<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p>Becoming a speech language pathologist (SLP) gives you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives <i>and make a steady income doing it.&nbsp;</i></p><p>While the path requires a master’s degree and clinical hours before you can get licensed, it’s one of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">higher-paying healthcare jobs</a> out there with tons of different work settings and the opportunity to do deep meaningful work.</p><p><strong>Ok, but first, what does a speech language pathologist do? </strong>Simply put: they help people communicate. For adults, that may mean helping a brain injury patient restore their communication skills. For kids, that may mean helping them with speech and language development, including finding alternative ways of communicating for nonverbal children.</p><p>We interviewed a licensed pediatric speech language pathologist, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatssojayah/">Jayah</a>, to share how she got into the field, what she makes, and tips for those who also want to get into speech language pathology.</p>

<h2>Why Jayah Chose to Become a Speech Language Pathologist</h2><p>Jayah chose speech language pathology thanks to her mom, who owned a daycare and also worked in the special education field. This gave Jayah early exposure to the world of therapeutic support for children.</p><p>“She introduced me to the speech therapist at her school and once I got the opportunity to shadow her, I knew it was the field for me,” says Jayah. That shadowing experience where she got to see the daily job of a speech language pathologist firsthand was the turning point that solidified her career choice.</p><h2>How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist</h2><p>It isn’t exactly an easy path to become a speech language pathologist. You need a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology before you can even become licensed.&nbsp;</p><p>Jayah faced significant challenges along the way. “I got rejected by over 10 schools and it took me 4 years to finally get accepted,” she shared. Graduate programs for speech language pathology are highly competitive, with the average acceptance rate being 30% to 40%, according to the <a href="https://www.asha.org/siteassets/surveys/2023-asha-speech-language-pathology-assistants-survey-results.pdf">American Speech-Language-Hearing Association</a> (ASHA).&nbsp;</p><p>More competitive schools accept only 10% to 20% of applicants, but that doesn’t mean you have no chance of getting in. Persistence definitely pays off, as Jayah has shown us.</p><p><strong>As you start looking into speech language pathology requirements and programs, use this full list of requirements as your checklist:</strong></p><ul><li>A Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders</li><li>A Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology</li><li>1,260 professional supervised hours after completing your degree (also known as your Clinical Fellowship Year)</li><li>Pass the SLP Praxis exam</li><li>Get licensed in your state (<a href="https://www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org/state-licensing-overview/">requirements</a> vary by state)</li></ul><p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">How to Get Into Healthcare (+Tips From Real Healthcare Workers)</a></p><p><strong>Free course to learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kOnK9n" rel="sponsored">Voice Disorders: What Patients and Professionals Need to Know</a></p><h2>Where Do Speech Language Pathologists Work?</h2><p>There are a variety of work settings available to speech language pathologists, so you have some flexibility to choose an environment that matches your interests and lifestyle.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Common work settings include:</strong></p><ul><li>Public and private schools</li><li>Hospitals and medical centers</li><li>Rehabilitation facilities</li><li>Nursing homes and long-term care facilities</li><li>Private practices</li><li>Early intervention programs</li><li>Home health care</li><li>Teletherapy companies</li></ul><p>School-based speech language pathologists work during the academic year with summers off (unless they work another contract), while medical settings may offer higher pay with more flexibility. Nursing, residential care facilities, and hospitals offer the highest pay, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>.</p><h2>How Much Do Speech Language Pathologists Make? Salary &amp; Benefits</h2><p>When we interviewed Jayah (shown at the beginning of the article), she is on track to make <strong>$110,000 to $125,000</strong> <strong>this year</strong> as a pediatric speech language pathologist. Before that, the highest she earned from one job was $85,000.&nbsp;</p><p>The setting you choose to work in and your location has a lot to do with how your salary varies. For example, self-employed speech language pathologists tend to make more than those who are employed somewhere, as Jayah also indicated in her interview. This is partially why Jayah said in her interview that she would much rather have her own practice. This also allows her more flexibility.&nbsp;</p><p>But with your own practice, you aren’t getting health insurance benefits provided like you would be as an employee somewhere. Jayah recommends to “get a plan that makes sense to you”. You may have to do some shopping around on <a href="http://healthcare.gov">Healthcare.gov</a> to find a plan that’s affordable. When you negotiate a competitive package at an employee, don’t forget to<a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits"> negotiate your benefits</a>, including healthcare if you can!</p><p><strong>For what other speech language pathologists make, we dug into some data from the BLS and our </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database </a><strong>of over 13,000 publicly shared salaries from our community. This is what we found:</strong></p><ul><li>The national median salary is <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-1">$95,410</a> per year, according to the BLS.</li><li>The industry where speech language pathologists are paid the most is nursing and residential care facilities, which is a median salary of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5">$106,500 </a>per year.</li><li>The highest recorded salary in our Salary Database for speech language pathologists is <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSpeech+Language+Pathologist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$230,000</a> per year. Their salary entry indicates they have 28 years of experience and work healthcare remotely full-time.</li><li>The second highest recorded salary in our Salary Database is <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSpeech+Language+Pathologist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$154,000</a>. Their salary entry indicates they have 23 years of experience and work a healthcare contract on-site.</li></ul><p>When you’re ready to enter the job market as a speech language pathologist, or any job for that matter,<strong> don’t forget to </strong><i><strong>always</strong> </i><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer"><i>negotiate your salary</i></a><i><strong>!&nbsp;</strong></i></p><p><strong>Download our</strong> <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> <strong>to find out how much you should be getting paid, then download our Salary Negotiation Guide to use hand-in-hand to prepare for any job offer.</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>If you want to get a better idea of the different things speech language pathologists do, check out our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> and search for “speech language pathologist” to read different job descriptions from different companies and organizations!</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Last-Minute Tips for Aspiring Speech Language Pathologists</h2><p>As you’re exploring a speech language pathologist career path, the best thing you can do to determine where you should go in the field is to shadow someone. Shadowing was what showed Jayah that the field was perfect for her and getting insight from others helped her plan her career path.</p><p>You can also take free online courses to get introduced to the field and start building skills early. We recommend starting with the <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kOnK9n" rel="sponsored">Voice Disorders: What Patients and Professionals Need to Know</a> course on Coursera.</p><p>It’s also helpful while in school to find an entry-level healthcare job within speech pathology or an adjacent field to start gaining some insight into the industry. This could be a front desk receptionist job at a facility or hospital, a doctor office staff job that verifies insurance and enters patient records, or a school where you would handle student records or handle assistant-level work. It’s also great experience to add to an application for a master’s program to show how much you’re already actively pursuing the job.</p><p>It might take you a while to get licensed to practice, but that’s no excuse to pause on gaining useful skills directly from the field. That’ll just make you that much more experienced and ready to make a difference in other people’s lives when the time comes!</p><p>To learn more about Jayah, connect with her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatssojayah/">Instagram</a>!</p><p><strong>This article is a part of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series</strong>, where we highlight real career paths and real paychecks from across the country.</p><p><strong>Read more from the series:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/flight-attendant">How to Become a Flight Attendant With No Experience</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/freelance-ghostwriter">How This Freelance Ghostwriter Built a $200K Business</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/certified-anesthesiologist-assistant">How This Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Makes $300K a Year Without Going to Medical School</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/from-baseball-to-law-to-tech">From Professional Baseball Player to Software Tester</a></li></ul><p>If this guide helped you start or pivot to a career in the airline industry, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com.</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Check out our other <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">free career quizzes</a> in areas like trade jobs, tech, and side hustles .</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

Green cover image with an illustration of a speech language pathology team and title text overlay that says "how to become a speech language pathologist"

Green cover image with a speech language pathology team illustration and title text overlay that says "how to become a speech language pathologist"

How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist (From a Real SLP That Makes $110K)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p>The President of the United States currently makes $400,000 a year, which is set by congress and is one of the highest-paying government jobs out there. <strong>But you don’t have to be the president to make six-figures working in the government.</strong></p>

gif of colonial person saying how wonderfully bureaucratic

<p>The federal government has had a horrible year for jobs in 2025 following the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) layoffs and the<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/05/nx-s1-5598315/government-shutdown-longest-history"> longest government shutdown in history</a> that just ended in November. Even though the federal job outlook isn’t looking great, <strong>state and local government jobs are on the rise with 22,000 new jobs having just been added in September</strong>, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</a>.</p><p>And yes, while jobs in the federal government seem to be all we hear about when the government and media talk about their grim outlook, there are government jobs available in so many other areas that are more stable, on the rise, and pay just as well (if not better).</p><p>These don’t only include jobs in state and local government, but also military, law enforcement, public health, infrastructure, administrative, legislative branch , and government contractor jobs.&nbsp;</p><p>For instance, the<strong> </strong>highest recorded government salaries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-databas">Salary Database</a> are <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dlawyer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$500,000</a> <strong>for a lawyer in law enforcement</strong> <strong>and </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcivil+engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$270,000</a> <strong>for a civil engineer that works on government contracts</strong>!</p><p><strong>Let’s take a closer look into some of these top government jobs, what’s required, and how you can land one of your own!</strong></p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>The highest-paying government jobs besides the president and elected officials are IT program managers, attorneys, air traffic controllers, and nurse practitioners (based on BLS median salaries).</li><li>Not all top-paying government jobs require a degree. Some may hire based on skills, certifications, or experience.</li><li>Contrary to the private sector, all government salaries are publicly shared.</li><li>Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-databas">Salary Database</a> for both private and public sectors.</li></ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What Government Workers Are Saying</h2><p>Besides the fact that jobs in the public sector are owned and managed by the government rather than private ownership, the job duties themselves aren’t that much different between the two sectors. This is especially true for roles with comparable titles and functions.</p><p>We sat down with a few government workers to talk about their jobs, including <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">benefits</a>, pay transparency, <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating salary</a>, and the pros and cons of working in the government. In the video, a local government worker, Daniel, states that the reason he’s in this line of work <strong>is the mission.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>“To be able to assist residents and businesses in the nation’s capital to get stuff done that they need to get done is so rewarding, and just being able to be connected to that and seeing the results of my hard work happen very quickly is super rewarding for me,” says Daniel.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>A big pro that these workers discussed is that their jobs provide certain benefits that aren’t available at private companies, such as pensions. Similar to the role of unions for many <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">high-paying trade jobs</a>, several government jobs also have a strong union presence, providing collective bargaining power for wages, benefits, and working conditions.</p><h2>12 Highest-Paying Government Jobs to Make Over $100k in 2026</h2><p><strong>Transparency is the name of the game and we're here for it!</strong> Government jobs actually paved the way for salary transparency. Before there were any <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> set, public sectors were already fighting <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/pay-discrimination">pay discrimination</a> and have been sharing salary data since the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/foia#:~:text=The%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act%20(FOIA)%20allows%20any%20person%20the,in%20writing%20by%20any%20person.">Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) </a>was enacted in 1966. Now it’s time for us to sink our teeth into some of that juicy data.</p><p>We identified these 12 top-earning government jobs in high demand for 2026 after pulling together salary data from the past 3+ years of interviews, over 13,000 publicly recorded salaries in our <a href="http://salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>, the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/">U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook</a>, and the <a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/">U.S. Office of Personnel Management</a>.</p><p>You can find all of the highest government salaries we recorded by filtering for “government” in our <a href="http://salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> or by searching for the job titles below. <strong>Don’t forget to join and add your salary too!</strong></p><h2>1. Senator</h2><p><strong>Yearly salary: </strong><a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/SenateSalariesSince1789.htm">$174,000</a> <strong>– All senators make the same! </strong>See our recent interview with U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Elissa Slotkin to hear more about what they do and how much they make. 👇</p>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet/video/7495417249503694122" data-video-id="7495417249503694122" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@salarytransparentstreet" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet?refer=embed">@salarytransparentstreet</a> How much do US Senators and Representatives make? Thanks to Senator Warren, @Senator Cory Booker, Senator Gallego and Senator Slotkin for being transparent with us! Reminder: ALL federal government positions are 100% transparent (you can look them all up), and EVERY Senator and Representative in Congress makes the same amount. Pay gap where? 💚 In 2017, President Trump passed a massive tax giveaway to billionaires and giant corporations that cost the US nearly $2 trillion. This year, many of those tax breaks are ending, and Republicans in Congress took the first steps last week to not only extend these giveaways, but make them permanent. This decision will add $4.5 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years, and $37 trillion over the next 30 years. ($37 trillion is as much debt as we have today, built up over 249 years.) Billionaires and big corporations don&#39;t need any more handouts, especially not at the expense of hard-working Americans and their families! Please contact your representatives and make your voice heard by demanding they represent their constituents and not the ultra-wealthy! Thanks to @UnrigOurEconomy for trusting our platform and community with this important message! 🫡 <a title="salarytransparentstreet" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/salarytransparentstreet?refer=embed">#salarytransparentstreet</a> <a title="salarytransparency" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/salarytransparency?refer=embed">#salarytransparency</a> <a title="paytransparency" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/paytransparency?refer=embed">#paytransparency</a> <a title="unrigoureconomypartner" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/unrigoureconomypartner?refer=embed">#unrigoureconomypartner</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Salary Transparent Street" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7495417406186081070?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Salary Transparent Street</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>Senators are the officials we elect to represent our states in congress and the faces that you probably recognize the most, including the faces we interviewed. They’re legislators who represent the people of their state to draft and vote on laws that impact everything from healthcare to foreign policy.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>The cost of your meds, how you receive your education, and the taxes you pay: they have a part in all of it. </strong>There is a certain kind of balance senators must keep. While they represent local interests back home, they’re also making decisions that shape an entire nation. It’s up to them on how they handle both when federal interests clash with state and local&nbsp; interests.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>No specific education required. The only <a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/qualifications_termsofservice.htm">requirements </a>the government has for senators are for them to at least be 30 years old, have U.S. citizenship for at least 9 years, and be a resident in the state they represent at the time of election.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/JKEXQr" rel="sponsored">Law, Governance, and Public Policy</a></p><h2>2. IT Program Manager</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm">$171,200 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=industry%3DGovernment">$240,000 per year </a>at Accenture (government contractor)</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 15% increase in job growth</p><p>There are several <a href="https://www.gsa.gov/technology/government-it-initiatives">government IT initiatives</a> that need IT program managers to run them, including those in AI, digital experience, identity and access management, and even our tax system. For example, they might manage a program to modernize IRS tax processing or roll out a new electronic health records system across VA hospitals.</p><p>Their work is what stands between you and if your tax return will get digitally accepted, or if you’re a veteran, if the VA hospital can access your patient records accurately or not. The way they manage these programs has a huge effect on the population. It’s a big job with many opportunities not only in local government, but also at private companies that work on government contracts (like Accenture does).</p><p>If you don’t want to focus on IT programs but still want to explore program management, there are still plenty of other government opportunities out there. <strong>We interviewed a program manager in the public sector who makes $78,000 a year developing programs in healthcare to support the community while also working with health insurance companies to continue to fund those programs!</strong></p>

How much does a #ProgramManager in the public sector make in📍Austin, TX? #salarytransparentstreet

<p><strong>Education needed: </strong>An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or similar area. For other program managers not in IT, degree programs in business and management are typically required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/jej2dn" rel="sponsored">IBM Program Manager Professional Certificate</a></p>

<h2>3. Attorney&nbsp;</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm">$151,160 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dlawyer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$500,000 per year</a> in law enforcement</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>8% increase in job growth</p><p>Attorneys that work in government have similar responsibilities and duties to private attorneys, but instead of representing individuals or businesses, they represent the government. They usually work for government agencies at the local, state, or federal level, with duties that may include prosecuting criminal cases, providing legal advice to government departments, or drafting and enforcing regulations.</p>

<p>One reason why government attorneys are paid well is the heightened level of responsibility and specialized expertise required for their position. They must holistically understand public law and government procedures, and also be skilled in researching legal issues, drafting legal documents, and preparing reports for governmental use. <strong>We recently interviewed a lawyer who makes $215,000 with only 2 years of experience!</strong></p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A Juris Doctor (JD) degree and passing the bar exam.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/9L5DQ0" rel="sponsored">A Law Student's Toolkit</a> course from Yale University</p>

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<h2>4. Air Traffic Controller</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/air-traffic-controllers.htm">$144,580 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DAir+Traffic+Controller&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$204,000 per year</a> at the FAA</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>1% increase in job growth</p><p>When we take a plane anywhere, there are air traffic controllers that coordinate different aircrafts to make sure we have a safe trip. The only difference for government air traffic controllers is that they typically work for national aviation authorities, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many may also come from a military background and bring experience from military air traffic control. <strong>We interviewed an air traffic controller in the video below who went through the military and makes a base salary of $175,000!</strong></p><p>Air traffic controllers undergo extensive training to handle the high-stakes nature of their job and require a specific set of hard skills to perform their day-to-day duties. A few of these skills include knowledge of radar and surveillance systems and the ability to communicate effectively. They must also have exceptional flight data and aerospace management skills.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>The completion of an Associate’s or Bachelor's degree through <a href="https://www.faa.gov/jobs/students/schools">AT-CTI programs</a> set by the FAA and complete training at the <a href="https://www.faa.gov/">Federal Aviation Administration</a> (FAA) academy.</p>

Air Traffic Controller Reveal Their REAL Salary

<h2>5. Nurse Practitioner</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm">$132,050 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DNurse+Practitioner&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$194,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>38% increase in job growth</p><p>The demand for government nurse practitioners is skyrocketing. The position is one of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">highest-paying healthcare jobs</a> and was named the best job in 2024 by <a href="https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/the-25-best-jobs#:~:text=Nurse%20anesthetists%20are%20registered%20nurses,critical%20decisions%20about%20patient%20care.">U.S. News &amp; World Report</a>, with a projected <strong>118,600 new jobs by 2032</strong>.</p>

<p>The difference between nurse practitioners that work for the government versus those that work in the private sector is they often work within public health clinics, VA hospitals, or military facilities. Their primary duties are to provide healthcare services, such as diagnosing and treating patients, and are in huge demand due to the decreasing number of doctors.&nbsp;</p><p>Skills needed to be a successful nurse practitioner are advanced clinical knowledge, proficiency in medical procedures, and expertise in pharmacology, which are core skills for several <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">healthcare careers</a>. They must also understand the unique needs of military or veteran patients if they work in military settings or Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>Become a registered nurse (RN) through an accredited nursing program, obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a master's degree, and be board certified. <strong>We interviewed a nurse practitioner who makes $144,000 a year plus bonuses after getting a bachelor’s degree, working as a registered nurse, and then went back to school for a Master’s degree in nursing.</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/zxD6jM" rel="sponsored">Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us</a><strong> </strong>course from University of Pennsylvania&nbsp;</p>

How Much Do Nurses Make? Nurse Salary Compilation 💚 Salary Transparent Street

<h2>6. Cybersecurity Analyst or Specialist</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm">$124,910 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DCyberSecurity&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters="> $205,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>32% increase in job growth</p><p>Positions in cybersecurity are set to soar in the next ten years as one of the<a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-tech-jobs"> top tech jobs</a>, especially those in the government. So much so that the National Cyber Director is <a href="https://govciomedia.com/white-house-eyes-new-pillar-in-cyber-strategy-refresh/">establishing a National Cyber Academic Program</a> to help fill over half a million of these projected jobs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>U.S. government intelligence data is a coveted item by hackers, and cyber security analysts are there to protect it. Analysts typically work for federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Security Agency (NSA), along with the Department of Defence, and state and local governments.&nbsp;</p><p>Cybersecurity analysts are experts at securing network infrastructures and protocols, including firewalls and VPNs. They’re also coders that need to write and understand code or for automating tasks, using knowledge of encryption methods to protect sensitive data. A day in the life of one of these analysts may include monitoring and responding to threats and implementing security measures.</p>

<p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or something similar. Not all jobs may require a degree and may be accepted based on skills and certifications. <strong>We interviewed a cybersecurity analyst who makes $150,000 after 5 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree in information security!</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLoE0O" rel="sponsored">Foundations of Cybersecurity</a> course from Google</p>

🔒Cybersecurity Pay Compilation!#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<h2>7. Economist</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/economists.htm">$115,440 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/economists.htm">$175,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 6% increase in job growth</p><p>Government economists work with economic data to inform decision-makers on the economic implications of various policies, such as reducing unemployment or controlling inflation. They typically work at federal government agencies, such as the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Labor and the Federal Reserve, state and local governments, and regulatory agencies.</p><p>The day-to-day duties include anything from economic data analysis to modeling and predicting outcomes based on various scenarios. They must also know how to conduct research, prepare reports, and provide insights on economic issues.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A Bachelor's or Master’s degree in economics, public policy, business, or other related fields. <strong>We interviewed an economist who makes $68,000 a year after completing his master’s degree and a 6-month internship!&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/DyXGaj" rel="sponsored">Logic for Economists</a><strong> </strong>course from the University of Amsterdam</p>

How much do a #BusinessAnalyst and #Economist make?📍Baltimore, MD #salarytransparentstreet

<h2>8. Data Scientist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm">$112,590 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Ddata+scientist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=industry%3DGovernment">$160,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034)</strong>: 35% increase in job growth</p><p>Governments can’t make decisions without understanding their data. That’s where data scientists come in. Due to the demand for data scientists and AI expertise, <a href="https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2024/01/opm-leads-governmentwide-data-scientist-hiring-effort-to-build-up-ai-expertise/">The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)</a> announced in a governmentwide hiring effort.&nbsp;</p><p>Their job is to interpret large volumes of data to inform public policy decision-making. Without them, the government wouldn’t know how to optimize government programs and services, improve efficiency, and address societal challenges.</p>

anchorman gif of ron burgundy saying it's science

<p>The daily job duties of a government data scientist include data management and analysis, and interpreting that data to create visual representations and communicate findings to stakeholders.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A Bachelor's degree is data science, computer science, engineering, or equivalent area. Some jobs may hire based on skills, experience, and certifications in place of a bachelor's degree requirement. <strong>We interviewed a data scientist who makes $110,000 a year after a data science bootcamp and a bachelor’s degree in business!</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/MAEXnY" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Data Science</a> course from IBM</p>

Data Scientists Make How Much? 🤯 Data Scientist Salary Compilation 💚 Salary Transparent Street

<h2>9. Statistician</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm">$104,350 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DStatistician&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$158,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>11% increase in job growth</p><p>Anytime we see census data from the government, statisticians are the ones behind the scenes designing the census survey and collecting that data. Then analyze that data to identify population growth trends and inform resource allocation for public services like schools and hospitals. They also evaluate unemployment rates and economic indicators to help guide policy decisions on job creation and social programs.</p>

<p>But how is that any different from data analysts and data scientists? The main difference is statisticians develop and apply advanced mathematical models to process and analyze data, while data analysts focus on using established tools and methods to interpret data and provide practical insights. However, there are times when they work together.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, or related field and a master's degree or PhD may be required for advanced positions.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/DyXGMj" rel="sponsored">Foundations of Probability and Statistics</a> course from the University of Colorado Boulder</p><h2>10. Program Analyst or Policy Analyst</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm">$101,190 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DProgram+Analyst&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=industry%3DGovernment">$135,000 per year in defense</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>10% increase in job growth</p><p>Government program analysts use data to create policies, which may also sometimes be called a policy analyst. Their primary job duty is to evaluate and improve public programs, such as public health and economic development programs, through data analysis and reporting. However, their specific job title and responsibilities may change depending on the company hiring and the position.&nbsp;</p><p>Program analysts can be a sort of catch-all job title due to their variety of job responsibilities. Sometimes they have duties that resemble a software engineer with project management skills or being a business analyst that works to improve government processes and functions. The role may vary widely depending on the government agency and program, but regardless, the job pays great and is quite rewarding.</p><p><strong>We interviewed a policy analyst in the government who makes $182,000 a year after serving time in the military, and getting a Bachelor's degree in government politics and a Master’s degree in administration!</strong></p>

#PolicyAnalyst in New York City, NY📍#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<p>Skills needed to become a program analyst include coding skills using various programming languages and expertise in interpreting data and applying methodologies. They usually work with tools like Excel, SAS, database management systems, and project management software.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A degree may not be an absolute requirement and may depend on the specific position, but a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields like public administration, economics, or data science, or becoming a <a href="https://www.agacgfm.org/cgfm-certification/">Certified Government Financial Manager</a> (CGFM) or the <a href="https://www.certifiedanalytics.org/">Certified Analytics Professional</a> (CAP) may be helpful in securing a job.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/3JDWMK" rel="sponsored">Using Public Policy for Social Change</a> course from the University of Michigan</p><h2>11. Civil Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm">$99,590 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DCivil+Engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$270,000 per year at Kimley-Horn (government contractor)</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p>Civil engineering involves the design, planning, and oversight of the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects that are vital to our everyday lives. Think of the roads you drive and the buildings you see. They wouldn’t exist without civil engineers.</p>

gif of person saying i'm a civil engineer

<p>Other project areas civil engineers oversee in addition to roads and buildings include bridges, water supply systems, wastewater management, railways, airports, tunnels, flood control systems, and park and recreational facilities. So yea, their work has a huge impact on the quality of our lives and community.&nbsp;</p><p>As our infrastructure ages (which it's always doing), the demand will continue to go up for these jobs. <strong>This makes it a great stable option to explore!</strong></p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A Bachelor's degree in civil engineering is a common requirement.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/Oe20vN" rel="sponsored">BIM Fundamentals for Engineers</a> course from L&amp;T EduTech</p>

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<h2>12. Budget Analyst</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm">$87,930 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dbudget+analyst&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$140,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>3% increase in job growth</p><p>A government budget analyst, also referred to as a budget officer, works for public institutions, such as federal government, state, and local government departments. Their main responsibility is to help manage and track how money is spent. We all know the government has a little bit of a spending problem, so these workers are crucial for addressing the nation’s debt and yearly budgets.</p><p><strong>Government budgets go through 3 main phases; budget formulation, budget presentation/enactment, and budget execution. </strong>Budget analysts assist in these phases by analyzing past spending and future needs, and create budget proposals from their findings. From there, they help government entities stick to their budgets and track their performance.</p>

spongebob squarepants gif of fish calculating something

<p>Their work is key to everyday public services and programs, such as education, healthcare, and social programs. The budgets they work on could end up deciding things like how much money is allocated to schools or where your tax money goes.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, accounting, economics, or statistics is typically required. <strong>We interviewed a budget analyst that makes $93,000 a year with 5 years of experience!</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/MA6zVK" rel="sponsored">Finance &amp; Quantitative Modeling for Analysts</a> course from the University of Pennsylvania&nbsp;</p>

The Wharf, Washington, D.C.📍#salarytransparency #equalpay #diversitymatters #howmuchdoyoumake

<h1>How to Break Into Government Jobs</h1><p>The skills for breaking into the public sector are no different from the private sector. You go through the same motions of seeking required education, networking, and gaining experience through internships or entry-level work. However, if you’re in the military or were formerly in the military, you might have an edge over non-military applicants.</p><p><strong>Some</strong> <strong>government jobs pay on a per-level basis using the General Schedule (GS)</strong>. There are 15 different grades, starting from GS-1 to GS-15, with GS-15 being the highest-paying classification. How these grades are assigned to different positions are based on the level of responsibility, difficulty, specific hard skills required, and qualifications required. Positions that are classified at a GS-5 and above require a bachelor's degree, and those above GS-9 require a master’s degree. Keep these in mind as you look at open jobs and decide what education path you’ll take.</p><p>A great way to gain the most relevant experience is by looking for government agencies that have any entry-level positions open, or working for companies that contract with the government. They don’t have to be in the specific position you’re going for, especially if you haven’t met all of the qualifications just yet, but can be in adjacent positions with less qualifications while you finish school and work your way up. However, <strong>if there is a position that you think you’d be perfect for but don’t meet all the qualifications, apply to it anyway</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p>To start searching for and applying to government jobs, use <a href="https://www.usajobs.gov/">USAJOBS</a>, a website managed by the U.S. government for their federal hiring process. <strong>Then check out our</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> <strong>to find more openings!</strong></p>

<p>Don’t forget to use our list of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/job-interview-questions-and-answers">most common interview questions and answers</a> when preparing for your interview, and always advocate for yourself and negotiate your salary at any job you work.</p><p>We know you’ll land a good one and can’t wait to see what differences you make in our everyday lives!</p><p>That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the<a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/"> CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the<a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub"> Salary Transparent Street blog</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/"> Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@salarytransparentstreet.com">hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</a></p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

illustration of government building and dollar bills against a split green background with title text overlay that says highest-paying government jobs

12 Highest-Paying Government Jobs for 2026 (+ What Workers Are Saying)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p>Did you just get off the most tone deaf Zoom call where someone from human resources announced a mass layoff? Or worse, was it done over email?</p><p>Getting laid off is never fun and it’s downright insulting when it’s done without an ounce of respect. Your employer could be downsizing, restructuring, or going through other operational changes, but that doesn’t make it seem any less personal.</p><p>We’ve seen way too many layoffs recently from technology companies, partially <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">due to AI,</a> but it can happen within any company and <strong>it’s absolutely not your fault</strong>.</p><p>There have been <strong>1.1 million job cuts in 2025 so far (65% more than 2024)</strong>, according to an <a href="https://www.challengergray.com/blog/october-challenger-report-153074-job-cuts-on-cost-cutting-ai/">October 2025 report</a> by Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas, an outplacement and executive coaching firm that tracks layoffs monthly.</p><p>Layoffs are emotional and you’ll need some time to process, but it’s important to stay professional with your eyes looking forward. Sit with those emotions and feel your feelings, but don’t stay there.&nbsp;</p><p>We gathered a few software engineers to get a behind-the-scenes look into their careers, including how they’re handling layoffs. One software engineer we interviewed had an interesting point. He says, “<strong>It gives you, as an employee, a chance to kind of redefine or reevaluate where you’re at.</strong>” He touches on this chance that you now have to take the power back in your hands and see where you can pivot from there.&nbsp;</p>

How Much Do Software Engineers Make? Reactions to AI, Layoffs and More! The Break Room Episode 5

<p>You’re not alone in this and it won’t be the deciding factor for what happens to the rest of your career. <strong>There </strong><i><strong>is </strong></i><strong>life after a layoff.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Use this step-by-step guide to understand your rights, secure your severance, learn how to file for unemployment, and other important tasks like </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/401k-rollovers"><strong>rolling over your 401(k) </strong></a><strong>and getting healthcare coverage, so you can move on with your life and on to your next chapter.</strong></p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>There are laws in place, like the WARN act, that protect workers’ rights in a layoff.</li><li>Get all of the details about your layoff from human resources in writing, which is called a “layoff letter”, before you sign anything.</li><li>You may be entitled to a severance package, continuation of benefits, and unemployment.</li><li>You can work with an employment lawyer through the National Employment Lawyers Association throughout your layoff to negotiate your severance and benefits, and make sure your rights are being honored (most offer free consultations).</li><li>Revisit your finances and adjust your budget to account for the loss of income and apply for unemployment benefits through the U.S. Department of Labor website.</li><li>Prepare a few things to re-enter the job market with, such as recommendation letters, resume and LinkedIn updates, and connect with your professional network.</li></ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Know Your Rights &amp; Revisit Your Contract</h2><p>Yes, employees have rights, especially during a layoff! We reached out to retired employment attorney, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/delyannethemoneycoach/">Delyanne Barros</a>, to help us get a little more acquainted with what rights you may or may not have.&nbsp;</p><p>After hearing the <i>unsavory </i>news of your layoff, expect a separate meeting request from human resources. If they don’t, set one up. This meeting is to go over the details of the layoff and to ask for your signature on a few documents (don’t sign just yet).&nbsp;</p><p>Delyanne says that employees should not sign anything before talking to an attorney. “Many employers will try to pressure you to sign a severance agreement or waiver on the spot. The best thing to do is to take it with you and say that you need to look it over carefully and that you will promptly get back to them,” says Delyanne.</p>

<p>Delyanne recommends that employees get familiar with the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/layoffs/warn">Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act</a>. “Most states in the US are at-will states which means that an employer can fire for any reason or none at all. However, there are specific laws that apply to certain employers when conducting mass layoffs. <strong>The WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days notice of any mass layoffs</strong>."</p><p>To find whether an employer has issued a WARN notice or not, a simple google search can help. ”An employee can look up whether their employer has issued a WARN notice by googling ‘Warn notice’ plus their state. Many states also have mini-WARN Acts that provide additional protections for employees at smaller companies,” she says.</p><p><strong>There are currently </strong><a href="https://www.statechambers.org/state-warn-acts"><strong>13 states</strong></a><strong> with mini-WARN acts, including California, Connecticut, Washington, North Carolina, and Illinois, to name a few.</strong></p><p>Employees’ rights outside of the WARN Act can get a little tricky, but Delyanne says to check your employment contract to see if it outlines any specific information in case of a layoff, and to reach out to the <a href="https://www.nela.org/">National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)</a> to find an employment lawyer to work with.</p><h2>Request a “Layoff Letter”</h2><p>Your company can supply a confirmation letter, or “layoff letter”, that states that your position is being terminated. <strong>Request this letter from the human resources associate you’re working with that includes the reasons for the layoff, effective date of termination, date of your last paycheck, and details about any severance payments or benefits that you’re entitled to.</strong></p><p>Having this letter gives you official documentation of your layoff, which may come in handy when applying for unemployment benefits and future job searches. It will also come in handy if there are any disputes or legal issues related to the layoff.</p><h2>Understand Your Severance Package</h2>

gif of jason bateman on ozark saying "where's my money"

<p>If you’re entitled to a severance package, lucky you! That will be your lifeline after your final paycheck, so don’t overlook it. It’s best to review all the details with a member of human resources so you fully understand your severance package and if it’s fair or not. There are no stupid questions here. Ask them anything and everything you can think of.</p><p>Negotiation is the name of the game with severances. <strong>Just like</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating salary during a job offer</a><strong>, severance packages can also be negotiated. </strong>Delyanne says this is where an employment lawyer also comes in handy, but many people hesitate to reach out to one because they think they’re only useful when planning to sue an employer. “However, I coached many clients behind-the-scenes during severance negotiations or negotiated on their behalf if they preferred it,” she says.</p><p>Delyanne advises employees to “consult with an employment attorney in their state before they engage in severance negotiations. Most attorneys will offer a free consultation and may provide some guidance during that meeting.”</p><p><strong>Employees wanting to speak with an employment lawyer should check</strong> <a href="https://exchange.nela.org/memberdirectory/findalawyer">NELA’s referral directory</a> <strong>online.&nbsp;</strong></p><h2>Ask About Benefits</h2><p><strong>Similar to </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">negotiating benefits</a> <strong>during a job offer, you can also negotiate them when you leave. </strong>In your meeting with HR, go over your current benefits with them to see if compensation is warranted.&nbsp;</p><p>Even if your benefit information is included in the layoff letter, discuss the specifics with human resources so you don’t have any unexpected surprises later on. Ask about health coverage changes, including the official end date of your employer-sponsored health plan and how to sign up for <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra">Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>But, what about unused paid time off (PTO)? </strong>You can absolutely get compensated for those if the company is able to include it. Some employers already have a policy indicating the certain number of PTO days they pay out for employees based on how long they’ve been at the company, but if yours doesn’t, don’t be afraid to ask! Your employment lawyer can help you negotiate this as well.</p><h2>Look At Options to Continue Healthcare Coverage</h2><p>Depending on your employer, you may be able to sign up for COBRA to continue your health coverage. The time period for the coverage continuation usually falls around 18 months, but you’ll have to pay the full premium in addition to administration fees.</p>

gif of larry david on snl saying "universal health care doesn't sound too crazy now, does it?"

<p>Another option is looking at alternative health insurance options on the <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/">Healthcare Marketplace</a> or joining your spouse’s health plan.&nbsp;</p><h2>Review Your 401(k) &amp; Prepare for a 401(k) Rollover</h2><p><strong>Your 401(k) is 100% yours and won’t disappear just because you've been laid off. </strong>Employers will either keep it where it is, or transfer it to another 401(k) provider or Individual Retirement Account (IRA) of their choosing.&nbsp;</p><p>This is where 401(k) rollovers come in. It’s a good idea to rollover your 401(k) after your last day of employment so you aren’t at the mercy of the company’s choices. When rolling over a 401(k), there’s the option of transferring it to an IRA of your choosing using tools like Capitalize or PensionBee.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Ask Your Boss for a Letter of Recommendation</h2><p>You need as many resources on your side as possible when you reenter the job market. This is where your boss can help! I mean, it’s the least they can do.</p>

gif of simon on zoey's playlist saying "morning, boss"

<p>Set up a quick 1-on-1 with your boss during your last weeks or months at your job to see if they can write a letter of recommendation for you and if you can use them as a reference. Another option is asking them if they can fill out a recommendation for you on LinkedIn to help your profile attract recruiters.</p><p>Many folks will also post on LinkedIn that they just got laid off and are looking for another job. If you also want to do this, I recommend following <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kelli-e-ballou-mcmillan-6ba85ba2_cisco-avaya-aws-activity-7389402559255494656-aOTI/">this example</a> and asking your manager if they can comment on it and vouch for your expertise (including at least 1 result you achieved). This is such an easy 1-minute thing they can do for you that will instantly appear in front of multiple employers at once, including your manager’s connections as well.</p><h2>File for Unemployment Benefits</h2><p>Unemployment benefits are available to laid off employees if your employer contributed to the state’s unemployment insurance program. Payments from unemployment benefits, and its duration, will depend on your state.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Visit the U.S. Department of Labor website to find your state and</strong> <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance">file for unemployment benefits</a>.</p><h2>Revisit Your Finances &amp; Adjust Your Budget</h2><p>Now that you’ve lost your primary source of income, it’s time to review your finances. Log into your different accounts including your checking, savings, and any investment accounts to take stock of your current financial situation.&nbsp;</p><p>Re-adjust your budget and cut any expenses you can. If you’ve saved an emergency fund, determine how much of it you want to use and how you can rework your budget to accommodate it.</p><h2>Update Your Resume &amp; LinkedIn</h2>

<p>It’s probably been awhile since you’ve updated your resume and LinkedIn. Many of us forget about them the longer we stay at one job. It’s time to update and revamp both to help you stand out when applying for jobs.</p><p>Add information about your most recent job to your resume. Update it to include not only what you did, but also include the impact and results of your contributions. <strong>We love</strong> <a href="https://get.tealhq.com/55VxqL" rel="sponsored">Teal </a><strong>for updating your resume.</strong> It formats your resume so recruiters can find it easily and suggests ways to stand out, including how to match your resume to the jobs you’re applying to.</p><p>Then update your information on LinkedIn, including your past role and the skills used in that role. Even better if you put a bullet or 2 about project results and upload or link to the work you did at each company (if you’re allowed to share that work). It’s also helpful to add keywords in your LinkedIn headline that shows exactly what you do and for who, and select that you’re “Open to work” on your profile.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-write-a-cover-letter"><strong>How to Write An Unignorable Cover Letter (With Examples)</strong></a></p>

<h2>Tap Into Your Network</h2><p>Your network is one of the most valuable resources when searching for a new job. Reach out to past colleagues on LinkedIn or other platforms, and any recruiters you’ve had contact with in the past.&nbsp;</p><p>If you’re in any local networking groups, such as a women’s networking group or alumni organization, reconnect with them and see what events are happening near you or virtually. Online groups, like those on <a href="https://slack.com/">Slack</a>, <a href="https://www.fishbowlapp.com/">Fishbowl</a>, and <a href="https://joinhandshake.com/">Handshake</a>, can also be helpful when building a professional network. Type into Google your job title and the words “Slack groups” to find relevant groups for you.</p><h2>Really Think About Where You Want to Go From Here</h2>

gif with woman saying "into the next chapter of my life"

<p><strong>Before diving head first into a stream of endless job applications, ask yourself what you </strong><i><strong>really </strong></i><strong>want to do from this point on.</strong> Do you want to work for a company in the same sector? Do you want the same role? Do you want to freelance while you figure out your next move?</p><p>Most people need a new job immediately to replace the loss of income, especially when they don’t have an emergency fund to fall back on. This is why many turn to freelancing during their job search. Or if they already did so as a side hustle, they lean even more into it. That’s exactly what <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/justdanamiranda/">Dana Miranda</a>, a personal finance journalist that I spoke to about her recent layoff, did after she got the news.</p><p>“I didn't start applying for jobs right away or reach out for any freelance writing work. I slowly contacted a couple of people in my network about full-time writing jobs, and I decided to take the opportunity to diversify my income,” says Dana. “I don't want to be wholly reliant on the media industry, especially a single niche, for my income. So I posted to LinkedIn offering virtual assistant(VA)/operations support to see if I’d get any bites.”</p><p>This was something Dana had experience in from running her own freelance business on the side of her job, and she indeed got some bites. She was able to secure 3 clients from promoting her new service on LinkedIn via one simple post. If you want to try a similar approach in your area of expertise, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justdanamiranda_know-anyone-who-needs-a-va-in-the-wake-activity-7388599306573967360-DRe5/">follow her example</a> to get an idea for how to position yourself. She’s still looking for jobs while running her new VA service and freelance writing.</p><p>Also think about how much you want to get paid and what sort of benefits you’re looking for in your next job. Our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> and free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> can help when setting your market salary range.&nbsp;</p><p>And for your job search, our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> can help! <strong>We only post jobs that include the salary because you don’t deserve to spend hours applying to jobs that may not even pay you fairly.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>For </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-remote-jobs"><strong>remote jobs</strong></a><strong>, we love </strong><a href="https://flexjobs.sjv.io/xL7Rm5" rel="sponsored">FlexJobs</a> (they screen every job so the job board is 100% scam-free and ghost job-free).</p>

<h2>Take Care of What Matters Most: Yourself</h2><p>Job hunting is exhausting. Take it day-by-day and know that there <i>is</i> light at the end of this tunnel. It’s important to have some sort of structure in your days with a daily routine. Add some much-needed self care and set realistic expectations in your job search to promote a positive outlook.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Please, please, please ask for help if you need it</strong>, whether that’s spending time with your family and friends to free your mind, working with a life or career coach, or reaching out to a mental health professional. There are people out there that can help you through this, including those in the Salary Transparent Street community.</p><p>That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the<a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/"> CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the<a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub"> Salary Transparent Street blog</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/"> Linkedin</a>. Chat soon! 👋</p><p>If this guide helps you improve your negotiation skills, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@salarytransparentstreet.com">hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</a></p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Street resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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What To Do When You Get Laid Off

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p><strong>28% of Americans have a disability</strong>, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/articles-documents/disability-impacts-all-of-us-infographic.html">Center for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC). Not all disabilities are visible and not all people are public about theirs either. People can have developmental disabilities, mental disabilities, and even physical disabilities that aren’t obvious, but that doesn’t make getting a job any easier.</p><p>As a disabled person, it can feel almost impossible to find a <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying job</a> that accommodates you and pays you well enough to support your cost of living. But I assure you, there is a job out there that meets your needs!</p><p>Thanks to the <a href="https://www.ada.gov/">Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)</a>, disabled people are guaranteed an equal opportunity and are protected in the workplace from <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/pay-discrimination">discrimination</a>, and now companies are encouraging them to apply.</p><p>There is this cool thing called the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/work-opportunity-tax-credit">Work Opportunity Tax Credit</a>, which is a financial incentive the government offers companies for hiring people with disabilities and other targeted groups. Many of these companies will use this to create special hiring programs to create more accessibility for these applicants, like <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/inside-microsoft/cross-disability/hiring">Microsoft’s</a> disability and neurodiversity hiring programs. These have been a huge help in addition to other job placement programs for helping disabled people find reliable jobs with good benefits and support.</p><p>In this article, we’ll cover the best jobs for people with disabilities in 2025 that pay over $50,000 (median salary), including the top jobs these companies are hiring for. <strong>The highest salaries recorded in our Salary Database are $280,000 for a hybrid marketing manager and $280,000 for a remote tech sales job!</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Key takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>The best jobs for people with disabilities are remote jobs, organizational jobs, and creative jobs.</li><li>You can work while SSDI benefits: there's a 9-month trial work period with no earnings limit, followed by a 3-year extended eligibility period with monthly caps ($1,620 for non-blind, $2,700 for blind individuals as of 2025).</li><li>The highest-paying median salaries for people with disabilities are marketing jobs with a median salary of $159,660 according to the BLS.</li><li>Companies like Microsoft, UnitedHealth Group, Gusto, and Spectrum Enterprises offer dedicated disability hiring programs, resource groups, and strong healthcare benefits that support employees with disabilities.</li><li>9 of the jobs listed don't require a 4-year college degree.&nbsp;</li><li>Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul><h2>Top 10 Jobs for People With Disabilities</h2><p>We identified these disability-friendly jobs from what real workers are telling us in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-we-made-1million">street interviews</a> and by taking into account the different accommodations needed for those with physical, developmental, mental, and sensory disabilities (using job accommodation data from <a href="https://askjan.org/">Job Accommodation Network</a>). Each job below indicates why it fits people with disabilities and are sorted by the highest-paying jobs first.&nbsp;</p><p>All referenced salary and job data is sourced from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh">U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> (BLS) and our <a href="http://salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> that includes over 13,000 publicly shared salaries from our community.</p><p>To find more jobs that suit your disability, search our Salary Database and <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a>. Don’t forget to <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/onboarding">join and add your salary</a>!</p><h2>1. Marketing Jobs (Marketing Director, Marketing Analyst, Etc.)</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm">$159,660&nbsp;</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dmarketing+manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$280,000</a> in a hybrid role with a Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>6%</p><p>Marketing jobs are great for people with disabilities because they are creative, <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-remote-jobs">can be done remotely</a>, and many of the tasks are asynchronous. Because of the unique lived experience you have as a disabled person, you might be able to see patterns in market data that others don’t and craft stories and strategy that really excels marketing campaigns because of it. You could even choose to work for a brand where your marketing campaigns speak directly to other disabled people.</p><p>This is also one of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-creative-jobs">highest-paying creative jobs</a> with increasing demand. <strong>We interviewed a marketing director in New York City who is disabled and makes $90,000 a year!</strong> She specifically credits her video skills for her career success. Video is a huge in-demand skill for marketing jobs. That makes sense as video content rules the internet and our attention.</p>

<p>There are also plenty of sub areas to explore in marketing, including social media management, email marketing, graphic design, and community management.</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>There is no strict degree path required for marketers, but jobs may list an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in marketing or communications as a requirement. The marketing director we interviewed credits the technical school she went to for half days in her junior and senior year of high school for a certification in film and video. <strong>She was able to complete college in 3 years with majors in journalism, playwriting, and screenwriting.</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kOmNPL" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Marketing</a> from the University of Pennsylvania</p><h2>2. Accountant&nbsp;</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm">$81,680</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Daccountant&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$225,000</a> in a hybrid role with a Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034):</strong> 5%</p><p>Accountants are my favorite money nerds. They do my taxes so I don’t have to and help me keep more of the money I make by maximizing my deductions. They’re using math for good!&nbsp;</p><p>Who wouldn’t love this kind of job? You can work remotely, independently, and the work is pretty predictable. This makes it perfect for those physical and mobility disabilities, chronic pain, ADHD, autism, hearing, and speech disabilities. There isn’t a need to meet in-person with clients since most of your work is digital and it also pays well.</p><p><strong>We interviewed an accountant in Boston, Massachusetts that makes $77,000 a year</strong> and even though we don’t know if this person is disabled or not, this is still a great real-world salary example! We don’t know if the people we interview are disabled unless they voluntarily tell us.</p>

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<p><strong>Required education:</strong> An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in accounting are listed as common requirements.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/ra7BqG" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Finance and Accounting</a> from the University of Pennsylvania</p><h2>3. Content Manager or Content Editor</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/editors.htm">$75,260</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcontent+manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$115,000</a> in a remote role with a graduate degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034):</strong> The BLS cites only a 1% increase. However, the current job market shows that the need for editors is rising because of the increase of AI content that companies want to be rewritten and edited by a human.</p><p>A content manager or editor is who polishes up content before being published live on a platform. It’s a great role for those with disabilities because it doesn’t require any physical labor, can be done independently and remotely, and has specific needs in its work that disabled people can fill.&nbsp;</p><p>What do I mean by that? Web content and mobile applications are required to be ADA compliant (<a href="https://imp.i384100.net/POPWd6" rel="sponsored">this course</a> has some great information on the subject). What better way to do that than hiring people with disabilities to help them fill that requirement? Nobody knows a disabled user's intent better than another disabled person.</p><p>For example, every image on a website has something called “alt text” that must include the description of the image. The purpose of the image’s alt text is to make the content more accessible for those using screen readers and other assistive tech to know what’s happening on the screen. You would be the person writing those descriptions as one of your duties.</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>There is no strict degree requirement for all editors, but an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or journalism is recommended. However, I’m a content manager (with ADHD) and I don’t have a degree in those areas. I have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science but gained experience through writing for my own website and blog as a <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-side-hustles">side hustle</a> when I was a software engineer. Now, I work as both a remote content manager and technical writer with a mixed bag of experience.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/JKxWvQ" rel="sponsored">Content Development and Management</a> from Microsoft</p><h2>4. Video Editor</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/film-and-video-editors-and-camera-operators.htm#tab-1">$70,570</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dvideo+editor&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$250,000</a> at Apple with a graduate degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>There’s no shortage of video content online and everyone wants more of it with every scroll on Reels, TikTok, and YouTube. Video editors are the conductors of that content. But you can thank video editors for that. They decide how to cut a certain clip and present its content to you so you keep watching, which is why so many businesses and creators are hiring them.&nbsp;</p><p>As another job that is often done remotely, this is a great job for people with disabilities. It’s also project-based and flexible so if you need to take frequent breaks or have conditions with unpredictable symptoms, you can adjust your schedule and workday to your health.</p><p>You could argue that it’s a field that <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">AI could replace</a>. But could it really? I don’t think so. Video editing falls under the marketing umbrella that we hit on before. Marketing takes emotion and editing a video a certain way takes some intuitive idea of how others will consume that content. AI doesn’t really get that BUT it’s a great tool to help, especially for disabled folks.</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>An Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in film and digital media are common requirements, but many use online courses, certifications, and portfolios with personal or freelance work to help land the job.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/je46n6">The Art of Visual Storytelling</a> from the University of Colorado Boulder</p><h2>5. Librarian (and Library Helpers)</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm">$64,320</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dlibrarian&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$101,000</a> at Fulton County with a graduate degree&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034):</strong> 2%</p><p>Libraries are one of the last true public spaces that are free and open to everyone, and librarians are the people who organize and help people find information there. <strong>We interviewed a librarian in Corvallis, Oregon who makes up to $80,000 a year and she says she loves the job! </strong>She says there is a lot of variety and when working on their reference desk, she gets asked a lot of different questions and then she gets to recommend books to people.</p>

How much does a #Librarian make in Corvallis, OR📍? #salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<p>This job is great for people with disabilities, especially those with physical and mental disabilities, autism, processing disabilities, and sensory sensitivities, because of its strong accommodations and accessibility norms. The tasks can be adapted to fit you, it has low physical demands, and many part-time and flexible roles exist.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in library or information science is required.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/aO04zj" rel="sponsored">Academic Information Seeking</a> from the University of Copenhagen</p><h2>6. Technical Support</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm#tab-1">$61,550</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dtechnical+support&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$118,000</a> with a Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>-3%</p><p>Technical support roles are <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-tech-jobs">high-paying tech jobs</a> that are perfect for those with disabilities, especially remote roles. Some in-person roles may have more physical demands, especially if you have to support hardware instead of software.&nbsp;</p><p>Remote technical support specifically suits disabilities like Autism, ADHD, processing and physical disabilities. In this role, the workflow is structured and starts with following set scripts, diagnosing technical issues, documenting the issues, and then escalating them to the appropriate team. It’s also flexible with written options for tasks like chat and email support, which also makes it great for those with hearing or speech disabilities.</p><p><strong>Required education:</strong> An Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in information technology is recommended, but many companies will accept certifications, <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/high-income-skills">skills</a>, and experience in place of a degree. Since this is considered a technical <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">trade job</a>, there may also be some programs available at technical schools near you. Online courses are also a great place to start!</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/gO2475" rel="sponsored">Technical Support Fundamentals</a> from Google</p><h2>7. Disability Advocate</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm">$61,330</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dsocial+worker&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$115,000</a> at the Department of Veteran Affairs with a graduate degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>6%</p><p>Disability advocates do exactly what their title implies. They advocate for the disabled through roles like disability claims advocate and disability benefits advocate where they help the disabled navigate complex systems. These roles are great for people with disabilities who know these systems like the back of their hand and are willing to help others like them.&nbsp;</p><p>Other alternative job titles in this area include social worker, independent living advocate, peer support advocate, ADA compliance specialist, case manager, and disability program coordinator.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Required education:</strong> An Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in social work are listed as common requirements.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/Vxjonj" rel="sponsored">Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change</a> from the University of Michigan</p><h2>8. Remote Sales&nbsp;</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/insurance-sales-agents.htm">$60,370</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSales&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$280,000</a> for remote tech sales at a healthcare software company with a Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>4%</p><p>Remote sales is a great area for disabled people to find jobs in. You can work as a sales representative who does the selling or a sales support position in which you help companies use the product that’s been sold to them. There is a lot of variety in this field and because of its digital nature, you have the ability to work from a controlled environment.&nbsp;</p><p>A few specific areas to look into are insurance sales, ad sales, medical sales, and tech and software sales. <strong>We interviewed someone who works in ad sales who makes $300,000 a year and someone in software sales who makes $250,000 a year! </strong>We also interviewed several other sales professionals in the compilation video below.</p>

Sales Job + Pay Compilation! How much do #sales jobs pay?#salarytransparentstreet #paytransparency

<p><strong>Required education: </strong>There is no strict degree requirement.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/gOEZPA" rel="sponsored">Sales Training: Building Your Sales Career</a> from HubSpot Academy.&nbsp;</p><h2>9. Dispatcher</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/police-fire-and-ambulance-dispatchers.htm#tab-1">$50,730</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Ddispatcher&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$91,000</a> in a hybrid role in construction with no college degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>Dispatchers work in a variety of areas answering calls to schedule workers on certain routes, such as a 911 dispatcher that takes 911 calls and dispatches the ambulance and EMTs to the caller’s location. <strong>We interviewed a dispatcher based in Bedford, Texas in the video below (along with an EMT) who makes $60,000 a year and is fresh into her career after 7 months of working as a dispatcher!&nbsp;</strong></p>

How much do an #EMT and #Dispatcher in Texas make? 🤠#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<p>Another example is a roadside assistance dispatcher that works with insurance and tow truck companies to dispatch someone to your location for emergency roadside services.</p><p>This job doesn’t require any physical labor, making it great for people with physical disabilities, and can also be done remotely, depending on the employer. <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-government-jobs">Government jobs</a> like a 911 or fire dispatcher may have less remote options.</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>High school diploma or GED. The dispatcher we interviewed has an educational background in criminal justice.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/Z6ZRjW" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Crisis Management and Crisis Communication</a> from the University of Colorado Boulder.</p><h2>10. Medical Records Specialist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-1">$50,250</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dmedical+records+specialist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$54,000</a> in a remote role at Galileo Health with an Associate’s degree</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>7%</p><p>Medical settings are inherently more inclusive and accommodating to people with disabilities, and a medical record specialist is a great example of that. It isn’t a weight bearing or physically demanding position and most of the work is organizational and computer-based. Although it does require a level of accuracy, it is generally a <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/low-stress-jobs-that-pay-well">low-stress job</a>.</p><p>You’ll spend your days organizing medical records, entering patient information, and verifying requests for medical records to help people ensure their insurance company actually covers them. As someone who probably often runs into issues with insurance yourself, it could <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/happiest-jobs">feel very fulfilling</a> helping others in a similar position.&nbsp;</p><p>It isn’t necessarily the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">highest-paying healthcare job</a> out there but it does provide a clear career path with stable employment. You could potentially work up to other positions and areas, such as health information manager or compliance officer, where you can help your employer make sure it’s compliant with ADA laws.</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>A high school diploma, certificate, or Associate’s degree in health information management or related field are listed as common requirements.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">Healthcare Career Guide</a></p><h2>Companies That Hire People With Disabilities (&amp; Treat Them Well)</h2><p>These are companies that have good healthcare coverage and benefits that support you, including those with active hiring efforts or programs for people with disabilities to feel supported in their work environment.</p><figure class="table"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:33.33%;"><col style="width:33.33%;"><col style="width:33.34%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td><strong>Company</strong></td><td><strong>Industry</strong></td><td><strong>Why It’s Good for People With Disabilities</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Gusto</strong></td><td>HR Software</td><td>Has an <i>Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities</i> group that hosts events and supports employees.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>UnitedHealth Group</strong></td><td>Health insurance</td><td>Disability inclusion internship program, strong healthcare benefits, and remote roles available.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Blue Cross Blue Shield</strong></td><td>Health insurance</td><td>Strong healthcare coverage, short- and long-term disability options, and offers several remote roles.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>CVS Health</strong></td><td>Health &amp; wellness</td><td>Remote work options, disability initiatives, and resource groups offering coaching and networking for disabled employees.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Marriott</strong></td><td>Hospitality</td><td>Multiple disability support initiatives, disability-focused employee resource groups, <i>Bridges</i> program for students, and partners with DFN Project SEARCH for intern placements.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>SoFi</strong></td><td>Finance</td><td>Publicly supports disability inclusion, celebrates National Disability Awareness Month, and has a disability-friendly culture.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Microsoft</strong></td><td>Technology</td><td>Inclusive hiring programs (including neurodiversity program), excellent healthcare coverage and accommodations, and disability resource groups for employees.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>World Wide Technology</strong></td><td>Technology</td><td>Disability inclusion initiative and offers remote job opportunities.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Infosys</strong></td><td>Technology</td><td>Remote work options, multiple disability initiatives (skill development programs, resource groups), and is a certified <i>Disability Confident Recruiter</i> in Australia.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Spectrum Enterprises</strong></td><td>Custom apparel</td><td>Inclusive employment opportunities for people with autism and proceeds from Spectrum Designs and Spectrum Suds go towards that ongoing expansion and retaining inclusive teams.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>For more companies that hire people with disabilities, check out this <a href="https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/companies-that-hire-people-with-disabilities">list from BuiltIn</a>.</p><h2>Can You Work If You’re on Disability?</h2><p>Yes! You can work while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).&nbsp;</p><p>There is a “trial to work” period where you can work for the first 9 months and still receive your full Disability payment. There is no limit to how much you can earn in those first 9 months. After that, there is a 3-year “extended period of eligibility” (EPE) but there is a cap on how much you can make.&nbsp;</p><p>As of 2025, non-blind people can’t make more than $1,620 a month, and for blind people, they are capped at $2,700 a month. The earnings limit may increase with certain conditions. Read more about how this works on the <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf">Social Security Administration </a>website.</p><h2>Where can I find jobs for disabled people?</h2><p>First off, we have to recognize how truly life changing remote and work from home jobs are for disabled people. We especially love <a href="https://flexjobs.sjv.io/xL7Rm5" rel="sponsored">Flexjobs </a>for finding these remote jobs. Every job posted is personally screened so they can keep the site scam-free!</p><p>Then head over to our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> to find jobs with salary ranges listed for every role. We also have a remote filter.</p>

<p><strong>We also recommend checking out these job search tools:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://abilitylinks.org/">Ability Links</a></li><li><a href="https://www.careeronestop.org/ResourcesFor/WorkersWithDisabilities/job-search.aspx">CareerOneStop</a> (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor)</li><li><a href="https://www.abilityone.gov/abilityone_network/employment.html">AbilityOne</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bestbuddies.org/">Best Buddies</a> (programs in the U.S. and internationally)</li><li><a href="https://www.usa.gov/disability-jobs-training">USA.gov</a></li><li><a href="https://www.disabledperson.com/">Disabled Person</a></li><li><a href="https://abilityjobfair.org/">Ability Job Fair</a> (annual but you can get on their email list)</li></ul><p><a href="https://get.tealhq.com/55VxqL" rel="sponsored">Teal </a>is another great tool to use during your job search. We recommend it for their resume builder, <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-write-a-cover-letter">cover letter templates</a>, job tracker, and tech job board!&nbsp;</p><p>Lead with your required accommodations first when looking at different jobs. For example, some jobs won’t permit service dogs. Be sure to include your furry friend in your job search, as well as any other needs you have!</p><h2>Last-Minute Tips</h2><p>Alright, there are just a few things I have to get off my chest before I let you go. Searching for a job is stressful (to say the least), but it can be easier if you find a group of other disabled folks either online or in person that are also looking for jobs. You can share your experiences and tips with each other and remind yourself that you aren’t alone. Sometimes just a little emotional support can go a long way.</p><p>You can find these communities through any of the job tools above or looking on LinkedIn and searching for terms like “disabled [insert job title here]” to look for other professionals like you to connect with. Don’t be afraid to send that connection request either! Just tell them a little about who you are and why you’re interested in connecting with them.</p><p><strong>If you need help finding your next job or career pivot, browse any of our free guides:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-get-into-a-trade">How to Get Into a Trade</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-break-into-tech">How to Break Into Tech</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-start-a-creative-career">How to Start a Creative Career (or Pivot to One)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/dental-career-guide">How to Start a Career in Dentistry</a></li></ul><p>That’s a wrap for this week! I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub">Salary Transparent Street blog</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land your dream job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Don’t know what you want to do? Take any of our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">career quizzes</a>!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li></ul>

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10 Jobs for People With Disabilities That Pay Over $50K (+ Best Employers)

<p><strong>Do you want to pursue a career in healthcare but aren’t sure where to start? </strong>We got you.</p><p>The healthcare industry is MASSIVE, accounting for over <a href="https://www.cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/national-health-expenditure-data/nhe-fact-sheet">17%</a> of the U.S.’s gross domestic product (GDP). It’s also the fastest-growing industry, with <strong>1.9 million job openings projected each year up to 2034</strong>, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>But it can be hard to know what path to pursue when there are so many areas to choose from, especially when you're not sure if you can afford the years of schooling required for many of them.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>You could explore different <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">high-paying healthcare jobs</a>, such as physician paths that require 8+ years of education and training, or nursing paths that pay six figures but only require 2 to 4 years of school. <strong>We found a nurse in our Salary Database with a Bachelor’s degree who makes </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dnurse&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=highestEducation%3D64811ae7061f88ce2a2ce1d6">$130,000 a year</a><strong>.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Or you may want to explore paths in dentistry or optometry that require 1 to 3 years of schooling but still pay well. <strong>We interviewed a dental hygienist who makes $60 an hour (equivalent to around $120,000/year) and found another in our Salary Database making </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Hygienist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=highestEducation%3D64811ae7061f88ce2a2ce1d6">$134,000 a year</a><strong> with an Associate's degree, which typically takes 2 years.</strong></p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQEyQKfAFBQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQEyQKfAFBQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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<p>Those aren’t all the possible medical career paths that exist, either, which is one of the reasons we put together this healthcare career quiz in the first place! There are 11 possible results to make sure we cover all the bases and find the best possible match for you. 😉</p><h2>Take The Free Healthcare Career Quiz</h2><p>Our free Healthcare Career Quiz only takes 1 to 2 minutes to complete and is not only based on what you’re curious about or what motivates you, but also on what schooling and work environment works for you. These factors are crucial to consider so that you can realistically plan for your future.</p><p><strong>Here’s what you’ll get:</strong></p><ul><li>Questions with multiple answers to take all of your interests into account and find your best match.</li><li>Personalized results with common job titles to explore, including next steps to start learning.</li><li>Free tools and resources to hit the ground running (or healing), including free courses, beginner guides, links to interviews with real-life healthcare professionals, and more!</li></ul><p><strong>Take the free quiz and start this next chapter in your life and career with clarity! 👇</strong></p>

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Healthcare Career Quiz: What Healthcare Career is Right for You?

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p><strong>The happiest jobs tend to have 4 characteristics: satisfaction, freedom, balance, and good pay (</strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/the-importance-of-salary-transparency"><strong>salary transparency</strong></a><strong> included). </strong>Based on 37,000 people that <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/talent-acquisition/what-candidates-want-in-2025#:~:text=Compensation%2C%20work%2Dlife%20balance%2C%20and%20flexible%20work%20remain%20the,understanding%20what%20they%20truly%20value.">LinkedIn surveyed</a> in 2025, 63% of employees say that compensation and benefits are their top priorities when looking for a job. That’s not surprising. Money is kind of the whole reason we work in the first place.</p><p>If we’re working 40 hours a week, we’re spending a third of our lives toiling away for a paycheck. You might as well do something that you enjoy and makes you happy. That doesn’t mean it has to be your “passion” either. It could simply be a <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/low-stress-jobs-that-pay-well">low-stress job that pays well</a>, is fulfilling, and has good job security.</p><p><a href="https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/data-at-work/data-stories/2025-eggshell-economy">BambooHR</a> reported that we’re currently in what they call an “eggshell economy”. Employees feel like they’re literally walking on eggshells at their jobs while economic tension looms and AI becomes more involved. Many are happy that they have jobs, but may not necessarily have a “happy job”. This shows us that what makes employees happy at their jobs shifts as our economy, technology, and job market shifts. Job security definitely goes into the happiness equation.</p><p>Even in an economy and mixed-up job market that we have now, there are still happy jobs that are both stable and high-paying. <strong>Let’s look at the top 9 to see where your skills and interests might fit.</strong></p><p><strong>Key findings:</strong></p><ul><li>The happiest jobs are real estate agents (4.2 out of 5 job satisfaction rating from <a href="https://career.io/career-advice/careers-that-make-americans-happiest">Career.io</a>) and surgeons (ranked most meaningful job by <a href="https://www.payscale.com/data-packages/most-and-least-meaningful-jobs">Payscale</a>).</li><li>Roles with the highest reported job meaning are surgeons (96%) and physical therapists (90%).</li><li>Out of the real professionals we interviewed, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, and firefighters talked the most about why they love their job.</li><li>The highest-paying happiest jobs from our Salary Database are surgeons, anesthesiologists, and civil engineers.</li><li>Happy jobs with the highest median salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are surgeons, anesthesiologists, and data scientists.</li><li>More than half of the jobs listed have a six-figure median salary and a third of them don’t require a college degree to get started.</li><li>Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What makes a “happy job”?</h2><p>A happy job is exactly that. It’s a job that makes you happy. The job itself may not be the sole reason you’re happy but it supports <i>your </i>ability to be happy, because happiness is subjective. It’s a personal emotion, like anger, sadness, fear, and excitement.&nbsp;</p><p>A whole branch of psychology, called positive psychology, has been trying to define happiness since the 1990s. There’s no specific thing that makes everyone happy across the board. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/happiness">Psychology Today </a>comes close and defines happiness as, “a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life, one with a sense of meaning and deep contentment”.&nbsp;</p><p>A happy job is a job that’s meaningful and gives you the freedom to live your life how you want. Which brings us to the question, “What’s meaningful work to you?”.</p><p>I spoke to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewmccaskill/">Andrew McCaskill</a>, a LinkedIn Career Expert and author of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow/?entityUrn=7023713016630185985">The Black Guy in Marketing</a> newsletter, about how to find your own happy job and he says it best: “You have to approach your job search with clarity around your non negotiables and that list shouldn’t be long. <strong>Ask yourself: </strong><i><strong>What do I truly need most? What are the wants I can’t live without?”</strong></i></p><h2>9 Happiest Jobs With The Highest Pay</h2><p>We’ve identified the happiest roles that pay the most using job satisfaction data from <a href="https://career.io/career-advice/careers-that-make-americans-happiest">Career.io</a> and <a href="https://www.payscale.com/data-packages/most-and-least-meaningful-jobs">Payscale</a>, salary data we’ve collected in our public <a href="http://salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> of over 13,500 salaries and 3+ years of <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-we-made-1million">street interviews,</a> and job data from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh">U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> (BLS).</p><p>To find more about these happy jobs, search our Salary Database and <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a>. Don’t forget to <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/onboarding">join and add your salary</a>!</p><h2>1. Surgeon</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm#tab-5">$371,280</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSurgeon&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$1.5M</a></p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>Payscale asked 2 million workers about the most and least meaningful jobs and surgeons <a href="https://www.payscale.com/data-packages/most-and-least-meaningful-jobs">topped their rankings</a> at 96% reporting high job meaning and 83% reporting high job satisfaction. These include general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and neurosurgeons who treat and operate on patients.</p><p>Even though this is definitely a high-stress job, surgeons have a huge impact on their patients’ lives and find a lot of fulfillment in that. It’s also the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">highest-paying healthcare job </a>out there, but if this is something you want to do, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. The healthcare field is not for the faint of heart, but for those who are up to the task, the work is very rewarding!</p><p><strong>Required education:</strong> Bachelor’s degree in a science field, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (OD) from medical school, and a 3 to 9-year residency.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLvygd" rel="sponsored">Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology Fundamentals</a></p><h2>2. Anesthesiologist</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm#tab-5">$336,640</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DAnesthesiologist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$625,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>A factor that contributes to healthcare workers’ happiness is that they’re 10% more likely to prioritize an inclusive workplace when compared to other industries, according to <a href="https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/resources/best-in-class-healthcare-hiring?trk=evp_blog">LinkedIn</a>. This could be one of the reasons that Payscale’s most meaningful jobs with the highest job satisfaction were healthcare jobs, with anesthesiologists being at number 2.&nbsp;</p><p>Anesthesiologists are the doctors who put you under for surgery so you don’t have to feel that pain in real time. They watch over you to make sure you don’t have any weird reactions and slowly bring you back to reality once it’s all over.&nbsp;</p><p>The hours can be long, but the job actually comes with a lot of balance. <strong>A cardiac anesthesiologist we interviewed has 4 kids and says that he never missed anything important. He makes $700,000 a year!&nbsp;</strong></p>

#CardiacAnesthesiologist in Phoenix, AZ📍#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<p><strong>Required education:</strong> Bachelor’s degree in a science field, a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (OD) from medical school, and a 3 to 4-year residency. There are also other roles available in the anesthesia area that pay well and don’t require a doctoral degree, like <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/certified-anesthesiologist-assistant">certified anesthesiologist assistants</a>!</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/zxD6jM" rel="sponsored">Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us</a></p><h2>3. Data Scientist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm">$112,590</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Ddata+scientist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$270,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034):</strong> 34%</p><p><a href="http://career.io">Career.io</a> analyzed over 750,000 job reviews to find what makes people happy at work and data scientists ranked as the most satisfying among highly-paid jobs (4.07 out of 5).&nbsp;</p><p>Data scientists are the professionals that are powering AI. They spend their days looking at data sets to find similarities in order to build machine learning models, like ChatGPT, which is a machine learning model called a large language model. There’s a lot of freedom, flexibility, and excitement that comes with a <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-tech-jobs">high-paying tech job</a> like this. They get to have a first-hand look at how <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">AI is changing our world</a> while getting to see their work make a real impact.&nbsp;</p><p>Plus, they often get to work remotely, independently, and their expertise is continually growing in demand, making it one of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/top-jobs-of-2025">highest-paying jobs of the future</a>.</p><p>Andrew says to keep in mind that higher-paying positions like data scientists have other certain tradeoffs to consider besides things like work-life balance. “High earners often face deeper trade-offs: doing work they don’t enjoy or making decisions that conflict with their personal values.” Sometimes your values will conflict with the values of the organization you’re working in, regardless of how much you enjoy the technical work you do.</p>

<p><strong>Required education: </strong>Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science or data science is preferred, but there are alternative ways to break in with courses, certifications, and putting together a portfolio. <strong>We interviewed a data scientist who makes $100,000 a year and got started with a few college courses.</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/4GXdxL" rel="sponsored">Foundations of Data Science</a></p><p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-break-into-tech">How to Break Into Tech and IT (With Tips From Real Tech Workers)</a></p><h2>4. Education Administrator</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm">$103,960</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DEducation+Administrator&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$100,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034):</strong> 2%</p><p>Education administrators help manage and run schools and school districts. They may plan class schedules, hire teachers, and even work with the community to get support for schools. They also do a ton of other things like organizing events and making sure the school follows laws and education rules. It’s a lot of responsibility but it’s also very satisfying when they get to see the impact they’re making in their community.</p><p><strong>We interviewed an educational administrator who makes $80,000 a year. </strong>When asked if he thought he was being fairly compensated, he expressed that $120,000/$130,000 would be closer to the market rate because of the knowledge and future career help you’re providing students. We agree!<strong> Educators are severely undervalued and should be paid more!&nbsp;</strong></p>

#Counselor and #EducationalAdministrator in New York City📍#salarytransparentstreet #paytransparency

<p><strong>Required education:</strong> Master’s degree in educational administration is required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLYnj3" rel="sponsored">Transforming Education in an Interconnected World Specialization</a></p><h2>5. Physical Therapist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm">$101,020</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DPhysical+Therapist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$200,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>11%</p><p>Physical therapists are the doctors you go to when you’re recovering from an injury or procedure and need help getting back to your normal physical activities. Physical therapists safely guide you through physical training, stretching, and other activities to help you fully heal and get to your goals.&nbsp;</p><p>Payscale found that 79% of physical therapists reported high employee satisfaction and 90% reported high job meaning. <strong>We interviewed a physical therapist who makes $80,000 a year and she says the best part of her job is helping people and getting them back to doing what they love to do.</strong> Of course, dealing with people can be a challenge, but she loves it overall.</p>

How much does a #PhysicalTherapist make in📍Baltimore, MD? #salarytransparentstreet

<p><strong>Required education: </strong>Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is required. <strong>The physical therapist we interviewed spent 7 years in school: 4 years of undergrad and 3 years of physical therapy school.</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLYnjx" rel="sponsored">Science of Exercise</a></p><h2>6. Civil Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm#tab-5">$99,590</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcivil+engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$500,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>5%</p><p>Imagine being able to build the real world around you, not just in video games. That’s essentially what a civil engineer does. They do all the things behind the scenes of what we see everyday in a stable and functioning city or town. They may design buildings and structures with sustainability in mind and plan roads to handle the volume of their population. They may also find ways to use water and land resources more safely.&nbsp;</p><p>Career.io ranked this job as their 4th high-paid job with the highest job satisfaction rate (3.95 out of 5). It’s a very cool job with a lot of freedom and flexibility, and not to mention, a good-looking paycheck too.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Required education: </strong>Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/PO7agj" rel="sponsored">The Engineering of Structures Around Us</a></p><h2>7. Real Estate Agent or Broker</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm#tab-5">$72,280</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dreal+estate+agent&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$400,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>4%</p><p>Career.io found that real estate agents have the highest job satisfaction rate across the board with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5. Real estate agents and brokers both work with people to buy or sell their home, and <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">neither one needs a college degree</a> to do it. The big difference between them is that agents must work under a broker. A real estate broker needs a broker license and can either work independently or for their own firm.&nbsp;</p><p>Real estate agents get paid in commission, which is the percentage they get after the house sells to account for the work spent helping the transaction go through. We had a few realtors sit down and talk about what they do in their roles, and they stressed that even though there is flexibility, there are times where they have to be available all of the time. They all stressed that their favorite part of their job is the people aspect.</p>

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make? + Selling Sunset Reactions and More! | The Break Room Episode 1

<p><strong>Required education:</strong> High school diploma or GED. Real estate brokers need a broker license.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-principles-of-real-estate" rel="sponsored">The Principles of Real Estate</a></p><h2>8. Interior Designer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/interior-designers.htm">$63,490</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dinterior+designer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$120,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>Interior designers focus on either residential or commercial design and work with contractors to bring build plans to life. They may draw basic construction documents, plan how rooms are arranged, or pick the colors so everything goes well together. It’s a fun and <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-creative-jobs">great-paying creative job</a> with good work-life balance and high job satisfaction. In fact, Payscale reports a 3.9 out of 5 job satisfaction based on <a href="https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Interior_Designer/Salary">1,364 survey responses</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We interviewed an interior designer in Boston who makes $60,000 a year after doing it for 2 years, and she says that it’s perfect for those who are good with people and have an eye for design.</strong> She also says the pay could be a little better though 😉.</p>

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<p><strong>Required education: </strong>Bachelor’s degree in interior design is preferred, but it’s possible to break in with an Associate’s degree or internships and a strong portfolio.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/vPY2v3" rel="sponsored">MAYA Architecture - Setting Up Interior Floor Map</a></p><h2>9. Firefighter</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm#tab-5">$62,290</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DFirefighter&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$402,000</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>Career.io gives firefighters a high job satisfaction rating of 3.78 out of 5, even with how dangerous their job is. They put their life on the line to get up close and personal with wildfires, building fires, chemical fires, you name it. Putting them out and rescuing those in danger is no easy feat.</p><p>Obviously, the pay could be better, but firefighting is also a <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-join-a-union">union job</a> and comes with great benefits, like healthcare coverage and overtime pay. Firefighters are a part of the <a href="https://www.iaff.org/">International Association of Firefighters </a>(IAFF) labor union who negotiates wages and benefits on behalf of its members. Unions are also common with many <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">trade jobs</a>.</p><p><strong>We interviewed a firefighter who makes $92,000 a year after working for 3 years. They say they feel well compensated and the best part of their job is constantly being able to help people and work with a tight brotherhood and sisterhood. </strong>The job is definitely tough, but he says the guys and girls around you get you through it.</p>

How Much Do First Responders Really Make? EMTs, Police Officers...Shocking Salary Breakdown! 🚑💰

<p><strong>Required education:</strong> High school degree and on-the-job <a href="https://www.iaff.org/apprenticeship/">paid apprenticeship</a> with the IAFF.</p><h2>How to Find a Job You’ll Love</h2><p>Looking for a job you’ll absolutely love may take some trial and error. Talk to people that are doing the things you’re curious about. Ask them what they love and don’t love about their jobs, and don’t be afraid to <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/discussing-salary-with-coworkers">ask about the pay</a>. You can always tell them Salary Transparent Street told you to for your market rate research!</p><p>Start with the folks closest to you: your friends, family, work colleagues, and the people you’ve worked with in the past. Then get on LinkedIn and follow and connect with people that are doing the things you’d like to get into and look at their career paths they took. Look at what they post to see what their attitude is about the line of work they’re in. This is a tell-tale sign of how much they love or don’t love their job. <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/index.htm">Glassdoor reviews</a> can also help in a similar way.</p><p>Also look up companies on LinkedIn that you’d like to work for and follow them (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">including us</a>!). This is a little known trick that will help recruiters find you faster. People who follow the recruiter’s company come up first in their searches (which looks different than the search function we have on the normal side of LinkedIn).</p><p><strong>But what if you’ve been out of work for a while? </strong>Andrew has an important message for those with a gap in their resume who have a harder time landing a job. “For those who’ve been out of work for a while, there often comes a point where taking a <i>bridge role</i>, a job that gets you employed and earning again until you find the right next role, is the smartest move," says Andrew. "It’s not always easy to hear, but being employed can make job seeking much easier, both financially and psychologically.”</p><p><strong>For a little more help finding your career happiness, browse any of our free guides:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-get-into-a-trade">How to Get Into a Trade</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-break-into-tech">How to Break Into Tech</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">Healthcare Career Guide</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/dental-career-guide">How to Start a Career in Dentistry</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-start-a-creative-career">How to Start a Creative Career (or Pivot to One)</a></li></ul><p>When you’re ready to start applying to jobs, use our free Transparent Job Board that shows salaries and salary ranges for each job listing, regardless of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> in your state. Meaning that even if it isn’t required in your state, we list those salaries on our job board anyway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The job search process may take a little longer than normal, but this is where your network comes in. When you can’t get your resume to the top of the stack because AI sifts it out, go back to the humans. See who works at the company that you could reach out to. Work with recruiters who work to place people at different companies. Join online career groups like those on LinkedIn so you have people to talk to about the jobs they’re posting.</p><p>You might have to get a little creative, but we know you’ll do great!</p><p><strong>Author note: </strong>I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub">Salary Transparent Street blog</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) If you want to connect, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land your dream job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Don’t know what you want to do? Take any of our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">career quizzes</a>!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li></ul>

Happiest jobs desktop cover image with green background and illustration of different job titles and title text overlay that reads happiest jobs with the highest salaries

Happiest jobs mobile cover image with green background and illustration of different job titles and title text overlay that reads happiest jobs with the highest salaries

9 Happiest Jobs That Pay Over $60K in 2025 (+ What Real Employees Say)

<p><i>*This article was created in collaboration with the </i><a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways?utm_medium=earnedsocial&amp;utm_source=sts-ig&amp;utm_content=dental-careers&amp;utm_campaign=membervalue" rel="sponsored"><i>American Dental Association</i></a><i>.*&nbsp;</i></p><p>If you have a passion for oral health and an obsession with your own pearly whites, a dental career path might be worth exploring, especially if you love helping people and working with your hands.</p><p>The dentist workforce is continually growing and is expected to increase through 2040, according to <a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dentist-workforce?utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_source=sts-bl&amp;utm_content=dental-careers&amp;utm_campaign=professional">The U.S. Dental Workforce Report</a> from the American Dental Association (ADA). As we near the end of a baby boomer retirement surge in the field, opportunities are opening up for newer dentists. Meanwhile, hygienists and dental assistants are already in high demand.</p><p>In a world where the media is constantly telling us that <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">AI will take our jobs</a>, the dental field (like many healthcare careers) is emerging as a more stable and safe job choice. It’s hard to automate hands-on and highly specialized job skills like the ones we see in dentistry. Plus, teeth are delicate, and I don’t know about you, but I feel more comfortable with a trained person caring for my mouth.</p><p>Dental professionals also have high job-satisfaction rates (<a href="https://academic.oup.com/healthaffairsscholar/article/3/1/qxae147/7951759">80%</a>) with six-figure salaries to match. According to our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>, the highest publicly-shared salaries recorded were <strong>$1.5M for oral surgeons, $650,000 for pediatric dentists, and $500,000 for general dentists.</strong> The highest non-dentist role came in at <strong>$150,000 for dental hygienists</strong>. Pretty sweet deal, right? You’ll get to work on smiles while funding your own.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>In this dental career guide, you’ll learn how to plan and prepare for your new career, including what your options are, how to choose a school or program, and where to find jobs.</strong> You’ll also learn about the wealth of resources for dental professionals offered by the ADA, as well as salary data from our database, interviews, and other public data sources like the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> (BLS).</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What Types of Dental Career Paths Exist (&amp; What Do They Make)?</h2><p>There are many career paths within dentistry to explore, all of which have positive projected growth rates. Dentists and specialized dentists are projected to grow by 4% by 2034. Dental hygienists are projected to grow by 7%, with dental assistants not far behind at 6%, according to the BLS.</p><p>You don’t have to become a dentist to make good money either. Dentists aren’t the only lucrative dental career path that exists. There are many other roles, both clinical and non-clinical, that can still pull in six-figures.<strong> For example, we interviewed a dental hygienist that makes $55 - $60 an hour and an operations manager for a dental lab and dental practice who makes between $85,000 - $100,000 a year!</strong></p>

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<p>Let’s break down all of the possible dental professions out there and get to know them a little better 👇</p><p><strong>*The salary data below is sourced from the BLS for median salaries, and our Salary Database and Glassdoor for the salary ranges.*</strong></p><figure class="table"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:20%;"><col style="width:20%;"><col style="width:20%;"><col style="width:20%;"><col style="width:20%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Job Title</strong></p></td><td><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Duties</strong></p></td><td><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>BLS Median Salary</strong></p></td><td><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>STS + Glassdoor Salary Range</strong></p></td><td><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Required Education</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td>Dentist (general)</td><td>Provides treatment and diagnosis for teeth and gums.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-1">$179,210</a></td><td><p>Part-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Ddentist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=1&amp;filters=jobType%3DPart-time">$38,000 - $300,000</a></p><p><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Full-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Ddentist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=jobType%3DFull-time">$67,000 - $400,000</a></p><p><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Contract:</p><p><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Ddentist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=1&amp;filters=jobType%3DContract">$60,000 - $350,000</a></p></td><td>DDS or DMD</td></tr><tr><td>Pediatric Dentist</td><td>Specialized dentists for infants and minors.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5">$225,770</a></td><td><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dpediatric+dentist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$50,000 (contract) - $650,000 (full-time)</a></td><td>DDS/DMD &amp; 2-3 year pediatric residency</td></tr><tr><td>Prosthodontist</td><td>Works on crowns, dentures, and implants.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5">$239,200</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-prosthodontist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,17.htm">$484,000 - $811,000</a></td><td>DDS/DMD &amp; 3 year prosthodontics residency</td></tr><tr><td>Orthodontist</td><td>Focuses on teeth and jaw alignment.&nbsp;</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5">$239,200</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DOrthodontist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$120,000 - $350,000</a></td><td>DDS/DMD &amp; 2-3 year orthodontics residency</td></tr><tr><td>Endodontist</td><td>Performs root canal therapy.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5">$225,770</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-endodontist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,14.htm">$424,000 - $751,000</a></td><td>DDS/DMD &amp; 2-3 year endodontics residency</td></tr><tr><td>Periodontist</td><td>Treats gum disease &amp; supports structures like the jaw bone.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5">$225,770</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-periodontist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,15.htm">$252,000 - $471,000</a></td><td>DDS/DMD &amp; 3 year periodontics residency</td></tr><tr><td>Oral Surgeon&nbsp;</td><td>Performs oral surgeries, such as extractions &amp; reconstructions.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5">$239,200</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DOral+Surgeon&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$400,000 - $1.5M</a></td><td>DDS/DMD &amp; 4-6 year surgical residency&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Dental Hygienist</td><td>Cleans teeth while checking for disease and cavities.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm">$94,260</a></td><td><p>Part-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Hygienist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=jobType%3DPart-time">$77,000 - $125,000</a></p><p><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Full-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Hygienist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=jobType%3DFull-time">$54,000 - $150,000</a></p></td><td>Associate’s or Bachelor’s in dental hygiene&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Dental Assistant</td><td>Assists dentists during procedures.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm">$47,300</a></td><td><p>Part-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Assistant&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=jobType%3DPart-time">$29,000 - $61,000</a></p><p><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Full-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Assistant&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=jobType%3DFull-time">$35,000 - $61,000</a></p></td><td>Certificate/diploma from a CODA program &amp; state-specific requirements</td></tr><tr><td>Lab Technician</td><td>Makes prosthetics like crowns and dentures.</td><td><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/dental-and-ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians-and-medical-appliance-technicians.htm">$45,820</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-dental-lab-technician-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,24.htm">$67,000 - $104,000</a></td><td>Associate’s degree or on-the-job training</td></tr><tr><td>Dental Office Manager</td><td>Manage admin and business operations of a dental practice.</td><td><a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-dental-office-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,24.htm">$66,000</a></td><td>Full-time: <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Office+Manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=industry%3DHospital%2C+Health+Care%2C+Social+Services">$67,000 - $92,000</a></td><td>Bachelor’s degree preferred with some dental office admin experience</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>Dental salaries are some of the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">highest-paying healthcare salaries</a> and may differ depending on your location and work environment. Dental healthcare workers with the highest salaries typically reside in Washington, Vermont, Alaska, and Delaware, while states with the lowest are Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Nevada, and Wyoming, according to the BLS <a href="https://data.bls.gov/oesmap/">Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Map</a> (a great resource to look at earnings across the country for any profession).</p><p><strong>We interviewed a dental assistant that makes $27 an hour in Virginia, which was better pay than what she got in Washington D.C.. </strong>Her next goal is to go back to school to explore dental hygiene.</p>

How much does a #DentalAssistant make in📍Arlington, VA?#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<p><strong>Working in dentistry means dental professionals have many different environments to choose from when deciding where to work:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Private practices: </strong>Small and mid-size practices owned by a dentist or dentists who oversee all parts of the practice.</li><li><strong>Group practices:</strong> Multi-location practices that generally outsources non-clinical duties (like HR, billing, etc.) to an outside or corporate entity. Generally, dentists here are employees and not owners.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Academic dentistry: </strong>Dental schools, universities and programs.</li><li><strong>Public health dentistry: </strong>Federal, state, and local agencies, like the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and Indian Health Service (IHS).</li><li><strong>Dental laboratory:</strong> A facility that works with dental practices without a lab on-site to make custom devices like crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants.</li><li><strong>Research: </strong>Research at universities, private industry, and federal facilities, like the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, and the National Institutes of Health.</li><li><strong>International healthcare: </strong>International agencies, like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).</li><li><strong>Hospital dentistry: </strong>Hospital settings.</li><li><strong>Nonclinical: </strong>Working in dental or other industries but not practicing.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>How to Choose a School or Program</h2><p><strong>For Dentists:</strong><br>When choosing a dental school, look for schools that are accredited by the <a href="https://coda.ada.org/find-a-program">Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)</a>. There are more than 60 schools that have this accreditation and you can use the CODA website to search for predoctoral, allied, or advanced dental education programs. To apply, use the central <a href="https://aadsas.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/#/login/#%2Flogin%2F">American Association of Dental Schools Application Service</a>. All dental schools also require applicants to take a <a href="https://www.ada.org/education/testing/exams/dental-admission-test-dat">Dental Admissions Test</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degrees typically take four years to complete, plus additional years for dental specialties like oral surgery. Dentists must also be <a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/licensure">licensed</a>. Expect to take courses like anatomy, microbiology, and biochemistry, among many others. The last two years is when the real fun starts and you spend most of your time with clinicals and patient care.</p><p>Average tuition costs vary by program and career path, <strong>but can total up to $400,000 for all four years, according to the </strong><a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-education"><strong>ADA</strong></a><strong>. </strong>Luckily, there are financial aid options like dental scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantship options if you want to try and avoid student loans.&nbsp;</p><p>The <a href="https://www.asdanet.org/index/dental-student-resources/scholarships">American Student Dental Association</a>, <a href="https://www.adea.org/home/education/ADEA-Scholarships-Awards-and-Fellowships/for-students">American Dental Education Association (ADEA)</a>, and <a href="https://ndafoundation.org/">National Dental Association Foundation</a> are all websites that you can use to find available programs. The ADA also offers <a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/students/manage-your-finances">financial resources</a> on their website.</p><p><strong>For Dental Team Members:</strong></p><p>Dental hygienists, assistants, and other dental team roles require less schooling, and can get started with an associate’s degree or other <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">trade job</a> programs. However, a bachelor’s degree might help you command better pay and flexibility, but equivalent experience is just as valuable.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn more about each of these and where to find CODA accredited programs:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways/dental-hygienist">Dental hygienist resources</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways/dental-assistant">Dental assistant resources</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways/dental-laboratory-technician">Dental lab technician resources</a></li></ul><p>There is no CODA-accredited program for<a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways/dental-office-manager"> dental office managers</a>. Typically, dental office managers have a variety of educational backgrounds. Some dental office managers have bachelor’s or associate degrees or some other type of formal education. But there are a variety of other educational opportunities available outside of a college or university setting and many can also learn on the job.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.adha.org/education/">American Dental Hygienist Association</a> (ADHA), <a href="https://adaausa.org/">American Dental Assistants Association</a> (ADAA), <a href="https://www.danb.org/">Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)</a>,&nbsp; <a href="https://www.nadl.org/">National Association of Dental Laboratories</a> (NADL), and <a href="https://www.dentalmanagers.com/">American Association of Dental Office Management</a> (AADOM) can help you find more information on education requirements, any required state licensing, and open job opportunities.</p><h2>Where to Find Dental Jobs</h2><p>The ADA Career Center is the best place to start your job search. Because dentistry is such a specialized area, you should start your job search with dental-specific job boards. The <a href="https://careercenter.ada.org/">ADA Career Center</a> is the perfect example. You can browse jobs in the many areas of dentistry, search for employers, and get career advice.</p><p>Our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Salary Transparent Job Board</a> can be your next stop to find more jobs in dentistry. All job listings have the salary range listed with important points about the job in an easy-to-read format.&nbsp;</p><p>Other helpful job search tools are federal job boards like the <a href="https://vacareers.va.gov/careers/dentist-jobs/">VA </a>and the classifieds in your <a href="https://myaccount.ada.org/s/searchdirectory?id=a2I8V000001yE6O&amp;_gl=1*w2pxiu*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NTk3Njg2NzEuQ2owS0NRancwWTNIQmhDeEFSSXNBTjc5MzFWWC1HMzVBYlljVDdhX3BmZGkybVdVbnVwSU9ZTTBueW16WVVnbkNwdDl2VlpBTDVSNWhYRWFBdVExRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NDM5NjQzMTAyLjE3NTQwNTk4NzA.*_ga*MTU3ODc1NTQ3MS4xNzU0MDU5ODcw*_ga_NJ0EYRGSL1*czE3NjAwMzI3MTIkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzYwMDM0MTQwJGoyMyRsMCRoMA..*_ga_X8X57NRJ4D*czE3NjAwMzI3MTIkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzYwMDM0MTQwJGoyMyRsMCRoMA..*_ga_NVSBFQCBYE*czE3NjAwMzI3MTIkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzYwMDM0MTQwJGoyMyRsMCRoMA..*_ga_JDE0LTHGWL*czE3NjAwMzI3MTIkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzYwMDM0MTQwJGoyMyRsMCRoMA..">state’s dental association</a>.</p><h2>Next Steps: Resources for Students &amp; Professionals</h2><p>Other ways to take the next step towards a career in dentistry is to seek out entry-level work at dental offices or shadow other dental workers while you’re finishing your schooling. Reach out to those already in the field building their careers and get their perspective about what they would or wouldn’t do differently.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/discussing-salary-with-coworkers">Talk to them about their salary</a> too and any <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">salary negotiation tips</a> they used when landing their first few dental jobs. Depending on the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> in your state, this information may or may not already be available when looking through current job listings.&nbsp;</p><p>They may also have tips for how they paid for dental school and either joined or started a dental practice. Then apply that advice to your own situation. &nbsp;</p><p>The ADA has a wealth of resources for new students and current dental professionals on their <a href="https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-pathways?utm_medium=earnedsocial&amp;utm_source=sts-ig&amp;utm_content=dental-careers&amp;utm_campaign=membervalue" rel="sponsored">Career Hub</a>. Take full advantage of it for guidance and resources straight from dental experts that can help you start from ground zero and grow your career from there.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you want to learn more about other careers, check out our other recent free career guides:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">Healthcare Career Guide</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-get-into-a-trade">How to Get Into a Trade</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-break-into-tech">How to Break Into Tech</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/how-to-start-a-creative-career">How to Start a Creative Career (or Pivot to One)</a></li></ul><p>Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub">Salary Transparent Street blog</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land your dream job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Looking for a job? Start your job search on our salary transparent <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/jobs">job board</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Don’t know what you want to do? Take any of our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">career quizzes</a>!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!<br>&nbsp;</li></ul>

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How to Start a Career in Dentistry (+ Tips From Real Dental Professionals)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p><strong>Low-stress jobs that pay well are more common than you think.</strong> We actually found 12 <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying careers</a> offering salaries over $70,000 that don't require you to be “on” 24/7, and not all of them require a 4-year college degree.&nbsp;</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a> (BLS) data and <a href="https://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/result/1.C.4.b">stress tolerance ratings</a> from the U.S. Department of Labor’s sponsored site, O*NET, positions like water resource specialists ($161,180 median salary), quality assurance testers ($131,450), and actuaries ($125,770) combine high pay with a strong work-life balance, which are the 2 main factors we included when ranking these jobs.&nbsp;</p><p>Your job has a huge effect on your mental health. When your work is always stressing you out, it’s hard to think clearly and take care of yourself. According to a <a href="https://www.mercer.com/insights/people-strategy/future-of-work/global-talent-trends/">2024-2025 report from Mercer</a>, an HR consulting firm, <strong>82% of employees are at risk of burnout</strong>, with some even citing stress-related illnesses. That’s a huge number.&nbsp;</p><p>A high salary with high stress versus a well-paid job with minimal stress? I’ll take the latter. But for someone else who wants a certain high-stress job because they love it, the pay and perks may be worth it to them. It’s all about what your priorities and interests are, and what is particularly stressful for you.</p><p><strong>In this article, we'll dive into the top 12 low-stress high-paying jobs, what they do, specific salary ranges, why they're low stress, and how you can find one of your own.</strong></p><p><strong>Key takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li>Half of the 12 top-earning careers with the least stress don’t require a bachelor’s degree and accept associate’s degrees, certifications, portfolios, and bootcamps or courses to break in.</li><li>9 out of 12 of the jobs listed offer flexible and remote work options for better work-life balance.</li><li>9 out of 12 jobs have strong job security with faster-than-average growth rates, including data scientists leading at 34% projected growth through 2034.</li><li>Environmental economist ranks as the least stressful high-paying job with a stress tolerance ranking of 52 and a median salary of $115,440.</li><li>The highest-paying low-stress jobs from our Salary Database are environmental economists and data scientists.</li><li>Low-stress jobs with the highest median salaries according to the BLS are water resource specialists and quality assurance testers.</li><li>Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What are low-stress jobs?</h2><p>Low-stress jobs are jobs that don’t come with a lot of pressure. The workload and stress are manageable, there’s a clear work-life balance, and your mental energy isn’t left depleted every day.</p><p>They often require <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/high-income-skills">specialized skillsets</a> and expertise rather than being productivity based, meaning you aren’t constantly hounded for performance metrics or racing against aggressive deadlines. This also rules out roles with urgent duties like on-call shifts and “jack of all trades” responsibilities.&nbsp;</p><p>Having said that, what’s considered stressful is personal. What you consider to be less stressful may actually be more stressful for someone else. We all have different interests, work styles, lifestyles, and social skills.&nbsp;</p><p>Plus, our brains aren’t all the same. Keep this in mind as you research the different jobs from this list. Also be sure to look for jobs at companies that provide supportive benefits like affordable healthcare coverage (mental health included), flexible or remote work, ample time off, and family and caregiver support.</p><h2>How We Ranked These Low-Stress High-Paying Jobs</h2><p><strong>Main factors we looked at when identifying high-paying jobs with the least amount of stress:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Salary:</strong> Roles were identified using data we’ve collected in our public <a href="http://salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>, first-hand experience from <a href="https://youtube.com/@salarytransparentstreet?si=6dQt5ybqNmQi8Q0p">our interviews</a>, and job data from the BLS. High salaries provide more financial stability and also reduces any money-related stress.</li><li><strong>Stress tolerance data from O*NET:</strong> Jobs with stress rankings below 75, except for a few jobs that we explain their tradeoffs.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Manageable workload:</strong> The workload is realistically for 1 person and manageable without feeling scattered or having to work late or on weekends.</li><li><strong>Work-life balance:</strong> They don’t eat up all of your free time and don’t involve emergency work or a lot of overtime.</li><li><strong>Flexibility or remote work options:</strong> There’s a flexible work culture or remote work options available. We included 9 <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-remote-jobs">jobs that can be done remotely</a>.</li><li><strong>Autonomy:</strong> There’s some freedom and control over how you do your work without heavy supervision or micromanagement.</li><li><strong>Social involvement: </strong>Job options with limited social interaction, with also a few that do for those who are more social.</li><li><strong>Job satisfaction and security:</strong> High-satisfaction jobs with faster than average job growth over the next 10 years.</li></ul><h2><strong>12 Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well &amp; Keep You Sane in 2025</strong></h2><p>These roles span healthcare, technology, finance, and environmental sectors with options for different work styles and personalities. To find more salary and job data, search for any of the below positions in our <a href="http://salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> or <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Salary Transparent Job Board</a>. Don’t forget to <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/onboarding">join</a> and add your salary too!</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>1. Water Resource Specialist or Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/natural-sciences-managers.htm#tab-1">$161,180 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DWater+Resource+Engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$125,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 4%</p><p>As the highest-paying role on this list with one of the lowest stress rankings (59), water resource specialists have a structured job where they manage water systems like municipal water supply systems so their communities have access to clean water. It’s low stress because of the predictable work schedule with standard business hours, especially if they work for a government agency, and over half of the work is spent working independently. &nbsp;</p><p><strong>What’s required:</strong> Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, or similar area is typically required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/BngAeB" rel="sponsored">Sustainable Urban Water Systems</a></p><h2>2. Quality Assurance (QA) Tester or Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm">$131,450 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSoftware+Tester&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$170,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>15%</p><p>QA testers run different software tests to find existing bugs and what’s causing them, while QA engineers are the ones who develop the automated tests they run. However, both duties may be combined into one role. It depends on the company and how their teams are structured.</p><p>This role has much lower stress levels than other <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-tech-jobs">high-paying tech jobs</a>. They have a standard work schedule with a lot of flexibility and remote work opportunities, and no on-call rotations like tech support roles have.</p><p><strong>On an interesting side note: </strong>We interviewed a government contractor who also works part-time as QA engineer. They stated that the additional role helps them keep their sanity in an unstable job market.</p>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet/video/7368520412881325354" data-video-id="7368520412881325354" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@salarytransparentstreet" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet?refer=embed">@salarytransparentstreet</a> How much does an <a title="overemployed" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/overemployed?refer=embed">#overemployed</a> <a title="uxdeveloper" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/uxdeveloper?refer=embed">#UXDeveloper</a> and part-time <a title="qaengineer" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/qaengineer?refer=embed">#QAEngineer</a> make? Washington, DC📍 <a title="salarytransparentstreet" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/salarytransparentstreet?refer=embed">#salarytransparentstreet</a> <a title="salarytransparency" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/salarytransparency?refer=embed">#salarytransparency</a> <a title="paytransparency" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/paytransparency?refer=embed">#paytransparency</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Salary Transparent Street" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7368520525187975982?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Salary Transparent Street</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar area, or QA bootcamps and certifications. <strong>We also interviewed a former professional baseball player who was able to</strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/from-baseball-to-law-to-tech"><strong> </strong>pivot their career to software QA testing</a><strong> through a QA Bootcamp!</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/LK6vxY" rel="sponsored">Software Quality Assurance and Testing</a>&nbsp;</p><h2>3. Actuary</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/actuaries.htm">$125,770 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dactuary&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$220,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 22%</p><p>Actuaries are like data analysts, but they’re solely focused on analyzing financial risk for things like insurance and financial planning (such as pensions and a company’s <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/401k-rollovers">401(k)</a> offering). With a stress rating of only 57, this role is seen as pretty low stress due to factors such as a collaborative work environment and the job security from a growing demand for their skill set (set to grow by 22% by 2034).</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, or statistics is preferred.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/7aPQdg" rel="sponsored">Business and Financial Modeling</a></p><h2>4. Environmental Economist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/economists.htm">$115,440 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DEnvironmental+economist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$850,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 1%</p><p>Environmental economists are economists that use statistical techniques to analyze how we use the natural environment, like water and land, and protect it. It’s perfect for those looking for a job where they can contribute to the cause of protecting our beautiful earth. This role has the lowest stress ranking of 52 from O*NET. It’s also seen as low stress because of the job satisfaction it provides and a flexible environment where they can work independently.</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental economics is typically required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/DyoJB2" rel="sponsored">Environmental Economics</a></p><h2>5. Data Scientist or Analyst</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm#tab-1">$112,590 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DData+Scientist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$270,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 34%</p><p>A data scientist looks at large datasets, often across several systems, to find similarities and relationships to build machine learning models and AI agents. Without their work, we wouldn’t have AI. The demand for their expertise is growing faster than any other role on this list (34%), making it one of the<a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/top-jobs-of-2025"> best-paying future jobs</a> to watch.&nbsp;</p><p>The role has a lot of autonomy with flexible and remote work options (which also ranked it as one of our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/happiest-jobs">happiest jobs</a>), but stress definitely depends on the company they work for. Government and research roles tend to be lower stress than startups, finance, or roles with direct revenue impact.</p>

<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet/video/7340714355572411690" data-video-id="7340714355572411690" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" > <section> <a target="_blank" title="@salarytransparentstreet" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet?refer=embed">@salarytransparentstreet</a> How much do Data Scientists make? Watch this compilation to find out! Which interview surprised you most? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️ 0:00 Philadelphia, PA ($110K) 0:28 Chicago, IL ($100K) 2:12 Denver, CO ($245K) 4:15 Salt Lake City, UT ($101K) 5:57 San Francisco, CA ($250K) 6:27 San Francisco, CA ($300K+) <a title="salarytransparentstreet" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/salarytransparentstreet?refer=embed">#SalaryTransparentStreet</a> <a title="salarytransparency" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/salarytransparency?refer=embed">#SalaryTransparency</a> <a title="paytransparency" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/paytransparency?refer=embed">#PayTransparency</a> <a title="datascientist" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/datascientist?refer=embed">#DataScientist</a> <a title="datascientistsalary" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/datascientistsalary?refer=embed">#DataScientistSalary</a> <a title="datascientistpay" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/datascientistpay?refer=embed">#DataScientistPay</a> <a title="breakintodatascience" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/breakintodatascience?refer=embed">#BreakIntoDataScience</a> <a title="datasciencejobs" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/datasciencejobs?refer=embed">#datasciencejobs</a> <a title="breakintotech" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/breakintotech?refer=embed">#breakintotech</a> <a title="datasciencecertification" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/datasciencecertification?refer=embed">#datasciencecertification</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - Salary Transparent Street" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7340714536757906222?refer=embed">♬ original sound - Salary Transparent Street</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

<p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science or data science is preferred, but there are ways to break in via bootcamps and putting together a portfolio (from bootcamp learning, personal projects, or freelancing).</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/QjDW36" rel="sponsored">Python for Data Science, AI &amp; Development</a></p><h2>6. Statistician&nbsp;</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm">$104,350 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dstatistician&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$175,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 8%</p><p>Similar to data scientists, statisticians also analyze data to find relationships and make decisions, but not for the point of programming or machine learning. Their work uses statistical methodology and mathematical theory, mainly used in research. It’s low stress because their work is project-based with a lot of independence and they work in settings with less pressure, such as academics and research.</p><p><strong>What’s required:</strong> Bachelor’s degree in statistics or mathematics is preferred.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/bOX0rm" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Statistics</a></p><h2>7. Dental Hygienist&nbsp;</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm#tab-1">$94,260 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDental+Hygienist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$150,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>7%</p><p>Dental hygienists work with many patients a day to improve their oral hygiene and prevent disease through routine dental cleaning, taking x-rays of teeth to assess their health, and supporting dentists in their work (like procedures, etc).</p><p>Even though dental hygienists’ stress is rated a little higher than the others on this list (86) due to physical demands and difficult patients, their job has lower levels of stress when compared to other <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">top-paying healthcare jobs</a>. They have a consistent daily routine, regular hours where they don’t take their work home, and a stable job with low unemployment rates.</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong>Check out our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/dental-career-guide">Dental Career Guide</a> (with tips from real dental professionals)!</p><h2>8. Technical Writer</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm">$91,670 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dtechnical+writer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$125,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 1%&nbsp;</p><p>Technical writers create technical content, but the audience they write for depends on the specific technical writing job they have. Technical writers may write for developers, document internal development changes and release notes, document entire systems and APIs, create product and how-to documentation, and write technical blogs.</p><p>There’s a lot of freedom and independence in this area (with some collaboration) and many roles can be done remotely. There’s also no on-call or emergency support work required, making this a lower-stress job than other roles in tech. As a technical writer myself, I can vouch for this 😄.</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems is preferred, but many companies accept courses, certifications, and a portfolio of personal or freelance projects as alternatives.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/LK6WBo" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Technical Writing</a></p><h2>9. Financial Examiner</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm">$90,400 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dtechnical+writer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$90,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>19%</p><p>Financial examiners help banks and financial companies make sure they’re following the rules. They’re like the auditors of the financial world. They check the books, review records, and compare processes against government regulations and guidelines. &nbsp;</p><p>It sounds high-stakes, which it definitely is, but it’s mostly quiet desk work that is methodical. The hours are normal business hours and deadlines are planned and reasonable.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/N9LmjK" rel="sponsored">Financial Accounting: Master Core Concepts &amp; Analysis</a></p><h2>10. Sonographer</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm#tab-1">$89,340 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dsonographer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$230,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 13%</p><p>Working as a sonographer is a great <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">trade job that pays well</a> and is moderate to low stress. Their job consists of operating ultrasound devices and producing images for doctors to use for diagnoses and monitoring.</p><p>Even though there is a pressure to be accurate in every task and they mainly work with the public, which could be seen as high-stress, they also have set hours, predictable pre-set schedules, and stable job security.</p><p><strong>What’s required:</strong> Associate’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is required.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: &nbsp;</strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/Wy9jn3" rel="sponsored">Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging</a></p><h2>11. Compliance Officer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/compliance-officers.htm">$78,420 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcompliance+officer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$215,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>3%</p><p>Similar to financial examiners, compliance officers make sure their organization is following laws and regulations, while also hitting all the boxes with internal policies. But their work isn’t siloed to the financial industry. The stress level of this job depends on the industry they work in. Lower-stress roles exist in smaller companies and advisory roles, while higher-stress are in healthcare and tech.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Bachelor’s degree in business administration, law, or similar is required.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/9Lkr15" rel="sponsored">Regulatory Compliance</a></p><h2>12. User Experience (UX) Researcher</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm">$76,950 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Duser+experience+researchers&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$178,000 per year</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>7%</p><p>UX researchers design projects to study how the general public interacts with different things, like products and websites. They’ll conduct research studies and observe behavior to advocate for consumers and make sure they get the products they actually <i>want </i>to use.&nbsp;</p><p>The job is on the calmer side because there’s no emergency work involved, they have a<a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/best-things-about-working-in-ux/"> high rate of job satisfaction</a>, and the hours are standard with many roles being remote. It’s an interesting job with the ability to work independently and be creative.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What’s required: </strong>Bachelor’s degree preferred in areas like information science and sociology, but courses and creating your own projects for a portfolio may fill requirements for some companies.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kO6N5L" rel="sponsored">User Experience Research and Design</a></p>

<h2><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></h2><h2>What is the least stressful job with high pay?</h2><p>The least stressful job with the highest pay is an environmental economist. They have the lowest stress ranking of 52 out of all of the six-figure jobs listed on O*NET’s stress tolerance rankings.</p><h2>What is the best-paying lazy job?</h2><p>What one considers as lazy is subjective, but they’re often jobs that can be done remotely and are low-pressure. Best-paying lazy jobs include participating in online research studies, pet sitting and house sitting, and working as a virtual assistant. Data entry jobs are still great lazy jobs but aren’t as common because of automation.</p><h2>What are low-stress jobs for introverts?</h2><p>Introverts excel when they have autonomy and can work independently, so any job that pays well and fits those requirements is golden. Low-stress jobs for introverts include QA testing, accounting, technical writing, <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/freelance-ghostwriter">ghostwriting</a>, virtual assisting, data analysis, and jobs in research and development.</p><h2>How to Find Jobs That Won’t Stress You Out</h2><p>To find open low-stress jobs with great pay, start with our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> that has salaries listed for every role. Pair this with the tool, <a href="https://www.mynextmove.org/">My Next Move</a>, a part of O*NET that’s sponsored by the Department of Labor, which has more information about each job and where to find training.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>We also recommend these job search tools from our partners:</strong></p>

<p>Remember that every job has some degree of stress. It’s important that you know what your thresholds are when picking a job that’s both good for your mental health and your wallet. 💸</p><p><strong>Author note: </strong>I’m Daniella Flores, a former software engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub">Salary Transparent Street blog</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land your dream job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Looking for a job? Start your job search on our salary transparent <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/jobs">job board</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Don’t know what you want to do? Take any of our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">career quizzes</a>!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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12 Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well in 2025 (All Pay Over $70k)

<p><strong>Free flights and a 401(k) match? Sign me up! </strong>But no, seriously, these are real-life benefits that come with becoming a flight attendant. There’s <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">no degree required</a> for the job, and you can make a decent living while flying around the world!</p><p>Flight attendants also aren’t likely to be <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">replaced by AI</a> anytime soon. They’re “safety professionals” with the human element being the most essential part of their job.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>But, what’s the job really like? </strong>We sat down with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NicksDynasty">Nick Alston</a>, a mainline flight attendant we interviewed in Boston, to learn more about the job and how much you can expect to earn in this type of career.&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s a fun adventure,” Nick shared. “One day you could be in a small Midwest town and the next at the beach in Lagos. Each day is different.” ✈️</p>

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<h2><strong>Why Nick Chose to Become a Flight Attendant</strong></h2><p>Nick was working as a shift manager for a company that operated three food trucks when he first heard about the role from a rugby teammate. The work sounded steady, but what really caught his attention were the travel perks and higher earning potential of the airline industry.</p><p>“He had a high <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/401k-rollovers">401k</a> match, he could fly for free, and he was making more money than me at the time,” Nick said. “It also sounded like he had an amazing work-life balance. I thought the job would put me in a great position to achieve my future goals.”</p><p>That conversation sparked something in Nick, and he began applying to every airline he could.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How to Become a Flight Attendant</h2><p>Even though you don’t need a college degree or experience to become a flight attendant, there are still a few other requirements you’ll have to meet.</p><p><strong>The requirements are pretty straightforward:</strong></p><ul><li>A high school diploma or GED</li><li>Passing a background check</li><li>Completing a multi-week training program that is specific per the airline you’re hired at</li><li>For bilingual roles, being fluent in English and the language you select on your application (French, Spanish, Korean, etc)</li></ul><p>Multi-week training programs are specific to the airline that you’re hired at. For instance, <a href="https://delta.avature.net/en_US/careers/JobDetail/1-IFS-Flight-Attendant-LOD-and-Non-LOD/29719?jobId=29719#/https://delta.avature.net/en_US/careers/JobDetail/1-IFS-Flight-Attendant-LOD-and-Non-LOD/29719?jobId=29719#/">Delta </a>states they have a 7-week training program while <a href="https://careers.united.com/us/en/flight-attendant-information#:~:text=Initial%20training%20is%20a%206,and%20potential%20life%2Dlong%20friends!">United</a> has a 6-and-a-half week program. These programs typically include training on emergency procedures, CPR, safety, security, and service, as well as important information about their aircraft fleet.</p><p>“The hiring process is long with a lot of competition,” Nick said. “I just applied to all the airlines when the applications were available and chose the best out of the ones that gave me an offer.”</p><h2>Mainline vs. Regional Airlines</h2><p><strong>What are the differences between mainline airlines and regional airlines?</strong> Mainline airlines operate large aircraft and employ their own crews, while regional airlines fly smaller planes on behalf of larger carriers. But both roles have the same priority: <strong>passenger safety</strong>.</p><p>“The only difference is the companies that they work for,” said Nick. He ended up choosing mainline for the competitive pay and benefits.</p><p>A few examples of mainline airlines include Delta, American, and United Airlines. For international mainline airlines, Air France and Lufthansa are two popular ones.</p><h2>How Much Do Flight Attendants Make? Salary &amp; Benefits</h2><p>Flight attendants are paid hourly, but it’s important to remember that most U.S.-based airlines only begin paying flight attendants once their aircraft door closes and the parking brake is released, until arrival at the destination.&nbsp;</p><p>They also receive per diem pay on top of flight hours during trips and additional categories like <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/holiday-jobs">holiday pay</a>, training pay, international pay, lead/purser pay, and more.</p><p>Nick shared that everyone works a different amount of hours and some fly high time (more hours for higher pay) while others fly low time (less hours for more time off). “Minimum schedules could range from 70 flight hours to up to 87 hours per month depending on staffing at your base and the season. You have the ability to fly less or more than the minimum but you have to put in the work for that.”</p><p><strong>Here’s what Nick earns as a flight attendant:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>2024 salary: </strong>$62,000</li><li><strong>2025 salary goal: </strong>$78,000 from 90 flight hours per month at 6-year pay</li><li><strong>Pay scale: </strong>$22 to $36 per hour for new hires, and up to $37 to $88 per hour at the top of the scale (varies by airline) and maxes out at 12 to 13 years. (American Airlines and Southwest are the highest paying right now, as of 2025).</li><li><strong>Per diem: </strong>$2 to $3.50 (or more) per hour depending on trip length (8 to 72+ hours). At this time, Delta and Alaskan Airlines are two airlines that pay for boarding.</li><li><strong>Benefits: </strong>Up to 9.3% 401k match, medical, dental, vision, parental and bonding leave, paid vacation and sick time.</li></ul><p>And of course, the biggest perk:<strong> free flights</strong>. Flight attendants (plus parents, kids, and a travel companion) can fly free or just cover their taxes. Some airlines also offer hotel and rental car discounts.</p><p><strong>Thanks to the role’s pay and amazing benefits, Nick was able to build a net worth of $100,000! </strong>Learn more about his wealth building journey on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NicksDynasty">YouTube </a>below.</p>

HOW I Built a $100k Net Worth as a 30 Year Old Flight Attendant

<p><strong>Pro tip:</strong> If you’re planning to apply for any of these jobs, don’t forget to <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">negotiate your benefits</a> and salary. Use our free guide to help! 👇</p>

<h2>Last-Minute Tips for New or Aspiring Flight Attendants</h2><p>Every day is a new experience as a flight attendant. “It’s a very dynamic job that keeps you on your toes,” Nick explained. He says one of the best parts of the job are layovers. “It’s like a mini vacation in the middle of work. I might work a trip to Philly just to eat a cheesesteak or to Paris just to pick up some butter.”</p><p>The croissants and travel perks don’t come without hard work, though. The schedule can be rough in the beginning. New flight attendants are often on call and may need to work weekends, holidays, and long stretches without much control over when or where they’ll fly next.</p><p>“As the years go on and you gain more seniority, you begin to hold a schedule of trips rather than being on call,” Nick said. “Flight Attendants bid for a schedule, so at some point you will get all the days off you want and work the trips you like.”</p><p>Flexibility grows with seniority, too. There’s a swap board where attendants can trade, pick up, or drop trips. If all your trips get picked up, you could go a whole month without flying in some cases.</p><p>However, Nick shared that the longer you stay, the better it gets. The flexibility and perks are especially important to him, allowing him to have the space to pursue other projects and <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-side-hustles">side hustles</a> outside the airline.</p><p>To learn more about Nick, connect with him on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nicksdynasty">TikTok </a>or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NicksDynasty">YouTube</a> where he shares his adventures in travel, food, and money!&nbsp;</p><p><strong>This article is a part of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series</strong>, where we highlight real career paths and real paychecks from across the country.</p><p><strong>Read more from the series:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/freelance-ghostwriter">How This Freelance Ghostwriter Built a $200K Business</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/certified-anesthesiologist-assistant">How This Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Makes $300K a Year Without Going to Medical School</a></li><li><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/from-baseball-to-law-to-tech">From Professional Baseball Player to Software Tester</a></li></ul><p>If this guide helped you start or pivot to a career in the airline industry, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@salarytransparentstreet.com">hello@salarytransparentstreet.com</a>.</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Check out our other <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">free career quizzes</a> in areas like trade jobs, tech, and side hustles .</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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