The American workforce is on the brink of a massive transformation. As technology evolves and the population ages, the landscape of employment is set to shift dramatically over the next few years. The Pearson Skills Map U.S. study offers a comprehensive forecast of America’s job market in 2028, revealing how the convergence of technology and demographics will create new job opportunities and reshape entire industries. In this post, we will explore the key findings from the report and how employers, educators, and policymakers can prepare for the future of work.
Key Take-Aways of the Pearson Skills Map U.S. study:
- New Job Growth: Projected 1.9 million new jobs by 2028, despite some losses from automation.
- Tech-Driven Job Evolution: Over 2 million new tech jobs across all industries.
- Healthcare and Education Expansion: Healthcare and education will add 517,000 jobs due to aging populations and tech needs.
- Top Tech Roles: Software engineers, systems managers, and programmers will see 319,970 new jobs.
- Industry-Specific Growth: Manufacturing gains from high-tech processes and government initiatives like the CHIPS Act.
A Shifting Workforce Driven by Technology
According to the report, by 2028, the American job market will see the creation of 1.9 million new jobs. These jobs will emerge from a combination of economic growth (+11.25 million jobs), technology implementation and maintenance (+1.87 million jobs), and job losses from automation and augmentation (-11.2 million jobs). This shift is not merely incremental but represents a fundamental transformation in the way we work, the skills we will need, and the types of jobs that will dominate the market.
One of the key insights from the report is that technological advancements are not just creating new roles in tech-related fields but also expanding the definition of what a “tech job” is. Across industries, jobs will require more tech skills, with technology becoming an integral part of daily operations in all sectors. This means that regardless of your field, whether it’s healthcare, education, or manufacturing, tech expertise will be critical for success.
For instance, the healthcare industry is projected to experience significant growth in tech-driven roles. Nurses using data analytics to revolutionize patient care, or doctors leveraging AI tools for diagnosis, are examples of how technology will redefine traditional roles. This growing demand for tech talent across all sectors is further evidence that all jobs, in some way, are becoming tech jobs.
Growth in Key Sectors: Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing
While technology will be a driving force across all industries, several sectors are expected to remain top employers through 2028. The healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors will see significant growth, adapting to technological advancements and changing workforce needs.
1. Healthcare: As the baby-boom generation retires and ages, healthcare is expected to be one of the fastest-growing sectors. According to the Pearson Skills Map U.S. study, there will be an increasing demand for healthcare workers to meet the needs of an aging population. Healthcare professionals, from nurses to physicians, will need to blend tech skills with traditional medical knowledge to keep up with innovations in patient care, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostics.
2. Education: The education sector is another area expected to see substantial growth, adding an estimated 517,000 new jobs by 2028. This growth is largely due to the increased need to prepare the future workforce for a tech-driven economy. Educators will play a pivotal role in equipping students with both technical and human-centric skills to thrive in the evolving job market.
3. Manufacturing and Construction: High-tech processes, robotics, and green building technologies are transforming manufacturing and construction industries, creating pathways to lucrative, tech-driven roles. The Pearson Skills Map U.S. study suggests that government initiatives, such as the CHIPS Act, which aims to boost semiconductor production, will further contribute to job growth in these sectors. Semiconductor processing technicians, for example, will see rising demand as the nation increases its focus on domestic production of advanced technologies.
Tech Expertise: The Key to Success in 2028
One of the most important takeaways from the Pearson Skills Map U.S. report is that tech expertise will no longer be confined to traditional IT or engineering roles. Instead, every industry will need tech-savvy professionals to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving landscape. For example, human resources professionals are increasingly using AI-powered tools to analyze and map the skills their businesses will need today and in the future.
This trend will also be evident in sectors that have traditionally been less tech-dependent. The retail sector, while still one of the largest employers in 2028, is expected to see a decline in traditional roles as e-commerce expands and logistics and warehouse operations become more critical. Professionals in these sectors will need to embrace technology to stay relevant in the workforce.
The Pearson Skills Map U.S. report predicts that by 2028, systems software engineers, computer and information systems managers, and computer programmers will see some of the highest growth in the job market, with a 15.4% increase, amounting to 319,970 new jobs. These roles are essential for supporting the technological infrastructure that will power industries across the economy.
Demographics and the Aging Population
Another key factor reshaping the workforce is the country’s demographic shifts. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, labor force participation is expected to decline from 62.2% in 2022 to 60.4% by 2032, primarily due to the retirement of the baby-boom generation. As older, experienced workers exit the workforce, a significant skills gap will emerge, particularly in sectors like healthcare where their departure will create a vacuum.
This demographic change is driving increased demand for healthcare professionals and creating new opportunities for younger workers who possess digital fluency and adaptability. The younger generation, having grown up with technology, will be well-positioned to fill these gaps and lead the way in tech-driven industries.
Human-Centric Skills Still Matter
While technology and automation are reshaping the job market, the Pearson Skills Map U.S. report emphasizes that human-centric skills will continue to be in high demand. Skills like communication, teamwork, and organization are irreplaceable and will remain critical in sectors requiring personal interaction and physical dexterity. Employers are increasingly recognizing the value of these skills alongside technical proficiency.
For example, in healthcare, while technology may augment diagnosis and treatment, human-centric skills like empathy and communication remain at the core of patient care. Similarly, in education, teachers who can combine technical know-how with strong interpersonal skills will be highly sought after.
Preparing for the Future of Work
As the job market evolves, employers, educators, and policymakers must take proactive steps to prepare for the future. The Pearson Skills Map U.S. provides several recommendations:
1. Employers: Invest in upskilling and reskilling your workforce. Identify the tasks that can be automated and free up employees’ time for continuous learning.
2. Educators: Develop curricula that blend technical skills with essential human-centric abilities to prepare students for a tech-integrated future.
3. Policymakers: Promote policies that encourage lifelong learning and continuous skill development to address job shifts caused by automation.
4. Workers: Embrace lifelong learning, especially in industries facing significant tech-driven changes. Staying competitive in the future job market will require both technical skills and adaptability.
Conclusion
The Pearson Skills Map U.S. provides a clear roadmap for the future of work in America, emphasizing the need for adaptability to technological advances and demographic changes. As employers, educators, policymakers, and workers face these shifts, it’s essential to invest in continuous learning and embrace new opportunities.
For businesses navigating this evolving landscape, Employer of Record (EOR) services play a critical role. EOR services can help companies efficiently manage their workforce needs during this period of transformation by handling employment compliance, onboarding, and HR tasks. As technology reshapes industries, EOR providers can help businesses expand quickly into new markets, manage contingent or remote workers, and stay compliant with ever-changing labor laws.
By outsourcing the administrative burden to EORs, companies can focus on upskilling their teams, integrating new technologies, and adapting to the shifts predicted in the job market. This allows businesses to remain agile and competitive in a fast-changing environment, helping them grow and thrive in the tech-driven future of work. Whether it’s managing a remote workforce or staying compliant with employment regulations, EOR services will be invaluable for companies preparing for the next wave of workforce evolution.
