Special Report

Careers With the Best Job Security

Hiraman / E+ via Getty Images

After the initial shock to the job market in the early days of the pandemic, the U.S. unemployment rate began to recover, returning to pre-pandemic levels. As of April 2022, the unemployment rate was 3.6%, roughly in line with the rate throughout 2019 and early 2020.

As the job market recovered throughout 2021, there were a handful of professions that helped lower the unemployment rate. According to data from the Bureau of Labor statistics, there were dozens of career fields that had unemployment rates well below 2% in 2021.

To determine the jobs with the best job security, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on unemployment rate for over 500 detailed occupations from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey.

Most of the jobs with the best job security are in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields – particularly medical careers like pharmacists and nurse practitioners, as well as tech jobs like software developers and IT security analysts. These highly-specialized fields tend to pay well, mostly  above the median annual wage across all jobs of $56,310. These are the 25 highest paying jobs in America.

Nearly all of the jobs with the best job security typically require at least some form of secondary education – anywhere from an associate’s degree to a doctorate degree. However, a handful of these positions generally do not require any education beyond a high school diploma. These are the highest paying jobs you can get without a college degree.

Click here to see the careers with the best job security
Click here to read our detailed methodology

Zephyr18 / iStock via Getty Images

38. Security and fire alarm systems installers
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 73,000
> Median annual wage: $50,940
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +16.5%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

[in-text-ad]

hedidwhat / iStock via Getty Images

37. Postal service clerks
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 107,000
> Median annual wage: $50,150
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +-7.7%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

NicoElNino / iStock via Getty Images

36. Public safety telecommunicators
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 89,000
> Median annual wage: $43,290
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +8.2%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

santypan / iStock via Getty Images

35. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 79,000
> Median annual wage: $29,930
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +14.3%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

[in-text-ad-2]

BrianAJackson / iStock via Getty Images

34. Medical records specialists
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 210,000
> Median annual wage: N/A
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: N/A
> Typical entry-level education requirement: N/A

RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

33. Paramedics
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 97,000
> Median annual wage: N/A
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: N/A
> Typical entry-level education requirement: N/A

[in-text-ad]

ViktorCap / iStock via Getty Images

32. Clergy
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 410,000
> Median annual wage: $51,940
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +2.5%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

mabus13 / E+ via Getty Images

31. Surveying and mapping technicians
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 58,000
> Median annual wage: $46,200
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +3.8%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

EvgeniyShkolenko / iStock via Getty Images

30. Network and computer systems administrators
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 215,000
> Median annual wage: $84,810
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +5.4%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

[in-text-ad-2]

smolaw11 / iStock via Getty Images

29. Medical and health services managers
> Unemployment rate: 1.5%
> Labor force: 803,000
> Median annual wage: $104,280
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +32.5%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

seb_ra / iStock via Getty Images

28. Lawyers
> Unemployment rate: 1.4%
> Labor force: 1,100,000
> Median annual wage: $126,930
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +8.9%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Doctoral or professional degree

[in-text-ad]

Visivasnc / Getty Images

27. Physician assistants
> Unemployment rate: 1.2%
> Labor force: 167,000
> Median annual wage: $115,390
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +31.0%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Master’s degree

alvarez / E+ via Getty Images

26. Pharmacists
> Unemployment rate: 1.2%
> Labor force: 356,000
> Median annual wage: $128,710
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +-2.1%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Doctoral or professional degree

DragonImages / Getty Images

25. Chiropractors
> Unemployment rate: 1.2%
> Labor force: 60,000
> Median annual wage: $70,720
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +10.9%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Doctoral or professional degree

[in-text-ad-2]

gilaxia / E+ via Getty Images

24. Software developers
> Unemployment rate: 1.2%
> Labor force: 1,956,000
> Median annual wage: N/A
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: N/A
> Typical entry-level education requirement: N/A

Tevarak / iStock via Getty Images

23. Financial and investment analysts
> Unemployment rate: 1.2%
> Labor force: 347,000
> Median annual wage: N/A
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: N/A
> Typical entry-level education requirement: N/A

[in-text-ad]

Suwat Rujimethakul / Getty Images

22. Database administrators and architects
> Unemployment rate: 1.1%
> Labor force: 112,000
> Median annual wage: $98,860
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +7.9%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Matt277 / iStock via Getty Images

21. Firefighters
> Unemployment rate: 1.0%
> Labor force: 297,000
> Median annual wage: $52,500
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +8.5%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Postsecondary nondegree award

Hispanolistic / E+ via Getty Images

20. Respiratory therapists
> Unemployment rate: 1.0%
> Labor force: 118,000
> Median annual wage: $62,810
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +23.0%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Associate’s degree

[in-text-ad-2]

OfirPeretz / iStock via Getty Images

19. Advertising and promotions managers
> Unemployment rate: 1.0%
> Labor force: 73,000
> Median annual wage: $133,460
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +10.3%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Authentic Images / iStock via Getty Images

18. Surgical technologists
> Unemployment rate: 0.9%
> Labor force: 114,000
> Median annual wage: $49,710
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +8.7%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Postsecondary nondegree award

[in-text-ad]

sturti / E+ via Getty Images

17. Child, family, and school social workers
> Unemployment rate: 0.9%
> Labor force: 55,000
> Median annual wage: $48,430
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +12.6%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

fizkes / iStock via Getty Images

16. Training and development managers
> Unemployment rate: 0.9%
> Labor force: 55,000
> Median annual wage: $115,640
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +10.7%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

gorodenkoff / Getty Images

15. Information security analysts
> Unemployment rate: 0.8%
> Labor force: 153,000
> Median annual wage: $103,590
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +33.4%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

[in-text-ad-2]

wutwhanfoto / iStock via Getty Images

14. Physical therapists
> Unemployment rate: 0.7%
> Labor force: 275,000
> Median annual wage: $91,010
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +20.5%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Doctoral or professional degree

Tero Vesalainen / iStock via Getty Images

13. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers
> Unemployment rate: 0.7%
> Labor force: 108,000
> Median annual wage: $48,820
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +1.8%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

[in-text-ad]

fizkes / iStock via Getty Images

12. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists
> Unemployment rate: 0.7%
> Labor force: 67,000
> Median annual wage: $67,190
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +9.6%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Valeriy_G / iStock via Getty Images

11. School psychologists
> Unemployment rate: 0.6%
> Labor force: 58,000
> Median annual wage: N/A
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: N/A
> Typical entry-level education requirement: N/A

HakuNellies / Getty Images

10. Correctional officers and jailers
> Unemployment rate: 0.5%
> Labor force: 299,000
> Median annual wage: $47,410
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +-7.2%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

[in-text-ad-2]

monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images

9. Mental health counselors
> Unemployment rate: 0.5%
> Labor force: 213,000
> Median annual wage: N/A
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: N/A
> Typical entry-level education requirement: N/A

Yok46233042 / Getty Images

8. Budget analysts
> Unemployment rate: 0.5%
> Labor force: 61,000
> Median annual wage: $78,970
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +4.8%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

[in-text-ad]

Darunechka / iStock / Getty Images Plus

7. Radiologic technologists and technicians
> Unemployment rate: 0.4%
> Labor force: 227,000
> Median annual wage: $61,900
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +8.6%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Associate’s degree

andresr / Getty Images

6. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
> Unemployment rate: 0.4%
> Labor force: 61,000
> Median annual wage: $59,100
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +8.2%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Associate’s degree

Ridofranz / iStock via Getty Images

5. Nurse practitioners
> Unemployment rate: 0.4%
> Labor force: 238,000
> Median annual wage: $111,680
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +52.2%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Master’s degree

[in-text-ad-2]

TheCrimsonRibbon / Getty Images

4. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
> Unemployment rate: 0.4%
> Labor force: 88,000
> Median annual wage: $55,690
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +3.8%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Scott Olson / Getty Images

3. Detectives and criminal investigators
> Unemployment rate: 0.3%
> Labor force: 130,000
> Median annual wage: $86,940
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +2.5%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

[in-text-ad]

Kateryna Kukota / iStock via Getty Images

2. Veterinarians
> Unemployment rate: 0.3%
> Labor force: 104,000
> Median annual wage: $99,250
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +16.7%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Doctoral or professional degree

FatCamera / Getty Images

1. Religious activities and education directors
> Unemployment rate: 0.2%
> Labor force: 67,000
> Median annual wage: $45,110
> Projected employment change 2020-2030: +2.1%
> Typical entry-level education requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Methodology

To determine the jobs with the best job security, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on unemployment rate for over 500 detailed occupations from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey. Detailed occupations were ranked based on the percentage of the labor force that was unemployed as of 2021. Unemployed members of an occupational labor force need to have been last employed in this occupation prior to unemployment. Only occupations whose labor forces were 50,000 or greater were considered. Broad occupation titles classified as “all other” were excluded from consideration.

Supplemental data on median annual wage came from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and are for 2020. Data on projected employment change from 2020 to 2030 and the typical education requirement for entry-level positions within the profession came from the BLS Employment Projections program.

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today.  Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.