The 15 Contractor Roles That Will Support Agency Growth

Let’s be honest—no one has a crystal ball. But if you’re a recruitment agency owner thinking ahead, you can make smart moves now that line you up for where the workforce is heading.

Forget the hype. Here’s what’s actually in demand so you can find this talent and find more opportunities in your corporate client prospects. 

The below are based on the latest data from sources like the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report (2023), LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which are frequently used to inform global and Australian job market insights.

According to the World Economic Forum's 2023 Future of Jobs report, 86.2% of businesses believe that emerging technologies will have the biggest impact on the job market. Key areas of growth include:

• Big data analytics
• Climate change mitigation technology
• Environmental management
• Cybersecurity

• Biotechnology

15 Contractor Roles on the Rise (with Sources)

1. AI & Machine Learning Specialists
Build models. Train systems. Help businesses use AI tools more intelligently.
📈 Expected growth: 40% (2023–2027)
Source: WEF Future of Jobs Report 2023

2. Cybersecurity Consultants
With threats rising, contractors who can plug gaps, audit systems, or advise on risk are essential.
📈 Expected growth: 32% (2022–2032)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

3. Data Analysts & Engineers
Data is the new oil, but only if someone can refine it.
📈 Expected growth: 35% for Data Scientists (2022–2032)
Source: BLS + WEF + LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024

4. Software Developers (All Stacks)
Custom apps, automation, APIs—developers underpin nearly every tech project.
📈 Expected growth: 25% (2022–2032)
Source: BLS

5. Renewable Energy Technicians & Project Managers
From rooftop installs to utility-scale wind and solar, clean energy work is booming.
📈 Expected growth: 52% (2020–2030) for Wind Techs; 68% for Solar Installers
Source: BLS

6. Digital Marketing & Automation Specialists
Think HubSpot, SEO, email flows, and content strategy.
📈 Strong hiring momentum, especially post-COVID digital shift
Source: LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024 (Australia)

7. Sustainability Consultants
Help companies go beyond greenwashing and meet new regulatory and stakeholder demands.
📈 Expected growth: 6% (2022–2032)
Source: BLS + WEF Green Transition Roles

8. Business Intelligence Analysts
Translate dashboards into decisions. Strong demand across sectors.
📈 Expected growth: 21% (2018–2028)
Source: BLS

9. Change Managers & Transformation Leads
Every major restructure or tech upgrade needs someone to steer it.
📈 High demand across LinkedIn enterprise contracts & gov projects
Source: LinkedIn Jobs + Hays Salary Guide 2024 (Australia)

10. Learning & Development Designers
Remote onboarding, skills transformation, and compliance training all need high-quality design.
📈 Strong future demand flagged in WEF reskilling trends
Source: WEF Future of Jobs 2023

11. Healthcare & Aged Care Specialists
Roles across planning, compliance, workforce supply, and digital health.
📈 Ongoing high demand, especially in Australia’s NDIS & aged care sector
Source: Australian Department of Health Workforce Reports

12. Video & Content Creators (B2B & Specialist)
Strategy-led creators with niche knowledge are outpacing generic content churners.
📈 13% expected growth (2018–2028)
Source: BLS + LinkedIn Economic Graph 2024

13. Product Managers & Service Designers
High-value contract roles in tech, finance, and gov.
📈 Top emerging job in LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2024 (AU)
Source: LinkedIn Economic Graph 2024

14. Platform Engineers & DevOps
Keeping systems scalable, secure, and maintainable is non-negotiable.
📈 Top 5 in-demand role (2023–2024)
Source: GitHub Dev Trends Report + Hays Tech Jobs Market Insights

15. HR & Talent Acquisition Contractors (Tech-Enabled)
Especially for those who understand HRIS platforms, contractor onboarding, or workforce analytics.
📈 Growth driven by flexible work models and contingent workforce expansion
Source: Mercer Global Talent Trends + Oncore Internal Market Data

Ready to focus on growth?

If you're looking at one of these future-fit roles, the last thing you want is payroll, contractor management and back office admin slowing you down. At Oncore, we take of invoicing your clients and chasing payments so you can place contractors with peace of mind. We also take care of compliance, and payments to contractors from onboarding to contract off-boarding.

Want to know how we support our recruitment clients? Contact us today: