For years, technology jobs were seen as the safest and highest-paying careers in the US. But new data shows a different reality. According to a recent report by Indeed, many of the best-paying and most secure jobs today are in healthcare, not tech.
Indeed analysed thousands of roles to identify jobs where people can “get hired and thrive.” The study looked at job openings, wage growth, and long-term demand. Only roles with a salary floor of $65,000 were included, as they pay more than the national median income.
“The data-driven snapshot weighs current job openings against three-year growth trends to identify the ‘sweet spot’ of the market, careers that aren’t just stable for today, but are positioned for long-term mobility and security in the future,” the report said.
Why healthcare jobs don’t slow down
Healthcare stands out because it cannot simply stop hiring when the economy weakens. People still fall sick, need therapy, or require mental health support. Laura Ullrich, director of economic research in North America at the Indeed Hiring Lab, explained that specialised roles are more protected during slowdowns.
She told Business Insider, “It’s hard to take a pause in hiring in that sector compared to maybe some typical business sectors.”
Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics support this view. Though the overall job growth cooled last year, healthcare and social assistance jobs continued to expand, showing strong resistance to economic ups and downs.
Tech is still there, but not on top
The only major tech role in the top ten is data scientist. With a median salary of around $115,000, it remains a well-paid job. However, wage growth has dipped slightly in recent years, showing that while demand remains, pay growth is no longer as strong as before.
Therapists and counsellors shine
Many therapy and counselling roles feature prominently on the list. Radiation therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists all earn well above $100,000. Even where hiring growth has slowed or declined, wages have continued to rise.
Licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counsellors remain among the top-paying roles regardless of fewer job postings. Explaining this, Ullrich told Business Insider, “Those that are in the top 10 that have negative postings growth have high values for either overall postings, wages, wage growth, or remote options.”
Nurses and specialists in high demand
Nurse practitioners rank near the top, with a median salary of over $143,000. Demand for this role is expected to surge in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in this field will grow rapidly over the next decade as healthcare needs increase across the US.
At the very top of the list is the cardiac medical technician. This role combines strong hiring growth making it one of the most attractive careers in today’s job market.
Not healthcare, but still high-paying
Outside the healthcare sector, owner-operator truck drivers stand out. With median earnings of about $160,000, it is one of the highest-paying roles on the list. However, recent data shows that wage growth in this field has slowed, even as demand for drivers remains strong.
Jobs that take care of people are harder to replace and harder to pause. Tech careers still matter, healthcare roles are proving to be more stable, more resilient, and often safer during uncertain economic times.