Among the books I’ve written, one of the best-sellers is 50
Best Jobs for Your Personality, now in its third edition. For this
blog, I thought it would be useful to update the lists in the book to reflect
more recent occupational information from the Department of Labor.
Note that the following set of lists does not replace the
book, because it covers only the top 20 occupations for each personality type, it
offers only 6 lists (as opposed to the 131 lists in the book), and it is not
accompanied by occupational descriptions. It also lacks an explanation and
quick assessment of RIASEC types for those unfamiliar with this approach to
career development.
I constructed these six lists using the same approach I used
in the book, and I suggest you consult the introduction to that book for a full
explanation. However, in brief, what I did here was to sort the occupations three
times: on annual earnings, on projected growth, and on projected annual
openings. Each time, I ranked the occupations, and then I summed the rankings
to determine the best occupations on all three measures combined. The set of occupations
excludes (a) any for which annual earnings data is not available and (b) any
with both negative growth and fewer than 500 projected openings per year.
Because of the small size of the pool of occupations with Artistic as their
primary RIASEC code, I augmented this pool with occupations that have Artistic
as their secondary code.
Everyone seems to love lists, so I hope you find these interesting.
Realistic
Occupation
|
Annual Earnings
|
Projected Growth
|
Projected Annual Openings
|
RIASEC Code(s)
|
|
1.
|
Civil Engineers
|
$80,770
|
19.7%
|
12,010
|
RIC
|
2.
|
Electricians
|
$50,510
|
19.7%
|
22,460
|
RCI
|
3.
|
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
|
$50,180
|
21.3%
|
13,050
|
RC
|
4.
|
Radiologic Technologists
|
$55,200
|
20.8%
|
6,960
|
RS
|
5.
|
Computer User Support Specialists
|
$46,620
|
20.2%
|
19,690
|
RCI
|
6.
|
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
|
$47,910
|
18.9%
|
15,250
|
RIC
|
7.
|
Carpenters
|
$40,500
|
24.2%
|
32,920
|
RCI
|
8.
|
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and
Installers
|
$43,880
|
20.9%
|
12,370
|
RC
|
9.
|
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
|
$46,610
|
35.5%
|
3,280
|
RCI
|
10.
|
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment
Operators
|
$42,540
|
18.9%
|
14,440
|
RCI
|
11.
|
Surgical Technologists
|
$42,720
|
29.8%
|
3,910
|
RSC
|
12.
|
Medical Equipment Repairers
|
$44,180
|
30.3%
|
2,460
|
RIC
|
13.
|
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
|
$46,520
|
21.8%
|
3,150
|
RCI
|
14.
|
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining
|
$42,790
|
20.9%
|
3,640
|
RCI
|
15.
|
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
|
$69,920
|
13.8%
|
2,130
|
REC
|
16.
|
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
|
$64,170
|
8.9%
|
4,990
|
RIC
|
17.
|
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
|
$40,900
|
26.7%
|
3,310
|
RCI
|
18.
|
Construction and Building Inspectors
|
$54,450
|
12.2%
|
3,670
|
RCI
|
19.
|
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
|
$66,050
|
23.6%
|
1,130
|
RCS
|
20.
|
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
|
$36,130
|
29.1%
|
5,720
|
RE
|
Investigative
Occupation
|
Annual Earnings
|
Projected Growth
|
Projected Annual Openings
|
RIASEC Code(s)
|
|
1.
|
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other
|
$187,999+
|
18.7%
|
15,260
|
ISR
|
2.
|
Surgeons
|
$187,999+
|
23.2%
|
2,310
|
IRS
|
3.
|
Software Developers, Applications
|
$92,660
|
22.8%
|
21,850
|
IRC
|
4.
|
Software Developers, Systems Software
|
$101,410
|
20.4%
|
13,470
|
ICR
|
5.
|
Dentists, General
|
$146,340
|
16.3%
|
5,120
|
IRS
|
6.
|
Anesthesiologists
|
$187,999+
|
24.4%
|
1,670
|
IRS
|
7.
|
Petroleum Engineers
|
$132,320
|
25.5%
|
1,960
|
IRC
|
8.
|
Computer Systems Analysts
|
$81,190
|
24.5%
|
20,960
|
IC
|
9.
|
Pharmacists
|
$119,280
|
14.5%
|
10,980
|
ICS
|
10.
|
Family and General Practitioners
|
$176,530
|
14.6%
|
4,920
|
IS
|
11.
|
Nurse Anesthetists
|
$151,090
|
24.9%
|
1,560
|
IRS
|
12.
|
Management Analysts
|
$79,870
|
18.6%
|
24,520
|
IEC
|
13.
|
Optometrists
|
$101,290
|
24.4%
|
1,770
|
ISR
|
14.
|
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
|
$60,800
|
31.6%
|
18,850
|
IEC
|
15.
|
Operations Research Analysts
|
$74,630
|
26.7%
|
3,600
|
ICE
|
16.
|
Internists, General
|
$186,850
|
14.1%
|
2,010
|
ISR
|
17.
|
Pediatricians, General
|
$157,610
|
15.7%
|
1,410
|
IS
|
18.
|
Psychiatrists
|
$178,950
|
16.2%
|
1,120
|
ISA
|
19.
|
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
|
$66,410
|
46.0%
|
3,530
|
ISR
|
20.
|
Biomedical Engineers
|
$88,670
|
26.6%
|
1,010
|
IR
|
Artistic
Occupation
|
Annual Earnings
|
Projected Growth
|
Projected Annual Openings
|
RIASEC Code(s)
|
|
1.
|
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
|
$74,110
|
17.3%
|
4,410
|
AI
|
2.
|
Training and Development Specialists
|
$56,850
|
15.5%
|
7,720
|
SAC
|
3.
|
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$62,830
|
16.0%
|
3,550
|
SA
|
4.
|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
|
$79,840
|
13.3%
|
3,550
|
IAR
|
5.
|
Biochemists and Biophysicists
|
$84,320
|
18.6%
|
1,370
|
IAR
|
6.
|
Technical Writers
|
$67,900
|
14.8%
|
2,260
|
AIC
|
7.
|
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
|
$98,700
|
12.9%
|
2,130
|
EA
|
8.
|
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$65,540
|
19.3%
|
1,060
|
SAI
|
9.
|
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$60,170
|
14.6%
|
2,350
|
SAI
|
10.
|
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
|
$53,590
|
12.3%
|
46,740
|
SAC
|
11.
|
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and
Career/Technical Education
|
$53,940
|
12.4%
|
21,120
|
SA
|
12.
|
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
|
$38,620
|
31.4%
|
4,720
|
SAI
|
13.
|
Interpreters and Translators
|
$42,420
|
46.1%
|
3,810
|
AS
|
14.
|
Political Scientists
|
$100,920
|
21.3%
|
250
|
IAS
|
15.
|
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
|
$50,230
|
13.0%
|
6,510
|
SA
|
16.
|
Public Relations Specialists
|
$54,940
|
12.0%
|
5,880
|
EAS
|
17.
|
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and
Career/Technical Education
|
$55,360
|
5.5%
|
31,260
|
SAE
|
18.
|
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$60,920
|
12.2%
|
2,360
|
SAI
|
19.
|
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$58,620
|
15.3%
|
1,080
|
SAI
|
20.
|
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
|
$27,570
|
17.4%
|
19,940
|
SA
|
Social
Occupation
|
Annual Earnings
|
Projected Growth
|
Projected Annual Openings
|
RIASEC Code(s)
|
|
1.
|
Physical Therapists
|
$81,030
|
36.0%
|
12,370
|
SIR
|
2.
|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$85,030
|
36.1%
|
9,720
|
SI
|
3.
|
Physician Assistants
|
$92,970
|
38.4%
|
4,890
|
SIR
|
4.
|
Nurse Practitioners
|
$92,670
|
33.7%
|
5,850
|
SIR
|
5.
|
Dental Hygienists
|
$71,110
|
33.3%
|
11,350
|
SRC
|
6.
|
Registered Nurses
|
$66,220
|
19.4%
|
105,260
|
SI
|
7.
|
Occupational Therapists
|
$76,940
|
29.0%
|
4,820
|
SI
|
8.
|
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$65,940
|
35.4%
|
3,420
|
SI
|
9.
|
Speech-Language Pathologists
|
$70,810
|
19.4%
|
4,620
|
SIA
|
10.
|
Physical Therapist Assistants
|
$53,360
|
41.0%
|
4,510
|
SRI
|
11.
|
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$75,740
|
19.5%
|
2,120
|
SI
|
12.
|
Healthcare Social Workers
|
$50,820
|
26.8%
|
7,020
|
SI
|
13.
|
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
|
$41,920
|
24.8%
|
36,310
|
SR
|
14.
|
Personal Care Aides
|
$20,100
|
48.8%
|
66,600
|
SRC
|
15.
|
Radiation Therapists
|
$79,140
|
23.5%
|
840
|
SRC
|
16.
|
Home Health Aides
|
$21,020
|
48.5%
|
59,070
|
SR
|
17.
|
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
|
$75,120
|
14.7%
|
3,070
|
SEI
|
18.
|
Occupational Therapy Assistants
|
$55,270
|
42.6%
|
2,050
|
SR
|
19.
|
Training and Development Specialists
|
$56,850
|
15.5%
|
7,720
|
SAC
|
20.
|
Nurse Midwives
|
$92,290
|
28.6%
|
290
|
SI
|
Enterprising
Occupation
|
Annual Earnings
|
Projected Growth
|
Projected Annual Openings
|
RIASEC Code(s)
|
|
1.
|
Computer and Information Systems Managers
|
$123,950
|
15.3%
|
9,710
|
ECI
|
2.
|
General and Operations Managers
|
$96,430
|
12.4%
|
61,310
|
ECS
|
3.
|
Medical and Health Services Managers
|
$90,940
|
23.2%
|
14,990
|
ECS
|
4.
|
Construction Managers
|
$84,410
|
16.1%
|
15,460
|
ERC
|
5.
|
Lawyers
|
$114,300
|
9.8%
|
19,650
|
EI
|
6.
|
Personal Financial Advisors
|
$75,320
|
27.0%
|
9,640
|
ECS
|
7.
|
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and
Extraction Workers
|
$60,380
|
23.5%
|
18,710
|
ERC
|
8.
|
Marketing Managers
|
$123,220
|
12.7%
|
6,170
|
EC
|
9.
|
Financial Managers
|
$112,700
|
8.9%
|
14,690
|
EC
|
10.
|
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
|
$87,410
|
14.5%
|
6,650
|
ECS
|
11.
|
Sales Representatives, Services, All Other
|
$51,030
|
15.7%
|
30,200
|
EC
|
12.
|
Human Resources Managers
|
$100,800
|
13.2%
|
4,060
|
ESC
|
13.
|
Computer Network Architects
|
$95,380
|
14.6%
|
4,350
|
ERC
|
14.
|
Sales Managers
|
$108,540
|
8.3%
|
10,690
|
EC
|
15.
|
Administrative Services Managers
|
$82,310
|
12.2%
|
7,990
|
EC
|
16.
|
Managers, All Other
|
$103,530
|
5.9%
|
24,910
|
EC
|
17.
|
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales
Agents
|
$72,640
|
11.2%
|
12,260
|
EC
|
18.
|
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative
Support Workers
|
$50,190
|
12.1%
|
50,800
|
ECS
|
19.
|
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing,
Technical and Scientific Products
|
$74,520
|
9.7%
|
11,180
|
EC
|
20.
|
Social and Community Service Managers
|
$61,160
|
20.8%
|
5,510
|
ES
|
Conventional
Occupation
|
Annual Earnings
|
Projected Growth
|
Projected Annual Openings
|
RIASEC Code(s)
|
|
1.
|
Accountants and Auditors
|
$65,080
|
13.1%
|
54,420
|
CEI
|
2.
|
Cost Estimators
|
$59,460
|
26.2%
|
11,800
|
CE
|
3.
|
Financial Analysts
|
$78,380
|
15.5%
|
10,090
|
CIE
|
4.
|
Information Security Analysts
|
$88,590
|
36.5%
|
3,920
|
CIR
|
5.
|
Logisticians
|
$73,400
|
21.9%
|
4,220
|
CEI
|
6.
|
Web Developers
|
$63,160
|
20.1%
|
5,070
|
CIR
|
7.
|
Database Administrators
|
$78,520
|
15.1%
|
4,030
|
CI
|
8.
|
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
|
$47,570
|
16.7%
|
9,120
|
CIE
|
9.
|
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except
Technical and Scientific Products
|
$54,410
|
8.9%
|
42,070
|
CE
|
10.
|
Medical Secretaries
|
$31,890
|
36.0%
|
25,250
|
CS
|
11.
|
Statisticians
|
$79,290
|
26.7%
|
1,610
|
CI
|
12.
|
Dental Assistants
|
$34,900
|
24.5%
|
13,720
|
CRS
|
13.
|
Medical Assistants
|
$29,610
|
29.0%
|
26,990
|
CSR
|
14.
|
Actuaries
|
$94,340
|
26.1%
|
1,320
|
CIE
|
15.
|
Billing and Posting Clerks
|
$33,820
|
18.1%
|
18,780
|
CE
|
16.
|
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
|
$34,970
|
22.1%
|
9,040
|
CE
|
17.
|
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
|
$35,730
|
11.4%
|
37,000
|
CE
|
18.
|
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal,
Medical, and Executive
|
$32,840
|
13.2%
|
58,760
|
CE
|
19.
|
Loan Officers
|
$61,420
|
7.7%
|
7,720
|
CES
|
20.
|
Social and Human Service Assistants
|
$29,230
|
21.8%
|
17,870
|
CSE
|
