It comes as no surprise that health care is the sole standout for strong job growth amid a labor market where hiring has stalled.
Indeed’s 2026 Best Jobs index offers a data-driven snapshot of the U.S. labor market, comparing current job openings with three-year growth trends to identify careers positioned for long-term stability and mobility. Thousands of occupations were analyzed and ranked using five measures of job quality: above-average pay, immediate demand, salary growth, hiring momentum, and remote flexibility. The index highlights a lopsided market. Overall hiring has been stagnant, but health care stands out, accounting for most job growth. As a result, seven of the top 10 jobs are in health care, reflecting the sector’s essential nature and resilience during economic uncertainty.
“The labor market overall has been in this low-hire, stagnant space for the last year,” said Laura Ullrich, North America research director for the Indeed Hiring Lab. “One major exception is health care. Only 11% of total jobs are in health care, but it represents 72% of the job growth [in the broader job market].”
“While every industry evolves, health care is different because it is built on a constant, essential need,” said Emily Walsh, a nurse recruiter at UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, and a former cardiovascular ICU nurse. “Being in health care for over 10 years has shown me how much change happens, but one thing always stays the same: the patient population keeps growing. Even when some people delay or refuse care, health care itself isn’t going anywhere.”
Walsh said that because every patient encounter is unique, there is never a one-size-fits-all approach, which keeps the field growing and adapting.
“That means there will always be a need for dedicated people in every role, from housekeeping and dietary to IT, nurses, therapists, physicians, and beyond,” she said. “It is truly a team effort, and every role plays a part in caring for the community.”
Long-term demographic forces have made health care a central pillar of the job market, and this momentum is expected to grow as longevity increases. An aging population ensures sustained demand, stability, and growth across the sector.
Many health care jobs are also difficult to automate. “While I fully support and see the value of AI in the health care industry, it can never replace the human connection this industry depends on,” Walsh said. “Health care is built on relationships, compassion, and hands-on care, and those are things technology cannot effectively replicate.”
Walsh said that AI can play a strong supporting role in health care by streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and reducing administrative burden so caregivers can focus more on their patients. But the “human touch and genuine connection are at the heart of what we do,” she said.
Health care work is incredibly rewarding but does come with significant challenges. Indeed found that 40% of health care workers feel their jobs are unsustainable, and 25% are considering leaving the field.
“Health care is both emotionally and physically demanding,” Walsh said. “Staffing shortages, heavy workloads, and the amount of yourself you pour into caring for others can really add up over time. Burnout looks different for everyone, but it is something many health care workers experience at some point. At the same time, so many people stay in health care because the work is meaningful, impactful, and filled with purpose.”
Beyond Health Care
Trade roles also made a notable appearance in the Indeed Best Jobs index, including owner-operator truck driver (#2), HVAC technician (#16), electrician (#48), and electrical foreman (#50). As some workers question the return on investment of traditional higher education options and weigh the impact of AI disruption, skilled trades are emerging as a practical, cost-efficient path with long-term demand.
“It’s easy to see why truck drivers landed as a top job on Indeed,” said Josh Rock, talent acquisition manager at Nuss Truck Group in Rochester, Minn. “Truck drivers live everywhere, so employers have to post in multiple cities to reach the right audience. It’s less about where the trucks originate and more about where the candidate lives and is searching. Add in the barrier to entry, and it becomes even clearer. Getting a commercial driver’s license isn’t terribly hard. It’s still one of the few careers where you don’t need a two- or four-year degree to earn an average starting salary around $60,000 a year.”
Rock added that he can clearly see the shift in career-driven education taking shape. “Over the last three years, watching my own kids finish high school, more of their friends are choosing tech schools than my classmates did when many of us pursued four-plus years of bachelor’s degrees,” he said. “That shift isn’t just about the rising cost of higher education — it’s also driven by the growing number of skilled labor careers that are in urgent need of the next generation of workers.”
AI isn’t as much to blame for this development as economic conditions and failed leadership within organizations, Rock said. “AI has certainly changed how people and companies work, but it hasn’t replaced people. Instead, the trend highlights the value of roles that are essential, hands-on, and difficult to automate, which is why skilled trades like truck driving continue to rise in demand.”
The tech sector is also proving resilient. After a post-pandemic pullback, tech hiring reflects a market correction rather than collapse, with employment still well above pre-pandemic levels. Roles such as data scientist show sustained demand, high pay, and remote flexibility. The Indeed list also underscores that tech remains one of the most accessible fields for career switchers, with several roles offering clear, skill-based entry points.
HR Makes List of Emerging Remote Fields
Remote work continues to be a top priority for professionals, and the data shows that demand isn’t slowing down.
FlexJobs analyzed more than 60 career categories, comparing 100% remote postings from 2025, and identified fields with at least 19% annual growth. Engineering, administrative, and sales roles topped the list, each nearly doubling in remote postings.
Other fast-growing categories include client services, banking, social media, mental health, insurance and operations, while education, communications, and HR (ranked #15) saw steady gains. The ranking excludes traditionally remote-heavy fields like IT and customer service, instead highlighting emerging opportunities.
“Remote work continues to expand beyond tech-centered roles,” said Toni Frana, career expert manager at FlexJobs. “In fact, we’re seeing steady growth in industries like engineering and sales, as well as traditionally slower-moving fields like HR. This is a promising sign that the remote job market is still evolving in 2026 and creating new pathways for workers across different industries.”
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