13 “Boring” Jobs That Secretly Pay $100,000+ (And Are Desperate for Workers)

Some jobs might make you yawn when people start talking about them. Others are simply the opposite of glamorous. But some that are considered dull could be the ticket for you to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck and into a six-figure salary.

Without insurance actuaries, financial analysts, escalator installers, and other unappealing positions, life as we know it could grind to a halt. That's why these roles are often better paid than you might realize.

Using job growth and salary data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we've created the lists to highlight 13 in-demand "boring" jobs that all pay over $100,000 a year.

Median annual wage: $101,910

Many people's eyelids start to droop when they hear the term "financial analyst." But if money and economics interest you, you could use that passion to earn a six-figure salary. 

Most financial analysts use data to create budgets and forecasts or advise businesses and individuals on critical financial decisions. The demand for these experts is currently growing at a rate significantly faster than average.

Median annual wage: $101,190

With a bachelor's degree and some management and analysis experience, you could move into roles assessing business practices and operations. You might help organizations achieve their strategic goals or overcome challenging financial situations. 

This field is growing much faster than average, highlighting the need for businesses to reduce costs and boost bottom lines.

Median annual wage: $102,010

Transportation and logistics are industries that are constantly expanding. Overseeing a team of drivers or coordinating the movement of cargo could net you a $100K+ salary. 

Plus, for most roles, you don't even need a bachelor's degree, probably because supervisors in this field are highly in demand.

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Median annual wage: $106,090

Risk specialists are a type of financial analyst who specializes in ascertaining the pros and cons of any given monetary situation of decision. 

Like other analysts, they're in a fast-growing market, meaning there are plenty of opportunities out there. It's a great example of how specializing in field can earn you more money.

Median annual wage: $106,580

If fixing elevators all day sounds tedious, you're probably not alone. But this role is technical, meaning you're always learning, and you get to meet new people every day. There are also numerous openings in this field, which is growing 6% faster than the average.

Median annual wage: $106,580

Escalators are essential for accessibility and mobility, but they also enable shoppers and travelers of all abilities to reach their destinations. If you're technically minded, you could train as an escalator installer or repairer. In addition to earning six figures, you would be moving into a fast-growing industry with plenty of opportunity

Median annual wage: $112,590

With many businesses undergoing digital transformation and leveraging technologies such as AI, data scientists are in high demand. While this role requires a high level of math and analysis skills, it pays well, and you could land a career at one of technology's up-and-coming superstar companies.

Median annual wage: $121,440

The U.S. manufacturing industry is expanding at an unprecedented rate . That explains the steady rise in demand for industrial and manufacturing production managers and overseers. 

Coordinating operations at a plant or factory requires focus and leadership, so if you have those qualities, this could be a high-paying role for you.

Median annual wage: $124,910

With cybersecurity a top concern for American businesses, it's no surprise that InfoSec analysts and specialists are in high demand. 

Performing security tests, network upgrades, and making security recommendations are all part of this role. So, if you're technically minded with a bachelor's degree, this could be an ideal career shift.

Median annual wage: $125,770

The job title "insurance actuary" sounds dull, but the role can have many interesting facets. In addition to using math and statistics to analyze the risk, some actuaries visit clients or work as consultants to corporations. 

With this job market growing at 22% faster than average, numerous opportunities are available.

Median annual wage: $132,050

Ongoing talent shortages in health care mean that trained nurses can essentially have their pick of roles. 

Despite the notion that nursing isn't particularly exciting, nurses are responsible for a diverse range of duties, from hands-on medical care to administrative work, in settings from major hospitals to tiny small-town clinics.

Median annual wage: $132,050

Many nurses train in specialties, such as to open up even more career opportunities. The downside is that you may end up performing more anesthesia procedures than any other task, which can lead to tedium. 

The six-figure salary might alleviate that, along with the rapid growth in demand for these types of nurses.

Median annual wage: $135,160

A very formal-sounding term, the adjudicator is often the ultimate authority in various legal situations. Parties typically agree on an adjudicator before initiating a legal dispute, and the adjudicator's decision is usually binding. 

Legal thrills combined with six-figure salaries plus steadily expanding job opportunities may make this an attractive career path.

Having read this list, you probably found more than one job that doesn't seem that boring after all. You can get ahead financially if you have the right qualifications and experience to move into one of these fields.

Use job search sites to find opportunities in industries that resonate with you. You can also look at sites like Glassdoor to see what workers think of a particular firm or role and decide whether these jobs are actually more exciting than you realized.