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Types of Careers Listed by Industry, Job, and Salary

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Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts.
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Alison Doyle
Updated May 21, 2020

Are you checking out career options, looking for a new career, or thinking about changing jobs? The more you learn about possible options, the easier it will be to decide whether you're interested in a particular job or industry.

You might discover that you love a job, or you might find that it's something you'd never want to do. It's always a good idea to take time to explore career opportunities, regardless of whether you're just starting out or at mid-career looking for something different the next time around.

Here's some information on a variety of different careers, organized by industry. You can also check out lists of careers organized by other categories, such as type of position (seasonal, part-time, etc.), and explore jobs that pay particularly well.

You will learn the steps you need to take to enter a particular career field, what types of qualifications you will need (including required education, skills, and experience), specific job titles within the field, and more.

You will also find information on where to find job listings, interview advice, and salary information.

Careers Listed by Industry and Title

Below is a list of job titles organized by industry. If you're not sure what kind of job you're looking for, click on some of the job titles that interest you. Read the articles to get an idea of what each job entails and the qualifications you would need to apply.

Aviation: The airline industry is a multi-billion-dollar business. The Department of Transportation organizes the industry into four categories: international, national, regional, and cargo. Could your next job be in one of those areas?

Arts: Love art? With a little perseverance and luck, creative types can forge their careers in an arts-related field.

Business: You don’t necessarily need an MBA to make it in business, although many jobs in this category will require some education past high schoolas well as an aptitude for numbers.

Education: Love teaching? Don’t assume that the classroom is the only place to ply your trade, there are many education-related job titles out there. Technology has made it possible to teach online, while teachers who crave flexibility and human interaction can try subbing, working parttime, or teaching abroad.

Law Enforcement: Educational requirements vary for law enforcement jobs; while federal law enforcement jobs tend to require at least a bachelor’s degree, some police officers can get started in the field with on-the-job training or a few years of college or military experience. 

Media: If occupational outlook is the most important factor in your search for a career, most media jobs might seem like a bad bet. But look closer—publishing gigs might be harder to come by, but the world always needs clever wordsmiths. And if you’re tech savvy, your horizons are unlimited.

Medical: Look at any list of top-paying, fast-growing jobs, and you’ll see healthcare jobs right at the top of the ranking. Even during the depths of the Great Recession, this industry was booming. Of course, these jobs aren’t for everyone;it takes compassion and emotional fortitude to work in this field, as well as the willingness to spend time and money training.

Service Industry: If you think of waitstaff or bartenders when you think of the service industry, you’re only looking at part of the picture. There are many different jobs that involve serving the public. Could a service industry career be right for you?

Technology: The tech industry is booming, and your career can boom right along with it. You don’t necessarily need a degree to get these jobs. Pick up the necessary skills via online courses, boot camps, or practical experience, and many employers will put you to work.

Other Options: If you haven’t spotted your career on our list just yet, don’t despair. Here are a few of the other growing careers that don’t fit anywhere else.

Jobs Listed by Type of Position

Check out this list of jobs if you're looking for a career to fit a particular situation. For example, if you're looking for a part-time job, or if you're a high school student looking for a job, click on the list that fits your needs.

Types of Jobs That Pay Well

Looking for a job that will allow you to make a very good salary? Check out these lists of jobs that pay well.