Published May 18, 2026 7 min read

Unless otherwise noted, labor market data sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2026.
Exploring career paths that offer strong growth potential can lead to greater job security and expanding opportunities. When a field is growing, it indicates rising demand for skilled professionals, opening doors for new entrants and providing clearer pathways for advancement. Understanding these trends can help you make informed decisions about your future.
Loss Control Consultant
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d help clients evaluate the risk of insurance claims, conducting research to assess potential hazards. You might survey job sites, document risks, and provide guidance to clients, recommending specific changes to reduce their exposure. Your communication and organizational skills would be key in notifying clients of required changes for their insurance coverage.
- 5-year growth projection: 10.8% | 10-year: 23.7%
- Salary range: $58,471 (entry) / $71,861 (median) / $99,803 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Communication, Operations, Consulting, Time Management, Writing, Organizational Skills, Computer Literacy, Customer Service
- Top certifications: Certified Safety Professional, Valid Driver’s License, Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST)
- Top employers in Iowa: Alexander & Schmidt, Sedgwick, Regional Reporting, Nationwide, AssuredPartners
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Pricing Manager
What you’d do day-to-day: You would manage and implement pricing strategies for a company’s products or services. This involves analyzing company costs, industry pricing trends, and competitor prices. You’d use your leadership and influencing skills to develop strategies aimed at improving sales.
- 5-year growth projection: 5.5% | 10-year: 13.6%
- Salary range: $57,345 (entry) / $105,317 (median) / $187,624 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Sales, Management, Communication, Leadership, Planning, Operations, Influencing Skills, Microsoft Office
- Top certifications: Master Of Business Administration (MBA), Certified Public Accountant, APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional
- Top employers in Iowa: Hy-Vee, Veralto, Cardinal Health, KPMG, Ryder
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Property / Casualty Underwriter
What you’d do day-to-day: You would inspect properties, such as homes or rental units, to be insured. Your role involves identifying conditions like physical deterioration that could pose a risk to the insurance carrier. You’d use problem-solving and decision-making skills to evaluate these risks.
- 5-year growth projection: 4.5% | 10-year: 8.6%
- Salary range: $67,404 (entry) / $98,383 (median) / $126,536 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Communication, Leadership, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Management, Customer Service, Influencing Skills, Writing
- Top certifications: Valid Driver’s License, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Master Of Business Administration (MBA)
- Top employers in Iowa: Emc Insurance Foundation, Employers Mutual Casualty Co, Nationwide, Cottingham & Butler, Berkley
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Marine Underwriter
What you’d do day-to-day: Your primary responsibility would be to assess risks for insurers providing coverage for ships and goods transported by sea. You’d apply your management, communication, and decision-making skills to evaluate potential liabilities in the marine sector.
- 5-year growth projection: 4.2% | 10-year: 7.1%
- Salary range: $66,589 (entry) / $112,697 (median) / $141,564 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Management, Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving, Sales, Negotiation, Decision Making, Training And Development
- Top certifications: Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Valid Driver’s License
- Top employers in Iowa: Ufg Insurance, United Fire & Casualty, Hanover Insurance Group, Travelers
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Treasury Analyst
What you’d do day-to-day: You would work with large organizations or government agencies to oversee cash flow and assess financial health. Your tasks might include financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and asset management, all aimed at advising leaders on maintaining a strong financial position. You’d rely on your research and detail-oriented skills, often using Microsoft Excel.
- 5-year growth projection: 4.0% | 10-year: 7.2%
- Salary range: $41,050 (entry) / $70,745 (median) / $96,248 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Research, Communication, Microsoft Office, Management, Verbal Communication Skills, Detail Oriented, Microsoft Excel, Forecasting
- Top certifications: Certified Treasury Professional, Chartered Financial Analyst, Master Of Business Administration (MBA)
- Top employers in Iowa: PNC, Aston Carter, Wells Fargo, University of Iowa, Carrington
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Life Underwriter
What you’d do day-to-day: You would assess life insurance applications by gathering and analyzing information about applicants. Your role involves calculating the risk associated with providing life insurance coverage, using your communication and analytical skills to make informed decisions.
- 5-year growth projection: 3.7% | 10-year: 5.7%
- Salary range: $43,701 (entry) / $76,729 (median) / $150,040 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Sales, Customer Service, Communication, Multitasking, Writing, Leadership, Negotiation, Influencing Skills
- Top certifications: Fellow Of Life Management Institute, Chartered Life Underwriter, Insurance License
- Top employers in Iowa: Insight Global, FBL Financial Group, Fisher Organization, Beacon Hill Staffing Group, The Jacobson Group
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Medical Underwriter
What you’d do day-to-day: You would evaluate applications for medical malpractice or health insurance using medical and health information. This involves reviewing insurance documents to decide on coverage offers, identifying pre-existing conditions, determining insurance types and limits, and calculating premium costs. Your communication and decision-making skills are crucial.
- 5-year growth projection: 3.7% | 10-year: 5.7%
- Salary range: $52,669 (entry) / $87,328 (median) / $197,843 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Leadership, Communication, Management, Sales, Customer Service, Operations, Decision Making, Writing
- Top certifications: Chartered Life Underwriter, Fellow Of Life Management Institute, Project Management Certification
- Top employers in Iowa: CVS Health, Emc Insurance Foundation, Nationwide, Prime Therapeutics, United Fire & Casualty
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Budget Analyst
What you’d do day-to-day: You would be responsible for developing a company’s or organization’s overall annual budget. This includes evaluating budget proposals, preparing financial information for executives or government officials, monitoring spending, and analyzing variances between budgeted and actual expenditures. You might also evaluate programs or provide policy analysis.
- 5-year growth projection: 3.2% | 10-year: 6.4%
- Salary range: $62,738 (entry) / $85,156 (median) / $120,374 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Budgeting, Planning, Research, Communication, Forecasting, Leadership, Management, Operations
- Top certifications: Certified Public Accountant, Master Of Business Administration (MBA), Valid Driver’s License
- Top employers in Iowa: State Of Iowa, Corteva, Iowa Department of Administrative Services, City of Cedar Rapids, Richmond Associates Uk Limited
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Pricing Analyst
What you’d do day-to-day: You would research and recommend prices for products or services. Your work involves analyzing company costs, industry pricing trends, and competitor pricing, then developing strategies to enhance sales. You’d use your communication and problem-solving skills, often working with Microsoft Excel.
- 5-year growth projection: 1.3% | 10-year: 1.0%
- Salary range: $68,830 (entry) / $82,091 (median) / $108,134 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Communication, Sales, Management, Problem Solving, Detail Oriented, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Customer Service
- Top certifications: Security Clearance, Secret Clearance, Master Of Business Administration (MBA)
- Top employers in Iowa: Prime Therapeutics, Hy-Vee, CVS Health, Cardinal Health, Ryder
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Risk Analyst
What you’d do day-to-day: You would evaluate various types of risks that could lead to financial losses for an organization. Your role involves recommending and implementing strategies to mitigate or offset these risks, which might include analyzing credit risks, regulatory risks, or investment risks. You’d utilize your analytical and problem-solving skills, often with a detail-oriented approach.
- 5-year growth projection: 0.4% | 10-year: 0.9%
- Salary range: $59,770 (entry) / $92,171 (median) / $128,243 (top), Bachelor’s degree
- Top skills: Detail Oriented, Governance, Microsoft Excel, Research, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Management, Writing
- Top certifications: Master Of Business Administration (MBA), Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant
- Top employers in Iowa: Wells Fargo, Athene USA, Shazam, Innova Solution, American Heart Association
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These growing careers in financial analysis offer exciting opportunities to apply your analytical skills and contribute to the financial health of businesses and organizations across Iowa. If you’re ready to explore how your talents can fit into these dynamic fields, take the next step.