Top 100 Careers for 2017
Everyone has different skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses so there’s no best job for everyone. However, some jobs have a lot going for them like; high pay, room for growth, and good job prospects. To compile our list of the top 100 careers, we focused on facts and statistics and used that data to calculate a job ranking score. We left out subjective criteria like stress, physical demands, and public speaking because those are for you to decide (some people love the idea of high stress, others would rather sit at a desk and never speak to anyone).
These job rankings also factor in education. This is important because a job that pays a 6-figure salary, but requires a Doctorate or professional degree has a much higher cost to salary ratio then one that pays 6-figures and only requires a Bachelor’s degree. No matter how great a career sounds, there are many individuals who just won’t spend the money, time, and mental energy in college for 8+ years.
The top ranked jobs on our list of best careers for 2017 include personal financial advisors, computer and IT managers, and physicians. Take a look at our complete top 100 list and start searching for the right career for you!
The highest score using our ranking system is 100
Personal Financial Advisor
#1 Personal Financial Advisor
Overall Score: 93 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Personal Financial Advisor tops the list of the top 100 careers. This career has a high pay, high salary span, high job outlook and typically only requires a Bachelor’s degree … learn more
Median Salary: $89,160 | Salary Span: $147,900
Job Outlook: 30% | # of New Jobs: 73,900
Computer and IT Manager
#2 Computer and IT Manager
Overall Score: 87 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Computer and IT Managers rank #2 in the top 100 careers. Their salary averages over $130K a year with a high salary span, good job outlook and lot’s of new jobs coming … learn more
Median Salary: $131,600 | Salary Span: $107,040
Job Outlook: 15% | # of New Jobs: 53,700
Physician
#3 Physician
Overall Score: 85 | Typical Education: Doctoral
Physicians round out the #3 spot on the top 100 careers list. A salary over $220K a year along with a salary range over $200K, plus a high job outlook make this one of the top careers … learn more
Median Salary: $221,419 | Salary Span: $200,000+
Job Outlook: 14% | # of New Jobs: 99,300
Software Developer
#4 Software Developer
Overall Score: 85 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Software developers fall into the #4 spot in the top 100 careers due to a high salary, salary span, job outlook, and the sheer volume of jobs. Additionally, software developers typically only need a Bachelor’s degree to enter the field … learn more
Median Salary: $100,690 | Salary Span: $96,370
Job Outlook: 17% | # of New Jobs: 186,600
Management Analyst
#5 Management Analyst
Overall Score: 85 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Management analysts crack the top 5. Over 100,000 new jobs are expected for management analysts between 2014 and 2024 … learn more
Median Salary: $81,320 | Salary Span: $104,250
Job Outlook: 14% | # of New Jobs: 103,400
Dentist
#6 Dentist
Overall Score: 84 | Typical Education: Doctoral
Dentists earn the #6 spot in the list of the top 100 careers due to a high salary and salary span. There is also a higher than average job outlook for dentists at 18% … learn more
Median Salary: $158,310 | Salary Span: $150,000+
Job Outlook: 18% | # of New Jobs: 26,700
Financial Manager
#7 Financial Manager
Overall Score: 84 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Financial managers hold steady at #7 in the list of the top 100 careers due to 6-figure salaries and salary spans. In addition, the field typically only requires a Bachelor’s degree … learn more
Median Salary: $117,990 | Salary Span: $124,180
Job Outlook: 7% | # of New Jobs: 37,700
Computer System Analysts
#8 Computer System Analysts
Overall Score: 84 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Computer system analysts made the #8 spot in the list. This field typically only requires a Bachelor’s degree and has a projected job outlook of 21% … learn more
Median Salary: $85,800 | Salary Span: $83,540
Job Outlook: 21% | # of New Jobs: 118,600
Nurse Practitioner
#9 Nurse Practitioner
Overall Score: 83 | Typical Education: Master’s
Nurse practitioners claimed the #9 spot due to high pay and a 35% projected job outlook … learn more
Median Salary: $98,190 | Salary Span: $100,030
Job Outlook: 35% | # of New Jobs: 44,700
Medical and Health Services Manager
#10 Medical and Health Services Manager
Overall Score: 83 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Rounding out the #10 spot in the list are medical and health services managers. These professionals earn a high salary and the field typically only requires a Bachelor’s degree … learn more
Median Salary: $94,500 | Salary Span: $109,150
Job Outlook: 17% | # of New Jobs: 56,300
Operations Research Analyst
#11 Operations Research Analyst
Overall Score: 83 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Operations research analysts came in at #11 in part due to their high job outlook which at 30% is over four times the job outlook for the average occupation … learn more
Median Salary: $78,630 | Salary Span: $88,980
Job Outlook: 30% | # of New Jobs: 27,600
Advertising and Promotion Manager
#12 Advertising and Promotion Manager
Overall Score: 81 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Advertising and promotion managers earn over $95K a year and have a high salary span of over $140K. The typical education is a Bachelor’s degree which makes entry into this field easier than many others found in this list of the top 100 careers … learn more
Median Salary: $95,890 | Salary Span: $144,760
Job Outlook: 9% | # of New Jobs: 19,700
Information Security Analysts
#13 Information Security Analyst
Overall Score: 81 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Information security analysts coordinate and implement steps to ensure that information systems and networks are protected. Watches, responds to breaches, upgrades, and installs software to prevent cyber intrusions … learn more
Median Salary: $90,120 | Salary Span: $92,490
Job Outlook: 18% | # of New Jobs: 14,800
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
14. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Overall Score: 80 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Securities, commodities, and financial service sales agents communicates with prospective clients, present product/service information, and offer advice about those products. They also buy and sell securities and other financial instruments … learn more
Median Salary: $71,550 | Salary Span: $154,520
Job Outlook: 10% | # of New Jobs: 32,500
Human Resources Manager
15. Human Resources Manager
Overall Score: 79 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Human resource manager mediate between higher management and employees. They recruit new hires, oversee staff, and manage the processes and procedures of HR. HR managers may handle benefit and payroll matters as well … learn more
Median Salary: $104,440 | Salary Span: $125,900
Job Outlook: 9% | # of New Jobs: 10,800
Physician Assistant
16. Physician Assistant
Overall Score: 79 | Typical Education: Master’s
Also known as a physician associate and PA, this person practices medicine and works jointly with surgeons, doctors, and specific healthcare teams. They diagnose and treat patients … learn more
Median Salary: $98,180 | Salary Span: $76,780
Job Outlook: 30% | # of New Jobs: 28,700
Financial Analyst
#17 Financial Analyst
Overall Score: 79 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Financial analysts study various aspects of microeconomic and macroeconomic conditions that affect company performance. In addition they assesses current conditions, make recommendations for change, and take measures to improve a company’s financial performance … learn more
Median Salary: $80,310 | Salary Span: $111,310
Job Outlook: 12% | # of New Jobs: 32,300
Surgeon
#18 Surgeon
Overall Score: 78 | Typical Education: Doctoral
Surgeons are physicians who are skilled and trained to perform minor and major operations … learn more
Median Salary: $363,165 | Salary Span: $236,704
Job Outlook: 20% | # of New Jobs: 9,100
Optometrist
#19 Optometrist
Overall Score: 78 | Typical Education: Doctoral
Optometrists manage eye health, diagnoses, counsels, and treats conditions of the eye. This physician is not a surgeon. They make referrals to opthamologists for chronic conditions that may require surgery … learn more
Median Salary: $103,900 | Salary Span: $135,420
Job Outlook: 27% | # of New Jobs: 11,000
Sales Manager
#20 Sales Manager
Overall Score: 78 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Sales managers manage and direct the distribution of a company’s products and services. They analyze relative information, establish goals, lead teams, and devise training plans to reach company goals … learn more
Median Salary: $113,860 | Salary Span: $132,710
Job Outlook: 5% | # of New Jobs: 19,000
Construction Managers
#21 Construction Manager
Overall Score: 78 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Construction managers oversee workers and crews, devise work schedules, watch the budget, and adjust spending habits accordingly. They also implement building plans and see them out until the completion of the project … learn more
Median Salary: $87,400 | Salary Span: $102,850
Job Outlook: 5% | # of New Jobs: 17,800
Administrative Services Manager
#22 Administrative Services Manager
Overall Score: 77 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Administrative services managers maintain and manage supportive functions within an organization. They watch performance, coordinate programs, and direct the overall operations of the administrative details of a company … learn more
Median Salary: $86,110 | Salary Span: $107,140
Job Outlook: 8% | # of New Jobs: 23,500
Anesthesiologist
#23 Anesthesiologist
Overall Score: 76 | Typical Education: Doctorate
Anesthesiologists are trained in the administration of drugs for pain management and pre-operative care. They consult with doctors for a unique plan of action for each patient … learn more
Median Salary: $358,638 | Salary Span: $183,124
Job Outlook: 21% | # of New Jobs: 7,100
Nurse Anesthetist
#24 Nurse Anesthetists
Overall Score: 76 | Typical Education: Master’s
Nurse anesthetists are specifically trained to administer drugs for pain management. They work jointly with physicians and medical teams to provide pre-operative care to patients … learn more
Median Salary: $157,140 | Salary Span: $100,030
Job Outlook: 19% | # of New Jobs: 7,400
Actuary
#25 Actuary
Overall Score: 76 | Typical Education: Bachelor’s
Actuaries collect and analyze statistical data to gauge insurance risks. Actuaries work in various high ranking jobs. They offer advice and manage risk … learn more
Median Salary: $97,070 | Salary Span: $122,210
Job Outlook: 18% | # of New Jobs: 4,400
