Top 30 Most Prospective, High-Paying Jobs: 2025 Ranking

Many of us reflect on our personal and professional goals and make resolutions as we enter a new year. Knowing which professions have the brightest future is a great starting point, whether you’re considering a career change or just mapping out your future.

We’ve created a ranking of the top 30 most promising, high-paying jobs based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Here’s how we did it:

• We analyzed the BLS’s 2023–2033 employment projections and 2023 wage data.
• Each profession in our top 30 pays above $48,060 (the median U.S. annual salary) and is expected to grow over the next decade.
• We took the geometric mean of median annual wages and projected employment growth for each occupation. The higher the geometric mean, the higher the job in our ranking.

With total U.S. employment projected to grow by 6.7 million jobs by 2033, now is the time to explore which roles can offer you both stability and financial success.

Keep reading to discover the careers that could shape the next decade — and maybe even yours.

1. Software developer

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +303.7
• Median annual wage in 2023: $132.270
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View computer software resume examples or start your search for software development jobs.

2. Financial manager

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +138.3
• Median annual wage in 2023: $156.100
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Five years or more
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View finance resume examples or start your search for accounting and finance jobs.

3. General and operations manager

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +210.4
• Median annual wage in 2023: $101.280
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Five years or more
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View business operations resume examples or start your search for operations jobs.

4. Computer and information systems manager

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +106.9
• Median annual wage in 2023: $169.510
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Five years or more
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View data systems administration resume examples or start your search for computer and IT jobs.

5. Medical and health services manager

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +160.6
• Median annual wage in 2023: $110.680
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View health care support resume examples or start your search for medical and health jobs.

6. Nurse practitioner

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +135.5
• Median annual wage in 2023: $126.260
• Typical educational requirements: Master's degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View nursing resume examples or start your search for software developer jobs.

7. Registered nurse

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +197.2
• Median annual wage in 2023: $86.070
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View computer software resume examples or start your search for medical and health jobs.

8. Management analyst

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +107.9
• Median annual wage in 2023: $99.410
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View statistics resume examples or start your search for business development jobs.

9. Data scientist

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +73.1
• Median annual wage in 2023: $108.020
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View computer software resume examples or start your search for software developer jobs.

10. Accountant and auditor

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +91.4
• Median annual wage in 2023: $79.880
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View accounting resume examples or start your search for accounting and finance jobs.

11. Information security analyst

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +59.1
• Median annual wage in 2023: $120.360
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than 5 years
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View data systems administration resume examples or start your search for computer and IT jobs.

12. Project management specialist

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +69.9
• Median annual wage in 2023: $98.580
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View information technology resume examples or start your search for computer and IT jobs.

13. Lawyer

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +44.2
• Median annual wage in 2023: $145.760
• Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View law resume examples or start your search for legal jobs.

14. Computer systems analyst

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +56.5
• Median annual wage in 2023: $103.800
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View data systems administration resume examples or start your search for computer and IT jobs.

15. Physician assistant

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +43.7
• Median annual wage in 2023: $130.020
• Typical educational requirements: Master's degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View medical resume examples or start your search for medical and health jobs.

16. Health specialties teacher, postsecondary

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +53.3
• Median annual wage in 2023: $105.650
• Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than five years
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View teaching resume examples or start your search for education and training jobs.

17. Market research analyst and marketing specialist

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +74.9
• Median annual wage in 2023: $74.680
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View marketing resume examples or start your search for marketing jobs.

18. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +102.0
• Median annual wage in 2023: $54.320
• Typical educational requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Short-term on-the-job training

View driving resume examples.

19. Personal financial advisor

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +55.0
• Median annual wage in 2023: $99.580
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency on the job: Long-term on-the-job training

View finance resume examples or start your search for accounting and finance jobs.

20. Electrician

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +84.3
• Median annual wage in 2023: $61.590
• Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Apprenticeship

View electrical resume examples or start your search for engineering jobs.

21. Human resources specialist

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +74.2
• Median annual wage in 2023: $67.650
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View human resources resume examples or start your search for HR and recruiting jobs.

22. Marketing manager

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +31.7
• Median annual wage in 2023: $157.620
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: 5 years or more
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View marketing resume examples or start your search for marketing jobs.

23. Construction managers

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +47.6
• Median annual wage in 2023: $104.900
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training

View construction resume examples or start your search for operations jobs.

24. Sales manager

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +34.3
• Median annual wage in 2023: $135.160
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: Less than five years
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View sales resume examples or start your search for sales jobs.

25. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +84.5
• Median annual wage in 2023: $53.710
• Typical educational requirements: Master's degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: Internship/residency

View social services resume examples or start your search for human services jobs.

26. Industrial machinery mechanic

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +73.8
• Median annual wage in 2023: $61.420
• Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency on the job: Long-term on-the-job training

View maintenance resume examples or start your search for operations jobs.

27. Industrial engineer

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +40.9
• Median annual wage in 2023: $99.380
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View engineering resume examples or start your search for engineering jobs.

28. First-line supervisor of construction trades and extraction worker

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +50.3
• Median annual wage in 2023: $76.760
• Typical educational requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: 5 years or more
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View construction resume examples or start your search for operations jobs.

29. Physical therapist

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +36.8
• Median annual wage in 2023: $99.710
• Typical educational requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View physical therapy resume examples or start your search for medical and health jobs.

30. Logistician

• Projected change in employment from 2023 to 2033: +45.8
• Median annual wage in 2023: $79.400
• Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Work experience in a related occupation required for the job: None
• Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency in the job: None

View logistics resume examples or start your search for operations jobs.

What is the Key to Success?

Most professions listed in the ranking are driven by knowledge and anchored in humanity. They promise financial stability and growth and highlight the enduring importance of education and uniquely human skills.

Of the 30 jobs listed, nearly all require formal education, ranging from bachelor's to advanced degrees. That's why investment in education is one of the most thoughtful steps toward building a career that stands the test of time. Today's academic achievements can be indicators of your tomorrow's successful career.

Another noteworthy observation is that while technology may transform how we work, human knowledge and empathy will continue to drive the future of work. Critical thinking, problem-solving, complex decision-making, creativity and interpersonal skills are qualities that AI — for all its advancements — will always struggle to replicate. The same applies to human judgment, care and empathetic interactions that cannot be automated. 

We recommend exploring top industries and companies hiring for work-from-anywhere jobs if you are seeking flexible working arrangements. 

The Future Is Yours to Shape

Whether your profession is included in the ranking or not, remember that your prosperity and job satisfaction don't entirely depend on projections, statistics or labor market trends.

So—

Regardless of your current or future career, hard work, persistence, a proactive attitude, and the ability to adapt will remain key to professional success.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment Projections”