Worried about your job in today's market? From layoffs in tech to cuts in journalism, it feels like no one's job is safe these days. But whether you're simply looking for a new opportunity or considering a career switch entirely, certain jobs offer more security than others.
Before shaking your fist at the sky and screaming at the clouds, consider these 10 careers with high projected employment growth over the next decade, so you can feel secure in your chance to get ahead financially. Even better, they all pay at least $60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Training and development managers
Median hourly wage: $61.10
If you're looking to make a career shift later in life, consider transitioning into training and development within your industry. This is a great way to pass on your knowledge and expertise to the next generation of workers while also bumping up your paycheck.
Every company needs to train new workers, and approximately 3,600 new job openings for training managers occur each year. Employment in the fields is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade.
Software quality assurance analysts
Median hourly wage: $63.20
The only thing worse than needing an app for everything is using an app that doesn't work properly. Software needs testing to make sure it does what it's supposed to do, and that can pay well if you have a bachelor's degree and familiarity with computer systems design.
Testing software is a field expected to grow 17% in the upcoming decade, and on average, adds about 140,000 job openings each year.
Nurse midwives
Median hourly wage: $63.48
If you're searching for a shift in health care, consider the joy of midwifery, which is expected to grow at a rate of 40% over the next 10 years. You will need a master's degree in a nursing field, along with a license for your state.
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Public relations managers
Median hourly wage: $63.88
Are you up on the latest social media gossip about corporate cancellations and boycotts? Public relations management might be your new dream job. These managers are responsible for overseeing their company's or client's public image
This field is projected to grow 7% over the next decade, and each year there are approximately 8,900 new job openings.
Aerospace engineers
Median hourly wage: $64.82
You'll need a bachelor's degree in engineering to get started, but switching to an aerospace focus could bump up your pay grade.
This job focuses on designing and developing all things airborne, such as aircrafts, projectile weapons, and satellites. Developments in spacecraft technology have this field projected to grow at a 6% rate over the next decade.
Sales managers
Median hourly wage: $66.38
If you've got a bachelor's degree and have ever worked in sales, taking a management position could be a fitting career shift. These workers are in charge of overseeing the sales operations of a company and driving meaningful performance.
Those willing to travel could see a higher salary range, and the industry is expected to grow about 6% throughout the next decade. On average, there are approximately 48,600 open sales manager positions annually.
Human resources managers
Median hourly wage: $67.32
Human Resources and Payroll can offer a steady pace along with a reliable paycheck, and is something needed in every industry. In this role, you would be expected to oversee the administrative functions of an organization.
This can be a great career shift for those prioritizing stability, and it's projected to grow at a rate of 6% over the next 10 years. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, but offers about 17,400 job openings yearly.
Computer hardware engineers
Median hourly wage: $74.53
Trade out the office hours for work in a lab. It's a safe bet that computers aren't going anywhere, and hardware engineers are needed to build (and test) different models and components.
This job typically requires a bachelor's degree and is projected to grow at an estimated 7% over the next decade, adding an average of 5,000 jobs to the market each year.
Marketing managers
Median hourly wage: $76.76
You can't just make a product or service anymore — you also have to advertise it. Managing marketing and promotional materials involves generating interest in products or services.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is projected to grow at a rate of 8% over the next 10 years. There are about 36,600 job openings for this industry annually, and it typically requires a bachelor's degree to get started.
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Airline and commercial pilots
Median hourly wage: $95.24
If you've always dreamed of soaring through the skies, there has never been a better time to pursue that as a career goal.
You will need flight training and to meet the Federal Aviation Administration requirements, but considering all the shake-ups in the flight industry, this field could grow even faster than the currently projected rate of 5% over the next decade. There are currently about 18,500 job openings for pilots every year.
Bottom line
Most jobs paying over $60 an hour require a bachelor's degree, but there are some niche occupations that can still boost your bank account, even without a degree. An often overlooked market is elevator repair, which pays on average $51.24 per hour and only requires an apprenticeship, although most states do require workers to be licensed.
So while the job market can be brutal in times of economic turmoil, there are plenty of occupations that aren't going away anytime soon.
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