The job market is changing, and so are the opportunities. In 2024, there will be many new high-paying careers that you can take advantage of. Through our research, we will give you a snapshot of what some of those jobs might look like and how much they pay.
The following careers are some of the highest paying in-demand jobs for 2024, including their median salary projection and growth rate over the next ten years.
If you are thinking of a new career, or are trying to help guide your son or daughter down a career path, this is a good place to start.
The following is our top 15 high paying, in-demand careers of 2024:
1. Actuary
$97,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 37%.
Actuaries are professionals who work in the insurance industry. They use mathematical models to calculate risk and premiums for insurance policies. They also calculate pensions, annuities, and other financial instruments. They work mainly in insurance companies, banks, and consulting firms.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, or a related field is usually required.
Pros: Actuaries have one of the highest median salaries of all the professions. Actuaries also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: There is intense competition for actuarial positions, especially within insurance companies that offer high compensation and benefits packages. It can be tough to get your foot in the door with one of these coveted positions.
2. Software Developer
$102,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
Software developers are responsible for designing computer applications that allow users to perform specific tasks on computers or other devices. They may also develop or customize existing systems that run devices or control networks.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The demand for these jobs will increase by 22% between 2010 and 2020, which means the competition won’t be fierce if you get your foot in the door early on.
Cons: If you are not skilled at coding, this might not be your job.
3. Nurse Anesthetist
$157,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 31%.
Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who have completed specialized training in anesthesia. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to provide anesthesia care to patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures. Their main responsibilities are to monitor patients’ progress and provide anesthesia.
Education needed: A master’s degree in nursing is usually required.
Pros: Nurse anesthetist jobs are projected to increase by 26%, and the competition for these jobs will be very strong because of the high pay and demand. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
4. Petroleum Engineer
$128,230 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 12%.
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods to extract oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. They also work on improving drilling techniques and managing resources. They work in companies like ExxonMobil, Shell Corporation, and BP. Their main responsibilities are to increase oil and gas production efficiency and profitability.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in engineering is usually required.
Pros: Petroleum engineers are in high demand, and the job outlook is good. The median salary for these professionals is also high.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
5. Physician Assistant
$98,180 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 37%.
Physician assistants are health professionals who work under the supervision of physicians. They diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests, and prescribe medication. They work at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
Education needed: A master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for physician assistants is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: Physician assistants may not practice independently in every situation, which can limit their employment opportunities.
6. Statistician
$80,500 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 18%.
Statisticians use mathematical methods to collect and analyze data. They work in various industries, including government, business, healthcare, and education. Their main responsibilities are to develop models to predict future events, design surveys, and analyze data.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in statistics or a related field is usually required.
Pros: Statistician jobs are projected to increase by 33%, and the competition for these jobs will be very strong because of the high pay and demand. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
7. Computer Hardware Engineer
$115,080 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 12%.
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop and test computer equipment. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are making product development plans based on user input or market research data, creating prototypes to be tested, testing new products to ensure they meet quality standards before being sold, and working with managers to determine how their designs will affect the manufacturing process.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for computer hardware engineers is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
8. Information Security Analyst
$92,600 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 28%.
Information security analysts protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from cyberattacks. They work for companies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are developing security policies, testing code, and investigating cybercrime.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for information security analysts is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
9. Market Research Analyst
$65,660 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They work for companies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are gathering data on customer demographics and behavior, market trends, and sales.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in business or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for market research analysts is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
10. Computer System Analyst
$85,800 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
Computer system analysts design and oversee the installation of computer systems. They work for companies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are assessing an organization’s needs, recommending computer systems, and overseeing the installation process.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: This job has a high median salary and a good projected growth rate. It also offers several employment opportunities due to high demand.
Cons: Competition for these jobs will be very high because of the good pay, growth rate, and great employment opportunities.
11. Web Developer
$65,260 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 27%.
Web developers produce websites for companies that sell products or services online. They work for digital marketing agencies that produce websites, software development firms, and other businesses. Their main responsibilities are to design and code websites according to the client’s specifications, test for bugs and errors, monitor site performance, and update content as needed. For those with a specialized interest, such as web design for financial advisors, this career path offers the chance to combine technical expertise with industry-specific knowledge, potentially yielding higher demand and distinctive opportunities.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: This job has a high median salary and a good projected growth rate. It also offers several employment opportunities due to high demand.
Cons: Competition for these jobs will be very high because of the good pay, growth rate, and great employment opportunities.
12. Database Administrator
$87,020 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 11%.
Database administrators design, create and update databases for companies. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are to ensure that company data is accurate and secure, manage all the back-end technologies needed for database operations with minimal downtime.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for database administrators is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
13. Network Systems & Data Communications Analyst
$82,140 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 12%.
Network systems and data communication analysts design, create and maintain computer networks such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), and intranet. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are to ensure that company data is accurate and secure, manage all the back-end technologies needed for database operations with minimal downtime.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for database administrators is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
14. Computer and Information Research Scientists
$101,380 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 11%.
Computer and information research scientists conduct scientific research to create new computer technologies. They work in various industries, including telecommunications, finance & insurance, retail, etc. Their main responsibilities are planning projects that involve researching how hardware or software works and coming up with new ways to improve it, designing experiments to test their theories about how computer systems work and writing proposals for research grants.
Education needed: A Ph.D. in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for computer and information research scientists is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
15. Computer Systems Analyst
$85,800 median salary with projected growth for the next ten years of 22%.
A computer systems analyst specializes in designing computer systems for companies, including hardware and software. They work with a team of people from different fields, including management, marketing, etc., to decide what the company needs their computer system to do. Their primary responsibilities are to design an efficient database structure that can be used by everyone in the company, create or recommend purchasing specifications for computers and software, and test new systems before they are put into use.
Education needed: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is usually required.
Pros: The job outlook for computer systems analysts is good because of the high demand and low supply of these professionals. They also have great job security because their position is so specialized and more difficult to replace than other jobs.
Cons: This is a very demanding job, and it can be difficult to find time for family and personal life outside of work.
