The 20 most competitive jobs in America right now
lovemoney staff
12 October 2017
Hotly-contested roles
You think your job was tough to get? Spare a thought for the candidates applying for America's most in-demand, oversubscribed roles, as compiled by career site Glassdoor. With legions of applicants scrambling for a paucity of available positions, landing one of these highly-desirable roles takes talent, dogged perseverance and plenty of good fortune. Count yourself lucky as we reveal the 20 most competitive jobs in the US.
20. Software engineer
Software engineering is far from easy to get into. Candidates are expected to be fluent in a variety of computer languages and possess advanced coding skills, not to mention a bachelor's degree in software, science or mathematics, as well as experience using a number of IT systems and applications. Be that as it may, successful candidates are rewarded with an average salary of $100,000. Job hotspots include New York City, Houston and Santa Clara, California.
19. Technical project manager
Technical project managers are tasked with delivering complex client projects on time and within budget, while following technical specifications to the letter. The role requires a lot of liaising and applicants must be able to explain mind-boggling technical details to novices – no mean feat. In return, these managers earn a salary of $100,000 on average. Job hotspots include Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco.
18. Hardware engineer
This challenging role involves everything from designing and developing to testing computer systems and components. It's a real hands-on job that calls for advanced technical know-how. Available positions are highly sought-after and only the best candidates succeed. They can expect to take home an average salary of $110,000 for their trouble. Job hotspots include Seattle and Palo Alto in California's Silicon Valley.
17. Software engineering manager
Software engineering managers look after the design and development of software applications. To have any chance of bagging a software engineer managerial role, you'll need the skills and education of a software engineer, along with at least five years experience in the field. Fortunately, median salaries for management staff top a generous $150,000. Job hotspots include Mountain View in California, Boston and Phoenix.
16. Design manager
Design managers oversee a team or teams of designers and must have creative flair as well as solid people and time management skills. They can work in a variety of industries, from advertising to product development. Though this sort of job is hard to get, the pay-off is very attractive given the typical design manager earns $108,500 a year. Job hotspots include Houston, New York City and Seattle.
15. Financial planning and analysis manager
If you're considering a career as an FP & A manager, be prepared to encounter fierce competition for any roles you seek. The in-demand job entails constant analysis of a firm's finances and demands a near seer-like ability to look into the financial future of a company and plan accordingly. As you'd expect, the average salary is hefty at $115,000. Job hotspots include Boston, New York City and Louisville, Kentucky.
14. Product manager
Can you see yourself as a product manager? You'll have to jump through a whole host of hoops to get there. Product managers research and develop new products and require a plethora of aptitudes, including creative talent, financial savvy, and time and people management skills. They can expect to command an average salary of $110,000. Job hotspots include Washington DC and Menlo Park, California.
13. Product marketing manager
Whereas a product manager is in charge of researching and developing a product, a product marketing manager is tasked with promoting and selling it. This super-competitive role is oversubscribed and only the most talented candidates get ahead, but the average salary of $116,000 is well worth the effort. Job hotspots include San Diego, New York City and Fairfax, Virginia.
12. Technology manager
Technology managers look after all aspects of technology in a company and the buck pretty much stops with them. A relevant bachelor's degree and at least several years experience in the field are the usual basic requirements. Technology managers are paid handsomely in return, taking home an average salary of $140,000. Job hotspots include San Francisco, New York City and Columbus, Ohio.
11. Management consultant
If you have management experience and can troubleshoot like a pro, management consulting could be the dream role for you, but you'll need to be prepared to struggle to land a job in the field – available management consultant roles are plentiful but much-coveted, and there is no shortage of budding candidates. Still, you can expect to earn a decent $110,000 a year. Job hotspots include Chicago, New York City and Washington DC.
10. Patent attorney
An in-depth knowledge of intellectual property law is required for attorneys who want to specialise in patents. They take care of all the necessary legal stuff when a patent is transferred or sold, and advise clients on the ins and outs of the law. Unsurprisingly, salaries in the field are high, averaging $150,000. Job hotspots include Los Angeles, Washington DC and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
9. Engineering manager
An engineering manager supervises complex engineering projects and must possess a combination of advanced engineering and management skills. The most able professionals in the field tend to have a master of engineering management degree. These jobs are well paid, with the average salary topping $145,000. Job hotspots include Dallas, Charlottesville, Virginia and Berkeley, California.
8. Medical science liaison
Medical science liaisons are employed by healthcare companies to act as their link with the medical community. The prestigious role involves working alongside medical professionals and advising the company on the scientific complexities of a product. The position, which requires a doctorate degree in the life sciences, has an average salary of $140,000. Job hotspots include Houston and Remote, New Haven.
7. Finance manager
The seventh most competitive job type in America, finance manager roles are ubiquitous but the number of applicants at times exceeds the available jobs. The position differs depending on the size of the company and sector, but usually entails overseeing and forecasting a firm's finances, along with some advanced accounting and people management. The average salary is high at $118,000. Job hotspots include New York City, Pittsburgh and San Antonio.
6. Procurement manager
Ensuing a company is getting the best deals from its suppliers is the crux of a procurement manager's role. The job calls for a variety of skills, including the power to negotiate and build strong relationships with trusted suppliers. A well-paid position, procurement managers earn $104,000 a year on average. Job hotspots include Chicago, Phoenix and American Canyon, California.
5. Pharmacist
A glut of qualified pharmacists is chasing a relatively small amount of jobs, and while dispensing pharmacist jobs aren't in short supply per se, the candidates just keep coming. Job-seeking pharmacists with specialist skills will increase their chances of landing their dream role. The average salary for a pharmacist is around $120,000 and job hotspots include Athens, Georgia and Omaha, Nebraska.
4. Supply chain manager
Like procurement managers, supply chain managers are tasked with saving a company as much money as possible. The role entails streamlining a firm's logistics and discovering ways to make its processes more efficient and cost-effective. For their hard work, supply chain managers earn $102,000 a year on average. Job hotspots include Atlanta, Ann Arbor in Michigan and Lake Forest in California.
3. Data scientist
Number crunching and analysing reams of information are all in a day's work for the typical data scientist. The job is all about using raw data to look for patterns and provide valuable business insights. While the industry is growing, competition for available jobs is fierce but the payoff is enticing, with the average salary at a not too shabby $110,000. Job hotspots include Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle.
2. IT manager
Looking to get into IT? You might want to make sure your skills are top-notch before you take the plunge. IT management roles are abundant but the number of professionals applying for available jobs in the field is huge. Companies pay top dollar to hire IT professionals. The average salary tops $118,000, hence the competition. Job hotspots include Santa Cruz, California and Annapolis, Maryland.
1. Creative manager
Drum roll at the ready, America's most competitive job is that of a creative manager. These arty professionals oversee and enrich the creative output and visual identity of a company, working either in-house or for a design agency. Super-popular, the role commands an average salary of $112,000. Job hotspots include New York City, San Francisco and Boston.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature