By: Gene Walden, Senior Finance Editor August 24, 2018
This is the third annual edition of the Thrivent Mutual Funds 100 Best Careers in America. We’ve ranked the top careers based on both pay and opportunity, and categorized them by level of post-high school education or training.
With the cost of higher education constantly on the rise, it may pay to know where you might receive your best return on investment in terms of a rewarding career.
The 2018 edition of the 100 Best Careers in America is intended to help you decide on an educational path that may lead to a fulfilling, well-paying career in an occupation with a growing demand.
We’ve broken the 100 Best Careers list into three categories:
- Jobs that require a four-year degree
- Jobs that require a graduate degree (masters or doctorate)
- Jobs that require two years of postsecondary education or less (associate’s degree, special certification, apprenticeships, and other shorter-term education or training programs)
Careers listed in each section were selected and ranked based on two primary factors – median income and opportunity. While pay is important, a growing job market for a particular occupation is also important.
For instance, the median pay for computer programmers is about $80,000 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. But because companies have been outsourcing programming to workers in countries where wages are significantly lower, computer programming jobs in the U.S. have actually been declining, so that occupation did not make the cut – although a plethora of other computer and technology-related occupations did make the list. Another example would be the category of barbers, stylists and cosmetologists. While jobs in that profession are expected to grow by 64,000 over the next decade, the median salary is under $25,000 a year, which is well below the salary level of the 100 careers that did make the list. Clearly you could earn a solid living in many of those professions, but generally speaking, the 100 occupations listed here are the ones that appear to have the potential to provide the best combination of opportunity and income.
Most of the salary and job growth information cited in the following tables comes from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook. You can find additional information on any of the jobs featured in the list by visiting that site.
Willow Gerhard, Marketing Associate, also contributed to this report.
1. Dental Hygenists |
2017 Median Pay: $74,070 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 207,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 20% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +40,900 |
2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers |
2017 Median Pay: $71,410 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 67,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 23% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +15,600 |
3. Web Developers |
2017 Median Pay: $67,990 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 162,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +24,400 |
4. Police and Detectives |
2017 Median Pay: $62,960 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 807,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +53,400 |
5. Radiologic and MRI Technologists |
2017 Median Pay: $60,070 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 241,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +30,300 |
6. Respiratory Therapists |
2017 Median Pay: $59,710 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 130,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 23% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +30,500 |
7. Computer Support Specialists |
2017 Median Pay: $52,810 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 835,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +88,500 |
8. Electricians |
2017 Median Pay: $54,110 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 666,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 9% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +59,600 |
9. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters |
2017 Median Pay: $52,590 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 480,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 16% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +75,200 |
10. Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians |
2017 Median Pay: $51,770 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 335,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +42,700 |
11. Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides |
2017 Median Pay: $56,690 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 46,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 28% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +13,200 |
12. Industrial Machinery Mechanics |
2017 Median Pay: $51,360 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 346,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +23,200 |
13. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians |
2017 Median Pay: $55,270 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 55,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 10% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +5,500 |
14. Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
2017 Median Pay: $50,410 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 285,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +41,800 |
15. Architectural and Civil Drafters |
2017 Median Pay: $54,170 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 207,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +14,600 |
16. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
2017 Median Pay: $45,030 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 724,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 12% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +88,900 |
17. Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers |
2017 Median Pay: $47,080 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 332,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +48,800 |
18. Firefighters |
2017 Median Pay: $49,080 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 327,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +23,500 |
19. Physical Therapist Assistant and Aides |
2017 Median Pay: $46,920 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 140,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 30% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +23,500 |
20. Carpenters |
2017 Median Pay: $45,170 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 1,025,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +83,800 |
21. Heavy Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers |
2017 Median Pay: $42,480 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 1,871,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 6% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +108,400 |
22.Surgical Technologists |
2017 Median Pay: $46,310 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 107,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 12% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +12,600 |
23. Masonry Workers |
2017 Median Pay: $42,900 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 292,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 12% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +34,200 |
24. Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians |
2017 Median Pay: $42,650 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 134,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +10,700 |
25. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
2017 Median Pay: $39,550 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 206,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 6% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +45,900 |
26. Medical Records and Health Information Technicians |
2017 Median Pay: $39,180 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 206,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +27,800 |
Dental Assistants |
2017 Median Pay: $37,630 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 332,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 19% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +64,600 |
Data Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 2018
1. Financial Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $125,080 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 580,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 19% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +108,600 |
2. Computer and Information Systems Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $139,220 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 367,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 12% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +44,200 |
3. Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Manager |
2017 Median Pay: $129,380per year Number of Jobs (2016): 249,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 10% Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +23,800 |
4. Sales Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $121,060per year Number of Jobs (2016): 385,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +302,500 |
5. Software Developers |
2017 Median Pay: $103,560 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 1,256,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 24% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +302,500 |
6. Medical and Health Services Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $98,350 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 352,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 20% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +72,100 |
7. Human Resource Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $110,120 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 136,100 Job Outlook (2016-26): 9% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +12,300 |
8. Computer Network Architects |
2017 Median Pay: $104,650 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 162,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 6% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +10,500 |
9. Information Security Analysts |
2017 Median Pay: $95,510 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 100,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 28% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +28,500 |
10. Actuaries |
2017 Median Pay: $101,560 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 23,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 22% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +5,300 |
11. Administrative Services Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $94,020 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 281,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +28,500 |
12. Construction Managers |
2017 Median Pay: $91,370 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 403,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +44,800 |
13. Computer Systems Analyst |
2017 Median Pay: $88,270 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 600,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 9% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +54,400 |
14. Mechanical Engineers |
2017 Median Pay: $85,880 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 288,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 9% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +25,300 |
15. Management Analysts |
2017 Median Pay: $82,450 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 806,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 14% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +115,200 |
16. Civil Engineers |
2017 Median Pay: $84,770 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 303,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +32,200 |
17. Financial Analysts |
2017 Median Pay: $84,300 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 296,100 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +32,200 |
18. Database Administrators |
2017 Median Pay: $87,020 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 119,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +13,700 |
19. Operations Research Analyst |
2017 Median Pay: $81,390 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 114,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 27% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +31,300 |
20. Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
2017 Median Pay: $81,100 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 391,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 6% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +24,000 |
21. Operations Research Analysts |
2016 Median Pay: $79,200 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 91,300 Job Outlook (2014-24): 30% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 27,600 |
22. Architects |
2016 Median Pay: $76,930 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 112,600 Job Outlook (2014-24): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2014-24): 7,800 |
23. Registered Nurses |
2016 Median Pay: $68,450 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 2,751,000 Job Outlook (2014-24): 16% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 439,300 |
24. Accountants and Auditors |
2016 Median Pay: $68,150 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 1,332,700 Job Outlook (2014-24): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 142,400 |
25. Technical Writers |
2016 Median Pay: $69,850 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 52,000 Job Outlook (2014-24): 10% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 5,300 |
26. Environmental Scientists and Specialists |
2016 Median Pay: $68,910 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 94,600 Job Outlook (2014-24): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 10,200 |
27. Market Research Analysts |
2016 Median Pay: $62,560 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 495,500 Job Outlook (2014-24): 19% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 92,300 |
28. Medical and Clinical Lab Technologists |
2016 Median Pay: $61,070 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 164,800 Job Outlook (2014-24): 14% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 23,100 |
29. Loan Officers |
2016 Median Pay: $63,350 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 303,200 Job Outlook (2014-24): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2014-24): 24,500 |
30. Social and Community Service Managers |
2016 Median Pay: $63,530 per year Number of Jobs (2014): 138,500 Job Outlook (2014-24): 10% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2014-24): 13,200 |
31. Social and Community Service Managers |
2017 Median Pay: 64,100 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 147,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 18% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +26,500 |
32. Cost Estimators |
2017 Median Pay: $63,110 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 217,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +22,900 |
33. High School Teachers |
2017 Median Pay: $59,170 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 1,018,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +76,800 |
34. Training and Development Specialists |
2017 Median Pay: $60,360 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 282,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +32,500 |
35. Special Education Teachers |
2017 Median Pay: $58,980 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 439,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +33,300 |
36. Dietitians and Nutritionists |
2017 Median Pay: $59,410 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 68,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +104,100 |
37. Elementary School Teachers |
2017 Median Pay: $57,160 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 1,410,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +104,100 |
38. Human Resources Specialists |
2017 Median Pay: $60,350 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 547,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 7% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +38,900 |
39. Middle School Teachers |
2017 Median Pay: $57,720 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 630,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +47,300 |
40. Public Relations Specialist |
2017 Median Pay: $59,300 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 250,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 9% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +22,900 |
41. Medical and Clinical Lab Technologists |
2017 Median Pay: $51,770 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 335,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +42,700 |
42. Kindergarten Teachers |
2017 Median Pay: $54,230 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 154,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +12,300 |
43. Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators |
2017 Median Pay: $58,210 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 59,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +7,600 |
44. Fundraisers |
2017 Median Pay: $55,640 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 90,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +13,400 |
45. Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate |
2017 Median Pay: $54,010 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 80,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 14% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +11,700 |
46. Social Workers |
2017 Median Pay: $47,980 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 682,100 Job Outlook (2016-26): 16% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +109,700 |
47. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners |
2017 Median Pay: $48,290per year Number of Jobs (2016): 116,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +12,700 |
48. Athletic Trainers |
2017 Median Pay: $46,630 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 27,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 23% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +6,300 |
Data Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 2018
1. Anesthesiologists* |
2017 Median Pay: $386,050 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 33,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +51,00108,600 |
2. General Surgeons* |
2017 Median Pay: $322,000 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 45,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 14% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +6,500 |
3. Family and general practitioners* |
2017 Median Pay: $219,000 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 134,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 14% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +19,200 |
4. Dentists |
2017 Median Pay: $158,120 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 153,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 19% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +29,300 |
5. Lawyers |
2017 Median Pay: $119,250 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 792,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +65,00 |
6. Nurse Practitioners |
2017 Median Pay: $110,930 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 203,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 31% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +64,200 |
7. Pharmacists |
2017 Median Pay: $124,170 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 312,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 6% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +17,400 |
8. Physician Assistants |
2017 Median Pay: $104,860 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 106,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 37% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +39,600 |
9. Optometrists |
2017 Median Pay: $110,300 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 40,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 18% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +7,200 |
10. Health Specialties Teachers, postsecondary |
2017 Median Pay: $90,840 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 210,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 19% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +40,000 |
11. Elementary, Middle and High School Principals and Administrators |
2017 Median Pay: $94,390 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 251,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 8% (As fast as average) Employment Change (2016-26): +19,800 |
12. Physical Therapists |
2017 Median Pay: $86,850 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 239,800 Job Outlook (2016-26): 28% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +67,100 |
13. Engineering Teachers, postsecondary |
2017 Median Pay: $98,360per year Number of Jobs (2016): 47,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +6,900 |
14. Postsecondary Education Administrators |
2017 Median Pay: $92,360 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 180,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 10% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +18,200 |
15. Veterinarians |
2017 Median Pay: $90,420 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 79,600 Job Outlook (2016-26): 19% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +15,000 |
16. Occupational Therapists |
2017 Median Pay: $83,200 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 130,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 24% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +31,000 |
17. Statisticians |
2017 Median Pay: $84,760 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 40,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 33% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +13,500 |
18. Medical Scientists |
2017 Median Pay: $82,090 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 120,000 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +16,100 |
19. Business Teachers, postsecondary |
2017 Median Pay: $80,300 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 104,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 18% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +18,900 |
20. Speech-Language Pathologists |
2017 Median Pay: $76,610 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 145,100 Job Outlook (2016-26): 18% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +25,900 |
21. Biological science teachers, postsecondary |
2017 Median Pay: $78,240 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 62,300 Job Outlook (2016-26): 15% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +16,300 |
22 Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary |
2017 Median Pay: $71,260 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 67,900 Job Outlook (2016-26): 24% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +16,300 |
23. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary |
2017 Median Pay: $66,930 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 112,500 Job Outlook (2016-26): 12% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +14,700 |
24. Chiropractors |
2017 Median Pay: $68,640 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 47,400 Job Outlook (2016-26): 12% (Much faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +5,900 |
25. Instructional Coordinators |
2017 Median Pay: $63,750 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 163,200 Job Outlook (2016-26): 11% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +17,200 |
26. School and Career Counselors |
2017 Median Pay: $55,410 per year Number of Jobs (2016): 291,700 Job Outlook (2016-26): 13% (Faster than average) Employment Change (2016-26): +36,700 |
Data Sources:
*Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2017
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, April 2018
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