders to arrive quickly. Demand for delivery drivers continues to be high, though it has decreased slightly from the peaks during the first two years of the pandemic. Many of these positions are gig work or contract positions that offer flexibility but typically don’t provide benefits.
