See if these unique jobs pique your interest.
There are excellent jobs with unique names or job duties that many individuals have never heard of. This list, compiled from the 100 Best Jobs for 2024 ranking, may surprise you with careers that offer great salaries, lower unemployment rates, the opportunity to travel or other great benefits.
These jobs may be unfamiliar for a variety of reasons – the profession may be relatively new, highly specialized or involve professionals who work largely behind the scenes. Salary and job growth data come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
15. Clinical Laboratory Technician
Median salary: $57,380
Expected job growth by 2032: 5%
Clinical laboratory technicians use sophisticated laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters to examine body fluids and cells, match blood for transfusions and complete other tasks. Most in this profession have at least an associate degree from an accredited community college or junior college program in clinical laboratory science.
Clinical laboratory technicians rank No. 15 among the Best Health Care Support Jobs.
14. Cartographer
Median salary: $71,890
Expected job growth by 2032: 5%
Cartographers create detailed and accurate maps by collecting and analyzing spatial data from various sources. To become one, you'll need a bachelor's degree in cartography, geography, civil engineering or a similar field. Being familiar with geographic information system, or GIS, technology is also important.
Cartographer ranks fifth among the Best Engineering Jobs and No. 27 among the Best STEM Jobs.
13. Ophthalmic Medical Technician
Median salary: $38,860
Expected job growth by 2032: 13%
Ophthalmic medical technicians are responsible for administering the first portion of a patient's eye examination, which typically involves checking visual acuity, testing pupils and ocular muscles, and performing refractometry. A four-year college degree is not a requirement for this profession since most ophthalmic medical technicians or technologists are trained on the job.
Ophthalmic medical technician ranks thirteenth among the Best Jobs Without a College Degree and No. 13 among the Best Health Care Support Jobs.
12. Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Median salary: $45,230
Expected job growth by 2032: 22%
Solar photovoltaic installers lay down solar panels and normally work in teams to measure and cut solar panels for placement on rooftops of homes and businesses. Job growth for this profession is much faster than the average. It currently ranks No. 3 among the Best Construction Jobs and No. 11 among the Best Jobs Without a College Degree.