Types of Jobs by Industry

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The more you learn about different types of jobs available in each industry, the easier it will be to decide on the right career path for you. This list of jobs, grouped A to Z by industry, will help you.

You'll also see the average salary for each job type, according to the most current information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics as of September 2022. Knowing salary information can help you make informed choices for your future.

Key Takeaways

It's helpful to know the different types of jobs available so you can find the job that suits you best.
There's a huge range of industries, each with a variety of jobs that require different skills and abilities.
The highest-paying jobs are often in health care or management, but you can still find jobs that pay well in other fields.

Aviation

The airline industry is a multi-billion-dollar business. Aviation jobs are available both in the air and on the ground, so you can work in the industry even if you don't like heights. Some common aviation jobs and their average salary include:

Aircraft dispatcher ($46,650)
Aircraft mechanic ($65,550)
Airline pilot ($134,630)
Federal Air Marshal ($70,000 according to Payscale)
Flight attendant ($61,640)
Transportation security screener ($46,380)

Arts

Creatives and those who love art and design can forge their careers in an arts-related field. A sample of arts careers include:

Actor ($31.31 per hour)
Fine artist ($69,010)
Directors and composers ($65,080)
Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians ($58,830)
Musician or singer ($41.46 per hour)

Business

You don’t necessarily need a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) to make it in business, although many jobs in this category will require some education past high school as well as an aptitude for numbers:

Accountant ($83,980)
Administrative assistant ($41,080)
Human resources specialist ($70,720)
Management ($123,370)
Market research analyst ($76,080)

Education

There are many education-related job titles in addition to teacher. Those with the ability to teach can specialize in certain subjects, or they may choose to teach abroad, teach online, or teach part-time.

College professor ($95,200)
Instructional coordinator ($70,560)
Librarian ($64,180)
Substitute teacher ($38,410)
Teacher ($64,870)
Tutor ($41,780)

Law Enforcement

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

Correctional officer ($53,420)
Criminal Investigator ($90,370)
Fish and game warden ($58,190)
Police officer ($70,740)
Security guard ($35,830)

Media

For skilled writers, editors, and designers, media jobs may be a perfect fit. These kinds of jobs might be found at print or digital publishing companies, marketing agencies, or media companies.

Editor ($76,400)
Public relations specialist ($73,250)
Sound engineering technician ($67,360)
Graphic designer ($59,970)
Writer ($81,120)

Medical

It takes compassion and emotional fortitude to work in the medical field, as well as the willingness to spend time and money training.

Doctor ($252,480)
Nurse ($82,750)
Paramedic ($49,500)
Physician assistant ($119,460)
Social worker ($57,880)
Veterinarian ($109,920)

Service

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?

Bank teller ($34,930)
Hairdresser ($35,990)
Personal fitness trainer ($45,870)
Retail ($30,060)
Waiter ($29,010)

Technology

You don’t necessarily need a degree to work in tech. Pick up the necessary skills via online courses, boot camps, or practical experience, and many employers will put you to work.

Computer systems administrator ($91,250)
Database administrator ($96,550)
Programmer ($96,650)
Software developer ($120,990)
Web developer ($81,320)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What types of jobs are there for teens?

There are many types of jobs that are suitable for teens, who often don't have much education or skills yet. Entry-level jobs such as retail sales clerk, restaurant waitstaff, tutoring, or landscape work are a great way to gain experience and make money. Savvy teens who sharpen their creative skills may find work in the arts, social media marketing, or video production, building their portfolio as they learn.

What jobs pay the best?

The best-paying jobs are most often in the field of health care, with physicians, surgeons, orthodontists, and anesthesiologists receiving the highest salaries (more than $208,000 yearly). The next-highest paying jobs, outside of health care, are airline pilots, CEOs, and information systems managers.

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The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021: 43-5032 Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Airline and Commercial Pilots."
Payscale. "Average Sky Marshal or Air Marshal Salary."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Flight Attendants."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021: 33-9093 Transportation Security Screeners."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates United States."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates United States."
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Highest Paying Occupations."

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