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10 'Boring' Jobs That Secretly Pay $115,000+ (And Are Desperate for Workers)

Discover 10 high-paying, steady careers that offer security, growth, and low-stress work.

By Andy Lindquist

Edited by Andrea Basse

Updated Nov. 30, 2025

Who says that high-paying jobs have to be exciting? As it turns out, there are plenty of lucrative roles that don't generate the same passion and excitement as being an airline pilot or a surgeon. That extra salary and low work anxiety can be a major advantage, especially if you're trying to get ahead financially and reduce your overall financial stress.

Below, we'll look at 10 boring jobs that pay over $115,000 a year.

Editor's note: All salary information sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Actuary

Median annual salary: $125,770

In this role, you'll use statistics, financial theories, math, and a little bit of intuition to assess risk for corporations, insurance companies, and pension funds. Your statistical analysis and findings will help these organizations model their finances and investments as well as determine the correct price for risk-based products.

This job is expected to grow by a whopping 22% over the next decade.

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Petroleum engineer

Median annual salary: $141,280

As an engineer in the petroleum industry, you'll devise new methods to extract oil and natural gas from the ground. You'll also use those engineering skills to develop better production and streamline any inefficiencies at the plant.

IT manager

Median annual salary: $171,200

You'll be at the forefront of your company's information technology (IT) systems, mainly the internal computer network. That means planning system upgrades, protecting systems from cyberattacks, and identifying the best emerging technologies to use for future projects.

This profession is expected to grow by 15% over the next decade.

Computer hardware engineer

Median annual salary: $155,020

These types of engineers help develop the hardware components in computers. Think processors, memory chips, circuit boards, and other high-end components. Most engineers work in a research lab where they can test out these components before they are used for commercial purposes.

The projected growth rate for this job is 7%, so there's plenty of demand for engineers, especially as the need for better computer chips for AI continues to increase.

Nuclear power plant operators

Median annual salary: $121,240

Let's get it out of the way first: modern nuclear power plants are incredibly safe, far safer than most other types of power plants. As a power plant operator, you'll keep the entire operation running smoothly. That means monitoring power levels, adjusting equipment, and ensuring all safety protocols are followed.

Physician assistant

Median annual salary: $133,260

In this role, you assist doctors and other healthcare professionals. That means you'll help diagnose and examine patients, order medication, and order tests. PAs also assist doctors before, during, and after surgeries. The profession doesn't have the same glamor and excitement as a doctor, but the compensation is very good.

There's a growing demand for workers in this profession, with a projected 20% growth over the next 10 years.

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Financial manager

Median annual salary: $161,700

As a financial manager, you'll be in charge of working through the company's finances. From making reports to managing budgets to forecasting the financial health of the company, you'll use the latest data-driven insights to come up with the right path forward. Collaboration with the C-suite executive team and other members of the management team will be part of the job as well.

This profession is expected to grow by 15% over the next decade, which is significantly above the national average.

Compensation and benefits manager

Median annual salary: $140,360

This is one of the biggest human resources roles at any company, but it's hard to get excited over digging into the hard financials, compensation, and benefits. As a benefits and compensation manager, you'll oversee the organization's pay structure, health plans, retirement packages, and other benefits.

Economist

Median annual salary: $115,440

This role requires detailed analysis and reporting on issues relating to monetary and fiscal policy. Most economists are employed by think tanks or the government. With an endless amount of statistical data at your fingertips, you'll be tasked with cutting through the noise and making actionable decisions and projections.

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Purchasing manager

Median annual salary: $115,440

Also known as a procurement manager, this role requires you to ensure your company gets the right products at the right price. You'll negotiate with suppliers, manage budgets, mitigate supply-chain risks, and often supervise procurement teams. This is a behind-the-scenes role that is essential to the company, but it's not as exciting as some other forward-facing roles.

Bottom line

You don't need a glamorous job to earn exceptional money; these 10 roles offer high pay and lower stress, making them ideal for people focused on stability and savings — especially if you're trying to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck. Many of them also sit within industries projected to grow faster than average, offering both security and strong income potential.

For example, occupations in the "computer and mathematical" category are projected to grow by about 10.4 % from 2023 to 2033, well above the 4 % average for all U.S. jobs.

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