2026-11-09
89 careers are growing faster than average and pay a median of $100,000 or more
General and operations managers lead the list in yearly openings, followed by software developers and management analysts.
In 30 seconds
- Fact89 careers are projected to grow faster than the +3.5% average for all jobs from 2025 to 2035 and have a median pay of $100,000 or more (BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; BLS OEWS, May 2025).
- FactThe most projected openings each year: general and operations managers (285,000), software developers (95,300) and management analysts (94,100) (BLS Employment Projections 2025–35).
- AnalysisSix-figure, fast-growing careers aren't only in tech: management, health administration and finance are prominent on the list.
What happened
We combined two Bureau of Labor Statistics datasets: the 2025–35 Employment Projections, which estimate growth and yearly openings for each occupation, and the May 2025 OEWS pay data.
89 careers clear both bars: projected growth faster than the +3.5% average for all jobs, and a median pay of $100,000 or more. Ranked by projected openings each year, general and operations managers come first (285,000), then software developers (95,300) and management analysts (94,100).
Why it matters
Growth and pay together are a useful first filter for a student exploring options, and the list is broader than many expect.
Openings matter as much as growth rates: a career with many openings each year offers more chances to get in, including through people retiring or changing jobs.
What this does not mean
It does not mean anyone entering these careers will earn $100,000. The figure is a median across all workers, including those with many years of experience.
It does not mean these careers are easy to enter. Many typically require a bachelor's degree or more, and some management roles usually require work experience first.
Projections are not promises. They describe expected national averages over a decade.
The evidence
Every figure above comes from the page below, with its source one tap away.
Questions to ask
- What does starting pay look like, compared with the median?
- What education and experience does this career typically require to get in?
- Which of these careers fit what I actually enjoy doing day to day?
What would change our view
The next BLS Employment Projections will be published in about a year and may move careers onto or off this list.
History
2026-10-25 · Draft generated from content/leads.md (lead found 2026-10-24); figures copied from the lead and checked against dist/lists/fast-growing-100k/.
2026-11-09 · Figures re-checked against data/build (BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–35); approved and published.
Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-11-11.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-11-11.