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% |
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