/images/2023/09/14/woman_using_laptop.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
:format(webp)/images/2026/06/01/two-women-working-on-large-screen-computers.jpg)
/authors/chris-lewis-headshot.jpg)
/authors/laura_hohenstein_headshot.jpg)
Add Us On Google
Some of the most in-demand careers in the U.S. right now aren't just paying six figures — they're projected to grow at rates two to ten times faster than the national average. That combination of strong wages and persistent employer demand creates a real opening to get ahead financially for workers willing to invest in the right credentials.
The 12 occupations below all pay at least $100,000 a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and each is expected to add jobs at a pace well above the 3% average projected for all U.S. occupations through 2034.
Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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 <p>Clients who complete the program and settle all debts typically save around 45% before fees or 20% including fees over 24–48 months, based on enrolled debts. “Debt-free” applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Average program completion time is 24–48 months; not all debts are eligible, and results vary as not all clients complete the program due to factors like insufficient savings. We do not guarantee specific debt reductions or timelines, nor do we assume debt, make payments to creditors, or offer legal, tax, bankruptcy, or credit repair services. Consult a tax professional or attorney as needed. Services are not available in all states. Participation may adversely affect your credit rating or score. Nonpayment of debt may result in increased finance and other charges, collection efforts, or litigation. Read all program materials before enrolling. National Debt Relief’s fees are based on a percentage of enrolled debt. All communications may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance. In certain states, additional disclosures and licensing apply. ©️ 2009–2025 National Debt Relief LLC. National Debt Relief (NMLS #1250950, CA CFL Lic. No. 60DBO-70443) is located at 180 Maiden Lane, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10038. All rights reserved. <b><a href="https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/licenses/">Click here</a></b> for additional state-specific disclosures and licensing information.</p>
Nurse practitioner
Median annual salary: $129,210
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 40%
Nurse practitioners diagnose illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and manage ongoing patient care — often serving as a primary provider, particularly in rural and underserved areas where physician shortages are most acute.
The field requires a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, along with an active registered nurse license and national certification in a specialty area such as family practice, adult-gerontology, or pediatrics.
Data scientist
Median annual salary: $112,590
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 34%
Data scientists build models and write algorithms that help organizations make sense of large, complex datasets — from predicting customer behavior and detecting fraud to training the machine learning systems that power modern AI products.
Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as statistics, computer science, or mathematics, and many employers favor candidates with a master's degree or substantial hands-on experience with tools like Python, R, and SQL.
Information security analyst
Median annual salary: $124,910
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 29%
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's networks and systems from cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and data breaches — monitoring for threats and responding when something goes wrong.
A bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is the typical entry point, and many employers look for industry certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+.
Medical and health services manager
Median annual salary: $117,960
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 23%
Medical and health services managers handle the business side of healthcare facilities — overseeing budgets, managing clinical and administrative staff, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating with physicians to improve the efficiency and quality of patient care.
Most roles require a bachelor's degree in health administration or a related field, though many employers, particularly hospitals and large multi-specialty practices, prefer candidates who hold a master's degree.
Actuary
Median annual salary: $125,770
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 22%
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the likelihood of future events — most commonly in insurance, where they calculate the risk and cost of potential claims to help companies set premiums and maintain long-term financial stability.
The path into the field requires a bachelor's degree in actuarial science, mathematics, or statistics, followed by a series of professional exams administered by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society — a credentialing process that typically unfolds over several years of employment.
Physician assistant
Median annual salary: $133,260
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 20%
Physician assistants examine patients, diagnose conditions, develop and carry out treatment plans, and in most states can prescribe medication — working alongside supervising physicians across settings that range from emergency rooms and surgical suites to primary care clinics.
Entry requires a master's degree from an accredited physician assistant program, typically two to three years of study after completing a bachelor's degree, along with national certification through the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
Computer and information research scientist
Median annual salary: $140,910
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 20%
Computer and information research scientists design experiments and develop new theories at the frontiers of computing — creating novel algorithms, programming languages, and machine learning techniques, much of which directly fuels the ongoing expansion of artificial intelligence applications.
A doctoral degree is the standard credential for research positions at universities and government labs, though some industry roles — especially in AI and machine learning — hire candidates with a master's degree and a strong portfolio of projects or publications.
Health specialties teacher, postsecondary
Median annual salary: $105,620
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 17%
Postsecondary health specialties teachers train the next generation of nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and allied health professionals at colleges, universities, and professional schools — balancing classroom instruction, clinical supervision, and in many cases ongoing research.
Most positions require an advanced degree in the relevant specialty, and clinical faculty are generally expected to hold an active professional license in their field, such as a medical degree or nursing credential.
Computer and information systems manager
Median annual salary: $171,200
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 15%
Computer and information systems managers — commonly known as IT managers or IT directors — oversee an organization's technology strategy, leading teams responsible for software, network infrastructure, data security, and day-to-day systems operations.
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in computer or information science along with several years of hands-on IT experience; many managers also hold a master's degree or an MBA with a technology concentration.
Earn as much as $1K doing simple online tasks
A company called Freecash has compiled all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019, and has over 50,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.
Sign up here to see how much you could earn.
Financial manager
Median annual salary: $161,700
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 15%
Financial managers oversee the financial health of organizations — preparing reports, directing investment activity, monitoring regulatory compliance, and advising senior leadership on strategies to cut costs and maximize profit across industries from banking and insurance to manufacturing and government.
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree in business, economics, or a related field plus at least five years of experience in a related financial role, such as accountant, financial analyst, or securities sales agent.
Software developer
Median annual salary: $133,080
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 15%
Software developers design, build, test, and maintain the applications and systems that run on computers, phones, and the web — working across virtually every industry, often in collaborative teams using agile development methods to ship and improve products continuously.
A bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering is the most common credential, though many employers also hire developers who can demonstrate strong skills through a portfolio, open-source contributions, or completion of an intensive coding bootcamp.
Statistician
Median annual salary: $103,300
Projected job growth, 2024–34: 9%
Statisticians design experiments and surveys, analyze data, and interpret results to help organizations in medicine, government, business, and academia make sound, evidence-based decisions — from evaluating new drug trials to informing national economic policy.
Most positions require at least a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field, though some entry-level roles in government agencies or industry are open to candidates with a bachelor's degree and strong analytical coursework.
Bottom line
The jobs on this list share a common thread: qualified workers are scarce relative to demand, which gives candidates who earn the right credentials real leverage in salary negotiations and hiring timelines.
Whether your interests pull you toward health care, technology, finance, or data, the investment in training tends to pay off well for those looking to grow their wealth — and in fields where openings are projected to keep growing for years to come.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- Bills to cut if money feels tight.
- Find out if you could pay less for car insurance in just a few clicks.
- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- 14 moves seniors could benefit from but often forget about.
/images/2026/02/05/young_woman_on_laptop_at_coffee_shop.png)
/images/2021/04/21/adobestock_192812280_1200x628.jpg)
/images/2020/12/21/smiling-couple-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpeg)
/images/2022/03/12/free-cash-withdrawls-inview.jpg)
/images/2020/03/02/tattoo-woman-bar.jpeg)
/images/2024/11/04/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4475472.jpg)
/images/2023/11/17/woman-watching-netflix.jpg)
/images/2023/07/31/person-typing-on-laptop.jpg)
/images/2020/03/27/smiling-man-working-from-home.jpeg)
/images/2019/10/23/x_weird_jobs_that_pay_surprisingly_well.jpg)
/images/2023/06/09/garage-sale-sign-in-front-of-house.jpeg)
/images/2023/02/21/asian-woman-wearing-turtle-neck-using-laptop.jpeg)
/images/2026/01/30/man-working-at-computer.jpg)
/images/2025/10/29/mature-man-working-from-home.jpg)
/images/2025/09/20/stressed-businessman-at-the-office.jpg)
/images/2024/02/15/student-using-laptop-for-elearning.jpg)
/images/2023/04/28/smart_professor_answering_question_of_one_of_his_students.jpg)
