The job market in 2025 is a bit odd: some of the best-paying careers are the ones most folks try to avoid. You’d think high salaries would draw a crowd, but many well-compensated jobs in transportation, healthcare, skilled trades, and technical fields just can’t seem to get enough people in the door.
These jobs offer solid pay and job security, but physical demands, tough working conditions, long training, or just plain old negative public perception keep most job seekers away. That means there’s a real opportunity for anyone willing to try out the careers others skip—think commercial driving, nursing, or specialized roles in aviation, energy, and emergency services.
1) Commercial Truck Driver
Trucking companies can’t fill all their openings, even though the average truck driver salary is about $92,720 per year in 2025.
Drivers often spend weeks away from home and log long hours behind the wheel, sometimes racking up thousands of miles.
The top earners usually haul hazardous loads or work in niche markets. Owner-operators, who buy their own trucks, can make even more.
Most jobs need a commercial driver’s license and a clean record. Some require extra training for certain cargo.
Good pay aside, the grueling schedules and long stretches away from family push many people away from this career.
2) Registered Nurse
Nursing pays well—many RNs earn between $70,000 and $90,000 a year, and specialized roles go higher—but the shortage is intense.
Nurses work long, often 12-hour shifts, and deal with tough patients and stressful situations daily.
The job’s physically demanding too; nurses are on their feet for hours, lifting patients and handling equipment.
Many nurses struggle with emotional stress. They see suffering and death regularly, and burnout is a real issue.
Hospitals run short-staffed, which just piles on more pressure for the nurses who stick around.
3) Skilled Welder
Welding pays well, but companies are desperate for workers right now.
Rig welders, who have advanced skills, can pull in anywhere from $52,000 to $207,000 a year.
The job is tough and risky—welders deal with hot metal, fumes, and cramped spaces. Long hours in rough conditions are typical.
Companies pay more because mistakes can be expensive. Welders need specific training and certifications, and the worker shortage drives wages up.
Most start with trade school or an apprenticeship. As skills improve, so does the pay.
4) Construction Laborer
Construction laborers handle basic, physical work on building sites—moving materials, cleaning up, and helping skilled tradespeople.
Most earn between $35,000 and $45,000 per year, with city jobs usually paying more.
The work is physically demanding. Laborers spend hours outdoors, whatever the weather, lifting heavy stuff and using basic tools.
People often skip these jobs because of the physical strain and safety concerns. It’s tough on the body, and accidents do happen.
5) Logistics Coordinator
Logistics coordinators keep goods moving from suppliers to customers. They track shipments, fix delivery issues, and work closely with drivers and warehouse teams.
The job takes serious organization and attention to detail. Coordinators juggle tight deadlines and a lot of moving parts.
Many companies can’t find enough people for these roles. It gets stressful, especially when shipments go missing or arrive late.
Salaries are strong for entry-level jobs, and the boom in online shopping just keeps adding more openings.
6) HVAC Technician
HVAC technicians install and fix heating, cooling, and air systems. Pretty much every building needs them.
Despite the good pay, the field struggles to attract workers. A lot of people either don’t know about HVAC careers or assume the work’s too tough.
Techs need vocational training, but not a college degree for most entry-level jobs.
The job means crawling in tight spaces and working in extreme temperatures, which turns off some folks.
Skilled HVAC techs are rare, so pay keeps rising. The field’s growing fast as more buildings go up and need climate control.
7) Electrician
Electricians handle wiring and electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories. They install new systems and fix problems when things break.
Most electricians go through years of training after high school.
The job pays well, especially for those working on complex or risky projects.
People avoid this career because electricity isn’t forgiving—mistakes can be deadly.
Electricians also work in tight spaces or high places, and the job is physically demanding. Companies can’t find enough skilled electricians to keep up with demand.
8) Plumber
Plumbing pays well but still can’t attract enough people. The work’s reputation—dirty, unpleasant—scares many away.
Skilled plumbers do well because demand is constant. Every building needs water and sewer systems running smoothly.
The job gets messy and often means squeezing into tight spots. Plumbers handle leaks, waste, and emergency calls at all hours.
Most people just don’t want to crawl under houses or fix broken toilets, no matter the pay.
Specialized plumbers, like those working with medical gas or in industry, can earn even more than the average plumber.
9) Elevator Installer and Repairer
Elevator installers and repairers make good money—median salaries are around $102,420—but the field has a big worker shortage.
Safety risks put many off. Workers install and fix elevators in tall buildings and cramped shafts.
The job takes both physical strength and technical know-how. Apprenticeship training is typical, but a college degree isn’t required.
As more buildings add elevators, job growth looks strong. In cities like New York, union workers can make $50-60 an hour.
Few people enter this trade, so there’s plenty of opportunity for anyone willing to learn.
10) Mining Machine Operator
Mining machine operators run heavy equipment to extract coal, metals, and minerals from underground. They handle cutting machines, drills, and conveyor systems in some pretty harsh conditions.
Salaries range from $50,000 to $70,000. Most jobs only require a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
Few want these jobs because of the dangers—cave-ins, toxic gases, equipment mishaps.
Operators spend long hours in cramped, dark spaces beneath the earth, with little natural light. It’s not for everyone.
11) Diesel Mechanic
Diesel mechanics are in sky-high demand everywhere—trucking, construction, public transit, you name it. Skilled techs keep fleets running.
The pay’s good, but the work is tough. Mechanics deal with heavy machinery, grease, and repairs that can drag on for hours.
Some states, like California and Oregon, pay especially well. Government jobs tend to top the pay charts, while trucking companies offer slightly less but still solid wages.
Employers want mechanics with ASE certification or formal diesel tech training before hiring. Specialized skills matter here.
12) Oil Rig Worker
Oil rig workers pull in high wages, but the job’s dangerous and isolating. Shifts are long, and rigs are often far from home.
Most roles require serious physical strength and stamina. Workers may spend weeks offshore without seeing land.
The job involves heavy equipment, toxic chemicals, and unpredictable weather. Not exactly a walk in the park.
Despite the pay, safety risks and long stretches away from family keep many people from applying.
13) Aircraft Mechanic
Aircraft mechanics keep planes safe and running. They fix engines, check electrical systems, and swap out broken parts.
These jobs pay well—some up to $95,000 a year, with specialized roles going even higher.
The aviation industry badly needs more mechanics. Planes require regular maintenance, and without enough techs, delays and cancellations pile up.
The work is physically hard, often outdoors or in tight spaces, and comes with strict safety rules and lots of inspections. Not everyone’s up for it.
14) Commercial Pilot
Commercial pilots earn high salaries, but airlines and cargo companies still can’t fill all their jobs.
Pilots need extensive training and certification—a commercial pilot’s license and courses from FAA-certified instructors or flight schools.
Unpredictable schedules and lots of travel make this career tough. Nights, weekends, and holidays on the road are standard.
The cost and length of training put off many would-be pilots. It takes serious commitment and money before you ever get paid to fly.
15) Crane Operator
Crane operators run heavy machines that lift and move big stuff—steel beams, shipping containers, machinery—on construction sites, at ports, and in factories.
It’s a skilled job. Operators must move heavy loads safely, avoiding accidents or damage.
Many earn over $60,000 a year, and experienced operators in busy areas can do even better.
The work is stressful and risky. Operators sit high above the ground for hours, and weather can make things tricky.
Despite decent pay, companies can’t find enough operators. The training and certification take time, and not everyone wants to stick it out.
16) Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists operate imaging equipment—X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs—to help doctors diagnose and treat patients.
Top earners can make as much as $149,500 a year, with the median salary for research roles at $80,290.
Healthcare keeps needing more technologists as imaging tech improves and demand for diagnostic procedures rises.
People shy away from this career over worries about radiation exposure and the need for technical precision. The job also means standing for long periods and helping lift patients. Not glamorous, but essential.
17) Firefighter
Fire departments across the country can’t find enough recruits. The job demands strength and puts people in dangerous situations every day.
Firefighters face burning buildings, toxic smoke, and emergencies that could turn deadly. Shifts are long, and calls can come at any time.
The physical demands are huge. Firefighters lug heavy gear and work in extreme heat.
Good pay and benefits exist in many areas, but the risks and tough schedule keep a lot of folks away.
18) Security Manager
Security managers oversee safety programs for businesses and organizations, earning $75,000 to $120,000 a year depending on experience and location.
The hours are long and the stress is real. Managers respond to emergencies day or night, dealing with breaches, violence, and theft.
Responsibility scares some off—when things go wrong, security managers get the blame. Quick decisions can impact everyone’s safety.
The job needs strong leadership and deep security knowledge. Most roles require a bachelor’s degree and years of experience in security or law enforcement.
19) Power Plant Operator
Power plant operators run and monitor the systems that generate electricity. They keep an eye on equipment, make adjustments, and ensure everything stays safe.
The average salary is about $96,360 in the utilities sector, but the field still struggles to find enough workers.
Most operators start with a high school diploma and get trained on the job. No college degree needed.
Operators work shifts—including nights and weekends—and have to stay alert for long stretches to avoid accidents.
Many avoid this field because of the safety risks and the pressure of managing complex equipment. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
20) Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists help people who struggle with breathing problems and lung diseases. You’ll find them working with ventilators and all sorts of medical equipment in hospitals and clinics—sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes during the busiest shifts imaginable.
Most therapists stick to hospitals; honestly, about 75% end up there. I guess the pace and variety keep things interesting, if a bit hectic.
The pay’s solid, but not enough folks seem to know this career exists, or maybe they shy away because the work can get intense. There’s a shortage, which is kind of wild considering how vital this role is.
If you specialize—say, working in neonatal intensive care—you’ll earn more, but you’ll also need extra training and a steady hand under pressure.
Job security’s strong, and the paycheck isn’t bad, but let’s be real: supporting very sick patients wears on you. Some days are rewarding, some are just tough.
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Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.