The job market is changing, and so are the opportunities. In 2022, there will be many new high-paying careers that you can take advantage of. Through our research, we will give you a snapshot of what some of those jobs might look like and how much they pay.
The following careers are some of the highest paying in-demand jobs for 2022, including their median salary projection and growth rate over the next ten years.
If you are thinking of a new career, or are trying to help guide your son or daughter down a career path, this is a good place to start.
The following is our top 15 high paying, in-demand careers of 2022:
1. Actuary
$97,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 37%.

Actuaries are professionals who work in the insurance industry. They use mathematical models to calculate risk and premiums for insurance policies. They also calculate pensions, annuities, and other financial instruments. They work mainly in insurance companies, banks, and consulting firms.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, or a related field is usually required.
Pros: Actuaries have one of the highest median salaries of all the professions. Actuaries also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: There is intense competition for actuarial positions, especially within insurance companies that offer high compensation and benefits packages. It can be tough to get your foot in the door with one of these coveted positions.
2. Software Developer
$102,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
Software developers are responsible for designing computer applications that allow users to perform specific tasks on computers or other devices. They may also develop or customize existing systems that run devices or control networks.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The demand for these jobs will increase by 22% between 2010 and 2020, which means the competition won’t be fierce if you get your foot in the door early on.
Cons: If you are not skilled at coding, this might not be your job.
3. Nurse Anesthetist
$157,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 31%.
Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who have completed specialized training in anesthesia. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to provide anesthesia care to patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures. Their main responsibilities are to monitor patients’ progress and provide anesthesia.
Education needed: A master’s degree in nursing is usually required.
Pros: Nurse anesthetist jobs are projected to increase by 26%, and the competition for these jobs will be very strong because of the high pay and demand. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
4. Petroleum Engineer
$128,230 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 12%.

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods to extract oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. They also work on improving drilling techniques and managing resources. They work in companies like ExxonMobil, Shell Corporation, and BP. Their main responsibilities are to increase oil and gas production efficiency and profitability.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in engineering is usually required.
Pros: Petroleum engineers are in high demand, and the job outlook is good. The median salary for these professionals is also high.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
5. Physician Assistant
$98,180 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 37%.
Physician assistants are health professionals who work under the supervision of physicians. They diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests, and prescribe medication. They work at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Education needed: A master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for physician assistants is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: Physician assistants may not practice independently in every situation, which can limit their employment opportunities.
6. Statistician
$80,500 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 18%.
Statisticians use mathematical methods to collect and analyze data. They work in various industries, including government, business, healthcare, and education. Their main responsibilities are to develop models to predict future events, design surveys, and analyze data.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in statistics or a related field is usually required.
Pros: Statistician jobs are projected to increase by 33%, and the competition for these jobs will be very strong because of the high pay and demand. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
7. Computer Hardware Engineer
$115,080 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 12%.

Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop and test computer equipment. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are making product development plans based on user input or market research data, creating prototypes to be tested, testing new products to ensure they meet quality standards before being sold, and working with managers to determine how their designs will affect the manufacturing process.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for computer hardware engineers is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
8. Information Security Analyst
$92,600 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 28%.
Information security analysts protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from cyberattacks. They work for companies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are developing security policies, testing code, and investigating cybercrime.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for information security analysts is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
9. Market Research Analyst
$65,660 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They work for companies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are gathering data on customer demographics and behavior, market trends, and sales.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in business or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for market research analysts is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
10. Computer System Analyst
$85,800 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.

Computer system analysts design and oversee the installation of computer systems. They work for companies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are assessing an organization’s needs, recommending computer systems, and overseeing the installation process.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: This job has a high median salary and a good projected growth rate. It also offers several employment opportunities due to high demand.
Cons: Competition for these jobs will be very high because of the good pay, growth rate, and great employment opportunities.
11. Web Developer
$65,260 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 27%.
Web developers produce websites for companies that sell products or services online. They work for digital marketing agencies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are to design and code websites according to the client’s specifications, test for bugs and errors, monitor site performance, and update content as needed.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: This job has a high median salary and a good projected growth rate. It also offers several employment opportunities due to high demand.
Cons: Competition for these jobs will be very high because of the good pay, growth rate, and great employment opportunities.
12. Database Administrator
$87,020 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 11%.
Database administrators design, create and update databases for companies. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are to ensure that company data is accurate and secure, manage all the back-end technologies needed for database operations with minimal downtime.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for database administrators is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
13. Network Systems & Data Communications Analyst
$82,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 12%.

Network systems and data communication analysts design, create and maintain computer networks such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), and intranet. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are to ensure that company data is accurate and secure, manage all the back-end technologies needed for database operations with minimal downtime.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for database administrators is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
14. Computer and Information Research Scientists
$101,380 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 11%.
Computer and information research scientists conduct scientific research to create new computer technologies. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are planning projects that involve researching how hardware or software works and coming up with new ways to improve it, designing experiments to test their theories about how computer systems work and writing proposals for research grants.
Education needed: A Ph.D. in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for computer and information research scientists is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
15. Computer Systems Analyst
$85,800 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
A computer systems analyst specializes in designing computer systems for companies, including hardware and software. They work with a team of people from different fields, including management, marketing, etc., to decide what the company needs their computer system to do. Their primary responsibilities are to design an efficient database structure that can be used by everyone in the company, create or recommend purchasing specifications for computers and software, and test new systems before they are put into use.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for computer systems analysts is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
FAQs
What career makes the most money 2022? ›
- Anesthesiologist: $208,000.
- Surgeon: $208,000.
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist: $208,000.
- Orthodontist: $208,000.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: $208,000.
- Physician: $208,000.
- Psychiatrist: $208,000.
- Registered nurse. Average salary: $84,074. ...
- Optometrist. Average salary: $118,389. ...
- Site reliability engineer. Average salary: $137,324. ...
- Real estate agent. ...
- Pharmacist. ...
- Over-the-road truck driver. ...
- Software engineer. ...
- Nurse practitioner.
- Entry-level laboratory technician. Average salary: $46,358 per year. ...
- Human resources assistant. Average salary: $46,580 per year. ...
- Research assistant. Average salary: $46,713 per year. ...
- Medical assistant. ...
- Firefighter. ...
- Junior graphic designer. ...
- Auditor. ...
- Administrative assistant.
The highest-paying job in the world, in a traditional sense, holds the number one spot in this article: anesthesiologist. They are also the only job listed above $300,000 a year. The list, however, does not take into account mega-CEOs like Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos, who make considerably more than that.
What job is most in-demand? ›- Financial manager. ...
- Medical assistant. ...
- Software developer. ...
- Market research analyst. ...
- Substance abuse counselor. ...
- Health services manager. ...
- Statistician. ...
- Nurse practitioner.
Rank | Occupation | Percent Change |
---|---|---|
1 | Motion Picture Projectionists | 71% |
2 | Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 68% |
3 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | 62% |
Rank | Occupation | # of Jobs |
---|---|---|
1 | Dentist | 27,600 |
2 | Registered Nurse | 712,900 |
3 | Pharmacist | 69,740 |
4 | Computer Systems Analyst | 120,440 |
According to data that FinanceBuzz compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), some low-stress jobs that typically yield a six-figure salary include mathematician, software developer, political scientist, physicist, chemical engineer, astronomer, and ...
What is the best job for a lazy person? ›- Survey Taker. There are tons of online sites looking to hire people to take surveys for money. ...
- Online Shopper. Some people don't have time to shop in stores. ...
- Line Stand-In. ...
- Rideshare Driver. ...
- Librarian. ...
- Food Taster. ...
- Professional Cuddler. ...
- Hotel Sleep Tester.
# | Career | Physical Ease |
---|---|---|
1 | Groundskeeper or Landscaping Assistant | |
2 | Taxi Driver or Chauffeur | |
3 | Virtual Customer Service Representative | Yes |
4 | Phlebotomy Technician | Yes |
How can I make a lot of money with no skills? ›
- Take Paid Surveys.
- Become a Virtual Assistant.
- Sign Up for Taskrabbit.
- Start a YouTube Channel.
- Become a Freelance Writer.
- Sell Stuff on eBay or Craigslist.
- Start an Online Business.
- Get Paid to Test Websites.
- Administrative assistant.
- Pharmacy technician.
- Firefighter.
- Claims adjuster.
- Sales representative.
- Web developer.
- Information technology technician.
- Real estate agent.
- Patrol Officer.
- Home Health Aide.
- Personal Care Aide.
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse.
- Wind Turbine Technician.
- Recreation and Fitness Worker.
- Massage Therapist.
- Professional athlete.
- Investment banker.
- Entrepreneur.
- Lawyer.
- Certified public accountant.
- Insurance agent.
- Engineer.
- Real estate agent.
- Establish yourself as an expert in your field. ...
- Cross-train to expand your skill set. ...
- Develop your leadership skills. ...
- Research companies' financial health. ...
- Take smart risks. ...
- Get noticed.
- Work as an Insurance POSP. ...
- Look for Freelancing Work. ...
- Try Content Writing Jobs. ...
- Start Blogging. ...
- Sell Your Digital Products. ...
- Look For Translation Jobs Online. ...
- Beta Test Apps and Websites Before They are Released. ...
- Work as a Travel Agent.
- Data Scientist. Due to the increasing amount of data that organizations collect, the field of data science is becoming more popular. ...
- Data Analyst. ...
- Blockchain Developer. ...
- Digital Marketer. ...
- Cloud Computing Professional. ...
- AI and ML Engineer. ...
- MBA Manager. ...
- Software Developer.
- Medical Field. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants. ...
- Technology Sector. ...
- Financial Services. ...
- Education Arena. ...
- Technical Jobs. ...
- Business Services Jobs. ...
- Sales Jobs. ...
- Consulting Jobs.
# | Occupation | Workers 2020 |
---|---|---|
1 | Cashiers, except gaming | 171,990 |
2 | Retail salespersons | 162,690 |
3 | Waiters and waitresses | 146,620 |
4 | Customer service representatives | 110,840 |
- Cyber security expert. ...
- Robotics engineer. ...
- Nurse. ...
- Software developer. ...
- User experience (UX) designer. ...
- Carpenters and joiners. ...
- Data analyst.
What college degree has the most job opportunities? ›
- Pharmacology. For a lucrative career helping people, pharmacology is at the top of the list for in-demand degrees. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Health Science. ...
- Information Technology. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Business Administration. ...
- Finance. ...
- Human Resources.
- Data Science & Cloud Computing (Cloud computing goes hand in hand with data science, and cloud computing jobs range from architects and developers to data scientists)
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
- Big Data Science.
- Digital Marketing & Strategy.
- Registered nurse.
- Software developer.
- Pharmacist.
- Medical assistant.
- Database administrator.
- Web developer.
- Computer systems analyst.
- Physical therapist.
- Dental Hygienist.
- Physical Therapist.
- Radiation Therapist.
- Optometrist.
- Human Resources Manager.
...
Who's at the Top
- Nursing: 81%
- Medical doctors: 67%
- Grade school teachers: 63%
- Pharmacists: 63%
- Military officiers: 61%
Health care still reigns supreme when it comes to the best jobs in the U.S., but a technology job snagged the top spot in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings. Information security analysts came in No. 1, thanks to a strong 10-year outlook, according to U.S. News' 100 Best Jobs of 2022 list.
What jobs make a lot of money without education? ›- Patrol Officer.
- Executive Assistant.
- Sales Representative.
- Flight Attendant.
- Electrician.
- Plumber.
- Wind Turbine Technician.
The consensus seems to be that plumbers and electricians have the least physically demanding work among the skilled trades. That doesn't mean that those are the best trades, however, and if carpentry is what interests you, you shouldn't allow its reputation of being physically demanding to deter you.
What is a fun high paying job? ›Jobs that pay between $60,000 and $90,000 and evoke minimal stress include dietician, audiologist, technical writer, hydrologist and geographer. With competitive salaries above $100,000, enjoyable careers include mathematician, astronomer, orthodontist, physicist and political scientist.
What career is least stressful? ›- 10 Low-Stress Jobs.
- Data Scientist.
- Dietitian.
- Medical Records Technician.
- Massage Therapist.
- Appliance Repairer.
- Librarian.
- Diagnostic Medical Stenographer.
How do I find a job with no skills? ›
...
Jobs for Those With No Skills or Job Experience:
- Dog Walker: ...
- Security Guard: ...
- Baby Sitter: ...
- Restaurant Owner: ...
- Librarian: ...
- House Keeper: ...
- Dock Loader and Off Loader: ...
- Toll Booth operator:
Nurses were deemed to have the hardest job in the country, followed by doctors, paramedics – and police officers. Other jobs people in Britain believe are harder than any others include farmers, prison wardens and social workers.
How can I make $1000 in 24 hours? ›- Sell Stuff You Own. ...
- Design Websites For People. ...
- Ecommerce Store Launches. ...
- Blogging. ...
- Offer Coaching Classes To Groups. ...
- Consulting. ...
- Sell Seasonal Products. ...
- Ask For A Raise.
- Online Jobs That Don't Require Experience. Online Surveys. Virtual Assistant. Freelance Writer. Blogger. Proofreader. Transcription. Translation. Social Media Manager. Graphic Designer. Microtasker. Data Entry. Customer Service. ...
- Remote Online Jobs Are More Available Than Ever.
- Paid Surveys. ...
- Freelance Writing. ...
- Write Sponsored Posts. ...
- Coaching and Consultation. ...
- Write an Ebook or Sell Another Type of Digital Product. ...
- Google AdSense (You'll need a website – but you can make $100 dollars a day) ...
- Create Online Courses.
- Police Officer.
- Commercial Pilot.
- Gaming Manager.
- Electrical Powerline Installer.
- Elevator Installer and Repairer.
- Transportation Inspector.
- High School Diploma Career FAQs.
- The Bottom Line.
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Aeronautics. ...
- MRI Technology. ...
- Radiology Technology. ...
- Respiratory Therapy. ...
- Occupational Therapy. ...
- Mechanical Engineering. ...
- Network Engineering. Network engineers design, administer, and maintain local and wide area network systems.
- Cloud Computing Bootcamp. Transform yourself into a cloud professional. ...
- Digital Marketing Job Guarantee Program. ...
- Master's Program: AWS Cloud Architect. ...
- PMP Certification Training Course. ...
- Salesforce Administrator & Developer Certification.
- Aircraft Controllers. ...
- Chief Executive and Senior Officials. ...
- Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers. ...
- Marketing and Sales Directors. ...
- Legal Professionals. ...
- Information Technology and Telecommunication Directors. ...
- Brokers. ...
- Financial Managers and Directors.
Rank | Name | Breakdown |
---|---|---|
1 | Elon MuskCEO | 10.1B |
2 | Robert ScaringeCEO | 2.29B650K126K |
3 | Tim CookCEO | 837M12.0M3.00M1.39M |
4 | Peter RawlinsonCEO/CTO | 566M6.57M2.41M529K |
What is a high salary? ›
Salary between AUD$90,000 – AUD$108,000 annually or AUD$7,500 – AUD$9,000 monthly is considered a good salary in Australia. That said, the national average is about AUD$90,000 per year. In major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, you can expect a higher salary of around AUD$110,000 – AUD$150,000. What is this?
How do I find a job that pays well? ›- Establish yourself as an expert in your field. ...
- Cross-train to expand your skill set. ...
- Develop your leadership skills. ...
- Research companies' financial health. ...
- Take smart risks. ...
- Get noticed.
- Excel in your current position. ...
- Make professional connections. ...
- Build your skills. ...
- Take on new responsibilities. ...
- Research your current salary. ...
- Discuss internal options. ...
- Check job listings. ...
- Update your resume and apply.
For example, according to the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, physicians, surgeons, chief executives, lawyers, pharmacists, and dentists in the U.S. all earn more than $100,000 per year, on average. So do some types of engineers and scientists, including astronomers and physicists.
Who is the most paid employee in the world? ›- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla.
- Tim Cook, CEO of Apple.
- Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA.
- Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix.
- Leonard Schleifer, CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
- Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce.
- Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.
- Robert A. Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard.
- Elon Musk - $595.3 million. Elon Musk also criticized the way most companies are run. ...
- Tim Cook - $133.7 million. ...
- Thomas Rutledge - $116.9 million. ...
- Joseph Ianniello - $116.6 million. ...
- Sumit Singh - $108.2 million.
Best-paid actors worldwide 2021, by income. As of August 2021, Daniel Craig was the best-paid actor worldwide with an estimated income of 100 million U.S. dollars after, earlier that year, Netflix bought the rights for two sequels of "Knives Out" (2019).
What is the lowest paying job? ›- Food-Preparation Workers. ...
- Gambling Dealers. ...
- Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers. ...
- Parking Lot Attendants. ...
- Non-Farm Animal Caretakers. ...
- Maids and Housekeepers. ...
- Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers. ...
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders.
- Actor/Actress.
- Physician/Surgeon.
- Chief Executive Officer.
- Author.
- Investment Banker.
- Lawyer.
- Entrepreneur.
- Engineering Manager.
From ages 25-34, the median wage is $60,000 and will increase to a median wage of $90,000 by ages 45-59. Compare that with a major in the health field, which has a median wage of $53,000 at ages 25-34 and grows to a median wage of $72,000 by ages 45-59.