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Despite forecasts for slowing growth in the American job market, employers still hired at a vigorous rate during the month of May. This is especially the case in fields like healthcare and business services, which are both home to some of the best positions on offer according to recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The publishing company assessed hundreds of jobs to determine which offer the best pay and advancement opportunities, along with a good work/life balance.
Click or scroll through to discover the top 30 best jobs of 2023 – they're all hiring too!
Job listing figures accurate at the time of writing.
30th: Statistician, median salary: $95,570

Applying data collection and analysis skills to problem solving, statisticians are fortunate to be in demand across any number of industries including healthcare, finance and even sports.
Most job applicants will need to have studied statistics at an undergraduate level, but it's not unheard of for candidates with master's degrees in mathematics to find work in the field. And those who are currently working report lower levels of work-related stress, and above average opportunities for work/life balance and career advancement.
29th: Database administrator, median salary: $96,710

Another data-focused job, although these roles are all about organizing and protecting the information collected and stored by companies. Think of all the data stored anytime someone downloads an app or visits a website, and you can imagine the demand and growth potential for database administrators.
With a median salary of $96,710 the compensation is generous, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an additional 7,400 jobs will open up before the end of the decade. Getting certified on a specific database platform is highly recommended for a getting a foot in the door.
28th: Operations research analyst, median salary: $82,360

Working with data is also a huge part of any operations research analyst's day-to-day tasks. And, much like statisticians and database administrators, these skills can be applied across a variety of industries where companies are looking improve efficiency and save money.
While the median salary, at $82,360, may be a bit lower, the number of job openings is much higher at 14,951. Plus, there is a wider range of degrees that can provide the skills and qualifications for these roles including math, business and industrial engineering.
27th: Actuary, median salary: $105,900

Once a job nearly exclusive to the insurance industry, actuaries are actually being increasingly sought after in other businesses for their skills assessing financial risk and uncertainty.
With a median salary of $105,900, this is a top-paying option for math majors. Though there is a series of exams that are needed for certification. However, there are companies who are willing to take on trainees who study while working as an entry-level staff member.
26th: Epidemiologist/medical scientist, median salary: $78,830

The field of public health has seen huge demand in staffing, particularly for epidemiologists and medical scientists who can be employed by government agencies at all levels as well as hospitals and universities to study diseases and illnesses.
At a bare minimum these job applicants will have a master's degree in a relevant field, and it's a good next step for medical professionals who want to make a move into a new field. Candidates in major metropolitan areas, such as Seattle, New York and Philadelphia, can expect to earn well over $100,000.
25th: Nurse anesthetist, median salary: $195,610

Another option for medical professionals looking to advance – nurse anesthetists are typically registered nurses who've pursued a master's degree to specialize in anesthesiology.
Even the lowest paid nurse anesthetists are compensated handsomely at $164,860 per year, and opportunities for advancement and salary growth are above average. The BLS expects at least 5,300 jobs to open up in the field over the next 10 years, and current job listings show more than 8,000 openings across the country.
24th: Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, median salary: $208,000

Don't be fooled by the job title, these positions entail more than just jaw surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may spend their days treating facial trauma, diagnosing oral cancer or even doing a face lift.
The education journey to becoming an oral surgeon is a marathon, not a sprint. First there's dental school, plus a multi-year residency to train in the field. Certification is essential but ongoing with continuing education a major component of being a board certified surgeon. However, all that effort does pay off; it's one of the best paying jobs in America,
23rd: Financial analyst, median salary: $81,730

Financial analysts are a company's eyes and ears on the economy, staying on top of investment trends, business news and financial strategies. It can be a demanding job, but one with many opportunities for upward mobility.
A bachelor's degree is a must, typically in an area related to finance. However, there are specific certifications and licensing programs that may give candidates an advantage when applying for a role – and there are plenty out there at the moment with 77,200 job listings.
22nd: Data scientist

Once described by Harvard Business Review as “the sexiest job of the 21st century”, the typical data scientist will be tasked with making sense of the data an organization holds, working magic with their advanced computer science and mathematical modeling skills.
Both pay and job satisfaction are first-rate with reports of higher than average flexibility when it comes to work/life balance, and ample opportunities for advancement. There are currently 40,500 openings available and many data scientists come from a variety of backgrounds including math, computer science and business.
21st: Financial advisor, median salary: $94,170

Helping clients plan for their financial futures can be rewarding work, and there is no shortage of opportunities currently with 50,900 job listings for financial advisors.
However, the path to employment is less open-ended compared to other top jobs in the finance field. Many universities are now offering specific degrees in financial planning, though business-related majors are still common. There's on-the-job training, which will be vital for building a client base. Next, advisors should secure their certification, and even then many are choosing to also pursue a master's degree to take advantage of the job's many opportunities for advancement.
20th: Computer systems analyst, median salary: $99,270

For those with a strong grasp of both IT and business, it might be worth exploring opportunities as a computer systems analyst. These roles help organizations understand their software and hardware needs and the most cost-effective ways of implementing them.
While many applicants for the more than 50,000 current vacancies will have a bachelor's in information sciences, degrees in other relevant fields may prepare analysts for the job as well. While the median salary is $99,270, an MBA with a concentration in information science may ensure jobseekers secure a more senior role well into the six-figure range.
19th: Occupational therapy assistant, median salary: $61,730

Helping patients and clients perform daily tasks, assistants working in this field are focused on addressing both mental and physical health challenges. And employment growth is quite high with the BLS estimating a 25% increase in demand, translating into 11,000 new jobs through 2031.
Training is much less time consuming compared to many of the other jobs on this list. Assistants need only an associate's degree from an accredited program and to sit a certification exam. They also need to maintain a license in the state where they work, which requires continuing education. However, assistants report less stress and more flexibility than other top jobs.
18th: Management analyst, median salary: $93,000

Often referred to as management consultants, these roles are in top demand from firms and organizations looking to improve efficiency and increase profits. Currently there are 108,400 job openings across the country.
Applicants with an MBA are an employer's top pick, but entry level opportunities are available for people with a bachelor's degree and completing a certification program can give candidates a competitive advantage. The salaries are healthy with an average of $93,000 per year, and that's of course higher in the Northeast and in cities like Chicago and Seattle.
17th: Registered nurse, median salary: $77,600

Another healthcare job in hot demand, the BLS expects 195,400 job openings for registered nurses through the end of the decade.
While many nurses are employed in hospitals and clinics, the opportunities extend beyond these facilities to public health and other community organizations. There are also numerous educational paths to becoming a nurse from associate's degrees to master level programs, many of which can be taken online with clinical training done locally.
16th: Logistician, median salary: $77,030

Logistician may not be the exact job title for the more than 50,000 new roles forecasted by the BLS, but this a rapidly-growing role centers on logistics. Warehouses need people to oversee supplier and transportation relationships, inventory management and all other aspects of the supply chain.
Generally a bachelor's degree will be required, but that's not always the case for entry level jobs. Though, to take advantage of the industry's higher than average opportunities for advancement it's definitely recommended to have a degree that includes coursework on database management and operations.
15th: Market research analyst

Studying the market conditions to help an organization reach customers and sell products typically only requires a bachelor's degree – and it doesn't necessarily need to be in marketing. Experience with data, research and statistics is all considered valuable to employers.
However, the pay doesn't quite compete with many of the other jobs in the top 30, but there are ample opportunities for advancement. Candidates with the right credentials will have many jobs to choose from: there are around 9,000 roles available across America at the moment.
14th: Orthodontist, median salary: $208,000
Anyone who's worn braces or a retainer to straighten their teeth is likely familiar with these specialist dentists.
While the educational requirements are quite lengthy – dental school, years of residency and a national board exam to pass – they pay off. Orthodontists report some of the highest incomes in the country, along with below average levels of stress and higher than average levels of work/life balance.
13th: Physician, median salary: $208,000

Working as a doctor can be tremendously demanding and challenging. However, America's physicians report hefty salaries, exceeding $200,000 annually on average, and with high potential for upward mobility.
Of course, the role necessitates years of study, but recent grads can rest assured that they'll land a job: there are currently more than 119,521 job openings across America.
12th: Veterinarian, median salary: $100,370

Of course humans aren't the only ones in need of medical care, and the BLS is forecasting 16,800 new jobs for veterinarians over the next several years.
Experience working with animals will help any candidates applying for a four-year veterinary program, especially if they have a background in science. The final of year is generally clinicals, and once graduated vets will need to be get licensed for the state where they practice. While these roles typically make less than physicians, the educational timeline is shorter.
11th: Lawyer, median salary: $127,990

Sticking with traditional professions, qualifying as an attorney is no walk in the park. While bar exams are notoriously hard, practicing law can be incredibly rewarding and well-paying, with the typical base salary in the six figures.
There currently seems to be something of a hiring spree going on, with more than 12,000 lawyer roles currently open, from small firms to big names in the corporate world. And, it ranks among the top paid on in the top 30.
10th: Dentist, median salary: $160,370

Training to be a dentist, which entails getting a doctoral degree in the field, also takes many years. However, the role can be highly satisfying and extremely lucrative too.
Salaries are fairly dependent on location, with dentists in California often making more than $200,000 a year on average. On top of that, there's no shortage of positions out there, with more than 400,000 jobs currently waiting to be filled across America. Plus, many report higher than average flexibility in their work-life balance.
9th: Web developer, median salary: $77,030

While web developers need strong programming and coding skills, a lot of their workload may be client-facing as websites are designed, tested and launched.
This is one job where a bachelor's degree is helpful but not always necessary. Employers are often more curious about a developer's experience. Various "boot camp" certification programs can help beginners learn the ropes, but a person's portfolio will make more of an impact. And with healthy upward mobility in these roles, it's no surprise top earners report taking home six-figure salaries
8th: IT manager, median salary: $159,010

While most IT managers must be able to upgrade software and hardware, manage computer networks and monitor security threats, among other tasks, these roles also require supervising staff and working across departments.
A computer science (or similar) degree is required, and many firms will want their IT managers to have a graduate degree too. For larger organizations, IT staff typically have at least a decade of experience before getting promoted into the manager role. However, it's worth the wait for the generous compensation even at a starting level, and future earning potential.
7th: Financial manager, median salary: $123,100

You'll need a degree in finance or accounting, plus several years of relevant experience, to land a job as a financial manager.
In return for all the number crunching, you can expect heaps of career satisfaction and a median salary that's well in excess of $100,000 per year. Right now, employers are crying out for staff, with 102,083 jobs currently listed across the nation.
6th: Physical therapist, median salary: $95,620

Physical therapists are likely to work with patients as part of their recovery from an injury or illness, often on referral from physicians.
Much like other medical professions on this list, there are quite a few educational requirements including completion of a three-year doctoral of physical therapy program, a clinical residency, board certification and licensing. However, these jobs are well-paid and offer a good work/life balance. There are currently more than 40,000 open positions for physical therapists, and the BLS estimates another 40,000 jobs will be added through the end of the decade.
5th: Information security analyst, median salary: $102,600

Cybersecurity is one of the country's fastest-growing sectors, and analysts who work to secure IT systems are spoiled for choice when it comes to jobs – 16,835 vacancies are available right now.
Candidates will need a range of qualifications and skills, and employers prefer those with an information systems degree and cybersecurity certifications. These analysts also need to stay abreast of compliance trends, issues and threats in addition to keeping systems safe. In return, they can look forward to a six-figure wage and a lot of potential for upward mobility.
4th: Physician assistant, median salary: $121,530

Practicing medicine across a number of different settings, these roles are in high demand and are forecasted to grow by 27% over the next several years.
Physician assistants generally have a master's degree rather than a doctorate, but need to have ample experience in patient care before applying for one of these programs, making it an ideal next step for paramedics and nurses. Salaries in the six-figures make the three-programs well worth the effort – plus PAs report better work/life balance than their physician counterparts.
3rd: Medical and health services manager, median salary: $101,340

Healthcare features prominently among the best jobs for 2023, so it makes sense medical and health services managers who keep facilities running efficiently are top ranked.
With a median salary of $101,340, the compensation is excellent considering there are no specific certification or graduate school requirements. Of course, these can give applicants a competitive edge in a field with ample opportunities for advancement. The BLS expects 136,200 roles to open up by 2031 as the baby boomer generation grows older.
2nd, Nurse practitioner

The runner-up for America's best job for 2023, and the top job in healthcare, nurse practitioners are also in high demand and take home even higher salaries. While these jobs may require performing much of the same work a doctor does, for less money, the training isn't as lengthy.
To be considered for one of these roles, applicants must be a registered nurse and have completed at least a master's degree as well as other certifications. They also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of medicine or work in academia.
Best: Software developer, median salary: $120,730

America's best job for 2023 is software developer, the masterminds behind the apps on our phones, the calendars on our computers and everything in between. The BLS predicts jobs in software development will grow by as much as 26% over the next decade, which accounts for 370,600 openings.
Training for the role will likely require a bachelor's degree, such as one in computer science, and many employers may prefer people who have also completed a master's degree too. But those with plenty of experience and superstar coding skills will have no problem landing a job regardless of academic degrees.
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