30. Construction and building inspectors
Description: Ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
Median annual wage (2015): $57,340
Projected job openings (through 2024): 36,300
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
29. Postal service mail carriers
Description: Sort and deliver mail by vehicle or on foot.
Median annual wage (2015): $58,280
Projected job openings (through 2024): 57,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
28. Police and sheriff's patrol officers
Description: Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, State, or Federal laws and ordinances.
Median annual wage (2015): $58,320
Projected job openings (through 2024): 258,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
27. Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
Description: Operate steam, gas, electric motor, or internal combustion engine driven compressors.
Median annual wage (2015): $58,350
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,800
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
26. Stationary engineers and boiler operators
Description: Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes.
Median annual wage (2015): $58,530
Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
25. Chemical plant and system operators
Description: Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Median annual wage (2015): $59,320
Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
24. Transit and railroad police
Description: Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Median annual wage (2015): $59,670
Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
23. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Median annual wage (2015): $59,720
Projected job openings (through 2024): 15,300
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
22. Boilermakers
Description: Assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
Median annual wage (2015): $60,120
Projected job openings (through 2024):4,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
21. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Median annual wage (2015): $62,070
Projected job openings (through 2024): 103,600
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
20. Subway and streetcar operators
Description: Transport passengers.
Median annual wage (2015): $62,360
Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,200
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
19. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures.
Median annual wage (2015): $62,980
Projected job openings (through 2024): 84,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
18. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers.
Median annual wage (2015): $63,010
Projected job openings (through 2024): 113,500
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
17. Signal and track-switch repairers
Description: Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunication systems within a railroad system.
Median annual wage (2015): $63,840
Projected job openings (through 2024): 1,500
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
16. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
Description: Run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Median annual wage (2015): $64,170
Projected job openings (through 2024): 158,400
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
15. Petroleum pump-system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
Description: Operate or control petroleum-refining or -processing units.
Median annual wage (2015): $65,190
Projected job openings (through 2024): 17,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
14. Gas-plant operators
Description: Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,010
Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
13. Electrical-power-line installers and repairers
Description: Install or repair electrical-power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.
Median annual wage (2015): $66,450
Projected job openings (through 2024): 60,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
12. Gaming managers
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino.
Median annual wage (2015): $68,380
Projected job openings (through 2024): 800
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
11. Postmasters and mail superintendents
Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate operational, administrative, management, and supportive services of a US post office.
Median annual wage (2015): $70,640
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,800
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
10. Transportation inspectors
Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
Median annual wage (2015): $70,820
Projected job openings (through 2024): 7,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
9. Power-plant operators
Description: Control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Median annual wage (2015): $71,940
Projected job openings (through 2024): 14,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
8. First-line supervisors of non-retail-sales workers
Description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail-sales workers.
Median annual wage (2015): $72,300
Projected job openings (through 2024): 69,900
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: None
7. Commercial pilots
Description: Fly and navigate airplanes or helicopters.
Median annual wage (2015): $76,150
Projected job openings (through 2024): 15,100
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
6. Detectives and criminal investigators
Description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Median annual wage (2015): $77,210
Projected job openings (through 2024): 28,300
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
5. Power distributors and dispatchers
Description: Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,840
Projected job openings (through 2024): 3,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
4. Elevator installers and repairers
Description: Elevator installers and repairers install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
Median annual wage (2015): $80,870
Projected job openings (through 2024): 5,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Apprenticeship
3. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Description: Coordinate activities of members of a police force.
Median annual wage (2015): $82,090
Projected job openings (through 2024): 43,000
Work experience: Less than five years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
2. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
Description: Coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.
Median annual wage (2015): $86,630
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,100
Work experience: Five years or more
On-the-job training: None
1. Nuclear-power-reactor operators
Description: Operate or control nuclear reactors by moving control rods, starting and stopping equipment, monitoring and adjusting controls, and recording data in logs.
Median annual wage (2015): $88,560
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,600
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training