Here Are the Best Jobs in America — Is Your Job One of Them?
Having a job you love might require different things for different people. Some might prioritize a high salary, some might crave job satisfaction and others might want a job that enables them to work at their choice of companies. Job posting and review site Glassdoor equally weighted all three of these measures — median base salary, job satisfaction and the number of job openings — to determine its list of the 50 best jobs in America for 2020.
Last updated: Oct. 19, 2020
50. Healthcare Consultant
Median base salary: $79,065
Job satisfaction: 3.9 out of 5
Job openings: 1,967
A good salary and high job satisfaction rating put healthcare consultant among the best jobs of 2020, according to Glassdoor. Unfortunately, with the third-lowest number of job openings of any job on this list, it’s a hard career to get into.
49. Network Engineer
Median base salary: $71,028
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 6,138
A relatively low base salary — the 10th-lowest base salary of the jobs included in this ranking — prevents this job from ranking higher.
48. Design Manager
Median base salary: $120,549
Job satisfaction: 4.1 out of 5
Job openings: 1,234
Although design manager ranks toward the bottom of this list due to its low amount of job openings — it has the lowest job postings on Glassdoor of any job on this list — it’s nice work if you can get it. The median base salary is the third-highest salary of any job in this ranking, and its job satisfaction rating is tied for the fourth-highest rating.
47. Research Scientist
Median base salary: $85,611
Job satisfaction: 3.5 out of 5
Job openings: 7,257
This best job enables you to work in a number of fields, including computer and information science; life, physical and social science; forensic science; environmental science; medical science; agriculture and food science; political science; and materials science.
46. Automation Engineer
Median base salary: $85,456
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 2,658
With less than 3,000 job openings, an automation engineer could be a hard job to get. Those who are lucky enough to land a job in this field tend to have high salaries and a satisfying job.
45. EHS Specialist
Median base salary: $76,854
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 3,674
Environmental health and safety specialists typically work in the manufacturing and production fields. Their job is to ensure that individual behaviors and procedures are safe for both the individual and the company as a whole. Among the top companies that employ for this position are Amazon and Boeing, according to PayScale.
44. Data Analyst
Median base salary: $62,973
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 6,848
A relatively low median base salary keeps data analyst from ranking higher on this list. Its base salary is the second lowest of the jobs that made the cut for this ranking.
43. Civil Engineer
Median base salary: $65,704
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 5,270
The median base salary for civil engineers is the fourth lowest compared to the other jobs in this ranking; however, its job satisfaction rating is high.
42. Sales Engineer
Median base salary: $87,608
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 2,854
Sales engineer has the fifth-lowest number of job openings on Glassdoor compared to the other jobs on this ranking, but its relatively high salary and job satisfaction rating earned it a spot on this list.
41. Physician Assistant
Median base salary: $109,585
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 4,537
The base salary for physician assistants is the sixth highest of all the jobs included in this ranking.
Apply Now: 40 Legit Companies That Will Pay You To Work From Home
40. Financial Analyst
Median base salary: $71,334
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 9,241
Financial analysts give investment advice to businesses and individuals. This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree.
39. QA Engineer
Median base salary: $81,632
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 3,321
With a 3.8 out of 5 job satisfaction rating, it’s safe to say many QA engineers like what they do. This job ranks toward the bottom, however, because it has the ninth-lowest job availability compared to the other positions considered to be the best.
38. UX Designer
Median base salary: $90,478
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 3,308
UX designer checks off two of the three boxes to qualify as a best job — it has a high salary and high job satisfaction rating. However, low job availability prevents this job from ranking higher: It has the eighth-lowest number of job openings of any occupation on this list.
37. Corporate Recruiter
Median base salary: $65,607
Job satisfaction: 4.4 out of 5
Job openings: 3,279
Corporate recruiter has the third-lowest median base salary of the jobs on this list but it has the highest job satisfaction rating — something money can’t buy.
36. Mechanical Engineer
Median base salary: $75,700
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 5,714
These engineers are responsible for the design, development, manufacturing and testing of mechanical and thermal sensors and devices. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical engineers who sell services to the public must be licensed.
35. Realtor
Median base salary: $50,467
Job satisfaction: 4.2 out of 5
Job openings: 7,468
Although realtors have the lowest median base salary of the jobs on this ranking, the job is tied for the third-highest job satisfaction rating.
34. Product Designer
Median base salary: $102,000
Job satisfaction: 4.2 out of 5
Job openings: 1,946
Product designer is tied for the third-highest job satisfaction rating of all the occupations included on this list. However, it’s a hard job to get — it has the second-lowest number of job openings.
33. Cloud Engineer
Median base salary: $110,600
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 4,668
Cloud engineers have the fifth-highest median base salary of any job on this list.
32. Software Developer
Median base salary: $80,429
Job satisfaction: 3.5 out of 5
Job openings: 31,909
With nearly 32,000 job openings on Glassdoor, software developer positions are the third-most in-demand job on this list.
31. Risk Manager
Median base salary: $101,468
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 4,296
Risk managers can work in a variety of aspects of a business, identifying and evaluating the risks that could affect it. They look at what could go wrong and develop strategies to minimize, eliminate or transfer the risk.
30. Customer Success Manager
Median base salary: $66,326
Job satisfaction: 4.2 out of 5
Job openings: 3,603
The median base salary for customer success managers is the fifth lowest of the jobs in this ranking, but it’s tied for the third-highest job satisfaction rating.
29. Scrum Master
Median base salary: $100,000
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 2,894
A six-figure base salary helps get scrum master on this list, but it could be a hard job to get. The job has the sixth-lowest number of openings compared to the other positions included in this ranking.
28. Compliance Officer
Median base salary: $84,784
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 5,002
Compliance officers examine, evaluate and investigate how well laws and regulations comply with licenses and permits. People with this job commonly work for the government.
Worth Checking Out: 30 Odd Jobs That Pay Insanely Well
27. Systems Engineer
Median base salary: $92,225
Job satisfaction: 3.5 out of 5
Job openings: 16,850
Systems engineer positions have the eighth-most job openings of any occupation in this ranking.
26. Business Analyst
Median base salary: $73,022
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 13,181
Business analysts help companies to improve processes, products, services and software through data analysis. They act as a conduit between IT and business interests to improve efficiency.
25. Sales Manager
Median base salary: $70,489
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 6,272
The pay for sales managers is among the lowest in this ranking, but its job satisfaction could make up for it.
24. Facilities Manager
Median base salary: $70,160
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 5,842
The median base salary for facilities managers is the seventh lowest of the jobs included in this ranking, but a 3.8 out of 5 job satisfaction ranking could compensate for that.
23. Occupational Therapist
Median base salary: $74,339
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 14,838
There are almost 15,000 job openings for occupational therapists — the 10th-highest number of job openings of all the careers included in this ranking.
22. Electrical Engineer
Median base salary: $77,035
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 7,756
Electrical engineers research, design, develop, test or oversee the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, parts or systems for a variety of uses, including commercial, industrial and military.
21. Project Manager
Median base salary: $77,396
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 37,764
There are lots of opportunities to get this best job. Project manager positions have the second-most job openings of any job on this list.
20. Physical Therapist
Median base salary: $71,483
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 28,886
Physical therapist is the fifth-most in-demand job on this list based on the number of job openings on Glassdoor.
19. Clinic Manager
Median base salary: $70,000
Job satisfaction: 3.9 out of 5
Job openings: 5,768
Although clinic managers have the sixth-lowest median base pay of the jobs on this list, it has a high job satisfaction rating.
18. Applications Engineer
Median base salary: $76,854
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 9,550
Applications engineers create, implement and maintain computer applications and software that’s designed to meet an organization’s or customer’s needs. The majority of people with this job are men, according to PayScale.
17. Program Manager
Median base salary: $87,005
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 19,280
There are almost 20,000 job openings for program managers — the sixth-highest number of job openings compared to any other job on this list.
16. Accounting Manager
Median base salary: $85,794
Job satisfaction: 4.0 out of 5
Job openings: 3,589
With a job satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5, this job is tied for the fifth-most satisfying job on this list.
15. Finance Manager
Median base salary: $120,644
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 4,091
Finance managers have the second-highest median base salary of any job on this list.
14. Salesforce Developer
Median base salary: $81,175
Job satisfaction: 4.2 out of 5
Job openings: 3,639
A high job satisfaction rating — the third-highest job satisfaction score that any job in this ranking earned — makes Salesforce developer one of the best jobs you can get in 2020.
13. Operations Manager
Median base salary: $70,189
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 19,198
With a median base salary of just over $70,000, operations manager has the eighth-lowest base salary compared to the other jobs that are considered the best this year. However, it has more job openings than most of the other jobs in this ranking, so you have a better shot at actually getting this job.
12. HR Manager
Median base salary: $83,190
Job satisfaction: 4.1 out of 5
Job openings: 3,966
HR managers are happy with their jobs. This occupation is tied for the fourth-highest job satisfaction rating of all the positions included on this list.
11. Nursing Manager
Median base salary: $85,389
Job satisfaction: 3.7 out of 5
Job openings: 12,320
Nursing managers direct, supervise and lead the nursing staff at a hospital or other medical facility. The job requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and many positions also require a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a master’s in healthcare or business administration (MHA/MBA).
10. Business Development Manager
Median base salary: $78,480
Job satisfaction: 4.0 out of 5
Job openings: 6,560
A high job satisfaction rating makes business development manager one of the top 10 best jobs you can get. With a score of 4 out of 5, its rating is tied for the fifth highest overall.
9. Strategy Manager
Median base salary: $133,067
Job satisfaction: 4.3 out of 5
Job openings: 3,515
If high pay is the most important factor for you, this is the best job on this list. The median base salary for strategy managers is the highest of any of the jobs in this ranking. Additionally, it has the second-highest job satisfaction rating. It fails to rank higher because it has the 10th-lowest number of job openings on this list.
8. Speech Language Pathologist
Median base salary: $71,867
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 29,167
There are nearly 30,000 open positions for speech pathologists on Glassdoor — the fourth-highest number of job openings available for any job in this ranking.
7. Software Engineer
Median base salary: $105,563
Job satisfaction: 3.6 out of 5
Job openings: 50,438
The median base salary for software engineers is the ninth-highest of all the jobs included in this ranking. It also ranks highly because it has the most job openings of any of the included occupations.
6. Data Engineer
Median base salary: $102,472
Job satisfaction: 3.9 out of 5
Job openings: 6,941
Data engineers are responsible for managing, optimizing, overseeing and monitoring data retrieval, storage and distribution. These engineers work as part of an enterprise data analytics team and commonly work at tech companies.
5. DevOps Engineer
Median base salary: $107,310
Job satisfaction: 3.9 out of 5
Job openings: 6,603
A high salary helps DevOps rank toward the top of this list. The job’s median base salary is the eighth highest of all the jobs included in the ranking.
4. Product Manager
Median base salary: $117,713
Job satisfaction: 3.8 out of 5
Job openings: 12,173
The median base salary for product managers is the fourth highest of any job on this list.
3. Data Scientist
Median base salary: $107,801
Job satisfaction: 4.0 out of 5
Job openings: 6,542
This job is one of the highest paying on this list: Its median base salary is the seventh highest overall. In addition, data scientist is tied for the fifth-highest job satisfaction rating.
2. Java Developer
Median base salary: $83,589
Job satisfaction: 3.9 out of 5
Job openings: 16,136
A high job satisfaction rating plus the ninth-highest amount of job openings of all the positions on this list puts Java developer so close to the top of this best jobs list.
1. Front End Engineer
Median base salary: $105,240
Job satisfaction: 3.9 out of 5
Job openings: 13,122
A number of factors make front end engineer the best job in America this year. For starters, its median base salary is the 10th highest of all the jobs that made the cut for this list. It also has a high job satisfaction rating and a high number of job openings.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here Are the Best Jobs in America — Is Your Job One of Them?
