The 10 Best Jobs for 2026

If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. While this saying may not resonate with everyone, it’s still possible to find one of the most rewarding careers in today’s evolving job market.

In recent years, the focus has shifted towards STEM and technical careers as the most secure and lucrative jobs. However, the landscape of the job market in 2026 shows that diverse skill sets are still highly valued and can lead to fulfilling careers.

We’ve previously examined the best colleges for job placement and the top job markets. Now, let’s explore the best job opportunities available in 2026.

Here are the 10 best jobs for 2026.

Financial Managers
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Lawyers
Software Application Developers
Physicians and Surgeons
Pharmacists
Systems Software Developers
Sales Managers
General and Operations Managers
Chief Executives

How We Determined the Best Jobs for 2026

Using the latest Occupational Employment Statistics data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we created an index to identify the best jobs in 2026.

We focused on three key variables for this analysis:

Total Employment
Annual Mean Wage
Average Entry-Level Pay

For the entry-level variable, we analyzed the average annual salary of the bottom 10% for each occupation. This approach is standard for research based on entry-level jobs.

We ranked 805 occupations from 1 to 805 for each variable, then averaged the three rankings to create an overall index. A lower average indicates a better rank.

Below is a detailed look at the top 10 jobs, followed by a list of the top 100 best jobs for 2026.

1. Financial Managers

Total Employment: 569,380
Annual Mean Wage: $143,530
Entry-Level Pay: $66,480
Financial managers take the top spot for the best jobs of 2026, offering an excellent balance of total employment and salary. With an average annual salary of $143,530, they play a crucial role in ensuring financial stability for their organizations.

2. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Total Employment: 365,690
Annual Mean Wage: $149,730
Entry-Level Pay: $83,860
Computer and information systems managers are pivotal in implementing technology initiatives within organizations. With an average entry-level salary of $83,860, recent graduates can find lucrative opportunities right out of school.

3. Lawyers

Total Employment: 628,370
Annual Mean Wage: $141,890
Entry-Level Pay: $57,430
Becoming a lawyer typically requires years of education and training, but the variety of fields—such as sports law and corporate law—offers ample opportunities. With over 600,000 lawyers in the country, this profession remains highly sought after.

4. Software Application Developers

Total Employment: 849,230
Annual Mean Wage: $108,710
Entry-Level Pay: $59,870
Software application developers are responsible for turning innovative ideas into functional applications. This field is one of the fastest-growing in the country, expected to see significant employment growth by 2026.

5. Physicians and Surgeons

Total Employment: 355,460
Annual Mean Wage: $211,390
Entry-Level Pay: $60,390
Physicians and surgeons are vital to healthcare and are among the highest-paid professionals, with an average annual salary exceeding $211,000.

6. Pharmacists

Total Employment: 309,330
Annual Mean Wage: $121,710
Entry-Level Pay: $87,420
Pharmacists play an essential role in healthcare, often being the first point of contact for patients regarding medications. They also enjoy one of the highest average entry-level salaries across all professions.

7. Systems Software Developers

Total Employment: 394,590
Annual Mean Wage: $111,780
Entry-Level Pay: $65,670
Systems software developers specialize in creating and maintaining system software that helps organizations run smoothly. Their contributions are critical, and the field offers competitive salaries.

8. Sales Managers

Total Employment: 371,410
Annual Mean Wage: $137,650
Entry-Level Pay: $57,590
Sales managers are integral to business success and continue to be in high demand. With an average salary of over $137,000, this role also offers opportunities for bonuses and commissions.

9. General and Operations Managers

Total Employment: 2,212,200
Annual Mean Wage: $123,460
Entry-Level Pay: $44,510
General and operations managers are ubiquitous across industries, boasting an average salary of over $120,000. The high demand for these positions underscores their importance in organizational success.

10. Chief Executives

Total Employment: 210,160
Annual Mean Wage: $196,050
Entry-Level Pay: $68,110
As the leaders of organizations, chief executives face high-pressure responsibilities but are compensated accordingly, with average annual salaries approaching $200,000.

Conclusion

In summary, these are the top 10 best jobs for 2026. The average annual salary among these roles is $144,390, while the average entry-level salary stands at $65,133. Compared to the average salary for recent college graduates, which hovers around $50,000, these figures highlight the attractive earning potential in these professions.

The job market is expected to continue evolving, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting significant workforce growth over the next decade. While automation and changing technologies may alter job landscapes, the diversity of opportunities and industries among the top careers remains robust. Stay tuned for insights on future job trends and opportunities!

For now, here’s a look at the top 100 jobs for 2026:

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

McLeod Brown

McLeod Brown is a former writer and researcher for the Zippia Career Advice blog. His work at Zippia focused on understanding the relationship between colleges, debt, and jobs. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a BA in Business Administrator, he is now pursuing a masters of science in analytics from the Institute of Advanced Analytics.