America’s most popular jobs and what they pay
Daniel Coughlin
08 March 2019
The roles that offer the greatest job satisfaction
Fed up with work and contemplating a career change? To help you pinpoint your dream role, Glassdoor has compiled a list of the best jobs in America right now and we've cherry-picked the most rewarding of the bunch based on their job satisfaction scores. Take a look at our round-up of ultra-fulfilling positions and start planning your escape today.
Joint 28th most popular: Finance manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.8/5
Crunching numbers and caring for the overall financial health of an organization are all in a day's work for America's finance managers, who get a great deal of satisfaction from the role. They are handsomely rewarded too, earning a base salary of $118,000 on average. Major firms hiring right now include Walmart, GoDaddy, and Amazon.
Joint 28th most popular: Operations manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.8/5
While finance managers look after an entity's money matters, operations managers oversee the smooth running of all sorts of day-to-day practicalities such as HR and supply chain procedures. Their typical base salary is in the $68,000 ballpark, considerably above the nationwide average of $46,800. Companies with vacancies at the current time include Reservations.com and Subway.
Joint 28th most popular: Product manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.8/5
This well-remunerated role involves coordinating every aspect of a product's life cycle, from development and pricing to analzying customer feedback. The typical product manager has a base salary of $115,000 and jobs are plentiful – among the 11,884 openings in the country right now are vacancies at MBI, WeWork, and Visa.
Joint 28th most popular: Restaurant manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.8/5
Whether they are employed by a Michelin-starred establishment or fast food chain, restaurant managers have a range of responsibilities that include managing budgets and staff, as well maintaining and, of course, constantly improving on quality and customer service. Their base salary averages at $49,000. Companies hiring at the moment include Chipotle, Red Lobster, and True Food Kitchen.
Joint 28th most popular: Sales manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.8/5
The typical sales manager leads a team of sales executives, and directs and oversees an organization's sales initiatives and targets. It can be a very fulfilling role, especially when sales are going through the roof. The base salary is $65,000 on average, but commission can be sky-high. Currently, 21,695 roles are out there for the taking in firms such as Yelp, Synopsys, and AutoNation.
Joint 28th most popular: Security engineer, job satisfaction rating: 3.8/5
Security engineers are tasked with safeguarding an entity's computer systems and networks from hackers and cyber attacks, which is no mean feat, but super-rewarding all the same. They are paid suitably well for this daunting role, grossing a median base salary of $102,000. Organizations on the hunt for staff right now include Motorola Solutions, Care.com, and Sony.
Joint 24th most popular: Data analyst, job satisfaction rating: 3.9/5
The role of data analyst is America's joint 24th most popular. The job is all about making sense of complex data and using it to help improve the performance of a business or other organization. Workers in the field earn a base salary of $60,000 typically. Job openings number 5,456 at the time of writing, with firms such as Ascensus and Fisher Investments looking to fill vacant positions.
Joint 24th most popular: Data engineer, job satisfaction rating: 3.9/5
Data analysts may make sense of data for an organization, but data engineers prepare and manage it, building the systems that collate and integrate the information. For this challenging role, you can expect to pull in a bumper base salary of $100,000. Companies hiring at the moment include United Airlines, Censys, and Dropbox.
Joint 24th most popular: Mechanical engineer, job satisfaction rating: 3.9/5
If you enjoy tinkering around with machinery, then this one's for you. A mechanical engineering role can entail designing the inner workings of machines, as well as testing, inspecting and maintaining them. Experienced mechanical engineers are highly sought-after and can expect to earn a base salary of $75,000. Intralox, Dauphin Precision Tool, and ArcelorMittal USA are just some of the big names with vacancies right now.
Joint 24th most popular: Office manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.9/5
Office managers make sure everything runs seamlessly in an office and have a variety of responsibilities including managing meeting rooms, balancing office budgets, ordering stationery, and organizing staff training. Their median base salary is $42,000. At the current time, a total of 18,681 openings are available in companies such as RE/MAX, Skillshare, and bioMérieux.
Joint 24th most popular: Program manager, job satisfaction rating: 3.9/5
Planning and executing programs to ensure they are delivered in the best possible way for an organization are the key job requirements for a program manager. In return, these adept professionals typically earn a base salary of $87,000. Companies hiring right now include Shutterfly, T-Mobile, and Experian.
Joint 17th most popular: Applications engineer, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
Applications engineers shape the way firms develop products by working with internal and external clients to refine and adapt the products based on their performance in a real-world environment. The median base salary for the role is $77,000. At the moment, companies including Pilkington, John Deere, and Curtis Instruments have openings in the field.
Joint 17th most popular: Facilities manager, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
America's joint 17th most popular job, facilities management consists of keeping the work environment in optimum condition, and involves managing maintenance, utilities, cleaning, and parking services, with a strong emphasis on health and safety. The role commands a base salary of $65,000 on average. Firms hiring right now include Inspire Brands and Vulcan.
Joint 17th most popular: Nursing manager, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
Nursing managers organize and supervise nursing staff in a clinic or hospital setting, and arrange recruitment of new employees. Their base salary averages a decent $83,000. Sentara Healthcare, CareCentrix, and DaVita Medical Group are just some of the organizations hiring at the moment.
Joint 17th most popular: Occupational therapist, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
Staying with healthcare professionals, occupational therapists rehabilitate patients recovering from illness or surgery, and help people with disabilities improve their day-to-day skills. Their job can be exceptionally rewarding, hence the high job satisfaction score. They earn good money too, grossing a base salary of $74,000. Organizations looking to hire right now include Americare, RehabVisions, and Cranial Technologies.
Joint 17th most popular: Radiologic technologist, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
Yet another highly-satisfying job in the healthcare field, the role of radiologic technologist is all about using diagnostic imaging equipment to enable doctors to diagnose illnesses and injuries. The typical RT earns a base salary of $48,000 on average and there are 6,115 relevant openings at the time of writing. Organizations with vacancies right now range from Alliance HealthCare Services to NextMed.
Joint 17th most popular: Software engineering manager, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
This role entails leading a team of software engineers who develop, maintain, test, and assess computer software programs. It's extremely well-paid, with software engineering managers grossing a median base salary of $153,000. Firms on the lookout for staff include Intellisoft, Lockheed Martin, and Informatica.
Joint 17th most popular: Strategy manager, job satisfaction rating: 4/5
A multifaceted role, strategy management is complex and challenging, and involves a lot planning and visionary thinking. In exchange for their brain power, strategy managers earn big bucks – their base salary averages at $140,000. Plenty of companies have openings right now including DineEquity, Walmart, and OneMain Financial.
Joint 11th most popular: DevOps engineer, job satisfaction rating: 4.1/5
DevOps engineers are responsible for improving the interaction between software development and operations. Salaries for this fulfilling role are high, with the base yearly wage averaging $106,000, and a skills shortage means there are many openings. Firms hiring at the current time include Sony, High 5 Games, and eVestment.
Joint 11th most popular: Executive assistant, job satisfaction rating: 4.1/5
The job spec of an executive assistant can vary wildly depending on the organization but it typically involves answering phones and emails, formulating Word documents and Excel spreadsheets, booking meetings, managing diaries, and organizing travel. The median base salary is $60,000. Among the organizations with openings right now are Snap Inc. and Stanford University.
Joint 11th most popular: Quality assurance manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.1/5
This role entails making sure an organization's products and services meet stringent internal and external standards, so it's ideal for perfectionists who dot every “i” and cross every “t”. Quality assurance management jobs pay well with a median base salary of $91,250. Nestlé Purina, Wayfair, and Cisco Systems are among the firms looking for staff at the time of writing.
Joint 11th most popular: Recruiter, job satisfaction rating: 4.1/5
Hiring the best talent for a business and ensuring a candidate lands their dream role can be incredibly fulfilling. It's no wonder therefore that the role of recruiter has such a high job satisfaction score. The typical base salary is $48,000, but many recruiters take home a lot more than that thanks to commission. Firms advertising for recruiters right now include Johnson & Johnson, IKEA, and Jack Henry.
Joint 11th most popular: Safety manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.1/5
A tremendously responsible job, the role of safety manager entails creating and maintaining a safe workplace to prevent accidents. It involves adhering strictly to health and safety requirements and ensuring personnel do the same. The median base salary for the position is $71,000. TopBuild, Mars, Inc., and OmniTRAX are just some of the companies with vacancies at the moment.
Joint 11th most popular: Sales engineer, job satisfaction rating: 4.1/5
Sales engineers are salespeople with an in-depth technical knowledge of the product they are selling. Ideal for engineers who enjoy sales and client interaction, the role pays well with a typical base salary of $90,000, though commission can boost the wage significantly. Firms looking to hire right now include SonicWall and Security Compass.
Joint sixth most popular: Communications manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.2/5
The joint sixth most popular job in America, the role of communications manager involves overseeing an organization's internal and external communications and ensuring that they are consistent and on-message. The base salary for the position averages out at $80,000. Openings number 2,009 at present in a variety of companies and other entities, including AbbVie and the Charles Koch Institute.
Joint sixth most popular: Customer success manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.2/5
A relatively new role, customer success management is all about providing the best possible customer service, and can involve anything from formulating strategy to dealing personally with high-level complaints. The role commands a median base salary of $65,000. Firms with vacancies right now include Big Health, Mapbox, and Quora.
Joint sixth most popular: HR manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.2/5
Meeting the needs of existing employees and taking on new staff are the core responsibilities of a HR manager. The position can be wonderfully rewarding, so the high job satisfaction score comes as no surprise. HR managers gross a median base salary of $85,000. Peabody, Tribune Publishing, and DICK'S Sporting Goods are among the organizations advertising relevant roles at the current time.
Joint sixth most popular: Marketing manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.2/5
Supervising the promotion of a brand, product, service, company, or other organization has the potential to be hugely fulfilling and marketing managers take home excellent pay to boot, earning a base salary of $82,000 on average. As many as 7,395 positions lie vacant at present with a range of companies and other entities that include Credit.com, US Cloud, and the National Safety Council.
Joint sixth most popular: Software development manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.2/5
Though this role has a lot in common with software engineering management and DevOps, it is primarily a project management position. SDMs oversee the development of a software product from conception to fruition, and manage a team of developers. Their base salary averages at a generous $140,000. Firms on the lookout for staff right now include EVO Payments and PurFoods.
Joint third most popular: Brand manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.3/5
Now for America's joint third most popular roles. First up is the position of brand manager. These marketing professionals are responsible for all promotional efforts concerning a single brand, but often look after several at a time. They earn a median base salary of $85,000. Companies hiring at the time of writing range from chocolatier Lindt to car-sharing club Zipcar.
Joint third most popular: Construction manager, job satisfaction rating: 4.3/5
Admiring a finished building or other structure that you've helped construct has got to be wonderfully satisfying. Needless to say, the role of construction manager is one of America's most fulfilling. The job has a typical base salary of $75,000. O'Brien & Company, Enterprise Products, and LGI Homes are just three firms with openings right now.
Joint third most popular: Data scientist, job satisfaction rating: 4.3/5
Like data analysts, data scientists are tasked with making sense of complex data, but their role is even more advanced, and they tend to be skilled in coding and mathematical modeling too. As a result, they earn a lot more money – their median base salary is $108,000. At present, there are 6,510 jobs in the field that are up for grabs in companies such as IBM, Apple, and Stripe.
Joint most popular: Dental hygienist, job satisfaction rating: 4.5/5
Who knew cleaning teeth and advising patients on their oral hygiene could be so satisfying? Yet the role of dental hygienist is America's joint most fulfilling job, with practitioners reporting exceptional job satisfaction. Their typical base salary is a not-too-shabby $67,250. Major employers with openings right now include Smile Brands and Heartland Dental.
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Joint most popular: Product designer, job satisfaction rating: 4.5/5
Sharing the top spot, the role of product designer is America's joint most rewarding. Coming up with a concept and turning it into a successful product is clearly immensely satisfying. The most skilled product designers receive enormous pay checks, and even the median base salary is high at $100,000. Numerous companies including Lego Group and Facebook are on the lookout for new staff at the current time.
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