The best jobs in America in 2022, ranked

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The labor market is as tight as it’s been in decades, with unemployment at only at 3.6{1b90e59fe8a6c14b55fbbae1d9373c165823754d058ebf80beecafc6dee5063a} and millions more open jobs than there are workers to fill them. 

Retirements and the coronavirus pandemic have triggered a shortage of workers, and many Americans have begun to rethink what they want out of a job title. That said, some criteria remain the same: salary, work satisfaction and mobility.

Glassdoor recently unveiled its 50 Best Jobs in America list, assessing the labor landscape in the U.S. to identify the most desirable positions. 

To compile its ranking, the employer review company weighed three factors equally: median annual base salary, overall job satisfaction rating and the number of jobs available during the past year. For a job to be considered, it must have received at least 100 salary reports and at least 100 job-satisfaction ratings within that span, and it must have had at least 2,000 job openings as of December 12, 2021.

It may come as no surprise that tech jobs swept the list (occupying nearly half of the entries), given the field’s famously high salaries and work-from-home flexibility. But the rankings also cover a wide spectrum of fields, including real estate, human resources, health care, and more.

Ready for a new opportunity? Read on for the 50 best jobs our country has to offer right now.

50. Customer success manager

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Median base salary: $73,702

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 6,193

Customer success managers — aka customer service folks — foster client relationships and support brand loyalty. Most jobs require a bachelor’s degree in business or technology.

49. Strategic account manager

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Median base salary: $88,071

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 4,481

Strategic account managers act as go-betweens for businesses and clients, establishing long-term relationships and finding solutions to complaints. They usually have a bachelor’s degree in sales or business administration.

48. Realtor

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Median base salary: $54,090

Job satisfaction: 4.4/5

Job openings: 12,298

Realtors need to have working knowledge of the local housing market, a high school diploma (or equivalent), and certification in a real-estate training program or college courses in real estate.

47. Database architect

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Median base salary: $140,000

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 3,046

Database architects look at vast amounts of data to help companies expand into new markets. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology.

46. Product designer

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Median base salary: $110,858

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 2,276

A product designer develops the look and feel of consumer products, prioritizing user experience. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant industry is often required.

45. Solutions engineer

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Median base salary: $100,915

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 2,365

Solutions engineers identify customer needs (often in software), then work with colleagues (often a sales team) to make sure those needs are met. A bachelor’s degree is required for the position, with many holding degrees in computer science or software engineering.

44. Sales engineer

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Median base salary: $95,809

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 4,029

A sales engineer explains and sells scientific and technical products to businesses. Most jobs require at least an associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering.

43. Risk manager

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Median base salary: $102,647

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 8,791

Risk managers are in charge of determining financial and security risks for a company, then coming up with ways to reduce those risks. Most people in this career hold bachelor’s degrees in business or management.

42. Program manager

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Median base salary: $81,335

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 26,881

Program managers oversee multiple projects at once, with tasks ranging from managing budgets to overseeing individual project managers. Jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business management.

41. Compliance officer

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Median base salary: $80,000

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 12,053

Compliance officers help businesses avoid lawsuits by ensuring operations comply with state and federal laws. They usually hold a bachelor’s degree in law, business administration or finance.

40. Project manager

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Median base salary: $86,000

Job satisfaction: 3.8/5

Job openings: 42,554

Project managers oversee complex tasks to make sure they are completed on time and within budget. They can work for nearly any industry, from construction to information technology. They generally need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or business, as well as several years of experience.

39. HR business partner

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Median base salary: $95,431

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 4,108

HR (human resources) business partners consult advise executives on maximizing employee efficiency. Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in human resources and have at least five years of experience.

38. Front-end engineer

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Median base salary: $81,136

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 10,044

Front-end engineers plan, design, build, and implement the visual aspects of websites and apps (or any aspect a user interacts with, instead of  the unseen codes and data that make the app run). They typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a background in software development.

37. Quality assurance engineer

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Median base salary: $87,626

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 4,481

QA (quality assurance) engineers test software before it launches. A bachelor’s degree in computer science is often required, as well as proficiency in computer programming languages such as Java, Python and C++.

36. Business analyst

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Median base salary: $81,556

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 15,238

Business analysts crunch data to increase a company’s efficiency and identify opportunities for expansion. They need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business or economics.

35. Data analyst

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Median base salary: $74,224

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 13,657

Data analysts do pretty much what the title sounds like: Use data to solve problems and help companies make better business decisions. They need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, finance, statistics, economics or computer science.

34. Psychologist

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Median base salary: $95,199

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 10,072

Psychologists test, diagnose and treat people for non-physical disorders. They generally need a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an accredited program.

33. Product marketing manager

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Median base salary: $125,015

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 2,396

Product marketing managers develop sales campaigns and promotions. They typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in marketing, as well as a background in marketing or communications.

32. Scrum master

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Median base salary: $109,284

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 2,979

Scrum is a framework that helps small teams break down a task into manageable goals. Scrum masters are project managers who ensure the framework is followed. They typically work in software development, but may also find employment at finance, construction and marketing companies. Some level of scrum master certification is usually required.

31. Electrical engineer

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Median base salary: $86,545

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 10,489

Electrical engineers design, develop and test electrical equipment. They need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an accredited school.

30. Systems engineer

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Median base salary: $100,831

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 15,248

Systems engineers manage and develop software within a company. A bachelor’s degree is required for the position, while many workers also hold advanced degrees in computer science or software engineering.

29. Site reliability engineer

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Median base salary: $137,252

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 3,516

These software engineers make a company’s technology more reliable and efficient. They need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

28. Dentist

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Median base salary: $157,307

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 9,944

Each state requires dentists to be licensed and hold a degree from an accredited dental school. Dentists also need to complete a residency program and work in their area of specialty before becoming fully licensed.

27. Attorney

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Median base salary: $100,831

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 6,814

Attorneys represent clients during civil or criminal cases. They need to obtain a J.D. (Juris Doctor degree) from a school of law and pass their state’s bar exam.

26. Tax manager

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Median base salary: $125,639

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 4,773

Tax managers prepare and file tax documents, as well as help businesses identify tax problems and propose solutions. They generally have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, business, economics or finance.

25. Finance manager

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Median base salary: $114,414

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 13,237

These managers analyze a company’s everyday finances and provide guidance to upper management. The position usually requires an advanced degree in accounting, business, economics or finance, as well as several years of experience.

24. UX designer

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Median base salary: $97,047

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 7,070

A user experience (UX) designer takes a product or service and makes it more enjoyable and accessible. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, web development or graphic design is essential.

23. Sales manager

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Median base salary: $79,962

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 24,267

Sales managers help sales teams reach targets. They train sales teams, set quotas and develop new processes. They usually need a bachelor’s degree in business.

22. Psychiatrist

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Median base salary: $252,385

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 5,693

Psychiatrists must have a medical degree from an accredited medical school, complete a residency program in psychiatry, have certification in psychiatry and hold a license to practice medicine in their state.

21. Automation engineer

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Median base salary: $86,832

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 6,717

Automation engineers design, program and test automated machinery, typically in industries where robots are used (like car factories or food processing plants). They need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering.

20. Consultant

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Median base salary: $90,748

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 17,728

Consulting is a fairly broad category. But at its core, consultants help businesses solve problems, usually involving money. Consultants need a four-year degree in their area of expertise.

19. Marketing manager

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Median base salary: $90,748

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 7,596

These managers develop marketing plans for a company and oversee their execution. They almost always have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations or business.

18. Salesforce developer

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Median base salary: $98,972

Job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Job openings: 5,250

A Salesforce developer is a type of programmer who writes software on Salesforce cloud technology. Tasks include creating websites and developing apps. A college degree isn’t always required, but it helps to be well versed in computer coding.

17. Corporate recruiter

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Median base salary: $77,700

Job satisfaction: 4.4/5

Job openings: 8,724

Corporate recruiters fill job openings. They usually have a background in HR and often carry a bachelor’s degree in business or human resources.

16. Physician

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Median base salary: $155,400

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 15,376

Working as a doctor requires a high level of education and experience — typically a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school and a stint in a residency program.

15. Information security engineer

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Median base salary: $116,919

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 7,264

These engineers plan, design, build and integrate anti-hacking tools. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in a computer science discipline, along with a background in the IT field.

14. Business development engineer

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Median base salary: $89,496

Job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Job openings: 9,263

Business development engineers analyze markets to find business opportunities, as well as develop good customer relationships. They usually have a degree from an accredited college in business.

13. HR manager

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Median base salary: $91,502

Job satisfaction: 4.3/5

Job openings: 7,276

An HR manager oversees a human-resources department, which typically hires employees and oversees benefits programs. Most HR managers have a bachelor’s degree in human resources or business management, with some having a master’s degree in HR, labor relations or business.

12. Cloud engineer

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Median base salary: $118,999

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 10,689

Cloud engineers specialize in cloud computing — that could include migrating corporate computer systems to a cloud; negotiating contracts with cloud services (like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud); or designing and maintaining new software run on a cloud. 

They need a bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science, and fluency with programming languages including Java and C++.

11. Back-end engineer

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Median base salary: $112,384

Job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Job openings: 6,221

While front-end engineers design the visual aspects of apps and websites, back-end engineers build the structure of an app, writing code and implementing security measures. They typically have a degree in computer science, network technologies or a similar field.

10. Product manager

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Median base salary: $125,317

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 17,725

Product managers work on the business side of a tech company, overseeing the life cycle of a product — from market research, to launching and selling the final product. They need a bachelor’s degree in business or management.

9. Java developer

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Median base salary: $107,099

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 10,201

Java developers build software using the Java programming language. Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a professional IT certification.

8. Software engineer

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Median base salary: $116,638

Job satisfaction: 3.9/5

Job openings: 64,155

Software engineers build computer software, a broad category that could apply to computer games, mobile apps, web browsers or any other computer-based system. Most jobs require a degree in computer science or computer engineering, plus proficiency in programming languages like Java and Python.

7. Data engineer

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Median base salary: $113,960

Job satisfaction: 4.0/5

Job openings: 11,821

A data engineer is an IT worker who takes huge amounts of data and finds ways to collect, store and organize it. The goal: format the information so it can be easily understood by analysts. Data engineers generally have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or applied math.

6. Machine learning engineer

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Median base salary: $130,489

Job satisfaction: 4.3/5

Job openings: 6,801

Machine-learning engineers research, design and build artificial intelligence systems that “learn” from tasks, ideally so that they can carry out future operations more efficiently. (In other words, these engineers build self-running robots.) They need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

5. Strategy manager

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Median base salary: $140,000

Job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Job openings: 6,977

Strategy managers review an organization to find strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. Then they act as liaisons between company departments (such as finance, human resources or marketing) to implement solutions. They need a degree in business or a related field; some employers prefer an MBA.

4. DevOps engineer

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Median base salary: $120,095

Job satisfaction: 4.2/5

Job openings: 8,548

A DevOps engineer specializes in software development and operations, with expertise spanning coding, IT and systems administration. They often act as a liaison between corporate teams, fostering collaboration. Jobs typically require an advanced degree in computer science or software engineering.

3. Data scientist

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Median base salary: $120,000

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 10,071

Data scientists analyze and process large sets of data to help companies improve over time. They are in demand for nearly every industry. Data scientists at heath care facilities can look at cancer records to create custom recommendations for current patients. Data scientists at a shipping company can analyze weather patterns to map new routes for delivery drivers. The job requires a bachelor’s degree in statistics, math, computer science or economics.

2. Full stack engineer

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Median base salary: $101,794

Job satisfaction: 4.3/5

Job openings: 11,252

Full stack engineers are senior-level computer programmers with proficiency in coding and web design. They work on both the front-end (visual aspects) and back-end (coding and software) of an application. Jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science.

1. Enterprise architect

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Median base salary: $144,997

Job satisfaction: 4.1/5

Job openings: 14,021

Enterprise architects hold some of the most senior positions in a company’s IT department. Their main task is to keep up with the latest tech trends and then implement them in ways that increase efficiency and revenue. Jobs typically require an undergraduate degree in computer science or data science.

Christopher Lewis

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