Best Jobs of 2023

For the past several years, Indeed has compiled an annual list of the best jobs posted on Indeed, defining “best” as jobs that are in demand and compensated well. But, this year we wanted to do something a little different.

As a company, Indeed has spent a lot of time trying to determine what factors make up the “best” jobs. From Indeed’s 2022 Workplace Wellbeing report conducted by Forrester, we learned that compensation and flexibility continue to be foundational needs for job seekers without which wellbeing at work is difficult to attain. So, this year we’ve added flexibility as a metric when determining the best jobs of 2023—for the first time this list highlights jobs that are good for remote or hybrid work.

We know that pay and flexibility are not the only factors that contribute to workplace wellbeing—in fact the majority of what makes people happy at work lies with the employer and company culture. But, for the purposes of this article and identifying the best opportunities available to job seekers, we are looking at the opportunities available that can satisfy the factors we know are important to job seekers and can be measured within a job title: salary + flexibility. This, coupled with opportunity growth (% change YoY) and availability (share of job postings), we can identify our selection of the "best" opportunities for job seekers in the US today. 

Tech jobs still dominate the list

For all the media coverage on tech layoffs in the second half of 2022, tech jobs still dominate Indeed’s list of best jobs for 2023—in fact, they occupy the three top spots in this year’s list when only one tech job made the top ten last year. While demand for tech jobs is trending down, it is still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.

With previously overconfident tech giants currently overcorrecting, other companies appear to be at the ready to snatch up prime talent, because in reality, every company is a tech company today. With this year’s list primarily featuring tech roles, the high demand for technical skills both in and outside of the tech industry is great news for tech workers, but is also a big sign of where opportunities exist for those starting or switching careers. Not only do these roles pay well but they also offer a lot of workplace flexibility—an increasingly important trait for employees and job seekers. 

Especially sought after are full stack developers that can design, develop and maintain the front-end and back-end of a web application. That the number one position on this year’s list is a role that demands more of job seekers fits with the “quiet hiring” trends we’ve noticed picking up traction.

Mental health jobs are on the rise

The only healthcare jobs featured on this year's list include roles pertaining to mental health and other kinds of therapy or counseling—in fact, therapy jobs are now up roughly 7% year-over-year.  Not exactly surprising after a recent study by the Institute of Family Studies found that a record number of Americans considered themselves to be “not too happy.” This was particularly true for Americans under the age of 35 with 30% falling into the unhappy category, which was nearly double its previous record of 16%.

On the other hand, traditional nursing jobs, which ranked number 1 and number 8 last year are not featured on this year’s list at all. Postings for these positions are now down 4% year-over-year. With COVID-19 finally abating the decline in demand for nurses tracks. Still, according to Hiring Lab’s US healthcare labor market update for quarter four of 2022 demand for healthcare workers remains strong, although wages are no longer increasing at the same rate as they were at their peak of 9% in March 2022.

DEI jobs are trending up 

Jobs supporting DEI initiatives appear on this list for the first time in the past two years and line up with the prediction in Indeed and Glassdoor’s recent 2023 Workplace Trends Report which stated that the importance of DEI initiatives will continue to rise. In a 2022 study conducted by Indeed and Glassdoor, nearly two-thirds (62%) of job seekers said they would consider turning down a job offer or leaving a company if they did not think that their manager (or potential manager) supported DEI initiatives—and it appears that employers are taking note.

It will be interesting to see if jobs supporting DEI initiatives will continue to appear on this list going forward since they made an appearance in 2020 but then disappeared in 2021 and 2022. Looking at the numbers from the 2022 study it seems likely that support for DEI initiatives will become an important way for employers to attract younger talent since the percentage of job seekers between the ages of 18-34 that said they would consider turning down a job offer or leaving a company if they did not think that their manager (or potential manager) supported DEI initiatives jumped up to 72%.

When accounting for salary, tech leads once again 

We were interested in finding out the outcome if we arranged the jobs on our list by their average base salary, with the highest paying job at the top.

The top four jobs on this list are tech jobs, with director of data science placing first, machine learning engineer at number two, site reliability engineer at three, and back end developer at number four. The last job on this list, senior product manager, is a role that is often found in the tech industry but can be found in a variety of industries.

Tech has consistently led this subsection of our best jobs list, which is not surprising since so much of our world is governed by tech. Even with instability in the market, the demand for tech workers does not appear to be going anywhere and neither is the industry’s trademark high compensation.  

A mix of roles and industries see highest growth in job postings

We were also interested in identifying the positions that would place at the top of the list if we only considered the rate of increase in job openings from 2020 until 2023. This analysis might help us understand the job market post-pandemic and provide an idea of what to anticipate in the future.

When we rank this year’s best jobs by growth in postings, listing agent is at the top of the list with an astounding 591% growth in the number of job postings over the past three years. The real estate industry, much like tech, experienced a period of explosive growth just after the start of the pandemic. Low-interest rates coupled with a need for space to work from home and a mass exodus of workers from major cities who could suddenly work remotely flooded housing markets all over the US.

The appeal of working as a listing agent is undeniable. The position does not require costly post-secondary education but can offer a substantial salary, and it is a position that granted flexibility before the pandemic made flexible work mainstream. 

Not only has flexible work always been part and parcel for listing agents, but it will continue to be—no CEO to swoop in and demand that listing agents return to the office for a minimum of 40 hours per week. But, recent indications of a cooling housing market due to high-interest rates and record rates of low inventory will put the rate of growth for listing agents to the test. 

The other jobs on this list confirm what we’ve learned from previous years: tech and healthcare sector workers continue to be some of the highest-paid and most sought-after workers in the market today. Additionally, the demand for solar consultants is intensifying and like listing agents, the position doesn’t require a degree but can offer a six-digit salary.

Best jobs of 2023

Here’s Indeed’s comprehensive list of the 25 best jobs of 2023, with salary information, data on employer demand and a description of job duties listed for each:

1. Full stack developer

National average salary: $129,637

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 1,398

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 56

A full stack developer is a computer programmer that works on both the front end and back end of a website or application. Their main responsibilities include writing code and ensuring that the systems they oversee are functional, maintained and up to date.

2. Data engineer

National average salary: $135,260

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 879

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 80

Data engineers prepare data for data scientists to use. They use coding languages to build systems that collect and maintain data using analytics infrastructure. Data scientists also communicate with company executives to ensure that data is easily accessible for specific company needs.

3. Cloud engineer

National average salary: $133,114

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 678

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 65

Cloud engineers build and maintain cloud-based systems for enterprises. They create and deploy cloud-based applications and provide troubleshooting for enterprises. Part of their job also entails ensuring the security of the network.

4. Psychiatric nurse

National average salary: $109,739

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 537

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 45

A psychiatric nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in providing care for patients with mental health conditions. This can include administering medication, providing therapy and collaborating with psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement treatment plans.

5. Senior product manager

National average salary: $147,135

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 532

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 44

A senior product manager is responsible for leading the development and strategy of a specific product or product line. This includes conducting market research, determining customer needs, setting product vision and goals and working cross-functionally with teams such as engineering, design and marketing to bring the product to market.

6. Back-end developer

National average salary: $148,827

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 429

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 81

A back-end developer is responsible for building and maintaining the server-side of web applications. This includes implementing and managing the application's server-side logic, database systems, server-side APIs and working with front-end developers to integrate the front and back-end systems.

7. Site reliability engineer

National average salary: $153,134

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 377

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 121

A Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) is responsible for ensuring that a company's IT systems and services are reliable, scalable and available to meet the needs of the business. This includes participating in the design, deployment and maintenance of these systems, as well as monitoring and responding to any issues that arise in a timely manner to minimize downtime.

8. Machine learning engineer

National average salary: $153,252

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 246

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 53

A machine learning engineer designs and develops systems that can learn from and make decisions based on data. This includes analyzing large datasets, implementing algorithms and models, testing and evaluating results and integrating machine learning systems with software and hardware products to improve overall performance.

9. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

National average salary: $134,011

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 230

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 180

Education requirements:

A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in providing comprehensive care for individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorders. This includes performing physical exams, diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, providing therapy, prescribing medication and working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to provide person-centered care.

10. Product designer

National average salary: $121,363

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 213

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 39

A product designer is responsible for creating visually appealing and user-friendly designs for digital and physical products. This includes conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, iterating on designs based on feedback and working closely with a cross-functional team to bring the final product to life.

11. Licensed professional counselor

National average salary: $60,405

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 213

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 39

A licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a mental health professional who provides individual and group counseling to clients in order to help them manage and overcome mental health issues, emotional difficulties and behavioral problems. They are trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses and emotional disorders and may work in a variety of settings, including private practice, schools, hospitals and community organizations.

12. Real estate manager

National average salary: $85,595

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 186

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 26

A real estate manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and financial performance of commercial, industrial or residential properties. They typically develop and implement marketing strategies, create budgets, handle tenant relations, negotiate leases and contracts and ensure the property is well-maintained and complies with local laws and regulations.

13. Solar consultant

National average salary: $126,275

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 156

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 135

A solar consultant works with individuals and businesses to assess their energy needs and provide recommendations for solar power systems. They conduct site visits, design and size solar panel systems, provide cost-benefit analysis and financial projections, handle permitting and interconnection processes and educate clients on available incentives and financing options.

14. Logistics manager

National average salary: $64,836

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 125

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 18

A logistics manager is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the movement of goods and materials from point of origin to point of consumption. They will plan, organize, and direct transportation, warehousing and distribution activities, by implementing policies and procedures that meet customer requirements and also ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations, manage logistics personnel and monitor logistics systems and processes.

15. Diversity and inclusion manager

National average salary: $85,364

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 122

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 79

A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) manager is responsible for designing, implementing and overseeing programs, initiatives, and strategies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization. They work to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture through employee education and training, community outreach and the development of internal policies and procedures, with the ultimate goal of creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community and clients the organization serves.

16. Growth marketer

National average salary: $108,304

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 88

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 96

A growth marketer is responsible for identifying and executing strategies that drive sustainable growth for a company. This includes using data analysis and experimentation to identify growth opportunities, creating and implementing acquisition and retention campaigns, optimizing user funnel and onboarding processes, conducting A/B testing and working cross-functionally with teams such as product, engineering, and data science to build scalable growth solutions.

17. Content strategist 

National average salary: $76,675

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 66

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 21

A content strategist is responsible for developing and implementing a content plan that aligns with a company's overall goals and objectives. This includes creating and managing content calendars, conducting audience research, creating buyer personas, mapping out content journey, developing content guidelines and taxonomy and ensuring all content is consistent, effective and aligned with the brand voice and style.

18. Chief of staff

National average salary: $118,395

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 65

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 37

A chief of staff acts as the primary assistant to the CEO or senior executive of an organization and serves as the liaison between the executive and other departments. They help to set and achieve company goals by managing the executive’s schedule, managing internal communication, leading and coordinating high-priority initiatives, driving strategic planning and execution and serving as a key advisor to the executive on decision-making.

19. Investment consultant

National average salary: $83,061

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 61

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 45

Education requirements:

An investment consultant is responsible for providing advice and recommendations to individuals and organizations on investment strategies, portfolio construction and asset allocation. They typically evaluate clients' financial needs and goals, assess their risk tolerance and recommend a mix of investments such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds that align with clients' financial objectives and also monitor and review investment performance, making adjustments as necessary.

20. Digital transformation consultant

National average salary: $118,347

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 53

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 116

A digital transformation consultant helps organizations to optimize their business processes, operations and customer engagement by leveraging digital technologies. They will work with clients to identify areas for improvement, make recommendations for new technologies, develop digital roadmaps and provide guidance on digital culture, change management and process optimization in order to drive business growth, increase efficiency and foster innovation.

21. Listing agent

National average salary: $113,816

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 52

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 591

A listing agent is responsible for working with sellers to market and sell their property. This includes listing the property for sale, promoting the property through various channels, coordinating showings, negotiating offers and facilitating the sale process through closing.

22. Pen tester

National average salary: $118,034

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 46

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 31

A pen tester, also known as a penetration tester, is a professional who simulates an unauthorized cyber-attack on a computer system, network, or web application, to evaluate the security of the system. They use various techniques such as vulnerability scanning and manual testing to identify any security flaws and then provide recommendations on how to fix or mitigate those vulnerabilities.

23. Customer insight analyst

National average salary: $93,310

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 46

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 31

A customer insight analyst is responsible for using data to understand customer behavior and preferences and providing actionable insights to help improve customer satisfaction and drive business growth. They will collect, analyze and interpret customer data, such as surveys, transactional data, social media data and combine it with market research and industry trends to understand customer needs, identify areas of improvement and provide recommendations to stakeholders.

24. Director of people & culture

National average salary: $83,258

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 44

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 87

A Director of People & Culture, is responsible for leading and overseeing the overall human resource and culture functions for an organization. They develop and implement policies and programs related to employee recruitment, training and development, compensation, benefits and performance management, as well as foster a positive and inclusive company culture, align with the company's strategic goals, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

25. Director of data science

National average salary: $174,820

Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 35

Percent of growth in number of job postings from: 22

A Director of Data Science is responsible for leading a team of data scientists and analysts to develop and implement data-driven strategies that inform business decisions and drive growth for an organization. They will oversee data collection and analysis, machine learning and modeling, and the deployment of these methods in products, services and business processes, as well as help drive the data culture and strategy within the organization by building strong relationships with other leaders and stakeholders.