Which jobs will be in demand by 2030 ?
07 August 2026 · 5 min reading time
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Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, industry, healthcare and home care: the jobs of the future are not limited to a single sector. Some are growing with the emergence of new technologies. Others have existed for many years but are expected to keep recruiting due to an ageing population and retirements.
What are the main jobs of the future?
Here are the 12 careers included in this selection:
- artificial intelligence engineer;
- data scientist;
- cybersecurity expert;
- software developer;
- technical sales manager;
- supply chain manager;
- industrial maintenance technician;
- decarbonisation and environmental performance expert;
- industrial engineer;
- nurse;
- nursing assistant;
- home care assistant.
This list is based on French employment projections, international trends and occupations in which the required skills are changing rapidly. It does not rank these jobs from best to worst.
According to projections published by France Stratégie and Dares in 2022, nearly 800,000 positions could need to be filled each year in France until 2030. Around nine out of ten would replace people reaching the end of their careers. Job creation is also expected in IT, healthcare, industry and personal services.
What is a job of the future?
A job of the future is an occupation for which recruitment needs or skills are expected to remain in demand over the coming years.
It is not necessarily a recently created profession. Artificial intelligence engineers work in a relatively new field. Nurses, home care assistants and maintenance technicians, by contrast, work in long-established occupations.
A job may be considered promising because its sector is creating positions, because some employees are approaching retirement or because its responsibilities are changing rapidly.
France compétences also publishes a list of emerging occupations or professions undergoing significant change. It covers jobs for which the required expertise is evolving quickly. However, appearing on this list does not mean that an occupation will account for the largest recruitment volumes.
Jobs of the future in IT and data
Artificial intelligence, data analysis and cybersecurity are playing an increasingly important role in business. Big data, AI and machine learning specialists, along with software and application developers, are among the occupations expected to grow the fastest worldwide.
These international trends cannot predict the exact number of hires in France, but they show the areas in which businesses are likely to continue investing.
1. Artificial intelligence engineer
An artificial intelligence engineer designs programs capable of analysing data and automating certain tasks.
Companies recruit these professionals to develop applications for healthcare, industry, finance, retail and energy. AI and machine learning specialists are among the technology occupations expected to grow the fastest worldwide.
The profession generally requires a Master's-level qualification in computer science, mathematics or data science.
2. Data scientist
A data scientist analyses data to help an organisation forecast trends, understand behaviour or make decisions.
Their role is becoming increasingly important as businesses gather more information about their sales, customers and production. The development of artificial intelligence is also increasing demand for professionals capable of checking the quality of the data used.
Big data specialists rank first among the occupations expected to grow worldwide between 2025 and 2030.
3. Cybersecurity expert
A cybersecurity expert protects an organisation's computers, software, networks and data.
The growing number of online services, connected devices and data exchanges is increasing the number of systems that may be attacked. Businesses must therefore strengthen their protection and respond quickly to intrusions or data leaks.
In 2026, France compétences added the role of cyber threat intelligence and investigation expert to its list of emerging occupations or professions undergoing significant change.
4. Software developer
A software developer creates and maintains websites, applications and software.
Artificial intelligence assistants can already write some code, but they cannot replace an understanding of the requirement, verification of the result or the long-term maintenance of a program. The profession is therefore expected to evolve rather than disappear.
Developers will need to know how to review AI-generated code, correct errors and ensure application security. Training programmes are available from two years of higher education.
Jobs of the future in sales and logistics
Businesses need to sell their products, manage their inventory and ensure deliveries despite delays and supply disruptions.
Software makes it easier to track orders and customers, but it cannot resolve a difficult negotiation, a supplier closure or a transport blockage on its own.
5. Technical sales manager
A technical sales manager sells products or services that require a strong technical understanding.
Selling business software, industrial machinery, energy installations or cybersecurity services requires professionals who can communicate with both customers and technical teams.
Sales and technical sales managers are among the occupations for which job creation is expected to account for a significant share of positions to be filled by 2030.
6. Supply chain manager
A supply chain manager coordinates suppliers, production sites, warehouses and carriers.
Geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and reshoring projects are encouraging companies to rethink their supply networks. They need managers capable of anticipating risks and responding when a supplier or transport route is disrupted.
Securing inventory and deliveries is therefore expected to remain a major issue over the coming years.
Jobs of the future in industry and the environment
Factories use more automated machinery and sensors to monitor production. This equipment needs to be maintained, adjusted and integrated into site operations. Staffmatch also presents the main opportunities in its industrial job profiles.
Businesses must also reduce their energy consumption, waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Industrial maintenance technician
An industrial maintenance technician maintains and repairs machinery used in factories and warehouses.
Automation does not eliminate this occupation. On the contrary, it increases the need for professionals capable of working on systems that combine mechanics, electricity, electronics and IT.
In 2026, 74.1% of recruitment projects involving technicians and supervisors in general and industrial mechanical maintenance were considered difficult by the employers surveyed by France Travail.
The occupation is accessible after a vocational baccalaureate, a two-year higher education diploma or a career-change training programme.
8. Decarbonisation and environmental performance expert
A decarbonisation expert helps a business or public authority reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental requirements and emission-reduction targets are encouraging organisations to measure the impact of their buildings, transport, purchasing and production more accurately.
The occupation of decarbonisation and environmental performance expert appears on France compétences' 2026 list of emerging professions or occupations undergoing significant change.
9. Industrial engineer
An industrial engineer seeks to improve the organisation and performance of a production site.
Businesses recruit these professionals to automate certain tasks, reduce costs, limit raw material losses and improve safety. Factory modernisation and the environmental transition are expected to continue changing the profession.
According to France Stratégie and Dares, job creation among industrial engineers and technical managers should almost offset retirements. Industrial occupations could account for around 45,000 net new positions between 2019 and 2030.
Jobs of the future in healthcare and support services
Tomorrow's recruitment needs will not be limited to IT. Candidates can consult Staffmatch's healthcare job profiles to compare responsibilities and training requirements.
French projections anticipate around 410,000 new positions between 2019 and 2030 among doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, nursing assistants and home care assistants. Professionals reaching retirement will also need to be replaced.
The ageing population and the development of care at home are expected to support recruitment in these occupations.
10. Nurse
A nurse provides care and monitors patients in hospitals, clinics, health and social care facilities or at home.
An ageing population, job creation and retirements are expected to sustain significant recruitment needs over the coming years.
The French State Diploma in Nursing is required to practise. It takes three years to complete and is equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
11. Nursing assistant
A nursing assistant helps patients with essential daily activities and monitors changes in their general condition.
Demand is expected to grow as the number of older and dependent people increases. Retirements will also create many vacancies that need to be filled.
The French State Diploma for Nursing Assistants generally takes twelve months to complete. Admission to a training institute is based on an application and interview.
12. Home care assistant
The development of care at home is expected to increase demand, while many employees in the sector are approaching retirement. Employers are already struggling to recruit, particularly in areas where journeys between clients are long.
These prospects should not obscure the demands of the occupation: frequent travel, sometimes fragmented working hours and supporting vulnerable people.
Which jobs of the future are accessible without lengthy studies?
Not every promising occupation requires five years of higher education.
The French State Diploma for Nursing Assistants generally takes one year to complete. In industrial maintenance, candidates can start after a vocational baccalaureate, a two-year higher education diploma or a vocational qualification.
Some software developer positions are accessible after two or three years of higher education, particularly when applicants can present practical projects.
Several diplomas and vocational qualifications also provide access to home care work. The required training depends on the responsibilities involved and the level of independence of the person receiving support.
A short training programme does not mean that the occupation is easy. Working hours, responsibilities, physical demands and career development opportunities must also be considered.
How do you choose a career that will still be recruiting tomorrow?
The number of job vacancies alone is not enough to choose a career path.
Before starting a training programme, candidates should research:
- day-to-day responsibilities;
- the length and cost of studying;
- working hours and conditions;
- opportunities in their region;
- career development prospects.
An occupation may be recruiting without being suitable for everyone. Healthcare professions, for example, require physical and emotional resilience. In IT, professionals must regularly update their knowledge.
It is also better to avoid building a career plan around a single piece of software or a specific technology. Programs and methods change rapidly. The ability to understand a problem, communicate and keep learning will remain useful in most sectors.
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