Desirable Jobs by the Numbers
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Depending on where you are on your career trajectory, finding an interesting job that also pays well can seem like an insurmountable challenge. But contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be an engineer at Google or an MIT-trained data scientist to find a job paying six figures in an in-demand industry.
According to a recent jobs report by Glassdoor, there are a number of open positions across industries like computer science, healthcare, and finance that pay well and are actively recruiting for open positions.
Where the attainable jobs are
Every job seeker, regardless of age, experience, industry, and education, has heard the horror stories of hiring managers flooded with thousands or millions of resumes for a single opening. Facing such daunting and overwhelming odds, many job seekers can understandably feel anxious or discouraged about investing in more education and training for jobs in impossibly-competitive fields. But the good news is that although the idea of applying for a job at Facebook or Apple can feel like the professional equivalent of stepping into the arena as a tribute in the Hunger Games, there are still a number of high-paying jobs in the business and technology sector with relatively low competition. According to Jyotsna Jayaraman, a senior data scientist at Glassdoor, low competition translates into at least one job opening per title for every applicant. With odds like that, even people who are currently employed would be wise to take a second look and even reassess existing career goals.
But keep in mind, you've got to be qualified.
Several of these jobs require significant upfront education and training just to be considered. Those criteria can reduce the pool of candidates (and competition, at least among the qualified crew). Plan ahead and you just might get ahead.
If you’re college bound and considering future career options, this is a great list to consider.
Desirable jobs by the numbers
To come up with the list, Glassdoor examined a number of factors like search volume and the number of current job openings for each title. In order to make the cut, a job title must have received at least 1,000 searches and have at least 1,000 active job openings in a 30 day period (as of June 13, 2017). Additionally, each job title must have received at least 25 salary report submissions from U.S.-based employees over a two-year period (ending on May 31, 2017). And with $100,000 as the total median compensation, many jobs on the list pay significantly more.
Take a look to see if your current or future career is on the list!
Investment Banking Associate
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Median Base Salary: $132,500
Number of Open Jobs: 107,818
Can you rock an Excel model and craft the perfect Powerpoint presentation? Investment bankers use these skills, and more, to help companies navigate mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and strategic deals.
Psychiatrist
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Median Base Salary: $200,000
Number of Open Jobs: 44,453
Psychiatrists work with patients to diagnose and treat mental disorders such as anxiety, substance abuse, and depression.
Software Development Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $120,000
Number of Open Jobs: 308,950
This is a broad title that encompasses many different jobs, each focused on designing and coding software systems.
Physician Hospitalist
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Median Base Salary: $210,000
Number of Open Jobs: 36, 557
Hospitalists are doctors focused on the general care of hospitalized patients.
Pediatrician
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Median Base Salary: $160,000
Number of Open Jobs: 43.411
Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that covers the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
Physician Assistant
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Median Base Salary: $100,000
Number of Open Jobs: 174,279
Like doctors, physician assistants diagnose and treat illness and disease and can even prescribe medication for patients. Unlike doctors, PAs usually only complete a masters degree.
Medical Manager
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Median Base Salary: $200,000
Number of Open Jobs: 217,216
Medical managers are often licensed professionals with a deep expertise that allows them to manage medical clinics, dialysis centers and other local facilities.
Systems Manager
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Median Base Salary: $103,000
Number of Open Jobs: 390,843
Systems managers hire and oversee teams of IT professionals.
Information Security Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $100,000
Number of Open Jobs: 84,248
Security engineers safeguard an organization's computer networks and systems against attacks.
Technical Architect
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Median Base Salary: $115,000
Number of Open Jobs: 49,477
Technical architects create plans for scalable, robust operational systems.
Physician
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Median Base Salary: $200,000
Number of Open Jobs: 259,128
Before becoming a medical doctor, you'll first need to complete a bachelor's degree, a four-year M.D. degre, then medical residency. But once you do, you'll be in high demand!
Security Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $102,200
Number of Open Jobs: 125,479
Ready to fend off the latest cyber attacks?
Radiologist
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Median Base Salary: $365,000
Number of Open Jobs: 45,691
Radiologists are doctors who use x-rays, CT scans and other medical imaging techniques to diagnose patients.
Pharmacy Manager
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Median Base Salary: $131,000
Number of Open Jobs: 69,484
A pharmacy manager is a pharmacist who has been promoted to management.
Security Architect
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Median Base Salary: $128,000
Number of Open Jobs: 38,945
A key difference between a security architect and a security engineer is the time horizon. Architects are responsible for long-term planning to avoid future cyber attacks.
Optometrist
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Median Base Salary: $112,000
Number of Open Jobs: 4,348 Y
Yes, there is a difference between an ophthalmologist, optometrist and optician. An optomestrist performs eye exams, prescribes corrective lenses, and diagnoses eye diseases.
Front End Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $105,000
Number of Open Jobs: 40,673
The 'front end' of websites and software systems are built with a mix of HTML, CSS, and client-side scripts like JavaScript.
Technical Program Manager
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Median Base Salary: $129,500
Number of Open Jobs: 183,254
TMPs manage diverse, cross-functional teams and handle project management. The best candidates have a solid mix of technical chops and social/emotional people skills.
Engagement Manager
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Median Base Salary: $116,500
Number of Open Jobs: 277,860
Engagement managers advocate for customers and clients while trying to maintain and grow strategic accounts.