All 51 occupations

Occupation Median pay Growth 2025–2035 Openings / yr
1. Commercial Pilots $123,220 +5.2% 5,200
2. Ship Engineers $109,530 +2.7% 900
3. Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay $103,020 +9.7% 1,800
4. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance $97,150 +6.1% 600
5. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $93,530 +3.7% 6,600
6. Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels $92,460 +4% 3,800
7. Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment $84,890 +5.4% 500
8. Avionics Technicians $82,280 +9.4% 1,700
9. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $79,870 +5.4% 11,400
10. Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage $78,240 -8.7% 700
11. Fire Inspectors and Investigators $75,920 +4.2% 1,600
12. Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment $74,090 +0.3% 4,700
13. Sound Engineering Technicians $73,130 -3.1% 1,000
14. Commercial Divers $72,990 +4.8% 400
15. Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners $72,420 -0.1% 1,800
16. Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers $68,120 +5.9% 2,700
17. Lighting Technicians $68,060 -4.8% 600
18. Surgical Assistants $66,800 +6.1% 1,400
19. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other $65,790 +5.1% 2,200
20. Surgical Technologists $64,650 +5% 7,100
21. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $64,400 +3% 51,800
22. Wind Turbine Service Technicians $64,120 +29.5% 1,500
23. Tool and Die Makers $64,050 -9.2% 4,300
24. Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers $63,890 -3.3% 11,300
25. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers $61,010 +10.9% 40,600
26. Paramedics $60,600 +5.7% 4,300
27. Firefighters $59,280 +3.7% 26,800
28. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,640 +3.8% 214,500
29. Massage Therapists $58,450 +15.3% 20,400
30. Audio and Video Technicians $58,100 +3.9% 6,600
31. Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers $52,600 +4.8% 2,200
32. Medical Records Specialists $51,140 +7.8% 14,000
33. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics $50,620 +5% 66,200
34. Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $50,290 +5.9% 12,400
35. Prepress Technicians and Workers $48,690 -15.3% 2,100
36. Motorcycle Mechanics $48,580 +2.1% 1,400
37. Dental Assistants $48,070 +7.4% 53,000
38. Cooks, Private Household $47,940 +5.1% 5,000
39. Motorboat Operators $47,520 +4.9% 300
40. Medical Assistants $45,690 +12.9% 109,700
41. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians $45,570 +21.4% 11,800
42. Skincare Specialists $45,330 +8.8% 14,200
43. Phlebotomists $45,230 +6.8% 18,000
44. Psychiatric Technicians $45,130 +22.3% 17,000
45. Library Technicians $44,580 -6.4% 10,800
46. Emergency Medical Technicians $44,470 +5.8% 13,800
47. Nursing Assistants $42,260 +2.6% 196,200
48. Medical Transcriptionists $40,410 -4.4% 6,200
49. Barbers $38,210 +3.3% 6,900
50. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $35,790 +7.7% 73,400
51. Manicurists and Pedicurists $35,760 +9.2% 21,900

Sources: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 (growth, openings, education) and BLS OEWS May 2025 national medians. Openings are yearly averages and include replacement of workers who leave.

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