The 30 best high-paying jobs of the future

BI India BureauMay 22, 2020, 08:00 IST

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Using employment projection and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we found 30 high-paying jobs that are poised to enjoy healthy employment growth over the next decade.
Several tech and medical occupations show up on the list.

The future of work is looking pretty bright, at least for nurses and software developers.

Plenty of medical and tech jobs are likely to keep growing in the next several years, and pay handsomely as well.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections program publishes estimates for job growth across hundreds of occupations. The most recent release compares how many people worked in each occupation in 2016 with the Bureau's projections for 2026.

We combined those job growth projections with 2017 median annual earnings for each occupation from the Bureau's Occupational Employment Statistics program, using the geometric mean of the two numbers, to find roles that are both growing and high-paying.

Read more: 33 high-paying jobs for people who don't like stress

Since we are focused on high-paying jobs, we restricted our ranking to occupations with 2017 median earnings above the median among all occupations of $37,690.

1. Family and general practitioners

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 19,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $198,740

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 19,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $198,740

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

2. Dentists

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 25,700

Median annual earnings in 2017: $151,440

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 25,700

Median annual earnings in 2017: $151,440

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

3. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 75,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $52,590

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 75,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $52,590

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

4. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 88,900

Median annual earnings in 2017: $45,030

Typical educational requirements: Post secondary non-degree award

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 88,900

Median annual earnings in 2017: $45,030

Typical educational requirements: Post secondary non-degree award

5. Construction managers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 44,800

Median annual earnings in 2017: $91,370

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 44,800

Median annual earnings in 2017: $91,370

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

6. Physician assistants

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 39,600

Median annual earnings in 2017: $104,860

Typical educational requirements: Master's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 39,600

Median annual earnings in 2017: $104,860

Typical educational requirements: Master's degree

7. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 76,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $56,970

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 76,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $56,970

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

8. Secondary school teachers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 76,800

Median annual earnings in 2017: $59,170

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 76,800

Median annual earnings in 2017: $59,170

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

9. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 108,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $42,480

Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 108,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $42,480

Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award

10. Computer systems analysts

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 54,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $88,270

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 54,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $88,270

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

11. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 75,800

Median annual earnings in 2017: $64,070

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 75,800

Median annual earnings in 2017: $64,070

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

12. Services sales representatives, all other

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 94,900

Median annual earnings in 2017: $52,510

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 94,900

Median annual earnings in 2017: $52,510

Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

13. Systems software developers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 47,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $107,600

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 47,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $107,600

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

14. Physical therapists

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 67,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $86,850

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 67,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $86,850

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

15. Nurse practitioners

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 56,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $103,880

Typical educational requirements: Master's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 56,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $103,880

Typical educational requirements: Master's degree

16. Postsecondary health specialties teachers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 60,600

Median annual earnings in 2017: $97,870

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 60,600

Median annual earnings in 2017: $97,870

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

17. Elementary school teachers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 104,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $57,160

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 104,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $57,160

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

18. Computer and information systems managers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 44,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $139,220

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 44,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $139,220

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

19. Business operations specialists, all other

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 90,300

Median annual earnings in 2017: $70,010

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 90,300

Median annual earnings in 2017: $70,010

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

20. Medical and health services managers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 72,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $98,350

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 72,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $98,350

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

21. Lawyers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 65,000

Median annual earnings in 2017: $119,250

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 65,000

Median annual earnings in 2017: $119,250

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

22. Managers, all other

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 79,500

Median annual earnings in 2017: $105,610

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 79,500

Median annual earnings in 2017: $105,610

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

23. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 138,300

Median annual earnings in 2017: $63,230

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 138,300

Median annual earnings in 2017: $63,230

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

24. Physicians and surgeons, all other

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 42,300

Median annual earnings in 2017: At least $208,000*

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

*The Bureau of Labor Statistics top-codes median earnings data and does not give specific figures for estimates above $208,000.

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 42,300

Median annual earnings in 2017: At least $208,000*

Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree

*The Bureau of Labor Statistics top-codes median earnings data and does not give specific figures for estimates above $208,000.

25. Management analysts

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 115,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $82,450

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 115,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $82,450

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

26. Accountants and auditors

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 139,900

Median annual earnings in 2017: $69,350

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 139,900

Median annual earnings in 2017: $69,350

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

27. Financial managers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 108,600

Median annual earnings in 2017: $125,080

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 108,600

Median annual earnings in 2017: $125,080

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

28. General and operations managers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 205,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $100,410

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 205,200

Median annual earnings in 2017: $100,410

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

29. Applications software developers

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 255,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $101,790

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 255,400

Median annual earnings in 2017: $101,790

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

1. Registered nurses

BI India Bureau

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 438,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $70,000

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

Projected new positions between 2016 and 2026: 438,100

Median annual earnings in 2017: $70,000

Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree

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The 30 best high-paying jobs of the future

1. Family and general practitioners

2. Dentists

3. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

4. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

5. Construction managers

6. Physician assistants

7. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives

8. Secondary school teachers

9. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

10. Computer systems analysts

11. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

12. Services sales representatives, all other

13. Systems software developers

14. Physical therapists

15. Nurse practitioners

16. Postsecondary health specialties teachers

17. Elementary school teachers

18. Computer and information systems managers

19. Business operations specialists, all other

20. Medical and health services managers

21. Lawyers

22. Managers, all other

23. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

24. Physicians and surgeons, all other

25. Management analysts

26. Accountants and auditors

27. Financial managers

28. General and operations managers

29. Applications software developers

1. Registered nurses