The job market for humanitarians in the United States

There are currently an estimated 449,600 humanitarians in the United States. The humanitarian job market is expected to grow by 6.4% between 2024 and 2034.

How employable are humanitarians?

CareerExplorer rates humanitarians with a B+ employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 28,900 humanitarians.

Are humanitarians in demand?

Sadly, natural disasters, conflicts, disputes, crises, and persecution worldwide are perennial. As long as people around the world need help and support, there will be a demand for humanitarians. In particular, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Red Cross, and the United Nations will need aid professionals to fill leadership roles such as program directors, coordinators, and planners of humanitarian response efforts. While many humanitarian organizations operate on a non-profit basis and rely on a largely voluntary workforce requiring limited experience, CEOs, recruiters, managers, trainers, and translators are also employed by these associations and generally get paid for their work. The most employable humanitarian aid program directors possess a number of functional competencies in the areas of foundational knowledge of humanitarian work, protection, and human rights. The demands of the role include defining strategies and setting clear goals; identifying and adjusting priorities; allocating appropriate time and resources; foreseeing risks and allowing for contingencies; and monitoring and adjusting plans and actions. These requirements call for candidates with organizational, analytical, negotiation, management, budgeting, partnering, and leadership abilities. Job seekers increase their prospects if they are adaptable to unstable and undesirable environments. It is also not uncommon for career humanitarians to speak more than one language and have a Bachelor’s Degree in international relations, global affairs, public administration, sociology, or political science. Individuals considering a humanitarian career should start by volunteering with aid organizations to determine their geographical preferences and the type of work they wish to do. New entrants with travel experience in less developed countries and who show a willingness to work under difficult conditions may open additional doors to employment.

What’s the supply of humanitarians?

The humanitarian industry is concentrated in California, New York, Pennsylvania

Humanitarian job market by state