Healthcare, tech top U.S. best jobs in 2024
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Healthcare and technology sectors reign in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Jobs rankings.
The rankings evaluate 100 jobs across 17 categories using metrics like future prospects, wage potential, employment rates, job safety and stability, and work-life balance.
Nurse practitioner ranked as the number one best job, reflecting strong demand and high salaries in healthcare roles.
“The 10-year outlook for the occupation is strong with one in three of the top 100 jobs being in health care – an increase from one in four in the 2023 rankings,” says Erika Giovanetti, a Money expert at U.S. News.
Following nurse practitioner in the overall ranking is financial manager at No. 2, software developer at No. 3, IT manager at No. 4 and physician’s assistant at No. 5.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and healthcare support jobs also dominate the Careers With the Most Job Security list. Among the top 10, positions like statistician, software developer, and information security analyst stand out, offering median salaries between approximately $99,000 and $128,000.
“With the 2024 job market exhibiting an appetite for web development, engineering and science-based professions, it is no surprise that STEM occupations make up nearly one-quarter of the Best Jobs rankings,” says Giovanetti.
“The strong future job prospects and salary opportunities for many of these roles are a clear indicator for expansion in this industry.”
U.S. News, known for its expertise in providing rankings and independent reporting, draws its data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This initiative is part of U.S. News’s broader mission to empower informed decision-making in various life aspects, from education and healthcare to careers and beyond.
Despite healthcare and tech being the best jobs, a Payscale survey revealed that American employees across these industries are dissatisfied and planning to quit their roles within six months.
