16 High-Demand High-Paying Jobs (With Salary Information)
Updated March 16, 2023
Finding a job that suits your skills, experience and lifestyle needs can make it easier to discover a career in which you can grow and excel. With so many jobs to choose from, finding a role that offers the right salary for your experience can take time, but with careful research, it's possible to connect with an opportunity you enjoy.
In this article, we list 16 high-demand, high-paying jobs and provide salary information, job outlook and duty summaries for each of them.
16 high-demand, high-paying jobs you can pursue
Here's a closer look at 16 high-demand high-paying jobs. The jobs in this list cover many industries, so review the descriptions to find opportunities well suited to your goals and skills. The criterion for high demand comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), and it's based on job outlook averages for all occupations. The BLS expects all jobs on this list to rise at least as fast as average or faster for all occupations for the period between 2020 and 2030.
1. Financial analyst
National average salary: $53,532 per year
Job outlook: 6% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as average
Primary duties: A financial analyst is someone who evaluates financial data to assess performance, predict trends and create reports for organizations. Their primary duties typically involve compiling data, developing reports and presentations for executive leadership team members and recommending investments. Analysts sometimes work alone or with a team of other analysts.
Read more: Learn About Being a Financial Analyst
2. Accountant
National average salary: $56,200 per year
Job outlook: 7% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as average
Primary duties: Accountants are financial professionals that ensure companies operate efficiently. They often assess financial reports, tax returns and budgets in order to determine an organization's compliance efforts and financial health. It's usually important for accountants to understand applicable regulations so they can remain in compliance with specific laws and standards.
Read more: Learn About Being an Accountant
3. Operations manager
National average salary: $64,049 per year
Job outlook: 8% from 2020 to 2030, as fast as average
Primary duties: An operations manager is a business professional who typically works in human resources. They're often in charge of hiring processes for organizations. They might also design new employee onboarding materials, work to increase operational efficiencies and analyze processes to ensure maximum performance. Operations managers also handle strategy decisions and often have to communicate important updates and initiatives to employees.
Read more: Learn About Being an Operations Manager
4. Marketing manager
National average salary: $64,462 per year
Job outlook: 10% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: Marketing managers help create marketing policies and campaigns for their organizations. They often manage other members of the marketing team and might approve marketing ideas and initiatives. It's important for marketing managers to assess the effectiveness of specific strategies to ensure maximum reception with audiences and adherence to set budgets.
Read more: Learn About Being a Marketing Manager
5. Project manager
National average salary: $75,465 per year
Job outlook: 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: Project managers can work in multiple industries on many levels of projects. In construction and other industries, project managers typically oversee high-level project elements and direct teams, meet timelines and fulfill budget requirements in their roles. Project managers might report to senior leadership on the status of their projects.
Read more: Learn About Being a Project Manager
6. Business analyst
National average salary: $75,764 per year
Job outlook: 14% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: Business analysts often work with both operational professionals and information technology experts to connect organizations with technology resources. Their roles often require them to identify efficiencies within a business to improve productivity and business success. Sometimes, analysts help hire technology professionals and monitor their work.
Read more: Learn About Being a Business Analyst
7. Occupational therapist
National average salary: $81,702 per year
Job outlook: 17% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average
Primary duties: Occupational therapists help disabled, injured or ill professionals perform their everyday activities. Their duties include evaluating patients, recommending strategies for improvement and monitoring patient progress. Most occupational therapists take courses in occupational therapy to prepare them to help with a variety of conditions and needs.
Read more: Learn About Being an Occupational Therapist
8. Attorney
National average salary: $89,208 per year
Job outlook: 9% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: An attorney is a legal professional who represents clients during civil and criminal court cases. They typically fulfill duties like advising clients, researching cases and presenting arguments in court. To practice law, attorneys must complete specific education requirements and pass the bar exam.
Read more: Learn About Being an Attorney
9. Electrical engineer
National average salary: $90,661 per year
Job outlook: 7% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as average
Primary duties: An electrical engineer is a professional who researches, designs and tests electrical systems and equipment. They often respond to client requests or complaints to optimize systems for use. Their work typically helps organizations improve existing technologies and equipments and create new, innovative solutions for clients.
Read more: Learn About Being an Electrical Engineer
10. Product manager
National average salary: $97,210 per year
Job outlook: 10% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: Product managers oversee and aid in product development. They typically oversee all processes involved in producing goods, from creation to distribution. Product managers often evaluate consumer demand to better assess and set production needs and goals. They might also manage set processes to maximize efficiency and productivity.
Read more: Learn About Being a Product Manager
11. Tax manager
National average salary: $103,381 per year
Job outlook: 7% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as average
Primary duties: Tax managers help companies create processes and procedures that help them comply with organizational policies and local and federal tax laws. Many of their responsibilities relate to tax duties they perform for organizations. Their work is important for maintaining compliance, legality and accuracy.
12. Nurse practitioner
National average salary: $111,453 per year
Job outlook: 9% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: A nurse practitioner is a medical professional who assists doctors in evaluating patients and helping them with their recovery processes. They might perform screenings, administer medicine or educate patients in their roles. Nurse practitioners often work alongside other health care professionals to provide patients with high-level care.
Read more: Learn About Being a Nurse Practitioner
13. Veterinarian
National average salary: $113,237 per year
Job outlook: 17% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average
Primary duties: A veterinarian is someone who helps sick and injured animals with their recovery processes and monitors the health of other animals. They often administer medications, perform operations and examine animals in their role. Some veterinarians work primarily with pets like cats and dogs, but others might specialize in different animal types. Veterinarians can work with other members of a care team to help animals and their owners with their animal health needs.
Read more: Learn About Being a Veterinarian
14. Software engineer
National average salary: $121,366 per year
Job outlook: 22% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average
Primary duties: A software engineer is a technology professional who develops systems and software for organizations and businesses. In their roles, they often work with clients, users and businesses to assess software needs and create systems capable of fulfilling those requirements. They might also suggest necessary upgrades, educate users on system requirements and respond to malfunctions.
Read more: Learn About Being a Software Engineer
15. Professor
National average salary: $123,531 per year
Job outlook: 12% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average
Primary duties: A professor is an educator who teaches students, often at a college or postsecondary level. They might also engage in research on their chosen topic. Professors are typically responsible for creating lesson plans, delivering lectures, assessing student performance and completing research in their field.
16. Physician's assistant
National average salary: $212,855 per year
Job outlook: 31% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average
Primary duties: A physician assistant is a medical professional who works under a licensed medical doctor to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients. Sometimes, physician assistants consult physicians remotely. Though they typically undergo less training than a physician, physician assistant assist with many typical physician duties like counseling patients, delivering diagnoses and developing treatment plans.
Read more: Learn About Being a Physician Assistant
For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link(s) provided.
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