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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
