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You’ve probably heard that life is too short to spend time on unfulfilling work. While any job can be rewarding, some are inherently better than others. If you need to make a change — and you’re looking for something more fulfilling than a paycheck — we have some ideas.
First we’ll consider the criteria that make a job rewarding, before jumping into our curated list of the most rewarding jobs in America.
Key Points
• The top 21 most rewarding jobs in America for 2025 cover education, healthcare, religious services, music, and science.
• Clergy and cartographers and photogrammetrists rank highest in job satisfaction.
• Surgeons and family practitioners are top earners on the list.
• Kindergarten teachers play a crucial role in building foundational skills and confidence in young children.
• Postsecondary teachers mentor college students, fostering academic and personal growth.
Rewarding Jobs, Defined
What exactly is a rewarding job? After all, everyone will define a rewarding job differently. Some folks enjoy being around people, while others appreciate the ability to deeply engage in work alone. Some people are looking specifically for work-at-home gigs, while others are searching for the highest paying jobs.
We think that a rewarding career should help you feel accomplished and fulfilled. We break down additional elements below.
Common Characteristics of Rewarding Jobs
The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing upward mobility and equity with research and data, lists five key factors of a good job.
• Livable wages. Earning a livable wage means you earn enough money to cover your basic needs. It’s tied to your health, financial security, and even your children’s success. Livable wages make you feel secure. Rewarding jobs should offer a good entry-level salary, and then…
• Upward mobility and growth opportunities. Rewarding jobs allow workers to build on their skills and further their careers. More-experienced workers can feel satisfied knowing they receive competitive pay.
• Workplace flexibility and schedule control. Some 22.9% of the U.S. workforce works remotely, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And 60% of employees would look for a new job if they weren’t offered hybrid or remote work options, according to Gallup.
• Benefits. Benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans contribute to a worker’s productivity as well as their health and well-being. Jobs with benefits help create a rewarding environment.
• Working conditions and safety. For a job to be rewarding, a safe environment is essential.
Recommended: Benefits of Working From Home for Employees
21 Most Rewarding Jobs in America for 2025
There are many jobs that have some or all of these characteristics. Below are 21 jobs that rated very high in a PayScale survey on job satisfaction. All salary figures are from BLS data.
1. Kindergarten Teacher
National average salary: $67,020
Job satisfaction rate: 91%
Job description: Some of the most rewarding jobs are jobs helping people. While a career in education doesn’t usually add a lot of zeroes to your bank account, it’s incredibly rewarding to help kids and adults improve their skills and confidence through education. It can also be one of those jobs that pay off student loans through the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
2. Postsecondary English Language and Literature Teacher
National average salary: $94,470
Job satisfaction rate: 96%
Job description: These academic pros instruct and mentor students after high school. Until you reach professor status, check out our list of the best on-campus jobs.
3. Clergy
National average salary: $67,160
Job satisfaction rate: 98%
Job description: Conduct religious services and direct activities to support worship of a spiritual nature.
4. Surgeon
National average salary: $371,280
Job satisfaction rate: 96%
Job description: Diagnose and treat injuries and illness with surgical procedures. With a salary well into the six figures, this is one of the highest paying jobs on our list.
5. Family and General Practitioner
National average salary: $256,830
Job satisfaction rate: 90%
Job description: Provide preventative care to patients and refer them to specialists for further care.
6. Music Director and Composer
National average salary: $84,230
Job satisfaction rate: 80%
Job description: Lead musical performances; write and record music.
7. Epidemiologist
National average salary: $94,160
Job satisfaction rate: 77%
Job description: Investigate the course of a disease to protect public health. Help provide community education and public policy for diseases.
8. Physician Assistant
National average salary: $136,900
Job satisfaction rate: 78%
Job description: Treats patients under the supervision of a doctor. This role is one step below doctor and a step above nurse — similar to a nurse practitioner.
9. Anesthesiologist
National average salary: $336,640
Job satisfaction rate: 83%
Job description: Administer and manage patient pain before, during, and after surgery. (We wonder if people who make this much would benefit from a good spending app.)
10. Speech-Language Pathologist
National average salary: $95,840
Job satisfaction rate: 79%
Job description: Evaluate and treat patients who have speech and language disorders.
11. Pediatrician
National average salary: $222,340
Job satisfaction rate: 89%
Job description: Provide preventative and diagnostic medical care for children.
12. Psychiatrist
National average salary: $269,120
Job satisfaction rate: 85%
Job description: Primary mental health care providers who diagnose and treat patients.
13. Firefighter
National average salary: $63,890
Job satisfaction rate: 83%
Job description: Firefighters manage and extinguish fires to protect life and property. They also respond to other emergencies.
Recommended: The 10 Most Satisfying Jobs You Can Get in America Without a Degree
14. Education Administrator
National average salary: $100,720
Job satisfaction rate: 88%
Job description: Education administrators are responsible for the direction and implementation of school-related activities. They may hire staff, plan academic programs, attend meetings, and stay on top of any number of initiatives.
15. Dentist
National average salary: $196,100
Job satisfaction rate: 82%
Job description: Treat patients to prevent and repair tooth decay and oral health.
16. Forester
National average salary: $70,680
Job satisfaction rate: 85%
Job description: Foresters maintain the health of a forested ecosystem. They may track types and amounts of standing timber, plant new trees, and determine which trees need to be cut.
17. Cartographer and Photogrammetrist
National average salary: $82,860
Job satisfaction rate: 97%
Job description: Create digital and physical maps and charts from geographic data.
18. Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas
National average salary: $70,080
Job satisfaction rate: 93%
Job description: Rotary drill operators control large-scale machines that extract oil and gas from the earth. It’s one of the few jobs that don’t require college on this list.
19. Emergency Management Director
National average salary: $97,700
Job satisfaction rate: 86%
Job description: Develop and implement plans in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster. Coordinate with local authorities and help lead when an event occurs.
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20. Physicist
National average salary: $166,000
Job satisfaction rate: 77%
Job description: Study matter and energy. May develop scientific theories, conduct experiments, develop software, write papers, and present research at conferences.
21. Librarian
National average salary: $69,180
Job satisfaction rate: 81%
Job description: Help people find information in a library. Organize materials and create programs for public education. Although interaction with the public is a key part of this role, it still seems like the ultimate job for introverts.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re in the right job or looking for a new path, it’s helpful to know that some well-paying jobs are among the most rewarding. Our list was compiled with salary data from the Bureau for Labor Statistics and job satisfaction data provided by PayScale. The medical field has a strong presence, as does education. Some less-expected rewarding jobs include music director, cartographer, clergy, and forester. Clergy have the highest job satisfaction on our list (who knew?), while anesthesiologists pull the highest salary.
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FAQ
What is the highest-paying job in 2025?
Physicians and other medical professionals dominate the BLS data of the highest-paying occupations, with an average salary over $239,200 per year.
What is the happiest career in the US?
Job satisfaction is individual. While one person may feel happy teaching, another may despise it.. A happy career is one that suits your personality, values, and lifestyle.
Which jobs are in most demand in the US?
Jobs in the medical field are in high demand and pay well. According to the BLS, wind turbine service technicians experienced the highest growth rate in 2024, with median pay over $62,580. Nurse practitioners are also in high demand; median pay is $129,210.
Photo credit: iStock/Delmaine Donson
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