There are two things that people want most from their jobs: a decent salary and a relaxed environment. According to data from Resume Genius, there are plenty of jobs that offer both — even some that don’t require higher education.
Keep reading to see which jobs make the list:
The average salary for a water resource specialist is $157,740 per year. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 8% job growth, which is much higher than average. This means that you won’t need to worry about job security. Plus, you only need a bachelor’s degree to work in this field.
If you’ve always been fascinated by the stars, working as an astronomer might be right for you. Plus, the pay’s not bad either. The average astronomer earns $149,530 a year. However, you’ll have to spend a great deal of time in school — the typical astronomer has a doctoral or professional degree. At least your future is bright — the projected growth rate is 7% between 2023 and 2033.
An actuary works for financial companies and organizations, especially those in the insurance industry. To work as an actuary, you’ll need a strong background in numbers. The average annual salary for an actuary is $120,000 - not bad considering you only need a bachelor’s degree.
While some people think that artificial intelligence will take over for actuaries, the BLS estimates 22% job growth for this field between 2023 and 2033.
Environmental economists help determine the effect of certain policies on the environment, often working for the government. The median salary for an environmental economist is $115,730, and there is a 5% job growth for environmental economists. However, you will need a master’s degree to work in this field, which means more school.
If you loved math classes in school, becoming a professional mathematician may be your calling. The median annual salary is $104,860, and you can work in various fields. Plus, mathematicians have an 11% projected growth rate - tied for second highest on this list. That means you’ll always be able to find a job. However, you will need a master’s degree.
When working as a computer systems analyst, you're responsible for evaluating how a company manages its computer systems. And like other IT gigs, the pay isn’t bad for this one. The median salary for a computer systems analyst is $103,800. Also, the BLS estimates computer systems analysts have an 11% job growth rate - tied for second on this list. That's not bad considering you only need a bachelor's degree to land this gig.
Working as a fuel cell engineer means managing and designing fuel systems, especially for clean energy projects. The median annual salary for a fuel cell engineer is $99,510. There’s more good news. Fuel cell engineering is another industry with a huge upside — the BLS estimates 11% job growth in this field. Another plus? Only a bachelor’s degree is required.
Remote sensing scientists and technologists are professionals who examine data to look at trends regarding urban planning, climate change, and more.
The median annual salary is $92,580, and you only need a bachelor’s degree to get that near-six-figure paycheck. And many companies are willing to offer work-from-home positions for qualified applicants. There is a 5% job growth for this industry.
With the Earth already mapped out, working as a geographer might seem like an outdated profession. But you’d be wrong to assume that. Geographers look at important data points that reveal information about climate change and other important trends. The median annual salary for a geographer is $90,880.
Working as a transportation planner means you are responsible for managing a location’s transportation, its roadways, highways, and more. Sounds exciting, right? The median annual salary is $81,800. However, you do need a master’s degree to nab this job. The BLS projects 4% job growth between 2023 and 2033.
The next time you’re stuck in traffic because of a train, think about the rail car repairer. They’re the professionals responsible for fixing rail cars and ensuring you’re not stuck in traffic.
There’s an estimated 9% growth in this field, so workers can feel comfortable knowing they have job security. The median annual salary for a rail car repairer is $61,000.
If you want to work in construction but want something less manually-intensive, being a taper might be right for you. A taper is the person responsible for taping an area before painting. It’s detailed work but doesn’t require formal schooling. Plus, the median annual salary is $57,010 — not too shabby.
Working as a pump operator doesn’t sound like the most glamorous job, but it has an average annual salary of $54,690. The best part? You only need a high school degree to be a full-time pump operator. This industry has a 5% job growth rate, so you can rest assured that your career will be safe over the long haul.
Do you know where your tires come from? While you might assume that machines make them, there’s still a need for people to manage the job and ensure that those tires come out perfectly.
The average salary for a tire builder is $54,080 — not bad for a job that only requires a high school degree. There’s a 3% growth rate according to the BLS.
If you’ve always been artistic and creative, being a professional craft artist can be a fulfilling way to make a living. And even though most people assume that artists can’t pay the bills, that’s not necessarily true.
The average craft artist makes $52,910 a year. While there is little job growth for craft artists, you don’t need a specific degree to get started.