News & Trending Jobs & Career News

11 Jobs Employers Can’t Fill Fast Enough That Pay Over $85,000

Switch to one of these high-paying jobs and boost your financial health.

environmentalist taking sample
Updated July 29, 2025
Fact check checkmark icon Fact checked

Looking to boost your bank account? Part-time jobs and side hustles can help fill in the gaps, but selecting the right high-paying career is a great way to improve your finances in the long run.

Below, we'll go over 11 jobs that pay at least $85,000 with strong future growth potential, so that you can set off on the right course to financial success.

Editor's note: All salary information is taken from Indeed unless otherwise noted.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

Sign up for a free debt assessment here.

Customer success manager

Deemerwha studio/Adobe review satisfaction feedback survey concept

Median salary: $86,101

Customer success managers ensure that clients are satisfied with the products and services they receive from a company. They interface with customers after a sale, assisting with onboarding, training, troubleshooting issues, and more.

To be a customer success manager, a bachelor's degree in business, communications, or marketing will be helpful. The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that customer success managers and other sales manager jobs will have a 6% increase by 2033.

Manufacturing engineer

Gorodenkoff/Adobe mechanical engineer designs 3d engine

Median salary: $91,741

Manufacturing engineers design and refine manufacturing processes, making them more efficient and productive. They ensure that high-quality products are manufactured safely and cost-effectively.

To become a manufacturing engineer, a bachelor's degree in a field such as mechanical, industrial, or electrical engineering is required. The BLS projects that manufacturing engineer jobs and other industrial engineer opportunities will grow 12% by 2033.

Policy analyst

whyframeshot/Adobe friends with laptop and paperwork with color tone effect

Median salary: $85,486

Policy analysts perform research on public issues like education, health care, and the environment. They then make recommendations to their employers (such as government agencies, nonprofits, or private companies).

A master's degree in a field like economics, public administration, or sociology is required. The BLS estimates that policy analyst jobs and other political scientist positions will grow 3% by 2033.

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings
Compare car insurance rates in Ohio
See if you qualify for a lower rate in less than 2 minutes
Map zip icon
Check Rates Arrow right icon

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Business analyst

Andrey Popov/Adobe analytics data dashboard

Median salary: $86,865

Business analysts identify ways that organizations can improve their workflows through data and technology. They document business processes, design and test solutions, and make recommendations to their clients.

A bachelor's degree in a field such as business, finance, computer science, or information technology is typically required to be a business analyst. The BLS estimates that management analyst jobs will increase by 11% over the next eight years.

Civil engineer

I Believe I Can Fly/Adobe engineers building blueprints together

Median salary: $94,424

Civil engineers plan, design, and build physical infrastructure projects such as roads, tunnels, bridges, and utilities. They work in both the public and private sectors, ensuring that projects comply with applicable codes and standards.

A bachelor's or master's degree in civil engineering will be a requirement for this role. The BLS estimates that civil engineer jobs will increase by 6% by 2033.

Intelligence specialist

DC Studio/Adobe teamworking military agents

Median salary: $98,365

Intelligence specialists collect and interpret information in support of a particular cause (such as national security, law enforcement, or the military). They help identify threats and risks and formulate the appropriate response.

A degree in fields like political science, criminology, or cybersecurity will help get your foot in the door as an intelligence specialist. The BLS projects that similar roles in law enforcement and information security analysis will grow by 4% and 33%, respectively, by 2033.

Scientist

StockPhotoPro/Adobe working in the clinical laboratory

Median salary: $98,952

Scientists conduct research and experiments about the natural world, helping expand human knowledge in a particular field and develop new technologies or products. Many disciplines fall under the term scientist, including biologists, chemists, physicists, and environmental scientists.

A bachelor's degree in the relevant scientific field is required, with a master's or doctorate often preferred. The BLS estimates that jobs for physicists, chemists, and biochemists will grow by 7%, 8%, and 9%, respectively, by 2033.

Superintendent

JackF/Adobe project manager discussing

Median salary: $100,970

Superintendents are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations at a large project or facility. The title of "superintendent" applies to supervisory roles at construction sites, schools, factories, and more, giving you a great deal of choice in your career path.

Being a superintendent requires at least a high school diploma, with more advanced degrees often preferred. The BLS projects that school superintendents and other education administrator jobs will grow by 3% in the next eight years.

Front-end developer

rh2010/Adobe male programmer coding at home

Median salary: $117,310

Front-end developers design and build the "front end" of websites and applications that users see and interact with directly. They are responsible for writing computer code to create attractive and user-friendly interfaces.

While some front-end developers are self-taught, many have bachelor's or master's degrees in computer science or software engineering. The BLS estimates that web developer jobs will grow by 8% over the next eight years.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with a debit card

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Learn more about the Discover Cashback Checking account

Controller

wichayada/Adobe talking about project strategy

Median salary: $117,965

Controllers are financial professionals who oversee a company's financial reporting and accounting operations. They ensure that the organization's financial statements are accurate and compliant with regulations.

A bachelor's or master's degree in accounting, finance, or business is a requirement, as well as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification. The BLS projects that controllers and other financial management jobs will increase by 17% over the next eight years.

Nurse practitioner

Pixel-Shot/Adobe nurse in clinic

Median salary: $131,691

Nurse practitioners provide primary, acute, and specialized care to patients. Unlike registered nurses, they are licensed to assess and diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans.

A graduate degree in nursing is required to become a nurse practitioner, as well as certification and licensing. The BLS estimates that nurse practitioner jobs will increase by 40% over the next eight years.

Bottom line

Charnchai saeheng/Adobe business man giving cheque to customer

According to the BLS, the U.S. labor market will add 6.7 million jobs by 2033, so it's an excellent time to retrain for a better-paying job with strong growth potential.

By selecting one of the high-paying jobs with a $85,000 salary above, you can take advantage of these future growth opportunities and move beyond living paycheck to paycheck.


Must-Read Buzz

Financebuzz logo

Thanks for subscribing!

Please check your email to confirm your subscription.