In the United States, the unemployment rate currently sits at 4.8 percent (it was almost two-thirds higher, 14.7 percent, last year at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Despite these improvements, there’s still a lot of frustration among the country’s workers when it comes to salaries and working conditions in general. The average salary in the US does not align with the country’s high cost of living, which means that many people are struggling to make ends meet even while working relatively high-paying jobs.
If you’re looking for a job in the US right now, it’s important to gain a greater understanding of the average salary ranges throughout the country. This US salary guide will teach you everything you need to know so you can choose a job that pays you what you want and deserve to earn.
Before we dive into our United States salary guide and break down the average salary in the US for various positions, we need to talk about the GrabJobs local salary guide tool.
This tool allows users like you to see the top-paying jobs in various industries at a glance. It also makes it easy for you to search for jobs based on salary ranges and look up more information on jobs you may be curious about pursuing.
The GrabJobs local salary guide tool also provides access to direct links to various job listings. This helps to streamline the job search and gives you more insight into the positions you’re considering.
What Skills Are in High Demand in the United States in 2024?
Every job seeker in the United States (and throughout the world, for that matter) should remember that a job’s salary often correlates to the skills required to perform it. If you take the time to develop some in-demand skills, you’ll have more bargaining power when it comes to negotiating a higher salary.
Why Artificial Intelligence Is in High Demand
Artificial intelligence (or AI) skills allow developers to give machines thinking powers similar to those of humans. AI is the way of the future and is used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, customer service, and finance.
Relevant Jobs
- Artificial intelligence engineer
- Data scientist
- Software engineer
Where to Learn Artificial Intelligence Skills
Why Are Environmental Planning Are in High Demand?
Proper environmental planning is crucial for sustainable development across a variety of industries, including technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Proper environmental planning allows for continued growth while also making sure sustainability is a top priority.
Relevant Jobs
- Environmental planner
- Environmental manager
- Environmental scientist
- Forester
Where to Learn Environmental Planning Skills
There are lots of courses related to environmental planning available through Coursera and other, similar platforms.
Why Are Cloud Security Skills in High Demand?
These days, most businesses are using cloud technology in place of traditional data storage and communication methods. Because of this, cloud security is more important than ever to keep everyone’s information locked down.
Relevant Jobs
- Cloud security analyst
- Cloud security program manager
- Cloud security architect
Where to Learn Cloud Security Skills
Online platforms like Cloud Academy and Udemy are great options for those who want to work on their cloud security skills.
Why Are Blockchain Technology Skills in High Demand?
The world of cryptocurrency is far less niche than it once was. This means there’s a greater demand for experts in blockchain technology to make it mainstream even more mainstream.
Relevant Jobs
- Blockchain engineer
- Blockchain developer
- Blockchain UX designer
Where to Learn Blockchain Technology Skills
Lots of online blockchain technology courses are available through universities like Cornell.
Why Are Natural Language Processing Skills in High Demand?
Natural language processing (or NLP) skills are necessary for businesses that want to utilize (or further expand their utilization of) voice-to-text and voice command technology.
Relevant Jobs
- NLP data scientist
- NLP engineer
- NLP research scientist
Where to Learn Natural Language Processing Skills
Why Are Development and Operations Skills in High Demand?
Development and operations (or DevOps) skills are some of the most in-demand skills in the U.S. and beyond in 2024. If you want to work in the tech world, having these skills will make you much more valuable to potential employers.
Relevant Jobs
- DevOps engineer
- Systems engineer
- Software developer
Where to Learn Development and Operations Skills
Platforms like SimpliLearn and Udemy offer a wide range of courses to help you learn DevOps skills that increase your chances of getting hired.
Why Are Product Management Skills in High Demand?
Product management involves collecting and analyzing data, then using it to improve their products. Companies that want to succeed in 2024 and beyond need to have in-depth knowledge of their product, and good product managers can make that happen.
Relevant Jobs
- Product manager
- Technical product manager
- Business development manager
Where to Learn Product Management Skills
Why Are Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Skills in High Demand?
Augmented reality (or AR) and virtual reality (or VR) are used in a variety of industries, including retail shopping, construction, and healthcare. Like AI, AR and VR are key to businesses’ success now and in the future.
Relevant Jobs
- Software developer
- AR/VR maintenance and support
- UI/UX designer
Where to Learn Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Skills
Codecademy and Circuit Stream offer extensive AR and VR courses, as does the platform Coding Dojo.
Why Are Sales Leadership Skills in High Demand?
Sales are necessary to keep the majority of companies profitable. If you have good sales leadership skills, you’ll be able to increase conversions, boost revenue, and make yourself an indispensable employee.
Relevant Jobs
- Sales leader/manager
- Customer manager
- Sales director
Where to Learn Sales Leadership Skills
Platforms like MasterClass and Linkedin Learning are great options for those who want to develop or expand their leadership skills.
Why Are SEO/SEM Skills in High Demand?
Search engine optimization (or SEO) and search engine marketing (or SEM) play a key role in helping businesses expand their online reach and attract more customers. Knowledge in these fields will make you an asset to almost any business.
Relevant Jobs
- SEO/SEM specialist
- SEO/SEM manager
- Copywriter
Where to Learn SEO/SEM Skills
There are lots of online courses you can take to enhance your SEO/SEM skills, including courses available through platforms like Skillshare and SEMRush.
What Are the Expected Salary Ranges for the Jobs in the US?
Continuing with our United States salary guide, let’s address the expected salary ranges for some of the most popular jobs in the United States. Here’s a breakdown to help you gain perspective:
- Expected Salary Range: $84K to $210K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Dentists in the US: County of Los Angeles, Indian Health Service, Veterans Health Administration, Aspen Dental
- Career Prospects: There will always be a strong need for skilled professionals who can help patients keep their teeth and gums healthy. Because of this, the career prospects for dentists (and dental students) look very promising.
- Expected Salary Range: $31K to $90K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Personal Trainers in the US: City of Brighton, Lifetime, Equinox, University of Pennsylvania, 24 Hour Fitness
- Career Prospects: Personal trainers play a key role in helping their clients to stay fit and healthy. There will always be a need for these professionals to assist Americans as they work toward their personal wellness goals, so overall career prospects look very good.
- Expected Salary Range: $41K to $71K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Accountants in the US: Bayer AG, Google, Village of Addison, Siemens, GE
- Career Prospects: Businesses and individuals alike have always needed (and will likely always continue to need) help from financially savvy professionals to keep their finances in order. Prospects look promising for accountants now and in the future.
- Expected Salary Range: $49K to $110K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Flight Attendants in the US: Spirit Airlines, American Airline, United Airlines, Allegiant, Hawaiian Airlines
- Career Prospects: As travel starts to pick up among residents of the United States, the need for flight attendants has increased once more. It will likely stay elevated for some time, so prospects look good for this career path.
- Expected Salary Range: $58K to $210K per year
- Top Companies Hiring College Professors in the US: New York University ,University of South Carolina, The University of Georgia, Harvard University, Utah State University
- Career Prospects: The job market for college professors is quite competitive. However, there is a strong need for skilled professors in the country’s public and private universities, so there are still opportunities to be had.
- Expected Salary Range: $160K to $290K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Pediatricians in the US: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Indian Health Service, Baylor Scott & White Health, Mount Sinai, Novant Health
- Career Prospects: As with other healthcare professions, there will always be a need for pediatricians who can diagnose and treat sick babies and children. With this information in mind, it’s safe to say prospects look good for current and future pediatricians.
- Expected Salary Range: $46K to $70K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Teachers in the US: Teaching NomadHawaii Public School, Google, DREAM Charter School, Uplift Education
- Career Prospects: The US always needs talented and passionate teachers to instruct and guide the country’s youth. It can be challenging for schools to keep teachers employed long-term because their salaries are often lower than average. This means there are often job openings, but many teachers do not stick around for very long before finding new jobs.
- Expected Salary Range: $81K to $120K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Nurse Practitioners in the US: Indian Health Service, County of Los Angeles, United Health Group, US Tech Solutions
- Career Prospects: Because nurse practitioners can perform many of the same duties as physicians, they’re becoming more prevalent in the US’s clinics and hospitals. A career as a nurse practitioner is very lucrative, and prospects look good now and in the future.
- Expected Salary Range: $61K to $88K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Engineers in the US: US Army Corps of Engineers, Google, General Motors, Microsoft, Thermo Fisher
- Career Prospects: Engineers of all kinds are needed throughout the United States (and the world) to carry out various tasks, from infrastructure design to mechanical repairs. These jobs are in high demand and will likely stay that way for quite some time.
- Expected Salary Range: $79K to $110K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Physical Therapists in the US: Stanford Health Care, Jordan Valley Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, United States Airforce
- Career Prospects: Physical therapists play a key role in helping patients recover after accidents, injuries, and surgeries. People will continue to need support throughout their recovery now and in the future, so prospects look promising for those who choose to pursue this career path.
What Is the Average Salary Across Industries in the US in 2024?
As you can see, the expected salary range in the US can vary quite a bit depending on the specific job you choose to pursue. The average salary in the country might be $56,310 per year, but there’s a lot of fluctuation based on different professions.
This table provides more insight into what you can expect to earn depending on the types of jobs for which you’re applying:
Profession
Average Salary in the US
Accountant
41K to 71K per year
Finance Manager
52K to 130K per year
Sales Manager
61K to 180K per year
Business Development Manager
46K to 120K per year
Chief Executive Officer
74K to 310K per year
Chief Finance Officer
77K to 230K per year
General Manager
38K to 100K per year
Legal Assistant
44K to 58K per year
Customer Service Manager
41K to 85K per year
Human Resource Manager
49K to 95K per year
Construction Manager
52K to 130K per year
Hospitality/Hotel Manager
35K to 75K per year
Tourism/Travel Agent
32K to 51K per year
IT Manager
40K to 100K per year
Graphic Designer
34K to 65K per year
Civil Engineer
53K to 84K per year
Electrical Engineer
60K to 110K per year
Mechanical Engineer
56K to 100K per year
Aerospace Engineer
63K to 130K per year
Architecture Engineer
86K to 216K per year
What Else Should I Know About Salaries in the US?
At this point, our US salary guide will, hopefully, have helped you gain more insight into the expected salary range in the US for some of the most popular positions. You may still have questions regarding salaries and what it’s like to work in the US, though.
Here are some answers to frequently asked salary questions:
What Is the Cost of Living in the United States?
The cost of living in the United States is higher than 79 percent of countries in the world. For a family of 4, estimated monthly costs come in at around $4,612, and for a single person, estimated monthly costs come in at around $2,649.
How Much Will I Pay in Income Taxes?
In the United States, you will be taxed between 10 and 37 percent of your annual income, based on how much you earn and whether you file as a single person, a married couple filing jointly, a married couple filing separately, or as the head of your household.
What Kinds of Benefits Do Jobs Offer in the United States?
Benefits offered for jobs in the US vary quite a bit from company to company. For full-time employees, though, all companies must provide the following benefits:
- Medicare and Social Security Contributions
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance
- Unemployment Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Family and Medical Leave
How Should I Negotiate My Salary?
When negotiating your salary for jobs in the US, it’s imperative that you do your research ahead of time. Find out how much the average person is earning for that position, then compare it to what you’re being offered.
Be firm but polite in your request, and have a clear number in mind that you’re not willing to earn less than. For negotiations to be successful, you must show that you’re willing to walk away if you don’t get what you’re asking for.
US Salary Guide Final Thoughts
As you continue your search to find jobs in the United States, keep the information in this US salary guide in mind. From a breakdown of the average salary ranges for various jobs to answers to common questions, you’ve got everything you need to take on the US job market and find a well-paying job in no time.
If you need more help finding jobs in the US, check out the GrabJobs search tool today. We make it easy for you to find openings in your area that check all your boxes, from salary range to experience requirements.
