Business

Career Paths & Jobs Ranked

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Source:Community curated
Updated:3/6/2026
14/14
Career
Avg US Salary
Education Required
Job Satisfaction
The Reality Check
Software Engineer
$120K-$300K+BS (or self-taught)HighGolden handcuffs, leetcode interviews, imposter syndrome, remote work privilege, AI coming for junior roles?
Doctor (Physician)
$200K-$500K+MD + residency (11+ years)Moderate-HighDecade of training, $200K+ student debt, burnout epidemic, but saving lives is genuinely meaningful
Investment Banker
$150K-$400K+ (total comp)BS + target schoolLow-Moderate100-hour weeks, Excel & PowerPoint, golden handcuffs, 'exit opportunity' obsession, burnout by 30
Teacher
$45K-$65KBachelor's + certificationModerateUnderpaid, undervalued, summers off (but actually lesson planning), shaping future generations
Product Manager
$130K-$250K+Bachelor's (varies)HighCEO of nothing, influence without authority, roadmap battles, 'the PM said no' meme, tech's most debated role
Data Scientist
$110K-$200K+MS/PhD (or bootcamp)Moderate-High80% cleaning data, 'sexiest job' hype from 2012, now competing with AI that does basic analysis
Nurse
$70K-$120KBSN (2-4 years)Moderate12-hour shifts, emotionally draining, pandemic heroes, travel nursing gold rush (then crash), staffing crisis
Lawyer
$80K-$250K+ (biglaw)JD (7 years total)Low-ModerateBillable hours grind, $150K student debt, biglaw or bust mentality, actually interesting work if you find your niche
Content Creator / YouTuber
$0-$10M+ (extreme variance)None formallyHigh (if successful)1 in 10,000 make a living, algorithm anxiety, burnout, parasocial relationships, 'just be yourself' (but also brand-friendly)
Entrepreneur
$0-$unlimitedNone requiredHigh (if it works)90% of startups fail, survivorship bias, 'hustle culture', but building something from nothing is addictive
Pilot
$80K-$350K+ (captain)ATPL license, 1500+ flight hoursHighBest office view, but years of low pay at regionals, away from family, irregular schedule, medical requirements
UX Designer
$90K-$180KBachelor's or bootcampHighEveryone has opinions about your work, 'make the logo bigger', design systems, Figma files at 3am
Trades (Electrician/Plumber)
$55K-$100K+ (master)ApprenticeshipModerate-HighNo student debt, can't be outsourced, physical toll, Mike Rowe was right, shortage = high demand
Consultant (MBB)
$150K-$300K+Top MBAModerateAirport lounges, slide decks, 'framework everything', prestige obsession, exit to industry after 2-3 years

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