One person’s dream job may be another person’s nightmare. That said, certain jobs are universally coveted for reasons of salary, stability, status and intellectual challenge. Travel, creative outlets and a desire to help others are other factors that make a job enticing. The top 10 jobs in the world listed by various publications are in high demand and typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Information Security Analyst
U.S. News & World Report ranked information security analyst in the number one spot for best jobs in 2022. This career involves warding off cyberattacks and thwarting hackers attempting to breach a company’s confidential database. With a bachelor’s degree, the salary averages $103,590 per year.
Nurse Practitioner
Coming in at second place on the U.S. News & World Report list of best jobs is advanced practice registered nurse. A nurse practitioner performs some of the same duties as a physician, such as developing treatment plans and prescribing medication. Helping patients live healthier lifestyles can be deeply rewarding. Salaries average $111,680 per year.
Chief Executive Officer
A chief executive officer job is the highest paying business career in the world, according to the Great Learning website. With an estimated salary of $331,000, the CEO is ultimately responsible for the success of a company. Corporate board members look to hire a proven leader with a master’s degree and years of industry experience.
Petroleum Engineer
Engineering is known for high salaries, and petroleum engineers make even more than other engineers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With a bachelor’s degree, petroleum engineers earned a median annual salary of $137,330 as of 2020. Petroleum engineers are not stuck at a desk; they travel the world helping companies locate underground gas and oil resources.
Plastic Surgeon
Although often associated with Hollywood celebrities, plastic surgeons also treat cleft lips, deformed ears, scars and burns. A Medscape physician compensation report in 2021 showed that plastic surgeons earned around $526,000 per year, more than twice the $221,000 annual salary of a pediatrician, according to Weatherby Healthcare. The higher salary is commensurate with years of residency training and fellowships required after medical school.
Neurosurgeon
After analyzing salaries on the internet from sources like Business Insider, the Wealthy Gorilla concluded that the world's neurosurgeons earn more money than any other occupation on average. According to Wealthy Gorilla, neurosurgeons around the globe annually earn $381,500. Neurosurgeons diagnose and treat conditions of the nervous system such as strokes and brain tumors.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses topped the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) list of best careers for the future. Registered nurses are in high demand worldwide, particularly in the United States, where an aging population of baby boomers increasingly needs nursing care. The BLS reported in 2020 that RNs earned a median annual salary of $75,330, with the top 10 percent earning upward of $116,230.
Software Engineer
Technology is rapidly evolving worldwide, with software engineers leading the way. The job of software engineer ranks at the top of Indeed’s list of highest paying and best jobs for introverts. Software engineers prefer to work independently without annoying distractions as they build and test software programs while earning an average salary of $103,438 per year.
Air Traffic Controller
TheJobNetwork states that the job of air traffic controller pays more than any other occupation that does not require a college degree. Air traffic controllers receive on-the-job training to learn how to monitor and direct airplanes and helicopters. Salaries average $122,530 per year, which isn’t surprising given the stress and responsibility that comes with the job.
Video Game Designer
Indeed suggests that a high salary is less important to personal happiness than factors such as having fun at work and achieving work-life balance. Indeed identifies video game designer as one of the best jobs for finding a high level of personal enjoyment that also pays a decent salary. Video game designers are paid $76,654 a year on average to create fast-paced, interactive computer games.
