What do people in your field actually earn?

Registered nurses (RNs) assess patients, give care and medications, and coordinate with the rest of the care team across hospitals, clinics, and home settings.

LPNs and LVNs provide basic nursing care under the direction of RNs and doctors, in nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics.

Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks in doctors' offices and clinics, from taking vitals to scheduling and records.

CNAs provide hands-on daily care in nursing homes, hospitals, and homes: bathing, feeding, moving, and monitoring patients.

Home health and personal care aides help clients with daily living in their own homes, one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country.

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral disease, and educate them on oral health, usually in dental offices.

Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain, in clinics, hospitals, and home care.

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescriptions to patients in retail and hospital pharmacies.

Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories. Licensing and apprenticeship are the usual path.

Plumbers install and repair pipes and fixtures that carry water, gas, and waste in homes and businesses.

HVAC technicians install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

Welders, cutters, and brazers join metal parts for construction, manufacturing, and repair. Certifications open higher-paid work.

Carpenters build and repair building frameworks and structures, from framing to finish work.

Machinists set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts, often reading blueprints and running CNC equipment.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods over long distances. A commercial driver's license (CDL) is required.

Industrial truck and forklift operators move materials around warehouses, factories, and storage yards.

Laborers and material movers pack, load, and move freight and stock by hand in warehouses and distribution centers.

Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, making sure they are accurate and taxes are paid.

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks record financial transactions and keep the books for businesses of every size.

Secretaries and administrative assistants keep offices running: scheduling, correspondence, records, and support.

Customer service representatives answer questions and resolve problems for customers by phone, chat, and email.

Software developers design, build, and maintain the applications and systems that run on computers and phones.

Real estate sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent property. A state license is required.

Insurance sales agents sell life, health, property, and other policies, often building a book of clients over time.

Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods to businesses and organizations.

Marketing managers plan and direct campaigns and strategy to grow demand for a product, service, or brand.

Project management specialists plan, coordinate, and deliver projects on time and on budget across many industries.

Retail salespeople help customers find and buy products in stores, from clothing to electronics.

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists cut, color, and style hair and provide other beauty services. A state license is required.

Barbers cut and style hair and shave and trim beards, usually in barbershops. A state license is required.

Security guards patrol and protect property, people, and assets, often for events, buildings, and businesses.

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers maintain lawns, gardens, and outdoor spaces for homes and businesses.

Chefs and head cooks oversee kitchens, create menus, and prepare meals in restaurants and other food settings.

Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and drinks to guests in restaurants and other dining settings.