40 Global Hot Jobs List for 2020

A job, or occupation, is a person’s role in society. More specifically, a job is an activity, often regular and often performed in exchange for payment (“for a living”). Many people have multiple jobs (e.g., parent, homemaker, and employee). A person can begin a job by becoming an employee, volunteering, starting a business, or becoming a parent. The duration of a job may range from temporary (e.g., hourly odd jobs) to a lifetime (e.g., judges).

An activity that requires a person’s mental or physical effort is work (as in “a day’s work”). If a person is trained for a certain type of job, they may have a profession. Typically, a job would be a subset of someone’s career. The two may differ in that one usually retires from their career, versus resignation or termination from a job.

Employment is a relationship between two parties, usually based on a contract where work is paid for, where one party, which may be a corporation, for profit, not-for-profit organization, co-operative or other entity is the employer and the other is the employee. Employees work in return for payment, which may be in the form of an hourly wage, by piecework or an annual salary, depending on the type of work an employee does or which sector they are working in. Employees in some fields or sectors may receive gratuities, bonus payment or stock options. In some types of employment, employees may receive benefits in addition to payment. Benefits can include health insurance, housing, disability insurance or use of a gym. Employment is typically governed by employment laws, regulations or legal contracts.

Health care jobs require years of higher education. But workers willing and able to make that investment, see it pay dividends in the form of high salaries and ample opportunities. Plus, experts predict there will be great demand for nurses, physicians and other medical practitioners in the years to come.

 Health care jobs are the best available jobs in the U.S., according to the Best Jobs of 2019 ranking. Other industries represented at the top of the list include business and technology, the category that holds this year’s top job, software developer.

1. Financial Manager

Industry: Business
Median Salary: $125,080
Unemployment Rate: 2.2 percent

Maximizing profits, reducing costs and producing financial reports are the key duties of financial managers. They play increasingly important roles in companies as the economy grows and interest in managing monetary risk rises. Their job titles may include controller, treasurer, finance officer, risk manager or cash manager.

Becoming a financial manager requires at least a bachelor’s degree, and many employers seek candidates with master’s degrees, too. Employment is expected to increase 18.7 percent by 2026, adding 108,600 jobs.

Learn more about financial managers.

2. Accountant

Industry: Business
Median Salary: $69,350
Unemployment Rate: 2.3 percent

For companies, governments or clients, accountants prepare and evaluate financial records for accuracy and to make sure taxes are promptly paid. Their responsibilities may entail making presentations or writing reports. These professionals may work as public accountants, who produce reports required by law, or management accountants, who work with internal budgets.

Accountants need at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have roles that require them to earn certified public accountant licenses. Demand for accountants is predicted to increase 10 percent by 2026, adding 139,900 jobs.

3. Speech-Language Pathologist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $76,610
Unemployment Rate: 0.8 percent

Also called speech therapists, these health care workers help prevent and treat disorders related to talking and swallowing, which may be caused by stroke, hearing loss, developmental problems or Parkinson’s disease. They perform their jobs in schools, doctor’s offices, hospitals and nursing homes.

Speech-language pathologists need master’s degrees and sometimes licenses to work. Demand is expected to increase 17.8 percent by 2026, adding 25,900 jobs.

4. Podiatrist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $127,740
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent

People with calluses, arthritis, arch problems, diabetes and other ailments that affect their feet and ankles seek treatment from podiatrists. These lower-extremity experts may perform surgery, prescribe shoe inserts and give advice about how to keep feet healthy.

These professionals need to earn a four-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from one of nine accredited institutions. Then, they complete three years of residency. Demand is expected to increase 10.3 percent by 2026, adding 1,100 jobs.

5. Clinical Laboratory Technician

Industry: Health care support
Median Salary: $51,770
Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent

After doctors and nurses order medical tests, patients head to clinical laboratory technicians, who perform the requested services. These health care support workers then analyze body fluids and tissue samples to look for possible abnormalities. They may specialize in studying blood, cells or microbes.

This is one of the few jobs on this list that requires only an associate degree or postsecondary certificate. Demand is predicted to increase 14 percent by 2026, adding 22,900 jobs.

6. Physical Therapist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $86,850
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent

The victories physical therapists help achieve can be grand, like treating an injured Olympic athlete who goes on to win gold, or modest, like helping a patient regain the ability to tie his shoes.

These health care workers seek to decrease people’s physical pain, improve their mobility and regain strength. During the rehabilitation process, physical therapists assess patient needs and teach patients to perform stretches and exercises that will ameliorate their conditions.

After finishing college, these professionals must earn Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, which typically require three years. Demand for the job is predicted to increase by 28 percent by 2026, adding 67,100 jobs.

7. Cartographer

Industry: Engineering
Median Salary: $63,990
Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent

As modern mapmakers, cartographers use surveys and images to collect and study geographic data, then turn it into useful visual representations. They’re employed by the government and firms that specialize in architecture, engineering and science.

Cartographers typically have bachelor’s degrees in cartography, geography, surveying or geomatics. Demand is expected to rise 19.4 percent by 2026, adding 2,400 jobs.

8. Mathematician

Industry: Business
Median Salary: $103,010
Unemployment Rate: 0.9 percent

Many mathematicians analyze data and use statistical theories to help make decisions for businesses and government offices. Others work in academic settings, teaching and conducting research about how the universe works.

There are lots of job titles in this field, including programmer, systems or quantitative analyst or data scientist. The career usually requires a master’s or doctoral degree. Demand for mathematicians is expected to grow 29.7 percent by 2026, adding 900 jobs.

9. Nurse Midwife

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $100,590
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent

Nurse midwives care for women and babies and advise on all aspects of reproductive health. In addition to delivering newborns, they perform gynecological exams. They may work irregular hours if they’re on call to aid with deliveries.

These advanced practice registered nurses need master’s degrees. Demand for their services is expected to increase 20.7 percent by 2026, adding 1,300 jobs.

10. Surgeon

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: >$208,000
Unemployment Rate: 0.5 percent

Pay is high for this job – but so is stress. Surgeons work under extremely high pressure, spending days and nights hovering over the operating table while treating diseases and illnesses through surgery. They need steady hands, sharp reflexes and solid problem-solving skills.

These doctors may specialize in orthopedics, neurology, cardiovascular health or even plastic surgery, providing cosmetic or reconstructive services to patients. Surgeons must earn undergraduate and medical school degrees, then complete years of residency training. Demand for these doctors is expected to increase 14.4 percent by 2026, adding 6,500 jobs.

11. Anesthesiologist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: >$208,000
Unemployment Rate: 0.5 percent

Important members of surgical teams, anesthesiologists work as human painkillers. They administer the drugs that reduce patient discomfort or put them temporarily to sleep during operations such as tooth extraction and heart surgery, as well as procedures related to giving birth. Precision is important to their work, because they’ve got to get the medication dose exactly right while monitoring vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and body temperature.

Anesthesiologists need undergraduate and medical school degrees, plus years of residency experience and licenses to operate. Demand for these professionals is expected to increase 15.4 percent by 2026, adding 5,100 jobs. Jobs can easily be found by searching sites such as AnesthesiaJobs.com, which helps to match employers with high-quality applicants. 

12. Occupational Therapist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $83,200
Unemployment Rate: 0.5 percent

If an injury or disability makes it difficult for you to get around, fulfill job duties, keep clean or interact with family and friends, you may benefit from the expertise of an occupational therapist. These health care professionals help people with physical limitations develop and maintain the skills they need for daily life.

Occupational therapists evaluate patients and help them successfully complete specific activities, sometimes with the use of special equipment like wheelchairs and braces. They develop treatment plans that focus both on adapting the environment to better accommodate patients’ needs and helping patients adapt to their environments.

Occupational therapists need master’s degrees and licenses. Employment is expected to increase by 23.8 percent by 2026, adding 31,000 jobs.

13. Physician

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $192,930
Unemployment Rate: 0.5 percent

This is a catch-all term for doctors of all varieties. Some physicians are internists whose work focuses on specific organ systems, including the liver, digestive tract or kidneys. For example, cardiologists are experts in heart health, while dermatologists focus on the skin. Other physicians work in family medicine, advising on common conditions such as minor injuries and infections and providing annual checkups. No matter their specialty, physicians may prescribe medicine, order and interpret tests and provide advice.

This career requires college and medical school degrees, plus completion of a residency program. Demand for physicians is expected to climb 14.6 percent by 2026, adding 7,300 jobs.

14. Prosthodontist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $185,150
Unemployment Rate: 0.9 percent

If you’re missing a pearly white or several, a prosthodontist can help. These doctors of dentistry specialize in replacing missing teeth. To fill the gaps, they may turn to surgical techniques, like implanting a screw into the jawbone and adding a replacement tooth on top, or they may use products like caps, dentures, bridges or crowns.

These professionals attend college and dental school, then receive additional training. Demand for prosthodontists is expected to rise 19.1 percent by 2026, adding 200 jobs.

15. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: >$208,000
Unemployment Rate: 0.5 percent

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons tackle medical situations more complicated and intense than what orthodontists and dentists handle. They extract wisdom teeth and others from the gums, excise oral cancers, correct jaw defects and perform surgeries on people with cleft lips or palates. They may also do cosmetic procedures related to the mouth.

These mouth doctors need college and dental school degrees. They must also complete surgical residency programs. Demand for oral and maxillofacial surgeons is expected to increase 19.1 percent by 2026, adding 1,300 jobs.

16. Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: >$208,000
Unemployment Rate: 0.5 percent

Storks get all the credit for the hard work obstetricians and gynecologists do bringing new life into the world. These doctors jump into action when pregnant women go into labor, preparing for and aiding with delivery. But that’s not all they do. Obstetricians and gynecologists provide medical care to women throughout their lives, usually related to the reproductive system. Many women visit their OB-GYN doctors annually for regular physical checkups, birth control, cancer screenings and tests related to sexually transmitted diseases.

After earning undergraduate and medical school degrees, obstetricians and gynecologists need several years of residency training. The field is expected to add 3,400 more jobs by 2026, a 15.5 percent increase.

17. Orthodontist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: >$208,000
Unemployment Rate: 0.9 percent

Orthodontists specialize in shifting crooked teeth and correcting misaligned bites. Tools of their trade include braces, retainers and spacers.

The path to the orthodontist chair passes through many educational institutions. After graduating from college, these professionals must complete dental school (another four years) and then a specialized orthodontist program (another three years). Then they need to earn state licenses. The payoff for all that work? high salaries and above-average work-life balance. By 2026, experts predict a 19.3 percent increase in demand for orthodontists, or 1,300 new jobs.

18. Dentist

Industry: Health care
Median Salary: $151,440
Unemployment Rate: 0.9 percent

Treating medical problems that arise in the mouth is the specialty of dental doctors. They use X-rays, exams and tools like drills to diagnose and care for issues such as cavities and gum disease.

These oral health care experts earn college degrees, then attend specialized graduate programs. They may work with other dentists or run their own practices while collaborating with dental hygienists. By 2026, demand for dentists is expected to increase 19.4 percent, creating 25,700 new jobs.

19. Statistician

Industry: Business
Median Salary: $84,060
Unemployment Rate: 0.9 percent

When businesses and government agencies need help making sophisticated decisions and solving complicated problems, they turn to statisticians. These math whizzes gather data, then use theories, models and specialized software to predict outcomes.

College degrees and master’s degrees are typical for statisticians, often in subjects such as mathematics, economics or computer science. They may specialize in fields like engineering or physics. Demand for statisticians is expected to increase by 33.8 percent by 2026, adding 12,600 jobs.

20. Software Developer

Industry: Technology
Median Salary: $101,790
Unemployment Rate: 1.9 percent

For the second year in a row, software developer tops this list. That’s thanks to how integral digital technology has become to our personal and professional lives. Software developers pay attention to both aesthetics and function as they create and fix applications and programs for computers and smartphones.

Software developers typically have college degrees in computer science or a related discipline. Employment opportunities in the field are soaring; they’re expected to increase by more than 30 percent by 2026. That means the creation of 255,400 jobs.

21. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

$242,370 ($242,740)

Somewhat more specialized than dentists, oral surgeons perform complex procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction; maxillofacial surgeons perform procedures relating to the jaw and the face around the jaw. According to O*NET, these dental surgeons’ duties include:

• Administer general and local anesthetics.
• Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
• Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
• Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants, and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
• Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.
• Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
• Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
• Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including lacerations and fractured facial bones.
• Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.
• Restore form and function by moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face.
• Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions, such as cleft lip and palate and jaw growth problems.

22. Obstetricians-Gynecologists

$238,320 ($235,240)

Doctors specializing in female reproductive health and childbirth, known as obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN), make slightly below the annual wages listed for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. According to the BLS, there are about 18,590 physicians in this field in the U.S.

23. Orthodontists

$225,760 ($229,380)

Orthodontists specialize in braces and other corrective measures for the teeth. There are about 5,380 orthodontists in the U.S., according to the BLS.

24. Psychiatrists

$220,380 ($216,090)

Psychiatrists are a sub-specialty of the medical profession (as opposed to psychologists, who are not M.D.s). They received a significant salary bump—up over 33, while inflation rose 6.6% between the years from which the data is taken.

25. Physicians

$203,880 ($214,700)

This includes a broad category comprising physicians and surgeons. Per the BLS, employment in this field is projected to grow 13% from 2016 to 2026, “due to increased demand for healthcare services by the growing and aging population.” Perhaps the numbers of newcomers, who presumably make less, explains why the mean salary dropped five percentage points.

26. Family and General Practice Physicians

$211,780 ($208,560)

The BLS defines this category as, “Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. They may refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.”

27. Internists, General

$196,490 ($198,370)

The BLS defines an internist as, “Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.” This group’s salaries went down from the 2018 report by almost $2,000.

28. Prosthodontists

$191,400 ($196,050)

According to the BLS, prosthodontists “construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance.” There are only about 380 prosthodontists in the U.S.; their ranks dropped from the 2018 report, as did the reported mean annual wage.

29. Chief Executives

$200,140 ($196,960)

Chief executives are in the highest-paid profession outside of the medical or dental fields. The states with the highest CEO salaries might surprise you: South Dakota ranks first, the District of Columbia ranks second, and Rhode Island third. New York isn’t on the list. Neither is California.

30. Pediatricians, General

$183,240 ($180,010)

Pint-size patients mean smaller paychecks: Pediatricians, who treat children, make less than internists and general practitioners. But they still are among the highest-paid professionals.

31. Pilots and Flight Engineers

$169,560 ($161,280)

You may know that airline pilots and co-pilots are the ones in the cockpit, navigating and flying the plane. What you may not know is that there is also a flight engineer, who uses the plane’s instruments to provide navigation guidance. Per the O*NET summary for these jobs, a bachelor’s degree is required in many instances, but not always.

32. Petroleum Engineers 

$156,370 ($154,780)

According to the BLS, “Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.” The growth outlook for petroleum engineers looks very bright; the number of jobs in this field is expected to increase a healthy 15% between 2016-2026. Growth and salaries in this field partly hinge upon the price and demand for gas and oil. 

If the six-figure salary seems high, take a look at the top tools a petroleum engineer needs to master, according to O*NET:

• Analytical or scientific software, e.g., IHS PETRA; Schlumberger Petrel; TRC Consultants PHDWin; Well Flow Dynamics Wellflow
• Database user interface and query software, e.g., Landmark Graphics TOW/cs; Microsoft Access 
• Financial analysis software, e.g., DFA Capital Management GEMS; GeoGraphix ARIES Portfolio; IHS QUE$TOR
• Graphics or photo imaging software, e.g., Microsoft Visio 
• Project management software, e.g., Microsoft Project; Oracle Primavera Systems

33. Information Systems Managers

$152,860 ($149,730)

In the IT field, rich software developers get all the attention, but many of the high-paying jobs belong to managerial types. According to the BLS, computer and information systems managers “plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.” Typical job titles for this occupation include, per O*NET: Application Development Director, Computing Services Director, Data Processing Manager, Information Systems Director (IS Director), Information Systems Manager (IS Manager), Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor), Information Technology Director (IT Director), Information Technology Manager (IT Manager), MIS Director (Management Information Systems Director), and Technical Services Manager.

34. Architecture and Engineer Managers

$148,970 ($143,530)

Per O*NET online, architectural and engineering managers “plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.” Their duties include:

• Supervise employees performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties.
• Coordinate and direct the financial planning, budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of all or part of an organization.
• Develop internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities such as budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting.
• Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards.
• Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets, or reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Provide direction and assistance to other organizational units regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures and efficient control and utilization of financial resources.
• Analyze the financial details of past, present, and expected operations to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed.

• Advise management on short-term and long-term financial objectives, policies, and actions.
• Monitor financial activities and details, such as cash flow and reserve levels, to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
• Evaluate needs for procurement of funds and investment of surpluses and make appropriate recommendations.

35. Marketing Managers

$147,240 ($145,620)

Spin, they say, is everything so it may not be a surprise that marketing managers are among the highest-paid professions in the U.S. The salaries for marketing managers vary wildly by industry, though. The five top-paying industries for marketing managers are:

• Scientific research
• Cable/subscription programming
• Motion picture/video
• Oil and gas extraction
• Apparel manufacturing

36. Financial Managers

$146,830 ($146,290)

This job category comprises treasurers and controllers as well as financial managers. Despite the increased availability of online brokers, self-guided financial software, and robo-advisors, the field of financial management is expected to grow a very healthy 19% between 2016-2026.

Treasurers and controllers are responsible for the following tasks, per O*NET:

• Supervise employees performing financial reporting, accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties.
• Coordinate and direct the financial planning, budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of all or part of an organization
• Develop internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities such as budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting
• Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards.
• Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets, or reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Provide direction and assistance to other organizational units regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures and efficient control and utilization of financial resources.
• Analyze the financial details of past, present, and expected operations to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed.

• Advise management on short-term and long-term financial objectives, policies, and actions.
• Monitor financial activities and details, such as cash flow and reserve levels, to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
• Evaluate needs for procurement of funds and investment of surpluses and make appropriate recommendations.

37. Attorneys

$144,230 ($141,890)

The growth outlook for lawyers between the years 2016-2026 is 8%, about the average for all occupations in general. 

38. Sales Managers

$140,320 ($140,600)

Per the BLS, sales managers “plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.”

39. Natural Sciences Managers

$139,680 ($133,670)

Per O*NET, natural sciences managers “Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.” This can include the following titles: Environmental Program Manager, Fisheries Director, Health Sciences Manager, Laboratory Manager, Natural Science Manager, Research and Development Director, Research Manager, Senior Investigator, Senior Scientist, and Water Team Leader.

40. Compensation and Benefits Managers

$132,860 ($130,010)

Within the field of human resources, compensation and benefits managers are the highest-paying positions. Per O*NET, this job category can comprise titles such as Benefits Coordinator, Benefits Manager, Compensation and Benefits Manager, Compensation Director, Compensation Manager, Compensation Vice President, Employee Benefits Coordinator, Employee Benefits Director, Employee Benefits Manager, and Payroll Manager.

40 Global Hot Jobs List for 2020