The year 2023 started with a tight job market, with many headlines of layoffs and hiring freezes.
In the month of December 2022, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%, the lowest rate in 50 years, while the demand for hand remains high – meaning job seekers have a better selection of opportunities to choose from.
The most popular and sought-after jobs, on the other hand, have some details in common, namely, competitive wages, opportunities for career advancement, consistent demand and a balance between work and personal life.
The U.S. News and World Report has released a ranking of the top 100 jobs in the United States for 2023, with its focus on occupations with the highest projected growth between now and 2031, and ranking them by levels of job stress, average wage, unemployment rate, work-life balance, and other factors.
Here is the list of the top 100 jobs.
1. Software developer
- Median salary: $120,730
- Projected job growth by 2031: 370,600 positions
- Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
2. Nurse practitioner
- Median salary: $120,680
- Projected job growth by 2031: 112,700 positions
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
3. Medical and health services manager
- Median salary: $101,340
- Projected job growth by 2031: 136,200 positions
- Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
4. Physician assistant
- Median salary: $121,530
- Projected job growth by 2031: 38,400 positions
- Education requirements: Master’s degree
5. Information security analyst
- Median salary: $102,600
- Projected job growth by 2031: 56,500 positions
- Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
6. Physical therapist
- Median salary: $95,620
- Projected job growth by 2031: 40,400 positions
- Education requirements: Doctorate degree
7. Financial manager
- Median salary: $131,710
- Projected job growth by 2031: 123,100 positions
- Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
8. IT Manager
- Median salary: $159,010
- Projected job growth by 2031: 82,400 positions
- Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
9. Web developer
Median salary: $77,030
Projected job growth by 2031: 28,900 positions
Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
10. Dentist
- Median salary: $160,370
- Projected job growth by 2031: 7,700 positions
- Education requirements: Doctorate degree
Due to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, technology and healthcare jobs dominated the ”best jobs” ranking
Four types of tech jobs make the top 10, despite scores of tech industry workers being laid off in massive job cuts in recent months.