These lists help you narrow down what kind of job to pursue. Each one is built around a different starting point, such as your education, your age or how you like to work, and most pay figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pick the list that matches your situation.
Which job list fits your situation?
| Your starting point | List | What is inside |
|---|---|---|
| You want the top of the pay scale | Highest paying jobs | The best-paid occupations in the US |
| You do not have a degree | High paying jobs without a degree | 20 jobs, most learned through an apprenticeship, a license or on-the-job training |
| You want a hands-on trade | Trade school jobs | 18 careers with pay, training time and how to start |
| You have a business degree | Business administration degree jobs | 20 jobs in finance, accounting, marketing, HR, logistics and management |
| You prefer focused, independent work | Jobs for introverts | 20 jobs with BLS pay and education |
| You are 16 and want a first job | Jobs for 16 year olds | 25 ideas, work rules and how to apply |
How much do these jobs pay?
It depends on the training you are willing to do. Start with the highest paying jobs if you are open to long training, since the top of BLS pay data is led by physicians, surgeons and dental specialists. Strong pay is possible without that path. In May 2025, BLS reported median pay of $109,910 for elevator and escalator installers and $105,080 for power plant operators, both on the jobs without a degree list. Trade school careers train in anywhere from about 6 months for some HVAC programs to 4 or 5 years for plumbing and electrical apprenticeships.
What if you are just starting out?
Teens should read jobs for 16-year-olds first. At 16, federal law allows unlimited hours in jobs the Department of Labor has not declared hazardous, but your state may limit hours or require a work permit. Recent graduates with a business degree can compare first jobs such as financial analyst, accountant and HR specialist in the business administration degree guide. If people-heavy roles drain you, the jobs for introverts list favors long stretches of independent work.
Not sure which direction fits? The Holland code test matches your interests to careers.