Pursuing a pay raise in your current role could be exactly what you need to help cool off.
Or maybe you’re interested in finding a higher-paying career path? Resume Genius composed a list that might help you decide. Its researchers looked at reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and its Employment Cost Index to compare salaries between 2021 and 2022, along with the estimated number of new openings each year and the influence of events like the pandemic.
These workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape and form metal and plastic materials or pieces. They typically work in factories and need a high school diploma coupled with one year of on-the-job training to enter the career.
14. Therapists
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $84,080
2022: $88,800 (6% increase)
Workers in this field include counselors as well as occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. Occupational therapists help patients with injuries, illnesses or disabilities develop day-to-day skills that promote independence. Speech-language pathologists, on the other hand, assess and treat people who have communication disorders. Both work in a variety of settings, including hospitals.
13. Health care diagnosing or treating practitioners
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $84,550
2022: $89,440 (6% increase)
More specifically these jobs include registered nurses, doctors and physician assistants. Registered nurses coordinate patient care and educate patients on their health and the care they need. RNs can work in a variety of settings including hospitals and nursing care facilities. Under observation, physician assistants can examine, diagnose and treat patients.
12. Health practitioner support technicians and technologists
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $40,170
2022: $42,600 (6% increase)
These workers include medical technicians, radiologic technicians and surgical technicians. Radiologic technicians complete tasks such as taking X-rays and CAT scans. Surgical technicians assist with operations but under supervision. Some may help prepare operating rooms, transport patients or bring surgeons and nurses necessary equipment.
11. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $45,460
2022: $48,240 (6% increase)
These positions entail picking up, transporting, and dropping off packages or other small shipments within a local area. Not only does it involve lots of driving, but it’s also physically demanding. Drivers have to do a lot of heavy lifting when loading and unloading their cargo.
10. Designers
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $53,160
2022: $56,450 (6% increase)
A career in design can mean several things. Designing jobs include graphic designer, interior designer, industrial designer and UX designer. Regardless of the specific title, most designers are tasked with creating visual products that communicate certain messages to targeted audiences.
9. Health care support occupations
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $38,860
2022: $41,280 (6% increase)
Examples of health care support occupations include home health aides and personal care aides. These two roles monitor patients with disabilities or chronic illnesses as they go about their daily lives. They may work at a patient’s home, a group home or day programs.
8. Computer support specialists
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $60,550
2022: $64,410 (6% increase)
The qualifications necessary to be a computer support specialist vary based on the role and employer. Workers in this position generally provide technological assistance and help maintain computer networks.
7. Sales representatives (wholesale and manufacturing)
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $77,750
2022: $83,030 (7% increase)
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are charged with selling goods to various businesses and even government organizations. This job can come with a lot of travel and pressure as income can depend on how many items the worker has sold.
6. Passenger vehicle drivers
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $39,640
2022: $42,420 (7% increase)
This role encompasses taxi drivers, bus drivers and any others who transport people from one place to another. These drivers have varied schedules. Some work full-time, some work part-time and others may only work nights or on the weekends.
5. Database and network administrators and architects
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $102,440
2022: $110,400 (8% increase)
Database administrators and architects help organize or create systems that will protect and store secure data. They often work with larger firms or groups such as educational institutions and insurance companies.
4. Recreation and fitness workers
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $38,340
2022: $41,780 (9% increase)
Recreation and fitness workers have a plethora of paths to choose from. They can work in recreation centers, parks, nursing and residential care facilities and summer camps. These workers help people stay fit by planning activities and guiding people through them.
3. Financial analysts and advisors
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $106,340
2022: $116,770 (10% increase)
Financial analysts primarily work in offices, guiding businesses and other clients about what improvements can be made to expand profit. Income isn’t the only thing going up with this role. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that this position is seeing faster-than-average growth.
2. Software and web developers, programmers and testers
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $113,720
2022: $124,940 (10% increase)
Workers in these careers help design, develop and test software. While software developers focus on designing applications and programs, software quality assurance analysts and testers work to identify any problems within those programs and inform developers of defects.
1. Lawyers and judicial law clerks
Average annual salary for this type of worker in:
2021: $146,220
2022: $161,680 (11% increase)
Lawyers and judicial law clerks work to advise and defend clients which can include individuals, businesses and government agencies. Judicial law clerks specifically help judges in court and assist with conducting research or preparing any legal documents, whereas lawyers work more directly with clients through legal proceedings.