Top 10 Best Jobs for 2020 and Beyond. A person’s job is their role in society. A job is an activity, often regular and 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.
Most people spend up to forty or more hours each week in paid employment. Some exceptions are children, retirees, and people with disabilities; however, within these groups, many will work part-time, volunteer, or work as a homemaker. From the age of 5 or so, many children’s primary role in society (and therefore their ‘job’) is to learn and study as a student.
Types of Job
Jobs can be categorized, by the hours per week, into full time or part time. They can be categorized as temporary, odd jobs, seasonal, self-employment, consulting, or contract employment.
Jobs can be categorized as paid or unpaid. Examples of unpaid jobs include volunteer, homemaker, mentor, student, and sometimes intern.
Jobs can be categorized by the level of experience required: entry level, intern, and co-op.
Some jobs require specific training or an academic degree.
Those without paid full-time employment may be categorized as unemployed or underemployed if they are seeking a full-time paid job.
Moonlighting is the practice of holding an additional job or jobs, often at night, in addition to one’s main job, usually to earn extra income. A person who moonlights may have little time left for sleep or leisure activities.
The Office for National Statistics in the United Kingdom lists 27,966 different job titles, within a website published 2015.
Day Job
The expression day job is often used for a job one works in to make ends meet while performing low-paying (or non-paying) work in their preferred vocation. Archetypal examples of this are the woman who works as a waitress (her day job) while she tries to become an actress, and the professional athlete who works as a laborer in the off season because he is currently only able to make the roster of a semi-professional team.
While many people do hold a full-time occupation, “day job” specifically refers to those who hold the position solely to pay living expenses so they can pursue, through low paying entry work, the job they really want (which may also be during the day). The phrase strongly implies that the day job would be quit, if only the real vocation paid a living wage.
The phrase “don’t quit your day job” is a humorous response to a poor or mediocre performance not up to professional caliber. The phrase implies that the performer is not talented enough in that activity to be able to make a career out of it.
Getting a Job
Getting a first job is an important rite of passage in many cultures. The youth may start by doing household work, odd jobs, or working for a family business. In many countries, school children get summer jobs during the longer summer vacation. Students enrolled in higher education can apply for internships or coops to further enhance the probability of securing an entry level job upon graduation.
Résumés summarize a person’s education and job experience for potential employers. Employers read job candidate résumés to decide whom to interview for an open position.
In the previous years, you will find below list of the best jobs that you can take up for a living:
App Developer
Nurse Practitioner
Information Security Analyst
Computer Systems Analyst
Physical Therapist
Market Research Analyst
Medical Sonographer
Dental Hygienist
Operations Research Analyst
Health Services Manager
Keep in mind that ranking methodologies can change from year to year based on data available at the time of publishing, differences in how the data was gathered, changes in data providers and tweaks to the formulas used to narrow the pool of candidates.
The U.S. job market is looking good. The unemployment rate is hovering below the 5% mark, as it has been for more than a year. But not every profession is booming. “In general, it’s a very robust labor market with a lot of widespread growth,” says Josh Wright of labor market research firm Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). “A few key sectors are trending up, but some are trending down.”
To help you identify which is which, we made it our job to crunch the numbers. Starting with a list of 785 popular occupations, we narrowed the choices to 10 of the most promising by focusing on fields that are projected to expand greatly over the next decade and currently offer generous paychecks. In fact, all of the jobs on our list have annual salaries that are well above—and in many cases more than double—the median for all jobs. We also favored jobs that don’t necessarily call for a huge investment in education to get started. While four of our top jobs do require advanced degrees, you can break into the other professions with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Take a look at 10 of the best jobs for 2018 and beyond.
1. App Developer
Why become an app developer? Check the palm of your hand (or maybe in the couch cushions) for the answer. The proliferation of mobile technology is driving demand for development of new applications of all kinds, from news and games to music and social sharing. Systems software developers, who create the operating systems for computers and mobile devices, are also poised for prosperity. From about 414,000 jobs currently, the workforce is projected to grow 16.0% by 2026. Systems software developers earn a median income of $104,767 a year.
A college degree in computer science, software engineering (both among our best college majors for a lucrative career) or a related field is a standard requirement to land most software-development jobs, but a master’s degree can give you a leg up on the competition. Without a bachelor’s degree, you can break into the tech field as a web developer, a role that typically requires just an associate’s degree to get started and pays a median salary of about $60,385 a year. Also, the number of such jobs is expected to grow 26.5% to nearly 214,850 positions by 2026. Beyond formal education, expect to keep learning throughout your career in any tech job; you need to stay on top of any new tools, computer languages and other advances.
Total number of jobs: 798,233
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 21.6% (All jobs: 8.6%)
Median annual salary: $97,483 (All jobs: $43,233)
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
2. Computer Systems Analyst
This is a nerd’s world, and we’re all benefiting from it. With the computerization of everything from phones and coffeemakers to cars and airplanes, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that doesn’t rely on computers in one way or another. That puts the folks who run the computers in very high demand. Computer systems analysts ensure that organizations’ technological needs are met and are constantly improving with the advancements and demands of the increasingly connected world. Information security analysts—the white hats charged with protecting us from the increasing digital dangers—are also in high demand with their current count of 92,902 people expected to grow 19.6% by 2026.
A bachelor’s degree in information technology or another computer-related field is typical for these workers. But you can also qualify with a liberal arts degree and techie talents you developed outside of a standard four-year program (perhaps even using free online classes).
Further up the career ladder, once you’ve picked up five or more years of experience in this field, you might shoot to become a Computer and Information Systems Manager. The median pay for this position is about $130,400 a year, and demand for it is projected to grow by 17.9% percent over the next decade.
Total number of jobs: 597,812
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 22.0%
Median annual salary: $85,080
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
3. Nurse Practitioner
Health care coverage in our country may be up for debate, but the increasing need for quality medical care is irrefutable. Advancing technology, greater focus on preventive care and an aging population will mean a growing number of patients requiring care in hospitals, doctors’ offices, long-term-care facilities and even private homes. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are highly sought after to meet that need. They’re able to provide much of the same care as full-fledged doctors, including performing routine checkups and writing prescriptions, and they can work independently. Exact guidelines vary by state.
Registered nurses (RNs) are also in high demand. The already robust workforce of 2.9 million is expected to grow 17.2% by 2026. And they enjoy a healthy pay rate, too: The median salary for RNs is $67,418 a year.
Becoming a nurse requires either a bachelor’s of science in nursing (another one of our best college majors), an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma from an accredited nursing program (which usually takes two to three years). NPs must also get a master’s or doctoral degree. Both RNs and NPs need a license to practice, not to mention reserves of compassion, patience and emotional stability.
Total number of jobs: 145,331
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 32.3%
Median annual salary: $98,288
Typical education: Master’s degree
4. Physical Therapist
Aging baby boomers are a boon for those working in physical therapy. Many more workers will be needed in this field to care for victims of heart attacks and strokes and to lead them through rehabilitation. And with ongoing advances in medicine, more people will survive such traumas and need rehabilitative services. You’ll need a license to go along with your doctorate.
For similar reasons, demand for occupational therapists is expected to grow at a 25.6% clip over the next decade. While physical therapists focus on rehabilitation of major motor functions, occupational therapists help ill or disabled patients develop or recover the ability to independently perform daily tasks, such as dressing or feeding themselves. Occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree to get started and earn a median income of $79,619 a year.
Total number of jobs: 226,661
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 30.4%
Median annual salary: $83,501
Typical education: Doctoral degree
5. Health Services Manager
The increasing demand for medical services calls for more people to manage them. Health services managers may oversee the functions of an entire medical practice or facility—as a nursing home administrator, for example—or a specific department, as a clinical manager for, say, surgery or physical therapy. Health information managers work specifically on maintaining patient records and keeping them secure, an especially important task as everyone is shifting to digital.
A bachelor’s in health administration is the ticket to this profession, but a master’s in health services, long-term-care administration or public health is also common among these workers. You may need to be licensed to run certain types of facilities, such as a nursing home, for which all states require licensure, or an assisted-living facility. Check with your state’s department of health for details.
Total number of jobs: 337,863
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 17.4%
Median annual salary: $93,294
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
6. Physician’s Assistant
Physician’s assistants (PAs) are similar to nurse practitioners in knowledge and abilities. PAs are trained to diagnose and treat patients and are able to write prescriptions and order tests. But unlike NPs, they work under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. (Again, specific duties and supervision requirements vary by state.)
To get started, you need at least two years of postgraduate study to earn a master’s in this field, and you need a license to practice. While the extra schooling is costly, it’s less taxing than a full M.D. According to the American Medical Association, the average medical student graduates with more than $180,000 in debt.
Total number of jobs: 103,422
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 28.8%
Median annual salary: $98,869
Typical education: Master’s degree
7. Dental Hygienist
People in the oral health field have a great deal to smile about. In addition to growing demand for dental hygienists, the numbers of dentists and dental assistants are also expected to increase—by 12.4% and 19.6%, respectively, over the next 10 years.
The median salary for a dental hygienist, who typically cleans teeth, takes x-rays and educates patients on proper care, is about double that of a dental assistant. (A dental assistant’s duties may include prepping patients for treatment and sterilizing equipment.) And the path to get started as a hygienist is much less costly than that of a dentist. You usually need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene, which typically takes three years to complete. You also have to get a license to practice. Requirements vary by state. Learn more from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
Total number of jobs: 207,223
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 19.0%
Median annual salary: $73,141
Typical education: Associate’s degree
8. Market Research Analyst
With advancing technology allowing companies to collect more data about their operations and customers, the need is greater for people who can make sense (and dollars) of it all. Enter the consultants. Market research analysts help companies navigate an increasingly competitive business landscape by crunching numbers and studying market conditions and consumer behavior. With their analyses, they can develop effective marketing strategies, which may include setting appropriate prices and choosing advantageous store locations. Similarly, operations research analysts help firms increase efficiency, lower costs and boost profits, using mathematical and analytical methods. They are expected to grow their own numbers 28.4% to 134,180 by 2026, and their median salary is $78,666 a year.
Total number of jobs: 557,031
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 20.9%
Median annual salary: $61,816
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
9. Personal Financial Adviser
As Americans age and pensions become a thing of the past, the value of good investment advice will only grow. Baby boomers, especially, could need more professional help as they plan for and enter retirement.
You usually have to be a college grad to get on this career path. A bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting or a similar field would best prepare you for dealing with money matters, but most employers don’t specify a required major. Certification from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards—which requires you to earn a bachelor’s degree, have at least three years of relevant work experience and pass a rigorous exam on a wide range of financial issues—adds to your credibility. Licensing is required to sell certain types of insurance and investment products.
Total number of jobs: 251,715
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 23.8%
Median annual salary: $86,780
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
10. Speech Language Pathologist
The health care industry, in general, continues to be an attractive field, driven in large part by the aging population. Speech therapists, specifically, are needed to treat the growing number of patients whose language has been affected by health conditions associated with aging, such as hearing loss or stroke. Greater attention to treating children with language disorders, such as stuttering, also drives demand for these professionals, about half of whom are employed by schools, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In addition to having a master’s degree, a speech language pathologist usually needs to be licensed by his or her state. Check with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for more information.
Total number of jobs: 142,715
Projected job growth, 2016-2026: 21.0%
Median annual salary: $73,334
Typical education: Master’s degree
How To Get The Best Jobs
Whether you recently lost your job or are ready to jump ship from your current one, the chances of your getting a new position through the want ads is to nil. The good news is that there are many other avenues to pursue.
Start by updating your resume and your profile. (See “Five Top Resume Turnoffs”). Then come up with a brief pitch, highlighting what makes you special, that you can tailor as you approach potential contacts. Here are the best ways to harness it in your job hunt:
1. Tap your network. Everybody knows somebody. Within your existing network there are probably three jobs that would be appropriate for you, but the people who could help open doors to those jobs just haven’t thought of you. Make a list of everyone you know. Set a goal to touch base with three people you have not talked to for a year or more. Meet one of them for coffee or lunch. Identify the 25 most influential people in your network and brainstorm ways to strengthen your relationships with each.
2. Connect with alumni. We generally like people who have something in common with us; who share the same values or hobbies; or have gone to the same school. Call the alumni in your region, go to meetings and grow your network. Adding three new alumni per week (through alumni directories or LinkedIn) is a solid approach–even better if these are in your industry.
3. Attend events. These include ones hosted by charities and professional organizations. Talk to at least one person at every meeting who you haven’t met yet. If you can get the list of attendees beforehand, identify at least one person who you would like to meet and make arrangements to connect there in person. Without imposing, look for an excuse to follow up—by meeting again, or getting a referral to someone else. (See also, “How To Work A Room Like You Own The Place.”)
4. Use LinkedIn to maximum effect. LinkedIn is a powerful tool to easily connect with the right people. Search your target market based on your industry, qualifications, university and interests, and connect with the people who interest you. For example, if you work in the insurance sector, you could aim to connect with all potential bosses and human resource departments in this industry and in your market. You can even set goals for yourself, such as, “Connect to all general managers and human resource managers in the insurance industry in my city by the end of April.” (See also, “What To Say On LinkedIn When You’ve Been Laid Off.”)
5. Check job boards. Many companies and recruiters use them to find the right candidate. Define the top job boards for your skill set and put your resume there. Choose a catchy, succinct headline that encourages the reader to open the attachment. Many show when your resume was last updated. To avoid getting shifted deeper into the pile of applicants, update it weekly.
6. Contact headhunters. Senior-level professionals are recruited almost exclusively though recommendation or by headhunters. We know about jobs that will never be advertised and we have experience finding openings. If you work with a headhunter, choose carefully. Identify several (but no more than five) whom you trust and be prepared to follow-up.
If you follow the steps above, it would be easy for you to get the Top 10 Best Jobs for 2020 and Beyond.
