2 min

5 Jobs That Make 100k a Year

Sep 6, 2022
in a nutshell
  • All five of the top jobs pay six figures and require specialized undergraduate or graduate degrees.
  • The positions are in expanding fields like technology and health care, meaning that these jobs will likely be in demand for the future.
  • The 5 jobs are: information security analyst, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, medical and health services manager, and software developer.
Image of If you’re on the hunt for a new job, here are 5 jobs that make at least 100k a year.
in a nutshell
  • All five of the top jobs pay six figures and require specialized undergraduate or graduate degrees.
  • The positions are in expanding fields like technology and health care, meaning that these jobs will likely be in demand for the future.
  • The 5 jobs are: information security analyst, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, medical and health services manager, and software developer.

The Great Resignation is still going strong: A record 4.5 million workers quit their jobs in November 2021, according to the latest Labor Department report on January 4.

If you’re looking for a job that pays well, is challenging, isn’t too stressful, offers room for advancement, and provides work-life balance, consider the best jobs in America for 2022, according to the U.S. News & World Report, which released its annual list on January 11.

“The Great Resignation, paired with widespread economic growth over the past year, has led to an inflection point where there are many more job openings than applicants,” Antonio Barbera, consumer advice senior editor at U.S. News & World Report, said in a press release.

In other words, if you’re looking for a change, “now is an excellent time to switch careers,” says Vicki Salemi, career expert at Monster.

All five of the top jobs pay six figures and require specialized undergraduate or graduate degrees. If you don’t qualify yet, don’t give up: It’s easier than ever to get those degrees online, Salemi says. “When there’s a job that requires specific schooling, training, or specific degrees, it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize and realize this is not something that happens overnight.”

The positions are also in expanding fields like technology and health care, meaning that these jobs “are not only in demand right now, but will be in demand for the future and will continue to see demand grow,” Salemi says.

Here are the “best jobs in America” for 2022, how much they pay, and what degree you need to land each, according to U.S. News & World Report.

1. Information security analyst

Median salary: $103,590

Degree requirement: Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field

Projected job growth: 33%, or about 47,000 new jobs by 2030

Information security analysts make sure “hackers and cyberattacks don’t infiltrate the information systems and networks of banks, financial institutions, health care organizations and anywhere else that uses cloud-based services,” according to the report.

2. Nurse practitioner

Median salary: $111,680

Degree requirement: Master’s degree

Projected job growth: 52% or about 115,000 new jobs by 2030

Nurse practitioners, who can be called advanced practice registered nurses, have similar responsibilities to doctors, according to the report. They can “diagnose health problems, prescribe medications and more.”

3. Physician assistant

Median salary: $115,390

Degree requirement: Master’s degree (not a medical school degree)

Projected job growth: 31%, or about 40,000 new jobs by 2030

Physician assistants “diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medication, help with surgeries and perform certain procedures in various areas of medicine,” the report says.

Employment in this field is growing at a much faster pace than the average occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4. Medical and health services manager

Median salary: $104,280

Degree requirement: Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree often preferred

Projected job growth: 33%, or about 140,000 new jobs by 2030

Medical and health services managers are the workers that run medical practices. They’re responsible for “hiring staff, monitoring budgets, keeping and organizing facility records,” among other things, according to U.S. News & World Report.

5. Software developer

Median salary: $110,140

Degree requirement: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field

Projected job growth: 22%, or about 409,000 new jobs by 2030

If you’re using a computer or smartphone to read this article, you can thank software developers for making the application. Software developers are the brains behind user-friendly computer software, and mobile applications.

Considering how ubiquitous apps are, these jobs aren’t going out of style, according to U.S. News & World Report: “Just about everyone takes advantage of the work done by software developers.”

This material has been presented for informational and educational purposes only. The views expressed in the articles above are generalized and may not be appropriate for all investors. The information contained in this article should not be construed as, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or hold, an interest in any security or investment product. There is no guarantee that past performance will recur or result in a positive outcome. Carefully consider your financial situation, including investment objective, time horizon, risk tolerance, and fees prior to making any investment decisions. No level of diversification or asset allocation can ensure profits or guarantee against losses. Article contributors are not affiliated with Acorns Advisers, LLC. and do not provide investment advice to Acorns’ clients. Acorns is not engaged in rendering tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult a qualified professional for this type of service.

Sofia Pitt

Sofia Pitt was a reporter for Grow.

Acorns Logo
Acorns
Invest spare change
Get started Get the app