Top 100 Careers

While there are quite literally thousands of different career options to choose from, not all careers are equal. The fact is, some career options are quite simply better than others.

The list of top 100 careers below are ranked based on a number of criteria including employment opportunity, work-life balance, job security, and last but not least, earning potential. While we do not assume that these jobs offer the best career path for everyone, they do offer just the right balance for many aspring career professionals.

The best careers are mainly in the healthcare and technology fields. In fact, the top 10 careers are all in these two fields.

Dentist, Nurse, Pharmacist, Physician, Physical Therapist, Dental Hygienist for healthcare and Systems Analyst, Database Admin, and Software Developer and Web Developer for technology.

Rank	Occupation	# of Jobs	Median Salary	Unemployment Rate
1	Dentist	27,600	$142,750	0.7%
2	Registered Nurse	712,900	$65,790	2.0%
3	Pharmacist	69,740	$113,410	3.2%
4	Computer Systems Analyst	120,440	$78,670	2.5%
5	Physician	168,330	$183,270	0.7%
6	Database Administrator	33,600	$75,390	1.3%
7	Software Developer	143,400	$89,530	4.0%
8	Physical Therapist	65,740	$77,930	4.7%
9	Web Developer	65,740	$77,390	4.7%
10	Dental Hygienist	68,300	$69,480	2.8%
11	Occupational Therapist	36,420	$74,820	0.4%
12	Veterinarian	23,000	$82,940	0.6%
13	Computer Programmer	43,730	$72,230	3.7%
14	School Psychologist	31,700	$67,830	1.4%
15	Physical Therapist Assistant	30,300	$51,340	3.4%
16	Interpreter & Translator	24,620	$44,260	1.7%
17	Mechanical Engineer	21,200	$79,220	2.4%
18	Veterinary Technologist & Technician	41,700	$30,140	2.8%
19	Epidemiologist	37,630	$64,320	3.4%
20	IT Manager	55,830	$118,310	2.9%
21	Market Research Analyst	116,400	$60,350	5.7%
22	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	23,300	$65,410	4.4%
23	Computer Systems Administrator	96,600	$70,970	3.9%
24	Respiratory Therapist	31,300	$55,350	2.9%
25	Medical Secretary	210,240	$31,460	5.7%
26	Civil Engineer	51,400	$77,940	4.8%
27	Substance Abuse Counselor	23,450	$38,540	4.6%
28	Speech-Language Pathologist	28,850	$69,150	1.7%
29	Landscaper & Groundskeeper	240,850	$23,510	5.3%
30	Radiologic Technologist	61,500	$55,520	2.8%
31	Cost Estimator	67,400	$58,440	5.8%
32	Financial Advisor	66,440	$66,480	2.4%
33	Marriage & Family Therapist	14,840	$46,440	1.7%
34	Medical Assistant	162,930	$29,300	6.7%
35	Lawyer	73,630	$113,330	2.4%
36	Accountant	190,740	$62,450	4.4%
37	Compliance Officer	32,440	$60,440	2.4%
38	High School Teacher	71,930	$54,370	3.3%
39	Clinical Laboratory Technician	23,840	$36,940	4.4%
40	Maintenance & Repair Worker	142,300	$35,330	7.3%
41	Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Audit Clerk	259,000	$34,730	6.3%
42	Financial Manager	46,360	$107,660	3.6%
43	Recreation & Fitness Worker	124,730	$31,330	6.4%
44	Insurance Agent	90,200	$47,450	5.5%
45	Elementary School Teacher	248,810	$52,810	4.1%
46	Dental Assistant	91,600	$34,140	4.4%
47	Management Analyst	157,400	$78,440	5.4%
48	Home Health Aide	706,300	$20,310	9.1%
49	Pharmacy Technician	108,200	$29,940	9.9%
50	Construction Manager	86,640	$84,440	7.0%
51	Public Relations Specialist	58,230	$54,130	2.6%
52	Middle School Teacher	108,340	$53,140	4.1%
53	Massage Therapist	30,940	$35,840	6.2%
54	Paramedic	75,440	$30,740	3.2%
55	Preschool Teacher	113,630	$26,640	5.4%
56	Hairdresser	98,430	$22,540	5.5%
57	Marketing Manager	24,250	$116,510	6.2%
58	Patrol Officer	54,600	$54,330	2.2%
59	School Counselor	53,430	$54,630	4.6%
60	Executive Assistant	156,600	$45,680	6.3%
61	Financial Analyst	54,300	$75,630	5.5%
62	Personal Care Aide	607,500	$19,750	5.3%
63	Clinical Social Worker	51,200	$48,620	6.0%
64	Business Operations Manager	81,620	$95,250	5.4%
65	Loan Officer	41,500	$58,530	8.5%
66	Meeting, Convention & Event Planner	31,500	$46,520	7.7%
67	Mental Health Counselor	43,700	$39,170	4.7%
68	Nursing Aide	302,700	$24,170	9.1%
69	Sales Representative	223,700	$53,740	6.1%
70	Architect	27,940	$73,440	7.4%
71	Sales Manager	40,500	$101,650	6.2%
72	HR Specialist	61,640	$54,410	6.0%
73	Plumber	107,640	$47,450	15.1%
74	Real Estate Agent	45,400	$39,470	5.2%
75	Glazier	41,940	$37,450	12.6%
76	Art Director	6,730	$81,360	9.0%
77	Customer Service Representative	338,300	$30,630	9.0%
78	Logistician	27,830	$71,930	7.9%
79	Auto Mechanic	124,800	$36,180	8.3%
80	Bus Driver	83,000	$35,720	6.4%
81	Restaurant Cook	117,800	$22,080	7.6%
82	Child & Family Social Worker	58,200	$40,680	6.1%
83	Administrative Assistant	118,500	$31,870	6.4%
84	Receptionist	248,540	$25,340	9.1%
85	Paralegal	46,930	$46,730	6.5%
86	Cement Mason & Concrete Finisher	50,500	$35,500	19.5%
87	Painter	72,600	$35,630	16.6%
88	Sports Coach	71,500	$28,570	9.0%
89	Teacher Assistant	191,500	$23,680	6.6%
90	Brickmason & Blockmason	36,400	$46,840	26.0%
91	Cashier	250,230	$18,830	13.8%
92	Janitor	246,440	$22,470	10.8%
93	Electrician	133,730	$49,330	12.2%
94	Delivery Truck Driver	125,620	$29,280	9.2%
95	Maid & Housekeeper	111,620	$19,290	11.2%
96	Carpenter	196,200	$40,210	16.0%
97	Security Guard	195,300	$23,930	11.3%
98	Construction Worker	212,500	$29,450	21.2%
99	Fabricator	12,500	$35,570	14.3%
100	Telemarketer	21,500	$23,570	31.3%