20 of the Best Desk Jobs (With Salaries and Job Duties)

Some people prefer professions where they sit inside at a desk and work on a computer or talk on the phone. If working indoors and not in the field is appealing, a desk job may be for you. There are many of these roles available in different industries that you can pursue with a variety of degrees and salary expectations. In this article, we discuss what a desk job is and give examples of 20 you can apply for today.

What is a desk job?

A desk job is a category of professions across industries that are defined by their location and hours. Sometimes they're called office jobs. Many desk jobs take place indoors in an office setting or offer work-from-home options. These types of jobs usually have regular or consistent work hours and predictable assignments. Desk jobs are the contrast to non-office jobs such as law enforcement, teaching, construction and roles that require travel or visiting job sites daily.

20 of the best desk jobs to consider

Listed below are 20 of the best desk jobs to consider, which cover a wide range of industries and degree or certification levels so that you can find one that fits your current professional situation and future goals. If you want to work in an office or behind a desk, one of these roles might be right for you:

1. Research assistant

National average salary: $40,143 per year

Primary duties: Research assistants use multiple forms of data to prove or support a claim in an article, paper or study. They use the internet, legal documents, surveys, interviews and other collection tactics and methods to find the data. Most work in social science and laboratory environments with scientists, sociologists, educators and lead researchers.

2. Coding specialist

National average salary: $47,919 per year

Primary duties: Coding specialists analyze and review patient medical charts to choose the right codes to classify their personal information and treatment. They check for authorization signatures on all documents before processing. Coding specialists also communicate with patients and insurance companies to ensure accurate billing. They follow all imposed laws related to the health and medical fields.

Related: Learn About Being a Medical Coder

3. Air traffic controller

National average salary: $51,064 per year

Primary duties: Air traffic controllers regulate and control commercial airline flights. They follow government and company regulations to ensure the safety of all flights in their airspace. Air traffic controllers can authorize takeoff, landing and other technical aspects of flight operations.

Related: Learn About Being an Air Traffic Controller

4. Computer engineer

National average salary: $52,507 per year

Primary duties: Computer engineers design and develop technological devices. They work with circuit boards, memory and other hardware to make sure it functions properly. Computer engineers also run tests on pieces of equipment to understand the functional limits and troubleshoot issues.

Related: Learn About Being a Computer Engineer

5. Call center manager

National average salary: $58,149 per year

Primary duties: Call center managers supervise teams within a call center. They provide proper training and motivation for new and existing employees. Call center managers review the metrics and statistics of the group's work and set goals to help the team reach specific milestones. They may also offer guidance during certain calls that representatives receive.

Related: Learn About Being a Call Center Manager

6. Marketing manager

National average salary: $63,168 per year

Primary duties: Marketing managers oversee the marketing team for a company or organization. They develop strategies to build brand awareness and increase company profits through advertising. Marketing managers also analyze market trends and prepare forecasts to predict trends and develop campaigns.

Related: Learn About Being a Marketing Manager

7. Benefits manager

National average salary: $68,783 per year

Primary duties: Benefits managers plan and direct the benefits packages for employees at a specific company. They help decide what types of retirement plans, insurance and other benefits to offer. Most benefits managers work in or work closely with the human resources department.

8. Human resources manager

National average salary: $69,432 per year

Primary duties: Human resources managers lead the HR department of a company. They recruit, interview and hire new team members for their own department and take part in the hiring process for candidates in other departments. HR managers direct the administrative functions of an organization, such as drafting contracts, new paperwork and benefits agreements.

Related: Learn About Being an HR Manager

9. Lawyer

National average salary: $72,254 per year

Primary duties: Lawyers advise and represent individuals and businesses on legal issues and in court. They provide consultations to clients to address hypothetical questions and ongoing cases. Lawyers may draft and review documents like contracts and other agreements for legality and authenticity.

Related: Learn About Being a Lawyer

10. Financial adviser

National average salary: $72,995 per year

Primary duties: Financial advisers help clients set and reach their financial goals, big and small. They make trades within the stock market on behalf of their clients. Financial advisers also create personal financial plans for their clients.

Related: Learn About Being a Financial Adviser

11. Sales manager

National average salary: $73,144 per year

Primary duties: Sales managers oversee the sales department of a company. They hire and train new members of their team. Sales managers also set production goals and benchmarks for team members based on data and past performance.

Related: Learn About Being a Sales Manager

12. Judge

National average salary: $77,560 per year

Primary duties: Judges administer justice in a court of law. They sentence defendants in criminal cases under statutes and laws. They also determine the liability of defendants in civil cases. Judges can also officiate wedding ceremonies and sign warrants to approve property searches for law enforcement.

13. IT manager

National average salary: $85,414 per year

Primary duties: IT managers run the information technology departments for companies. They oversee the planning and scheduling of projects like system upgrades and migrations. IT managers also develop and set an organization's technology strategy.

Related: Learn About Being an IT Manager

14. Information systems manager

National average salary: $87,646 per year

Primary duties: An information systems manager supervises the systems-related operations of an organization. They install software programs and monitor how the company hardware and software interact. Information systems managers also coordinate and oversee information security measures for a company.

15. Mathematician

National average salary: $89,468 per year

Primary duties: Mathematicians conduct research to see how math affects other fields, like science and management. They study mathematical principles and develop their own ideas and theories. Some provide consultation services to a variety of industries to share their expertise.

16. Regulatory affairs manager

National average salary: $96,994 per year

Primary duties: Regulatory affairs managers plan and coordinate the production activities of an organization. They focus on compliance with laws and regulations in a company's standard or daily operations. Regulatory affairs managers may work closely with government agencies and legal teams.

17. Economist

National average salary: $106,721 per year

Primary duties: Economists conduct economic analyses in a certain industry. They study the production and distribution of goods, services and resources to predict trends. They may forecast economic upturns and downturns and market stability. Economists may work in the public or private sector or in academia.

18. Chief development officer

National average salary: $111,522 per year

Primary duties: Chief development officers (CDOs) are senior executives for educational and nonprofit organizations. They coordinate fund developments and organizational growth. Part of their job includes stressing the importance of philanthropy and its relation to strategic planning. They work with CEOs and other C-suite executives to further the mission of an organization.

19. Software engineer

National average salary: $113,517 per year

Primary duties: Software engineers create computer programs. They develop applications and software that allow people to complete tasks on computers and other technological devices. Software engineers also debug and solve problems as they arise in pre-created programs or new system updates.

Related: Learn About Being a Software Engineer

20. Actuary

National average salary: $114,040 per year

Primary duties: Actuaries analyze financial costs and risks for a company or industry. They use math, statistics and financial theories to predict the chances that a fiscal or business event may occur. They also help companies minimize the cost of potential risks. Actuary services are important in the insurance industry.

Related: Learn About Being an Actuary