Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
0 comments 
For Those Planning to Live in the United States in 2026, Indeed Survey Shows That 10 Professions Pay Above US$ 100,000 Per Year, with Dominance in the Healthcare Field, Growth Concentrated in Support Roles, and Direct Impact of Population Aging on Demand for Skilled Workers
For those planning to live in the United States, the latest report from Indeed indicates that the top 10 professions for 2026 offer estimated average annual salaries of US$ 100,000 or more, in a labor market that is growing slowly, with a strong concentration of opportunities in the healthcare field.
Labor Market and Opportunities for Living in the United States
The survey shows that, in the past year, the U.S. labor market exhibited reduced expansion pace, with one clear exception: the healthcare sector. This performance explains why most of the best jobs for 2026 are concentrated in this segment.
Although healthcare jobs make up only 11% of the total jobs in the United States, they account for 72% of overall job growth. This information was shared by Laura Ullrich, director of research for North America at Indeed Hiring Lab, in an official statement.
-
IPTU exemption for seniors in 2026: see how to secure the benefit.
-
The institute that trained the greatest aerospace engineers in Brazil has just opened its first campus outside São Paulo after 75 years: ITA Ceará will have R$ 445 million, new courses in energy and systems, and classes are expected to start in 2027.
-
Luciano Hang, owner of Havan, goes to Juiz de Fora after the tragedy in February, brings R$ 1 million, hands out R$ 2,000 cards, and donates up to R$ 15,000 to victims in the region.
-
The Brazilian passport allows legal residence in dozens of countries without the need for a prior visa, and most Brazilians are unaware that they can apply for residency directly upon arriving in nations in South America, Africa, and even Europe.
For foreigners interested in living in the United States, this data indicates a scenario of greater stability in careers related to direct population care, even during periods of economic slowdown.
Ranking Criteria and Job Profiles
The Indeed report ranked occupations based on estimated average annual salary, demand, salary growth, volume of job postings on the platform, and flexibility factors, such as remote work opportunities.
These criteria help identify not only the highest-paying positions but also those with the greatest likelihood of stability for individuals looking to build a career while living in the United States, considering recent market trends.
The top ten positions reflect the combination of high compensation and structural need for labor, especially in support and technical areas.
Cardiac Medical Technician Leads Ranking for 2026
The cardiac medical technician position has been named the best job of the year. This role presents an estimated average annual salary of US$ 133,907, with 224 openings per million inhabitants on Indeed.
Since 2022, salary growth and the increase in postings for this position reached 34%. Only 2% of openings offer the possibility of remote work, reinforcing the in-person nature of the profession.
Researchers from the report point out that the high demand is linked to chronic health conditions, population aging, and the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC.
Well-Paid Jobs Outside the Healthcare Sector
Among the exceptions to the healthcare dominance is the owner-operator truck driver, which occupies the second position in the ranking. The estimated average annual salary reaches US$ 160,000, the highest on the list.
This position registers 7,529 openings per million inhabitants on Indeed. However, salary growth since 2022 has been negative at 5%, while the growth in postings reached 39%. Only 1% of openings allow for remote work.
This contrast shows that for those looking to live in the United States, high earnings may be associated with salary volatility and less flexibility, especially in operational roles.
Strong Presence of Healthcare Among the Top 10 Jobs
Eight of the ten best professions for 2026 belong to the healthcare field. Advanced practice nurses occupy the third position, with an estimated average annual salary of US$ 143,183 and 2,874 openings per million inhabitants.
Speech-language pathologists appear in fourth place, with an average salary of US$ 109,431, salary growth of 14%, and a growth in postings of 11% since 2022.
Physical therapists and occupational therapists are also among the top ten.
These roles combine human interaction, technical or specialized training, and constant demand, factors that increase employment predictability for those deciding to live in the United States and work in the healthcare sector.
Flexibility and Remote Work in the Ranking
Some of the listed professions stand out for their flexibility. Data scientists, in the tenth position, present an estimated average annual salary of US$ 115,079 and the highest percentage of remote openings in the ranking, at 35%.
Licensed professional counselors and licensed clinical social workers also report 32% of remote openings. Despite this, both have seen a decline in the number of postings since 2022, of 17% and 32%, respectively.
This data indicates that, even for those prioritizing flexibility while living in the United States, long-term stability depends on the evolution of demand and funding in these areas.
Population Aging Sustains Continuous Demand
Experts cited in the report state that jobs in healthcare remain in high demand regardless of the economic situation. These positions are essential to meet the needs of both the general population and the rapidly aging American society.
The Pew Research Center estimates that the number of centenarians in the United States will quadruple over the next 30 years, increasing the need for healthcare professionals at various training levels.
This structural trend reinforces the attractiveness of the sector for foreigners considering living in the United States in search of professional stability.
Barriers to Entry and Increasing Specialization
The report highlights that many of the best healthcare jobs have relatively low barriers to entry, generally requiring a certificate or technical degree. Among them are sign language interpreter, radiologic technician, and massage therapist.
Other positions require specialized training with strong human interaction, such as speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist. Researchers assert that this movement points to a growing specialization in caregiving work.
This scenario expands professional insertion possibilities for those intending to live in the United States, both in technical careers and in more specialized roles.
Nursing and Technology Outside the Top 10
Registered nurses appear only in the 22nd position of the ranking, but lead in hiring volume. Indeed records 12,330 open positions for this role for every 1 million job ads.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 189,100 openings for registered nurses over the decade, with expected growth to 3.3 million professionals by 2032.
Technology positions, such as solution architects, SAP consultants, and enterprise architects, continue to offer six-figure salaries and high remote work possibilities, but drop positions in the ranking due to negative salary growth and openings over the past three years, reflecting a gradual adjustment in the sector.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!