The 100 Best Jobs and Careers

Updated January 20, 2020
People in a variety of occupations

How do you determine the best jobs or careers? There is no one answer for everyone. The barometer by which you measure the best job or career for you will almost always be different from someone else. Check out the following job lists to find 100 great jobs and careers that may give you some ideas.

10 Best Technology Jobs

If you're looking for a job in the technology field, you may just hit the jackpot. According to Career Karma, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Engineers are the highest paying ($146,000) IT job in demand with a 344% growth increase. Career Karma also reports the lowest paying IT job of their top 10 are Web Developers ($69,000).

Computer analyst at work

Bureau of Labor Statistics for Technology Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines the salary range of the top 10 best technology jobs as $69,000 to %118,000. Most technology jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, a few careers demand a master's and a couple only require an associate degree. The growth rate range is 5% to 344%. The BLS lists the following as the top 10 technology jobs:

  1. Computer and Information Research Scientists
  2. Computer Network Architects
  3. Computer Programmers
  4. Computer Support Specialists
  5. Computer Systems Analysts
  6. Database Administrators
  7. Information Security Analysts
  8. Network and Computer Systems Administrators
  9. Software Developers
  10. Web Developers

10 Best Work-From-Home Jobs

Home-based career opportunities have been a growing trend for more than two decades. According to Bankrate, the following ten jobs are great work-from-home positions with a salary range of $25,000 to $76,000 and range of growth rates from 5% to 18%. These top 10 best work from home jobs offer legitimate opportunities:

Writer looking at manuscript on monitors
  1. Virtual Assistant
  2. Medical Transcriptionist
  3. Translator/Interpreter
  4. Web Developer/Designer
  5. Call Center Representative
  6. Tech Support Specialist
  7. Travel Agent
  8. Teacher/Tutor
  9. Writer/Editor
  10. Franchise Owner

Each of these jobs requires a firm personal commitment, strong time management skills, and devotion to work duty. Working from home offers great benefits but requires greater motivation to get the job done.

10 Happiest Jobs

Every year, CareerBliss reviews analyzes "thousands of independent employee reviews" to identify the "happiest jobs in America." A variety of factors are taken into consideration, including company culture, work environment, management, and total rewards. The salary range is from $77,000 to $124,000.

Advertising agency informal meeting
  1. Director of Marketing
  2. QA Analyst
  3. Marketing Manager
  4. Senior Developer
  5. HR Manager
  6. Technical Lead
  7. Business Development Manager
  8. Network Engineer
  9. Superintendent
  10. Sales Manager

Generally speaking, the most satisfying jobs allow you to do what you love while being sufficiently compensated and appreciated.

10 Best Paying Jobs for Women

24/7 Wall St published its list for the best paying jobs for women. The salary range is from $70,000 to $98,000. These positions include:

Woman lawyer in a courtroom
  1. Lawyers
  2. Chief Executives
  3. Computer and information Systems Managers
  4. Physicians and Surgeons
  5. Pharmacists
  6. Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software
  7. Computer Programmers
  8. Management Analysts
  9. Physical Therapists
  10. Marketing and Sales Managers

Women still generally earn fewer cents on the dollar than men, but some of the higher paying professions, such as physical therapists have a narrower gap.

10 Fastest-Growing Jobs

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the top 10 fastest growing jobs will see the highest percent of employment changes from 2018 to 2028. These jobs have a wide salary range from $24,000 to $108,000. These jobs include:

Solar panel installers
  1. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
  2. Wind Turbine Service Technician
  3. Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide
  4. Occupational Therapy Assistant
  5. Information Security Analyst
  6. Physician Assistant
  7. Statistician
  8. Nurse Practitioner
  9. Speech/Language Pathologist
  10. Physical Therapist Assistant

10 High-Paying Jobs That Only Require a High School Diploma

According to Business Insider, you can find high-paying jobs that don't require a degree. If you have a high school diploma or GED, you may qualify for any of the following jobs in basic industries. The salary range is from $68,000 to $74,000.

Rancher herding cattle
  1. Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agricultural Managers
  2. Subway and Streetcar Operators
  3. Signal and Track Switch Repairers
  4. Petroleum-Pump-System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
  5. Electrical-Power-Line Installers and Repairers
  6. Gas Plant Operators
  7. First Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
  8. Transportation Inspectors
  9. Transit and Railroad Police
  10. Gaming Managers

Some of these jobs may require short-term coursework, on-the-job training, or a professional license.

10 Best Summer Jobs for High School Students

One of the benefits of a long summer vacation between academic years is seasonal employment for high school students. The 10 best jobs for teens, according to the BLS have a median pay of $10 to $16 an hour.

Customer service representative on the job
  1. Customer Service Representatives
  2. Home Health Aides
  3. Landscapers
  4. Waitstaff
  5. Cooks
  6. Food Preparation Workers
  7. Construction
  8. Manufacturing
  9. Educational Services (Tutor or Daycare Teacher's Assistant)
  10. Retail Trade

10 Best Jobs for Retirees

According to the BLS, the older worker force is growing. It's projected that by 2026, 10% of the US workforce will be 75 years old or older. This offers retirees many job opportunities. The BLS states the median annual salaries are $38,000 to $71,000 or an hourly rate of $18.57 to $34.54.

Real estate appraiser working with clients

The BLS reports the top seven growing jobs for retirees include:

  1. Real Estate Appraisers
  2. Technical Writers
  3. Tax Preparers
  4. Association Mangers (property, real estate and community)
  5. Construction and Building Inspectors
  6. Crossing Guards
  7. Clergy

According to The Balance Careers list of the ten best jobs for seniors the top three jobs include:

  1. Consultant
  2. Tutor
  3. Athletic coach

You may want to take a few classes to expand your knowledge base for any career interest. These classes may lead to a job that you're more interested.

10 Jobs That Let You Travel

Looking for a job that gets you out into the world? Not all travel jobs require highly specialized skills. Business News Daily put together a solid list of travel-based jobs. These positions range in salary from one employer to the next as well as the required skill set and experience. However, all of the jobs offer a unique opportunity to see the world.

Truck driver shaking hands with client
  1. Truck Driver
  2. Travel Writer
  3. Traveling Nurse
  4. Travel Agent
  5. Translator
  6. Stagehand/Roadie
  7. Ski Instructor
  8. Retail Buyer
  9. Photographer
  10. International Tour Guide

These jobs fulfill your sense of adventure and offer a good level of compensation.

10 Sexiest Jobs

While all jobs are important, some are considered sexier than others. Do you have a sexy job? According to Independent, USA Tinder reported the sexiest jobs right swiped include:

Interior designer working with a client
Most Right Swiped Jobs on Tinder
For Women For Men
  1. Registered Nurse
  2. Dentist
  3. Photographer
  4. College/Graduate Student
  5. Pharmacist
  6. Teacher
  7. Flight Attendant
  8. Founder/Entrepreneur
  9. Personal Trainer
  10. Waitress/Bartender
  1. Interior Designer
  2. Pilot
  3. Physician's Assistant
  4. Lawyer
  5. PR/Communications
  6. Producer
  7. Visual Designer
  8. Model
  9. College/Graduate Student
  10. Engineer

What the 100 Best Jobs and Careers Mean to You

If your career focus is in technology, healthcare, or business, there may be more opportunities for you to find your ideal job. The list of the 100 best jobs and careers may not hold the best job for you. Once you've read over the list, you can decide which one might the best job for you!

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The 100 Best Jobs and Careers