Software developers, who typically earn high pay, will likely still be needed in the era of artificial intelligence.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics published new median annual wage data for May 2025, showing how much hundreds of occupations typically pay. Business Insider used these estimates with projected employment changes from 2024 to 2034, previously released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to develop a ranking of fast-growing, high-paying jobs.
Using the two datasets, we ranked occupations with a median annual wage of at least $75,000 and that are projected to experience job growth over the decade. We ranked them using a geometric mean of the two estimates, with the highest mean ranked at the top. We excluded catch-all job groups.
Nurse practitioners and registered nurses are among the high-paying jobs that need more workers in the future.
“Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the large number of older people, who typically have more medical problems than younger people,” BLS said. “Registered nurses also will be needed to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.”
Below are the results, along with their projected job growth from 2024 to 2034, median annual wage in 2025, and typical education needed.
25. Personal financial advisors
Annual median pay: $105,070
Projected employment growth: 31,200
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
24. Logisticians
Annual median pay: $82,320
Projected employment growth: 40,300
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
23. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Annual median pay: $79,920
Projected employment growth: 49,000
Typical education needed: High school diploma or equivalent
22. Industrial engineers
Annual median pay: $102,440
Projected employment growth: 38,500
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
21. Sales managers
Annual median pay: $148,270
Projected employment growth: 29,000
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
20. Human resources specialists
Annual median pay: $75,940
Projected employment growth: 58,400
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
19. Marketing managers
Annual median pay: $166,790
Projected employment growth: 26,700
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
18. Physician assistants
Annual median pay: $135,880
Projected employment growth: 33,200
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
17. Computer systems analysts
Annual median pay: $105,850
Projected employment growth: 45,500
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
16. Market research analysts and marketing specialists
Annual median pay: $78,760
Projected employment growth: 63,000
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
15. Postsecondary health specialties teachers
Annual median pay: $107,310
Projected employment growth: 50,100
Typical education needed: Doctoral or professional degree
14. Construction managers
Annual median pay: $114,990
Projected employment growth: 48,100
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
13. Lawyers
Annual median pay: $159,670
Projected employment growth: 35,900
Typical education needed: Doctoral or professional degree
12. Project management specialists
Annual median pay: $102,320
Projected employment growth: 58,700
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
11. Accountants and auditors
Annual median pay: $83,680
Projected employment growth: 72,800
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
10. Information security analysts
Annual median pay: $129,180
Projected employment growth: 52,100
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
9. Management analysts
Annual median pay: $101,860
Projected employment growth: 94,500
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
8. Data scientists
Annual median pay: $120,230
Projected employment growth: 82,500
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
7. Registered nurses
Annual median pay: $97,550
Projected employment growth: 166,100
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
6. Nurse practitioners
Annual median pay: $132,300
Projected employment growth: 128,400
Typical education needed: Master’s degree
5. General and operations managers
Annual median pay: $105,770
Projected employment growth: 164,000
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
4. Medical and health services managers
Annual median pay: $123,860
Projected employment growth: 142,900
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
3. Computer and information systems managers
Annual median pay: $175,140
Projected employment growth: 101,600
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
2. Financial managers
Annual median pay: $166,570
Projected employment growth: 128,800
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
1. Software developers
Annual median pay: $135,980
Projected employment growth: 267,700
Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
Read the full article here
