Top 3 Jobs That Pay Well
If you’re looking for a career that pays well, there are plenty of options out there. But which are the highest-paying?
We used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find the top 3 jobs that pay the most. Each of these careers offers a high salary and great job prospects for future employees.
1. Data Scientist
A data scientist is an analytical thinker with the computer skills and passion for raw data that help organizations derive actionable insights. They also possess the ability to tame big data through tools like cloud computing, machine learning, and open-source technologies.
Data scientists come from a variety of backgrounds, including business, math, and engineering. However, most of them have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to data science.
Starting salaries for data scientists have increased steadily over the past 5 years. The increase is due to organizations realizing the value of data and how it can drive smarter business decisions.
2. Cyber Security Engineer
One of the most rewarding jobs in the world is cybersecurity engineering, a field where you get to protect data and networks from hacking. As a cybersecurity engineer, you help businesses identify potential threats, block hackers and implement data encryption programs.
Your job duties also include ensuring that companies’ information systems are secure, and maintaining security protocols. You work closely with the security operations center (SOC) team to respond to cyber attacks and help ensure that sensitive data is protected.
As a cybersecurity engineer, you may find yourself working in a variety of settings and interacting with various teams throughout your career. You’ll need strong problem-solving skills to effectively assess and mitigate potential security risks.
Cybersecurity engineers typically earn an average salary of $98,928 per year, more than double the national average. That means you can get pretty rich if you make the right moves in your career, including gaining more education, certifications and moving to a larger city.
3. Cloud Architect
If you’re looking to earn a high salary, a career in the computer and information technology industry might be right for you. The industry has seen rapid growth in the past few decades, which means that a number of job titles in this field pay well.
For example, a cloud architect can expect to earn an average of $128,418 per year in the United States. However, this figure depends on several factors, such as your education, skills and location.
The role of a cloud architect is more important than ever as organizations shift to the cloud. This senior IT specialist works to develop a company’s cloud adoption strategy and ensure that cloud systems stay up to date and run smoothly.
4. Product Manager
Product management is one of the fastest-growing jobs in business, and it is also a very rewarding career path. The role combines technical, marketing, and business expertise to drive growth and innovation.
The average product manager salary is US$99,120 annually, based on ZipRecruiter data. This is a high-paying position that requires higher education and many years of experience, but it’s worth it.
As a product manager, you’ll oversee all aspects of the development of a new product. This could include providing product strategy, managing a development roadmap, specifying tech and functional requirements, launching the product, and creating marketing strategies.
Product managers can work in a variety of industries, including software, manufacturing, retail, and tech. Salaries depend on the industry, company size and stage, and location. Typically, salaries for junior and associate product managers start around US$65,000 and rise to about US$150,000, with senior product manager roles commanding significantly more pay.