Finding an engaging job that also pays well can feel overwhelming depending on where you are in your career. But you don’t need to be a Google engineer or an MIT-trained data scientist to land a six-figure role in a high-demand field.
According to a Glassdoor analysis, many positions across sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance offer strong pay and have active hiring.
Where attainable, well-paying jobs are
Every job seeker has heard stories of hiring managers drowning in thousands of resumes for one opening. Those odds can discourage people from investing in education or changing career paths. The reality, however, is that while roles at huge tech companies are extremely competitive, there are many high-paying jobs in business and technology with relatively low competition. Glassdoor senior data scientist Jyotsna Jayaraman notes that “low competition” means at least one open job per applicant for a given title. With odds like that, employed professionals and career changers alike should consider reassessing their goals.
Qualifications still matter
Many of the roles that pay well require significant upfront education or certification. Those requirements shrink the candidate pool and therefore the competition—at least among qualified applicants. If you’re planning for college or considering a career pivot, this list can help you prioritize which fields to explore.
How the list was created
Glassdoor’s list was compiled by examining factors such as search volume and the number of active job openings per title. To qualify, a job title needed at least 1,000 searches and at least 1,000 active job openings within a 30-day period (as of June 13, 2017). Each title also required a minimum of 25 salary reports submitted by U.S.-based employees over the previous two years (ending May 31, 2017). The threshold for inclusion was a median total compensation of $100,000, and many jobs on the list exceed that level.
Below are notable roles that combine strong median pay with substantial hiring activity. Review the list to see whether your current or prospective career appears.
Investment Banking Associate
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Median Base Salary: $132,500
Number of Open Jobs: 107,818
Investment banking associates build financial models, prepare client presentations, and support transactions such as mergers and acquisitions and IPOs.
Psychiatrist
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Median Base Salary: $200,000
Number of Open Jobs: 44,453
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and more.
Software Development Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $120,000
Number of Open Jobs: 308,950
This broad category covers roles focused on designing, developing, and maintaining software systems across many industries.
Physician Hospitalist
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Median Base Salary: $210,000
Number of Open Jobs: 36,557
Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in the care of hospitalized patients and coordinate inpatient treatment.
Pediatrician
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Median Base Salary: $160,000
Number of Open Jobs: 43,411
Pediatricians provide medical care for infants, children, and adolescents, covering preventive care and diagnosis of illnesses.
Physician Assistant
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Median Base Salary: $100,000
Number of Open Jobs: 174,279
Physician assistants diagnose and treat illnesses, assist in procedures, and can prescribe medications; most complete a master’s degree rather than medical school.
Medical Manager
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Median Base Salary: $200,000
Number of Open Jobs: 217,216
Medical managers—often licensed clinicians with administrative expertise—oversee clinics, specialty centers, and other healthcare facilities.
Systems Manager
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Median Base Salary: $103,000
Number of Open Jobs: 390,843
Systems managers recruit and lead IT teams responsible for an organization’s infrastructure and operations.
Information Security Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $100,000
Number of Open Jobs: 84,248
Security engineers protect networks and systems from cyber threats by designing and implementing defenses.
Technical Architect
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Median Base Salary: $115,000
Number of Open Jobs: 49,477
Technical architects design scalable, resilient systems and develop technical blueprints that guide engineering teams.
Physician
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Median Base Salary: $200,000
Number of Open Jobs: 259,128
To become a physician you must complete a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, and a residency. Once qualified, physicians are in strong demand across many specialties.
Security Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $102,200
Number of Open Jobs: 125,479
Security engineers specialize in detecting, preventing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
Radiologist
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Median Base Salary: $365,000
Number of Open Jobs: 45,691
Radiologists interpret medical imaging—such as X-rays and CT scans—to diagnose and guide patient treatment.
Pharmacy Manager
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Median Base Salary: $131,000
Number of Open Jobs: 69,484
Pharmacy managers are pharmacists who take on leadership responsibilities, overseeing pharmacy operations and staff.
Security Architect
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Median Base Salary: $128,000
Number of Open Jobs: 38,945
Security architects focus on long-term strategy and design to prevent future cyber attacks, differentiating them from security engineers who often handle operational defenses.
Optometrist
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Median Base Salary: $112,000
Number of Open Jobs: 4,348
Optometrists perform eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, and diagnose common eye diseases—distinct from ophthalmologists and opticians in training and scope of practice.
Front End Engineer
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Median Base Salary: $105,000
Number of Open Jobs: 40,673
Front end engineers build the user-facing parts of websites and applications using HTML, CSS, and client-side scripting such as JavaScript.
Technical Program Manager
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Median Base Salary: $129,500
Number of Open Jobs: 183,254
Technical program managers lead cross-functional teams, oversee complex projects, and combine technical understanding with strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Engagement Manager
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Median Base Salary: $116,500
Number of Open Jobs: 277,860
Engagement managers serve as client advocates, nurture relationships, and work to grow and retain strategic accounts.