What Are the Most Common Jobs in America?

Your career determines how you spend your workdays. It also determines your income level, the job security you enjoy, and whether you have opportunities for workplace advancement.

Choosing a career can be challenging. Consider your aptitude and whether you have the skills needed to thrive in specific roles. Determine how much time you’re willing to spend studying to earn the qualifications required for your chosen career. Another factor you might also consider is whether you’re pursuing a common job.

Common jobs typically have opportunities throughout the country so that you won’t be limited to work opportunities in a specific region. You’ll also enjoy better job prospects when you’re searching for a typical career. Continue reading to explore some of the most common careers in America.

Lawyers

People turn to law firms for legal advice. Whether you’ve been in a car accident, want to create a living trust for your dependents, or believe you were fired from your job without cause, you may need to hire a law firm to prepare a lawsuit.

You must hire lawyers who specialize in the appropriate legal field for your case. For example, Malliha Wilson is a lawyer with decades of experience working for the Ontario government. She specializes in human rights and labor law, making her an ideal attorney to work with if you’re pursuing a wrongful dismissal lawsuit. Wilson earned her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University after earning a bachelor’s degree from McGill University. Wilson will champion your legal rights and use her legal knowledge to protect clients from discrimination regardless of your occupation.

Lawyers must earn a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. Lawyers are licensed to engage in the practice of law after they pass the bar exam. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a 2020 median wage of $126,930 for lawyers in the United States.

Electricians

Electricians run wires through buildings and connect them to the electric grid. They may install electrical systems, identify issues with existing electrical systems, and perform electrical system maintenance to address issues. Electricians can acquire the credentials required to work as a licensed electrician by completing an apprenticeship and earning their state license.

The BLS reports electricians enjoyed median salaries of $56,900 in May 2020. The BLS expects job opportunities for licensed electricians will grow by eight percent between 2019 and 2029, which is double the national average job growth rate for all occupations during the same period.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are medical professionals who provide patient care. It’s possible to enjoy practical nursing career opportunities after earning a practical nursing diploma. You can also start a registered nurse (RN) career with a diploma or associate’s degree. Once you earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, you can become an NP. NPs perform many of the same tasks physicians perform, such as serving as the primary care provider for their patients. They diagnose and treat patients. When necessary, they order medical tests, prescribe medication, and refer patients to specialists.

NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The BLS reports NPs took home median annual incomes of $111,680 in May 2020. Other APRNs, such as nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, took home $183,580 and $111,130, respectively.

Information Security Analysts

Information security analysts are tech experts who use their skills to protect data. They install firewalls and test programs and computer systems to ensure hackers can’t access those systems.

Information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar discipline. The BLS expects jobs for information security analysts will increase by 31 percent between 2019 and 2029. The BLS also indicates the median annual income for these tech experts was $103,590 in May 2020.

There are many common jobs you can consider when choosing a career path. Some common jobs in America today include careers in the legal, healthcare, and information technology sectors. There are also strong job prospects for those interested in pursuing a trade.