You’ve probably heard that life is too short to spend time on unfulfilling work. While any job can be rewarding, some jobs are inherently better than others. If you need to make a change — and you’re looking for something more fulfilling than a paycheck — we have some ideas.
First we’ll consider the criteria that make a job rewarding, before jumping into our curated list of the most rewarding jobs in America.
What exactly is a rewarding job? After all, everyone will define a rewarding job differently. Some folks enjoy being around people, while others appreciate the ability to engage in deep work alone. Some people are looking specifically for work-at-home gigs, while others are looking for the highest paying jobs.
We think that a rewarding career should help you feel accomplished and fulfilled. We break down additional elements below.
Image Credit: Wavebreakmedia / iStock.
Common Characteristics of Rewarding Jobs
The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing upward mobility and equity with research and data, lists five key factors of a good job.
• Livable wages. Earning a livable wage means you earn enough money to cover your basic needs. It’s tied to your health, financial security, and even your children’s success. Livable wages make you feel secure. Rewarding jobs should offer a good entry level salary, and then…
• Upward mobility and growth opportunities. Rewarding jobs allow workers to build on their skills and further their careers. More-experienced workers can feel satisfied knowing they receive competitive pay.
• Workplace flexibility and schedule control. McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey revealed a flexible schedule is one of the top three reasons behind workers’ seeking a new job. Most workers (87%) offered flexible work take their employer up on the offer.
• Benefits. Benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans contribute to a worker’s productivity as well as their health and well-being. Jobs with benefits help create a rewarding environment.
• Working conditions and safety. For a job to be rewarding, a safe environment is essential.
There are many jobs that have some or all of these characteristics. Below are 22 jobs that rated very high in a PayScale survey on job satisfaction. All salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Recommended: Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
1. Kindergarten Teacher
National average salary: $61,820
Job satisfaction rate: 81%
Job description: Some of the most rewarding jobs are jobs helping people. While a career in education doesn’t usually add a lot of zeroes to your bank account, it’s incredibly rewarding to help kids and adults improve their skills and confidence through education. It can also be one of those jobs that pay off student loans through the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?
Image Credit: istockphoto/monkeybusinessimages.
2. Postsecondary Teacher
National average salary: $79,640
Job satisfaction rate: 76%
Job description: These academic pros instruct and mentor students in various topics after high school. Until you reach professor status, check out our list of the best on-campus jobs.
Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
3. Clergy
National average salary: $57,230
Job satisfaction rate: 90%
Job description: Conduct religious services and direct activities to support worship of a spiritual nature.
Image Credit: djedzura / istockphoto.
4. Surgeon
National average salary: $297,800
Job satisfaction rate: 80%
Job description: Diagnose and treat injuries and illness with surgical procedures. This is one of the highest paying jobs on our list.
Image Credit: gpointstudio / iStock.
5. Family and General Practitioner
National average salary: $235,930
Job satisfaction rate: 78%
Job description: Provide preventative care to patients and refer them to specialists for further care.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
6. Music Director and Composer
National average salary: $49,130
Job satisfaction rate: 80%
Job description: Lead musical performances; write and record music.
Image Credit: Rohapp.
7. Epidemiologist
National average salary: $78,830
Job satisfaction rate: 77%
Job description: Investigate the course of a disease to protect public health. Help provide community education and public policy for diseases.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
8. Physician Assistant
National average salary: $121,530
Job satisfaction rate: 78%
Job description: Treats patients under the supervision of a doctor. This role is one step below doctor and a step above nurse — similar to a nurse practitioner.
Recommended: Is $100,000 a Good Salary?
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
9. Anesthesiologist
National average salary: $331,190
Job satisfaction rate: 83%
Job description: Administer and manage patient pain before, during, and after surgery. (We wonder if people who make this much would benefit from a good spending app.)
Image Credit: YakobchukOlena / iStock.
10. Speech-Language Pathologist
National average salary: $79,060
Job satisfaction rate: 79%
Job description: Evaluate and treat patients who have communication disorders.
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages / istockphoto.
11. Pediatrician
National average salary: $198,420
Job satisfaction rate: 89%
Job description: Provide preventative and diagnostic medical care for children.
Recommended: What Credit Score is Needed to Buy a Car?
Image Credit: jacoblund / iStock.
12. Psychiatrist
National average salary: $217,100
Job satisfaction rate: 88%
Job description: Primary mental health care providers who diagnose and treat patients.
Image Credit: Prostock-Studio / iStock.
13. Firefighter
National average salary: $50,700
Job satisfaction rate: 83%
Job description: Firefighters manage and extinguish fires to protect life and property. They also respond to other emergencies.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
14. Education Administrator
National average salary: $102,650
Job satisfaction rate: 88%
Job description: Education administrators are responsible for the direction and implementation of school-related activities. They may hire staff, plan academic programs, attend meetings, and stay on top of any number of initiatives.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
15. Dentist
National average salary: $163,220
Job satisfaction rate: 82%
Job description: Treat patients to prevent and repair tooth decay and oral health.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
16. Forester
National average salary: $67,710
Job satisfaction rate: 85%
Job description: Foresters maintain the health of a forested ecosystem. They may track types and amounts of standing timber, plant new trees, and determine which trees need to be cut.
Image Credit: Unsplash.
17. Cartographer and Photogrammetrist
National average salary: $68,900
Job satisfaction rate: 95%
Job description: Create digital and physical maps and charts from geographic data.
Image Credit: Wojciech Kozielczyk.
18. Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas
National average salary: $61,840
Job satisfaction rate: 93%
Job description: Rotary drill operators control large-scale machines that extract oil and gas from the earth. It’s one of the few jobs that don’t require college on this list.
Image Credit: NiseriN / iStock.
19. Emergency Management Director
National average salary: $76,730
Job satisfaction rate: 86%
Job description: Develop and implement plans in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster. Coordinate with local authorities and help lead when an event occurs.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
20. Physicist
National average salary: $147,450
Job satisfaction rate: 77%
Job description: Study matter and energy. May develop scientific theories, conduct experiments, develop software, write papers, and present research at conferences.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
21. Librarian
National average salary: $61,190
Job satisfaction rate: 81%
Job description: Help people find information in a library. Organize materials and create programs for public education. Although interaction with the public is a key part of this role, it still seems like the ultimate job for introverts.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
22. Chief Executive
National average salary: $213,020
Job satisfaction rate: 88%
Job description: Executives plan and implement business activity and the overall direction of an organization. It is rewarding to see results from programs and teams you helped establish. If anyone can advise you how to ask for a signing bonus, it’s the CEO.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re in the right job or looking for a new path, it’s helpful to know that some well-paying jobs are among the most rewarding. Our list was compiled with salary data from PayScale and job satisfaction data provided by the Bureau for Labor Statistics. The medical field has a strong presence, as does education. Some less expected rewarding jobs include music director, cartographer, clergy, and forrester. Cartographers have the highest job satisfaction on our list (who knew?), while anesthesiologists pull the highest salary.
FAQ
What is the highest paying job in 2022?
Physicians and other medical professionals dominate the BLS data of the highest paying occupations with an average salary over $208,000 per year. You may also be interested in our list of the highest paying trades.
What is the happiest career in the US?
According to a 2020 Gallup report on work, 89% of workers reported being at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs. What this means is job satisfaction is individual. While one person may feel happy teaching, another may despise it. It’s true that some people have a harder time than usual finding job satisfaction (may we suggest our list of jobs for antisocial people?), which is why persistence is key. A happy career is one that suits your personality, values, and lifestyle.
Which jobs are in most demand in the US?
Jobs in the medical field are in high demand and pay well. According to the BLS, nurse practitioners experienced the highest growth rate in 2021, with median pay over $120,680.
Learn More:
- Personal Loan Calculator
https://www.sofi.com/personal-loan-calculator/
- What is The Difference Between Transunion and Equifax?
This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
SoFi’s Insights tool offers users the ability to connect both in-house accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score provided to you is a Vantage Score® based on TransUnion™ (the “Processing Agent”) data.
*Terms and conditions apply. (Must click on the link to be eligible.) This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the Rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed into SoFi accounts such as cash in SoFi Checking and Savings or loan balances, Stock Bits, fractional shares and cryptocurrency subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. PDF File. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Image Credit: Khosrork/ istockphoto .
More from MediaFeed
These top career quizzes could help you figure out your next move
Image Credit: SeventyFour.
