As millions of unemployed Gen Zers use the holiday period to hunt for jobs, there’s one role shining brighter than Rudolph’s nose: accounting.
The only catch? It’s lamented as one of America’s most boring jobs, and because of AI it may be heading down a path to extinction. Some 340,000 accountants have already left their calculators behind and quit in the past five years, and some estimates suggest that 75% of those remaining are expected to exit in the next decade. Between boomers leaving and millennials rejecting the field as dull, the industry is facing a talent shortage crisis.
But their loss is Gen Z’s gain. According to Monster’s recent analysis of job postings on its platform, tax accountants are the hottest seasonal job titles at the moment.
And it could be a foot in the door to a six-figure career beyond the holidays. “Seasonal work is more than a short-term paycheck, it’s often the start of a longer career journey,” the report says, while adding that many companies use seasonal roles to test the waters for permanent ones.
For those looking to get in, tax accountants typically need at least a bachelor’s degree. Those with a CPA (certified public accountant) qualification can unlock higher wages of around $200,000.
The top 20 seasonal job titles hiring now, according to Monster’s job postings
Tax AccountantCustomer Service RepresentativeBeauty ConsultantDelivery DriverTechnical SpecialistSales RepresentativeWarehouse WorkerMaterials HandlerPhotographerRetail Sales SpecialistTruck DriverConciergeReceiving WorkerStock AssociateBartenderRetail Sales AssociateBaristaBooksellerLine CookHousekeeper
Accounting aside, the majority of the seasonal jobs trending right now are in trades and hospitality.
Outside the festive season, the likes of bartenders and baristas are seeing bigger wage growth than desk workers, separate research shows. Analysis by Bankrate found hospitality workers’ wages have risen by nearly 30% since 2021, outpacing inflation by more than 4%. Meanwhile, young people have found that they can land upwards of $100,000 without a degree in traditional trade roles.
With the white-collar job market frozen, and millions of Gen Zers classified as NEETs—not in education, training, or employment—seasonal gigs could be the unexpected back door into longer-term work.
As Monster’s researchers write: “By demonstrating enthusiasm, adaptability, and reliability, candidates can position themselves not only for a successful season—but potentially for long-term opportunities once the holidays end.”
