Looking for a new job in 2024? Here are the top industries hiring

A new year often brings with it thoughts of change and resolutions, both in our private and professional lives. Perhaps you’re looking to get a promotion this year, or maybe you’re looking for a new job entirely in 2024?

The last 12 months have seen difficult economic conditions across the world, but with the situation likely to improve in 2024, the job market is also likely to provide more opportunities in the next 12 months.

The question is, what are the top industries that are hiring in 2024? Here is a list we’ve gathered using Hays data of permanent job openings.

The top industries hiring in 2024

Technology

The demand for skilled tech workers isn’t going away. The meteoric rise of AI in 2023 has only furthered the need for businesses to accelerate their digital transformation goals, which in turn has added to the already considerable skills gap for employers to navigate.

It’s no surprise then that jobs in technology are in hot demand. James Milligan, Global Head of Technology Solutions at Hays, said: “2023 saw a shift in priorities for many employers, as organisations suddenly found that implementing AI was the next challenge to overcome. Despite this, demand for people who can assist in digital transformation is still high, while jobseekers in technical roles should instead focus on upskilling in AI and understanding how it can help them in their day-to-day responsibilities.”

At Hays, we have named the top 10 tech jobs of 2024. These include software engineers, cloud engineers and data analysts, to name a few. Get the full list, including what skills you’ll need, here.

Accountancy and Finance

With economies around the world starting to recover and business activities expected to pick up, finance professionals will continue to hold a lot of influence in 2024.

No matter what the business, all companies need a strong finance team. Of course, you’ll need to ensure the accounts are balanced, but as a finance professional, you’ll also be expected to bring insights to senior leaders and identify trends.

As mentioned in the previous section, digital transformation continues to impact all organisations and industries. Finance is no different and there is likely to be a rise in jobs at FinTech companies, with expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency needed.

Through our UK Salary Guide, we’ve seen that salaries in accountancy and finance rose by 5.6% in 2023 compared to the overall average uplift of 3.5% across the UK. Credit controllers, payroll administrators and senior insolvency/corporate recovery managers enjoyed the top pay rises in the UK last year.

Engineering

Engineering makes our list for the second year running, and it’s no surprise. Everything around us, be it the building we live in, the office we work in or the transport we take, was developed and constructed by an engineer.

Pay rises have been seen across the industry, particularly in the UK, where coded welders, bolting technicians and electrical design engineers have enjoyed a bump up in pay.

Whilst undeniably an important part of work, remuneration isn’t the only thing. Engineers also enjoy job security, a great culture and flexible working policies.

Construction and Property

Construction continues to be an industry in demand. The number of hot jobs in this sector is vast and wide-ranging, from electricians to project leaders and site managers. With growing awareness of the climate crisis and the need to build a sustainable future, skilled tradespeople equipped to help us reach Net Zero are also going to be in high demand.

In 2023, Hays USA and Hays Canada released Salary Guides that showed that estimators, project managers, superintendents and schedulers would be highly-sought after. We expect this to be similar in 2024. To take part in the Salary Guide research, click here.

In the UK, competitive salaries remain a crucial tactic in closing the skills gap, with 81% of employers increasing their employees’ remuneration in the last 12 months, and 93% saying they are experiencing skills shortages. 2024 is a great year to progress your career in construction.

Life Sciences

We are all living longer and wanting to lead healthier lifestyles. This means there’s a demand for products, as well as services in the Life Sciences world.

In Australia, it’s predicted that the healthcare industry will grow rapidly due to an ageing population, which the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) projects will see the number of 65+ year-olds increase from 15% to 23% of the population by 2057.

There are roles in both the public and private sectors, with positions such as research scientists and clinical research associates available.

Looking for a job in 2024: Things to remember

Whilst you’re looking for a job in 2024, remember, there are many things to consider before making the move. Does a new opportunity represent growth in your career? What sort of culture do you want to be a part of?

Whilst these five industries are the most in-demand, there are of course jobs available across the world in many other industries. Find your local Hays website here, where you can access open vacancies near you.