Ranked list · 48 careers
48 Cool Jobs, Ranked by Median Pay (2026)
Airline Pilot tops this list at $232,140 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +8.3% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 48 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
- Careers on this list
- 48From 1,731 in the bank
- Median pay on the list
- $103,160BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Projected to grow
- 44 of 48BLS EP, 2025–2035
- Openings a year
- 656,600Combined, BLS EP
Method
How we built this list
Careers whose main subject is something people find exciting: space and flight, film, music and games, sport, the ocean, wildlife and adventure. The strangest jobs have their own list. Ranked by national median pay (BLS OEWS). Every career listed is a real job people hold and hire for in the United States.
- Careers whose main subject is something people find exciting: space and flight, film, music and games, sport, the ocean, wildlife and adventure. The strangest jobs have their own list. Ranked by national median pay (BLS OEWS). Every career listed is a real job people hold and hire for in the United States.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The list
The top 48 cool jobs
100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
- 1
1. Airline Pilot
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $232,140median a year
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 11,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
- 2
2. Widebody Airline Captain
Specialty within airline pilot
- Median pay
- $420,000typical, MiGFlug Afterburner, from ALPA pilot contracts
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 11,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Commands twin-aisle jets such as the Boeing 777, 787, or Airbus A350 on long-haul and international routes for a major airline.
- 3
3. Air Traffic Controller
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $148,080median a year
- Growth
- +1.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,100
- Education
- Associate's
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies.
- 4
4. Aerospace Engineer
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $134,960median a year
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.
- 5
5. Flight Test Engineer
Specialty within aerospace engineer
- Median pay
- $134,960median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Plans aircraft test flights, flies along or monitors them in real time, and analyzes the data that proves an aircraft is safe and meets its requirements.
- 6
6. Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer
Specialty within aerospace engineer
- Median pay
- $134,960median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs the algorithms and sensors that tell rockets, spacecraft, missiles and drones where they are, where to go and how to steer there.
- 7
7. Launch Engineer
Specialty within aerospace engineer
- Median pay
- $134,960median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Prepares rockets and their ground systems for launch, runs countdowns from the control room and integrates payloads onto launch vehicles.
- 8
8. Rocket Propulsion Engineer
Specialty within aerospace engineer
- Median pay
- $134,960median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs, builds and tests rocket engines and spacecraft thrusters, from turbopumps and injectors to valves, tanks and plumbing.
- 9
9. Spacecraft Systems Engineer
Specialty within aerospace engineer
- Median pay
- $134,960median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +8.3%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Defines the requirements of a satellite or spacecraft and makes sure its power, propulsion, communications, thermal and software subsystems work together.
- 10
10. Media Director
Specialty within advertising and promotions manager
- Median pay
- $133,660median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Leads advertising media strategy for brands, deciding where and how budgets are spent across TV, digital, social, audio and outdoor channels.
- 11
11. Astronomer
Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Median pay
- $128,820median a year
- Growth
- +7.8%
- Openings / yr
- 100
- Education
- Doctorate
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
- 12
12. Commercial Pilot
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $123,220median a year
- Growth
- +5.2%
- Openings / yr
- 5,200
- Education
- Certificate
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters.
- 13
13. Corporate Pilot
Specialty within commercial pilot
- Median pay
- $123,220median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +5.2%
- Openings / yr
- 5,200
- Education
- Certificate
Flies business jets and turboprops for a company flight department, a wealthy owner, or a managed-aircraft operator, carrying executives and guests on demand.
- 14
14. Production Designer
Specialty within art director
- Median pay
- $114,850median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings / yr
- 12,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Leads the art department and designs the overall visual world of a film or TV series, from sets and locations to color palette.
- 15
15. Marine Engineer and Naval Architect
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $112,230median a year
- Growth
- +6.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems.
- 16
16. Ocean Engineer
Specialty within marine engineer and naval architect
- Median pay
- $112,230median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.7%
- Openings / yr
- 500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs structures and systems that work in the ocean, from offshore platforms, wind turbine foundations and subsea equipment to breakwaters and underwater vehicles.
- 17
17. Ship Engineer
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $109,530median a year
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings / yr
- 900
- Education
- Certificate
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
- 18
18. Private Club General Manager
Specialty within general and operations manager
- Median pay
- $257,500typical, CMAA Compensation and Benefits Report 2024 (as summarized by club industry recruiters)
- Growth
- +5.0%
- Openings / yr
- 285,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Runs a member-owned country, golf, city, or yacht club, overseeing food and beverage, golf and recreation, facilities, staff, and finances for the board.
- 19
19. College Athletic Director
Specialty within education administrator, postsecondary
- Median pay
- $104,590median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +1.8%
- Openings / yr
- 14,500
- Education
- Master's
Leads a college or university athletics department, overseeing coaches, budgets, facilities, compliance, and fundraising across every varsity sport.
- 20
20. Acoustical Consultant
Specialty within mechanical engineer
- Median pay
- $104,110median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +11.2%
- Openings / yr
- 17,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs how buildings, concert halls, studios and products sound, and solves noise and vibration problems for architects and owners.
- 21
21. Game Systems Designer
Specialty within video game designer
- Median pay
- $104,000median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.0%
- Openings / yr
- 8,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs the rules and numbers behind a video game, such as combat, progression, crafting and abilities, and balances them so play stays fair and fun.
- 22
22. Level Designer
Specialty within video game designer
- Median pay
- $104,000median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.0%
- Openings / yr
- 8,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Builds the playable spaces in video games, laying out maps, missions, puzzles and encounters that guide players through the game.
- 23
23. Video Game Designer
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $104,000median a year
- Growth
- +6.0%
- Openings / yr
- 8,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Design core features of video games.
- 24
24. Game Producer
Specialty within project management specialist
- Median pay
- $102,320median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.7%
- Openings / yr
- 76,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Manages the schedule, budget, people and priorities of a video game project so the team can ship it on time.
- 25
25. Character Artist
Specialty within special effects artist and animator
- Median pay
- $102,030median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 4,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Sculpts, models and textures the 3D characters and creatures in video games, films and other real-time projects.
- 26
26. Cinematic Artist
Specialty within special effects artist and animator
- Median pay
- $102,030median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 4,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Creates the cutscenes and story sequences in video games, staging cameras, animation and lighting inside the game engine.
- 27
27. VFX Compositor
Specialty within special effects artist and animator
- Median pay
- $102,030median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- −0.3%
- Openings / yr
- 4,200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Combines live-action footage, computer-generated elements and effects into seamless final shots for film, TV and commercials.
- 28
28. Oceanographer
Specialty within geoscientist, except hydrologists and geographers
- Median pay
- $101,920median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +5.1%
- Openings / yr
- 1,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Studies the physics, chemistry and geology of the ocean, from currents and waves to seafloor sediments and ocean chemistry.
- 29
29. Coastal Engineer
Specialty within civil engineer
- Median pay
- $100,840median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +6.4%
- Openings / yr
- 22,700
- Education
- Bachelor's
Designs projects that protect shorelines and harbors from waves, erosion, storm surge and sea level rise.
- 30
30. Aviation Meteorologist
Specialty within atmospheric and space scientist
- Median pay
- $99,070median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.6%
- Openings / yr
- 800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Forecasts thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, fog and winds for air traffic control centers, airlines and the military so flights can avoid hazardous weather.
- 31
31. Captain, Mate, and Pilot of Water Vessels
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $92,460median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Certificate
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats.
- 32
32. Yacht Captain
Specialty within captain, mate, and pilot of water vessels
- Median pay
- $210,000typical, Quay Crew Captain Salary Report 2023 (reported by SuperyachtNews)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 3,800
- Education
- Certificate
Commands a private or charter yacht, responsible for navigation, safety, crew, maintenance and the guest experience, from coastal cruisers to oceangoing superyachts.
- 33
33. Aviation Inspector
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $92,100median a year
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,300
- Education
- High school
Inspect aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigational aids, air traffic controls, and communications equipment to ensure conformance with Federal safety regulations.
- 34
34. Aviation Safety Manager
Specialty within aviation inspector
- Median pay
- $92,100median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 2,300
- Education
- Bachelor's
Runs an airline's, charter operator's or airport's Safety Management System, investigating events, analyzing risk and leading safety changes.
- 35
35. First Assistant Director
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Builds the shooting schedule and runs the set on film and TV productions so the director can focus on performances.
- 36
36. Line Producer
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Builds and controls the budget and logistics of a film or TV production, from crew hiring to equipment and locations.
- 37
37. Location Manager
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Finds, secures and manages real-world filming locations for film, TV and commercial productions.
- 38
38. Media Programming Director
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.
- 39
39. Media Technical Directors/Manager
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.
- 40
40. Producer and Director
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Median pay
- $90,360median a year
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction.
- 41
41. Showrunner
Specialty within producer and director
- Median pay
- $90,360median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 12,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Runs a television series day to day, leading the writers' room and making final creative and production decisions.
- 42
42. Sports Data Analyst
Specialty within operations research analyst
- Median pay
- $88,940median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +11.9%
- Openings / yr
- 7,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Uses tracking data, statistics, and models to help teams, leagues, and media make decisions about players, strategy, and fans.
- 43
43. A&R Representative
Specialty within agent and business manager of artists, performers, and athletes
- Median pay
- $82,890median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +9.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Finds promising artists and songwriters for a record label or music publisher, helps sign them, and guides their recordings toward release.
- 44
44. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
Architecture and Engineering
- Median pay
- $82,890median a year
- Growth
- +11.9%
- Openings / yr
- 1,100
- Education
- Associate's
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, po…
- 45
45. Agent and Business Manager of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Business and Financial Operations
- Median pay
- $82,890median a year
- Growth
- +9.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers.
- 46
46. Sports Agent
Specialty within agent and business manager of artists, performers, and athletes
- Median pay
- $82,890median (parent occupation)
- Growth
- +9.7%
- Openings / yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Bachelor's
Represents professional and college athletes in contract negotiations, endorsement deals, and career decisions, earning a commission on the deals they close.
- 47
47. Avionics Technician
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $82,280median a year
- Growth
- +9.4%
- Openings / yr
- 1,700
- Education
- Certificate
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
- 48
48. Aircraft Mechanic
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $79,870median a year
- Growth
- +5.4%
- Openings / yr
- 11,400
- Education
- Certificate
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Questions
Cool Jobs: FAQ
What is the top career on the cool jobs list?
Airline Pilot leads the list with a median wage of $232,140 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +8.3% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.
How was this list put together?
Careers whose main subject is something people find exciting: space and flight, film, music and games, sport, the ocean, wildlife and adventure. The strangest jobs have their own list. Ranked by national median pay (BLS OEWS). Every career listed is a real job people hold and hire for in the United States. Careers whose main subject is something people find exciting: space and flight, film, music and games, sport, the ocean, wildlife and adventure. The strangest jobs have their own list. Ranked by national median pay (BLS OEWS). Every career listed is a real job people hold and hire for in the United States. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.
How much do cool jobs pay?
Across the 48 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $103,160 a year, from $79,870 at the bottom to $420,000 at the top (BLS OEWS May 2025 and the industry compensation sources cited on each career page). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
10 of the 48 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).