These are the Best Jobs of 2024, According to Indeed was originally published on Indeed
The world of work has always been subject to change—it’s highly fluid and influenced by a myriad of factors, and certain conditions within the past year have spurred a rapid evolution in some sectors. Within the past year, we’ve witnessed unprecedented technological advancements and economic conditions that have defied expectations, both of which have left their mark on jobs and job seekers. Here to guide you toward fulfilling work is our annual list of best jobs. Over the years, Indeed’s mission has expanded from helping people get jobs to connecting people with better work. As the world’s number one job site, we have a wealth of data-driven research that indicates what makes employees happy in a job and what they are looking for in their searches. In a recent study conducted with Forrester, Indeed found that job seekers continue to name “fair pay” as the number one factor that will increase their workplace wellbeing, with “flexibility” as a close second. So, Indeed compiled this list by including jobs with a salary minimum of at least $75,000 and with at least 10% of postings that include terms to indicate ‘remote’ or ‘hybrid’ work.We know that these are not the only factors contributing to workplace wellbeing—in fact, the majority of what makes people happy at work lies with the employer and company culture. But, for the purposes of this list and identifying the best opportunities available to job seekers, we are looking at the opportunities available that can satisfy the factors we know are important to job seekers and can be measured within a job title: salary and flexibility. This, coupled with opportunity growth (% change year over year) and availability (share of job postings), we can identify our selection of the “best” opportunities for job seekers in the US today. Related: Indeed’s 2024 Workforce Insights Report
| Rank | Job title | Average Annual Salary ($75k minimum) | Jobs Per 1M Total Jobs | % Change in Job Share, 2020 vs. 2023 | % Containing Remote & Hybrid Phrases |
| 1 | mental health technician | $77,448 | 1,425 | 1 | 18 |
| 2 | loan officer | $192,339 | 1,044 | 3 | 75 |
| 3 | mental health therapist | $76,140 | 865 | 132 | 41 |
| 4 | electrical engineer | $102,590 | 700 | 34 | 19 |
| 5 | construction project manager | $103,431 | 662 | 37 | 10 |
| 6 | mechanical engineer | $96,091 | 552 | 24 | 16 |
| 7 | psychiatrist | $258,440 | 552 | 36 | 15 |
| 8 | human resources manager | $79,174 | 549 | 5 | 13 |
| 9 | senior accountant | $82,811 | 547 | 18 | 24 |
| 10 | data engineer | $130,135 | 532 | 2 | 41 |
| 11 | civil engineer | $93,967 | 524 | 44 | 22 |
| 12 | supply chain specialist | $86,976 | 509 | 32 | 13 |
| 13 | accounting manager | $93,000 | 490 | 15 | 23 |
| 14 | attorney | $120,854 | 477 | 31 | 33 |
| 15 | designer | $81,149 | 475 | 5 | 22 |
| 16 | controller | $111,682 | 467 | 30 | 20 |
| 17 | behavioral health professional | $85,506 | 450 | 36 | 14 |
| 18 | psychiatric nurse | $112,811 | 423 | 8 | 12 |
| 19 | quality engineer | $83,227 | 400 | 29 | 14 |
| 20 | senior engineer | $137,086 | 390 | 18 | 36 |
| 21 | associate attorney | $105,989 | 355 | 32 | 29 |
| 22 | real estate analyst | $90,030 | 354 | 1 | 37 |
| 23 | psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner | $138,873 | 340 | 261 | 19 |
| 24 | tax manager | $129,697 | 310 | 58 | 36 |
| 25 | medical director | $184,521 | 298 | 19 | 21 |
This year’s list of top jobs includes a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, construction, engineering and real estate. Some roles may have crossover applications in multiple industries, such as data engineering or certain legal roles.
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Demand for mental health professionals continues to increase
It’s an unfortunate reality that the mental health of Americans continues to struggle. Rates of depression, suicidal ideation and addiction are rising. Mental Health America is an organization that produces an annual report of mental health data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Comparing the report from this year and last might help explain why mental health jobs dominate this year’s list as one of the most understaffed jobs that need to be filled. According to their 2022 report, 19.86% of American adults reported experiencing mental illness, and that number increased to 20.78% in the 2023 report. That’s over 50 million Americans who have reported experiencing mental illness. Furthermore, and sadly, every statistic measuring poor mental health included in both reports, such as drug abuse, serious suicidal thoughts and major depressive disorders in youth, saw an increase in the 2023 report. As mental illness is rising, so is the amount of people seeking care, which has led to increased demand for these professionals.It’s notable that, six out of the 25 jobs featured on this year’s list pertain to mental health, three times as many as we saw just two years ago. The strong presence of mental health roles on this year’s list not only speaks to the need for mental health professionals but perhaps shows that a higher rate of people are seeking the help they need.
A notable decline in tech roles
News of tech layoffs carried us through 2023 and into the new year as fears that generative AI might take many remaining tech jobs became more prevalent. According to Hiring Lab’s AI at Work report, software development, IT operations and helpdesk, and information design and documentation were among the top five occupation groups most at risk of being impacted by Gen AI.But it’s not all doom and gloom for the tech industry—tech jobs are still available; they are just not seeing the exponential growth of previous years. But, for the record, even though tech jobs are facing a high degree of exposure to generative AI, they are more likely to be undergoing a period of change rather than disappearing completely—not unlike a caterpillar to a cocoon to a butterfly. Tech may very well be in its cocoon era. As Svenja Gudell, chief economist at Indeed, puts it, “In reality, it isn’t generative AI that is going to take your job, instead, it is “the person that knows how to work with the tools that generative AI has given them” that will do that.”Related: Amidst AI Fears, Job Seekers Remain Optimistic
Stability in engineering
Six roles on this year’s list of best jobs are engineering roles. These positions are associated with various engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, civil, data and quality engineering. Roles such as electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and civil engineer have maintained their presence on the list of best jobs since last year, indicating stability in the demand for engineering professionals.The strength of engineering careers makes sense when you consider that engineers provide the building blocks to countless tangible and intangible goods and services consumers rely on. Electronics, buildings, machinery and software are just a few examples of the products and services engineers work on. As a specialized field with impressive projected growth rates, engineering will likely continue providing job security with higher-than-average compensation rates.In fact, according to the BLS, the following is the projected percent change in employment for the following jobs from 2022-2032. For reference, the average growth rate for all occupations is 3%.
When accounting for salary, healthcare leads the pack
We were interested in finding out the outcome if we arranged the jobs on our list by their average base salary, with the highest paying job at the top.
| Rank | Job title | Average Annual Salary ($75k minimum) | Jobs Per 1M Total Jobs | % Change in Job Share, 2021 vs. 2024 | % Containing Remote & Hybrid Phrases |
| 1 | psychiatrist | $258,440 | 552 | 369 | 215 |
| 2 | loan officer | $192,339 | 1,044 | 3 | 75 |
| 3 | medical director | $184,521 | 298 | 19 | 21 |
| 4 | psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner | $138,873 | 340 | 261 | 19 |
| 5 | senior engineer | $137,086 | 390 | 18 | 36 |
This year we’re seeing a heavy emphasis on healthcare among the top five best-compensated jobs in our list. The healthcare industry was rocked hard by COVID-19 and has experienced ongoing labor shortages amidst high demand for workers.Typically, when fewer qualified workers are available for a job, compensation increases. That’s especially true for specialized roles like all the jobs on this top-five list. While they don’t all require extensive formal education, they do require a degree of specialization and insight or experience in their respective fields. Take the loan officer role—a bachelor’s degree may give job seekers an edge, but is not always required. The same goes for senior engineers—formal education isn’t always necessary, but extensive experience as an engineer and leader is.
Healthcare and manufacturing and construction roles see most growth
| Rank | Job title | Average Annual Salary ($75k minimum) | Jobs Per 1M Total Jobs | % Change in Job Share, 2021 vs. 2024″ | % Containing Remote & Hybrid Phrases |
| 1 | psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner | $184,521 | 340 | 261 | 19 |
| 2 | mental health therapist | $79,174 | 865 | 132 | 41 |
| 3 | tax manager | $192,339 | 310 | 58 | 36 |
| 4 | civil engineer | $93,967 | 524 | 44 | 22 |
| 5 | construction project manager | $82,811 | 662 | 37 | 10 |
According to a recent article in Psychology Today, approximately “47% of the U.S. population (158 million people) live in a mental health workforce shortage area.” With psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and mental health therapist leading our list of best jobs experiencing the most growth, it’s a classic case of supply and demand.The same may very well be true for manufacturing and construction roles. A report from Axios examined the persistently high cost of homes in the US and found that there are not enough homes to keep up with the increase in households. In response, apartment buildings are being built at near-record highs. And, a report from Deloitte predicts a “boost to construction associated with manufacturing, transportation infrastructure, and clean energy infrastructure, as funds from three key pieces of legislation passed in 2021 and 2022—the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act—are expected to flow into the industry.”
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Best Jobs of 2024
Here’s Indeed’s comprehensive list of the 25 best jobs of 2024, with salary information, data on employer demand and a description of job duties listed for each:
1. Mental health technician
National average salary: $77,448Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 1,425Percent of growth in number of job postings: 1Mental health technicians provides support and assistance to individuals undergoing mental health treatment, helping them navigate daily activities, participate in therapeutic interventions and maintain a safe and supportive environment. Responsibilities include observing and documenting patient behavior, implementing treatment plans and collaborating with the mental health team to ensure comprehensive care.Find mental health technician jobs
2. Loan officer
National average salary: $192,339Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 1,044Percent of growth in number of job postings: 3A loan officer evaluates and approves loan applications by assessing financial information, creditworthiness and collateral to assist individuals and businesses in securing appropriate loans. Responsibilities also include guiding clients through the loan application process, explaining terms and conditions and ensuring compliance with lending regulations.Find loan office jobs
3. Mental health therapist
National average salary: $76,140Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 865Percent of growth in number of job postings: 132Mental health therapists provide counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples or groups to address emotional, behavioral or psychological challenges. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and offering therapeutic interventions.Find mental health therapist jobs
4. Electrical engineer
National average salary: 102,590Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 700Percent of growth in number of job postings: 34An electrical engineer designs, develops, and maintains electrical systems, components, and products, applying principles of electrical engineering to meet technical specifications and safety standards. Responsibilities include analyzing project requirements, creating schematics, overseeing testing procedures and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation of electrical solutions.Find electrical engineer jobs
5. Construction project manager
National average salary: $103,431Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 662Percent of growth in number of job postings: 37A construction project manager’s responsibilities include project planning, resource allocation, risk management and effective communication. They oversee and coordinate construction projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget and in compliance with specifications. Find construction project manager jobs
6. Mechanical engineer
National average salary: $96,091Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 552Percent of growth in number of job postings: 24Designing, developing and maintaining mechanical systems, components and products are the core responsibilities of a mechanical engineer. They use principles of mechanical engineering to meet technical specifications and safety standards and also specialize in project planning, resource allocation, risk management and collaborative communication with cross-functional teams.Find mechanical engineer jobs
7. Psychiatrist
National average salary: $258,440Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 552Percent of growth in number of job postings: 36As a psychiatrist, the primary job duties involve diagnosing, treating and preventing mental illnesses through the application of medical and therapeutic interventions, including medication management and psychotherapy. Responsibilities also include conducting assessments and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.Find psychiatrist jobs
8. Human resources manager
National average salary: $79,174Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 549Percent of growth in number of job postings: 5A human resources manager oversees the administration of human resources policies, procedures and programs within an organization. This includes tasks such as recruiting and staffing, employee relations, benefits administration and ensuring compliance with relevant employment laws and regulations.Find human resources manager jobs
9. Senior accountant
National average salary: $82,811Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 547Percent of growth in number of job postings: 18Responsible for the oversight of financial reporting and analysis, a senior accountant plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records. Their duties include managing the general ledger, conducting financial audits and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support strategic decision-making.Find senior accountant jobs
10. Data engineer
National average salary: $130,135Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 532Percent of growth in number of job postings: 2Data engineers are responsible for designing, constructing, installing and maintaining efficient data pipelines and systems. They work to transform raw data into a format that can be easily analyzed, ensuring the availability and accessibility of data for the organization’s data scientists and analysts.Find data engineer jobs
11. Civil engineer
National average salary: $93,967Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 524Percent of growth in number of job postings: 44A civil engineer’s primary duties include planning, designing and overseeing the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and buildings. They analyze project requirements, manage budgets and resources and ensure compliance with regulations.Find civil engineer jobs
12. Supply chain specialist
National average salary: $86,976Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 509Percent of growth in number of job postings: 32A supply chain specialist manages the end-to-end processes involved in the production, distribution and logistics of goods and services. Their responsibilities include coordinating with suppliers, monitoring inventory levels, optimizing transportation routes and implementing strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs within the supply chain.Find supply chain specialist jobs
13. Accounting manager
National average salary: $93,000Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 490Percent of growth in number of job postings: 15Tasked with overseeing financial reporting and analysis, an accounting manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring accuracy and integrity in financial records. Their duties include managing the general ledger and conducting financial audits.Find accounting manager jobs
14. Attorney
National average salary: $120,854Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 477Percent of growth in number of job postings: 31Attorneys are responsible for providing legal advice, conducting legal research, preparing legal documents and representing clients in court. They navigate complex legal issues, negotiate settlements,and ensure compliance with laws and regulations to advocate for their clients’ interests.Find attorney jobs
15. Designer
National average salary: $81,149Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 475Percent of growth in number of job postings: 5A designer’s primary duties include conceptualizing and developing visual elements for various projects. They collaborate with clients, utilizing design software, to bring innovative ideas to life and contribute to the aesthetic and functional aspects of diverse design endeavors.Find designer jobs
16. Controller
National average salary: $111,682Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 467Percent of growth in number of job postings: 30Responsible for financial oversight, a controller manages accounting functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting. Their duties encompass overseeing budget processes, analyzing financial data and collaborating with various departments to support strategic decision-making within an organization.Find controller jobs
17. Behavioral health professional
National average salary: $85,506Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 450Percent of growth in number of job postings: 36A behavioral health professional is dedicated to promoting mental and emotional well-being by assessing clients’ needs, developing treatment plans and implementing therapeutic interventions. They provide counseling and guidance to individuals or groups, aiming to improve mental health outcomes.Find behavioral health professional jobs
18. Psychiatric nurse
National average salary: $112,811Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 423Percent of growth in number of job postings: 8Psychiatric nurses specialize in providing nursing care for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. They assess patients, administer medications and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement treatment plans.Find psychiatric nurse jobs
19. Quality engineer
National average salary: $83,227Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 400Percent of growth in number of job postings: 29The primary duties of a quality engineer include orchestrating and implementing processes to uphold product standards and ensure compliance with quality assurance protocols. Other responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams and analyzing data.Find quality engineer jobs
20. Senior engineer
National average salary: $137,086Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 390Percent of growth in number of job postings: 18A senior engineer takes a leadership role in designing, implementing and overseeing complex engineering projects. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, provide mentorship to junior engineers, and contribute to the development and execution of strategic engineering initiatives within the organizationFind senior engineer jobs
21. Associate attorney
National average salary: $105,989Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 355Percent of growth in number of job postings: 32Engaged in the legal field, an associate attorney performs essential tasks such as conducting research, preparing documents and representing clients in court proceedings. They navigate complex legal matters, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations while advocating for clients’ interests.Find associate attorney jobs
22. Real estate analyst
National average salary: $90,030Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 354Percent of growth in number of job postings: 1A real estate analyst’s responsibilities include conducting market research, analyzing property trends and preparing financial models to assess potential real estate investments. The role involves providing valuable insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making in real estate transactions and portfolio management.Find real estate analyst jobs
23. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner
National average salary: $138,873Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 340Percent of growth in number of job postings: 261Engaged in advanced nursing practice, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner assesses, diagnoses and treats mental health disorders, prescribing medication and providing psychotherapy as part of a comprehensive care approach. They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and contribute to the overall well-being of patients.Find psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner job
24. Tax manager
National average salary: $129,697Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 310Percent of growth in number of job postings: 58A tax manager oversees and manages all aspects of a company’s tax compliance, ensuring accurate and timely filing of tax returns. They play a key role in developing and implementing tax strategies, staying abreast of tax regulations and providing guidance to support financial decision-making within the organization.Find tax manager jobs
25. Medical director
National average salary: $184,521Number of job postings per 1 million total jobs: 298Percent of growth in number of job postings: 19As a medical director, the primary responsibilities include overseeing and directing medical policies, programs and operations of a healthcare organization. This includes providing leadership to medical staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and contributing to the development and implementation of clinical protocols to enhance patient care.Find medical director jobsMethodologyIndeed compiled this list by including jobs with an average base salary of at least $75,000 and at least 10% of job postings containing ‘remote’ and ‘hybrid’ work descriptions, combined with growth in share of postings from January 2021 to January 2024. These jobs are ranked by the number of job postings per 1M total postings.
