15 highest-paid professions in the USA: can migrants count on them?

Demand vs earnings: how to find a balance

When choosing a profession, it is important to take into account not only the level of wages, but also the demand for the specialty in the labor market. These two indicators are not always combined, so young professionals who are expecting to start a successful career are often disappointed.

Some unique specialists, such as linguists with knowledge of a rare language, have a chance of getting highly paid positions, but finding a job can take a long time. Translators with knowledge of English are needed in a variety of fields, but their salary may be significantly lower than that of a rare specialist. Representatives of the most in-demand professions—line personnel performing basic functions in any company—do not have high incomes. To find a balance between demand and wages, it is necessary to constantly monitor changes in the labor market.

Popular specialties

The most in-demand professions in the United States should not be confused with the highest paid ones. As a rule, the required specialties are not very well funded. This list includes professions with low salaries, so many native Americans and immigrants do not want to work in this field for such wages, and therefore there is a shortage of a certain group of labor.

Statistics show that only about 33% of American citizens are employed in in-demand professions. The rest of the workers are foreign nationals who immigrate to America or come to this country for the purpose of employment and earnings. Popular professions in the USA:

1. Retailers. This activity does not require any special skills or abilities. Sales consultants earn an average of 26,000 USD per year. This figure is significantly less than the average annual salary in the United States, which was USD 37,440 in 2021. According to research conducted by the Ministry of Labor, the demand for such a specialty in the next 5 years will increase by another 6–7%.

Work as a sales consultant

2. Restaurant and hotel business workers. Low wages and difficult working conditions provoke staff turnover, so hostesses, maids, bartenders, dishwashers, waiters and cooks are required in every state in America. On average, a catering employee earns between 19,000 and 20,000 USD per year.

Working in restaurants, hotels and fast food outlets is suitable not only for American students as a part-time job, but also for visiting foreign nationals, because most positions do not require the applicant to have a higher education diploma.

For Russians who want to immigrate from Russia to America, finding employment in the restaurant business will not be a problem. Some professions do not require knowledge of English. It is also worth noting that the United States is the country with the largest number of Ukrainian and Russian migrants, therefore, a whole network of catering establishments has been opened on the territory of this state, intended specifically for visitors of Slavic origin. Russians do not even need knowledge of a foreign language to find employment there.

Working in a fast food cafe

3. Office employees. These include secretaries, reception managers and administrative sector workers. The salary of office employees varies depending on the position held from 30,000 to 45,000 USD per year.

4. Junior medical staff: caregivers, orderlies, nurses. The demand for this profile is primarily due to the aging of the American people. Salaries for junior medical staff are not very low; on average, nurses receive from 65,000 to 75,000 USD per year.

People who immigrated from Russia to America can easily find employment in this industry if they have a medical diploma with a bachelor's degree or a certificate of completion of medical courses.

The main advantage for migrants is that they do not need to undergo retraining; they will only need to confirm their diploma (or other educational document).

According to research conducted by the Ministry of Labor, the demand for junior medical personnel will increase by 13% in the next 5 years.

5. Call center employees. To get a job in a call center, you need excellent knowledge of English, so this industry is not in demand among migrants from the Russian Federation and other countries. The fact that the specialty of a call center operator is not particularly popular among the local population is due to the low annual salary - up to 40,000 USD. Mostly students, schoolchildren, people without education, and migrants work in in-demand professions.

Students who came to America under the well-known Work and Travel program also work in such positions.

Salary table by state

Table: average salaries of in-demand professions by state of America

The highest paying fields in the USA

In 2021, the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled a ranking of the highest paying professions in the United States. This list is dominated by medicine, one of the most prestigious and competitive professional fields in America, where salaries can reach $260,000 per year. The rating also included management professions: managers of various departments, as well as project managers in narrow and specific areas - ecology, engineering, etc. The technical sphere is in third place. Engineers and technicians earn about $170,000 per year in the United States.

Top 25 high-paying jobs:

*According to the BLS (US Bureau of Labor Statistics), an implant dentist installs dentures to replace missing teeth. Dentures correct natural and acquired defects of the oral cavity and jaw. They improve the appearance of the mouth, restore and support chewing function and the ability to speak.

**Top managers and senior management in the United States earn tens of millions of dollars. Satya Nadella (Microsoft) earned $84.3 million in 2014.

What kind of education do you need to get to earn that much?

A good knowledge of English and a higher education diploma from a leading Russian university with a high average score is enough to start a career in an international company. You can take an internship abroad (we’ll tell you where to look for offers in our article), get a job in the Russian office of a foreign company, and then ask for a transfer or, if you have a work permit, immediately submit your resume for a position of interest to an American company.

Another option is to enroll at a university in the USA for a bachelor's, master's, MBA or doctoral program. We talk about the top American universities.

In which areas is it easier for a foreigner to get a job?

Foreigners who want to get a high-paying job in the United States need to decide whether they plan to study at an American university or want to try to start a career with a degree earned in their home country.

An education received in America opens up many opportunities for a foreigner: a diploma allows him to freely seek work in the United States on an equal basis with Americans. It is important to take into account that entering professions that will bring good income in the future, especially in the medical field, can be very difficult.

Competition in medical schools is quite high, and tuition is very expensive: Americans often have to take out loans to afford study in such prestigious areas.

Future doctors study for 10-11 years and then must obtain a license in order to be eligible to practice medicine. Great competition and huge financial costs over the years can become serious obstacles for foreigners.

Studying for business administration programs also requires a large financial investment. In addition, graduate managers may have problems with subsequent employment in the United States: work visas are usually issued to valuable and rare specialists who are difficult to replace with American employees. Every year, MBA programs graduate a huge number of managers, so it is quite difficult for foreigners to prove their professional uniqueness.

Studying in engineering fields can be the best choice for foreigners: competition in this field is also quite intense, but lower than in medicine and business. At the same time, obtaining a work visa after graduating from university is quite possible: American employers value good technical specialists and are ready to provide them with jobs.

Labor immigration to the USA: statistics

The number of people wishing to immigrate to the United States is growing every year. In 2021, the Migrant Research Center published information according to which there are 13.5% emigrants in the country. Every 8 residents of the state are immigrants. The lists included both legal and illegal foreign citizens. But even despite such considerable numbers, the country is not yet in a hurry to completely close its doors to migrants.

If we talk specifically about labor immigration, the number of visas for specialists is limited to 65 thousand. Most of the legal labor migrants come from China, India and Canada. It is difficult to name the exact number of migrants from Russia, since the Russian Federation does not collect such information, and, according to US statistics, no more than 7% of labor migrants come from Europe.

Is it possible to build a career in the USA with a foreign diploma?

Medical specialists must go through a rather complicated procedure of confirming their diploma and obtaining a license. Management professionals may face difficulties in finding work and obtaining a work visa.

Engineers and other technical specialists have a good chance of finding work in the United States if they have a sufficiently high level of English.

There are many examples of successful professionals who came to the United States as adults and managed to build impressive careers in their new country. For example, Hamdi Ulukaya raised sheep in the mountains of eastern Turkey before moving to America until he moved to the United States in 1994 with $3,000 in his pocket. He didn't speak English and didn't have any big plans, but 30 years later, Ulukaya created a Greek yogurt brand that dominates the American market. In 2021, its revenue was $1.6 billion. Another example is Levi Strauss, who was born in Germany and moved to the United States at age 18. In America, he began a successful design career and became the author of blue jeans, which to this day are a staple item in most people's wardrobes.

Table: payment for in-demand professions

In-demand professions in the United States are not always the highest paid, but you can learn more about this from the table:

Salaries presented in the table are shown excluding taxes. The most in-demand and highly paid professions are those related to finance and IT.

Rating of the highest paying specialties in the USA according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

TOP 10 most in-demand professions

In a country with a rapidly growing business, there will always be a high demand for service personnel, as well as sales employees. But workers find such vacancies as quickly as jobs appear. Meanwhile, highly qualified specialists can be sought for a long time. It is these specialties that will be discussed. The most in-demand professions in the USA:

Marketing Manager

A top profession is opening, which no serious company can do without. The range of tasks for a marketing manager is extensive, but it all comes down to executing the marketing plan and attracting new customers. Bachelor's degree and work experience required.

IT specialist

In the 21st century, it is more difficult to find a country where IT specialists are not required than vice versa. The development of technology and computers have become an integral part of business; they will not allow this profession to lose relevance. When applying for a job, experience and the ability to work in a team will be of greater importance.

Strategy Manager

The task of such a manager is to ensure business growth and resolve strategic issues. The specialist determines in which direction the company should move for maximum development. Considerable industry experience is required.

Database Administrator

Information storage is necessary in all serious areas of business. And they also need a person who will monitor them. For such activities, you must have an education in the field of IT technologies and experience working with databases.

HR manager

This specialist hires new employees and trains existing ones. Also, such a person can be involved in personnel management. The required education depends on the chosen field.

Analysis Manager

As the name suggests, such a manager analyzes some data. As a rule, in addition to a thorough analysis, a specialist is also expected to draw conclusions, for example, to improve sales. This is one of the highest paying professions in the United States, where experience is primarily valued.

Tax Manager

These are people who have a business education and know how to optimize taxes. They work with both large companies and individuals. You must have a bachelor's degree in economics and complete specialized accounting courses in the USA.

Data engineer

A highly specialized specialist who creates computer algorithms necessary for data processing. Computer background required.

DevOps engineer

A narrow-profile worker, his task includes automating specific processes. For this purpose, special programs and algorithms are created. Education related to information technology is required.

Data scientist

The goal of a data scientist is to process as much information as possible and come to the right conclusion. The work requires many years of experience, as well as a large amount of knowledge in the chosen field, which a person knows how to use as effectively as possible.

These are not only the most in-demand professions in the United States, but also an excellent opportunity for a foreigner. A migrant who masters one of the listed specialties has a more impressive chance of successful work.

Professions that can be learned in the USA

In America you can acquire skills in any profession. But some deserve special attention. These are specialties that can be mastered in a short period of time and still earn a decent income by US standards:

• software quality control specialist;
• medical billing specialist;
• florist;
• confectioner;
• ambulance worker.

To master the listed specialties, you do not need to spend years studying in college. It will be enough to take special courses or an internship, then you can start your career. In addition, if we talk about what professions are in demand in the USA, then those listed above also fall into the list.

What can migrants claim?

Professions in demand in America for foreigners are agriculture and forestry, construction, cooking, service industries, elder care, social work, and trucking. But even when hiring for low-skilled jobs, American employers give preference to their compatriots.

Visitors can count on employment only if an American cannot be found for the vacancy, or if the owner is trying to save money and pay the employee as little as possible.

Migrants can apply for highly paid professions in the United States if they have a higher education, sufficient qualifications and work experience. Preference is given to those who have diplomas from American or European universities.

Certificates from universities in post-Soviet countries are not recognized in America; to confirm them, you must go through the nostrification procedure. This is especially difficult for doctors and nurses.

Foreigners with high qualifications work mainly in the IT field, architecture, accounting and finance, and management. A creative artist, designer, journalist will also find a suitable niche to use their talents.

The United States welcomes new and exciting ideas and startups. Talented inventors, mathematicians and physicists, and scientists have a great chance of getting a job offer.

Almost a third of scientists working in the United States are citizens of other countries. The technical achievements of the United States are largely due to the fact that they attract the best specialists in various fields of activity and create excellent conditions for the realization of their capabilities.

Requirements for employees in the USA

The Ministry of Labor monitors the observance of workers' rights, compliance with labor safety standards, job creation, sick leave and pension payments.

Who regulates labor relations

The relationship between employee and employer is regulated by several legislative acts. There is no separate branch of law – labor legislation – in the country. The structure of business law includes collective and individual labor law. This sub-branch describes the rights and responsibilities of the parties.

In the period 1938-1990. laws were passed that establish:

• fair working conditions,
• equal pay,
• control and prevention of age discrimination in hiring,
• occupational health and safety,
• rights of people with disabilities in employment.

Labor legislation differs significantly from Russian legislation. American law adheres to the principle of equality of arms, which provides significant protection to both the employer and employee.

The employer has the right:

1. Establish a probationary period of any duration (most often it is 2-6 months).
2. The length of paid leave is determined by each state. It ranges from 5 to 12 calendar days.
3. Dismissal of an employee is possible without explanation from the employer, unless otherwise specified in the individual employment contract.

The problem of social security is closely related to employment. Health care, education and training, assistance to veterans, financial assistance are financed from payments from entrepreneurs, contributions from employees and government funding.

Moreover, all social contributions are tax-free. This results in the employer not being interested in illegal minimum wage workers. In addition, American legislation since 1986 has provided for criminal penalties or fines for the use of illegal labor.

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Basic requirements for applicants

In recent years, despite the low unemployment rate, the US need for foreign labor has only increased. The United States is especially interested in attracting specialists in the fields of exact sciences, natural sciences and engineering.

When applying for a job, the main requirements for those wishing to get a job are the following:

1. The legal status of an applicant for a job - an emigrant must have either a green card or US citizenship.
2. Have a level of knowledge of English that allows you to communicate in everyday life.

3. For skilled work, you will need a diploma with verified status in the United States.
4. experience in the specialty.

Professions in demand in the United States for emigrants include not only an acceptable level of pay, but also social and health insurance. Therefore, when choosing a job, many Americans pay attention to the bonuses that the employer offers.

Discrimination in hiring

In 1958, the General Convention of the International Labor Organization “On Discrimination in Labor and Employment” was adopted. On July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law, prohibiting racial discrimination in trade, services, and employment. In 1967, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act was passed.

These documents have become the legal basis for combating any type of discrimination. This phenomenon takes latent forms in the case of a legal ban. It can manifest itself in the form of discrimination based on age or infringement of the rights of certain groups of employees.

How does discrimination manifest itself?

1. Refusal to hire if the requirements are met.
2. Wages paid are lower than the industry average.
3. Unpaid overtime hours.

Three organizations deal with the problems of resolving labor disputes and preventing discrimination in employment:

1. National Labor Relations Board,
2. Wages and Hours Administration,
3. National Directorate for Mediation of Labor Disputes.

When posting job advertisements, it is prohibited to indicate preferences or limitations for persons of a particular skin color, race, sex or nationality.

What do you need to work in the USA?

It is quite difficult for migrants from post-Soviet countries to get a legal job. If you arrived in the country on a tourist or visitor visa or illegally, you do not have the right to officially work. Many employers do not accept foreign employees without a green card - permission to reside in the country.

You can find a job through specialized websites, with the help of compatriots or friends, through recruitment agencies, by sending resumes directly to companies or enterprises.

Retraining immigrants in American training courses, as well as a high level of English language proficiency, increases their chances of employment. The interview can be conducted in the office or online (via Skype).

During a conversation with an HR manager, it is important to give clear and specific answers to all questions, as well as present your advantages in comparison with other applicants. If the interview is successful, the company sends an official invitation, on the basis of which a work visa to the United States is issued.

Features of Russian emigration to the USA

At the beginning of the 21st century. According to the latest American census, more than 0.7 million Americans indicated Russian as their native language.

The Bureau of Statistics provides data on 2.7 million Russian-speaking citizens, including illegal emigrants, as well as Russians by origin, but holding citizenship of CIS countries. For this reason, it is difficult to determine the number of former Russian citizens who have become American passport holders.

History of Russian emigration

The emigration of Russians to the territory of the United States began in the 18th century, when small groups of pioneers founded settlements on the Pacific coast of America.

A more powerful wave of Russian emigration began in the first years of the 20th century. and continued until the 40s. After a series of Jewish pogroms, Russian subjects of Jewish origin who lived on the outskirts of the Russian Empire began to emigrate to Palestine and the United States.

The peak of the first wave of emigration occurred in 1917-1922. With the advent of Soviet power, representatives of the nobility chose to leave Russia. But most of them ended up in European countries. After the establishment of Hitler's power and the seizure of European countries, former citizens of the Russian Empire again became emigrants. Now the USA has become their homeland.

Until the mid-70s. cases of emigration to the United States, as well as to other countries, were very rare. Until 1989, no more than 125 thousand people emigrated from the USSR to the USA. International pressure and accusations of human rights violations forced the Soviet authorities to allow those who wished to leave the USSR.

In the late 80s - early 90s. a massive wave of emigration began. Its reasons were largely of an economic nature.

The last wave of emigration at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries.

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, in 2021 there was a maximum of applications for citizenship from Russian citizens. Representatives of the department claim that since 2012 there has been an annual increase in the number of applications by 40%.

The main reasons for changing citizenship are:

• dissatisfaction with the political system;
• unfavorable conditions for doing private business;
• low level of economic development and lack of social guarantees.

The actual scale of emigration is difficult to estimate, since Russian agencies provide information that differs from data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. In addition, we must take into account Russian citizens living in the country illegally.

Applying for a work visa to the USA

The document for the right to official employment is drawn up in several stages. The very first one lies on the shoulders of the employer, his task is to resolve all bureaucratic issues with the Citizenship and Migration Service, and he also pays all related expenses and taxes. If everything went well, then you can proceed to the next stage - submitting documents for a visa. Documents required to obtain a visa:

• passport and international passport;
• petition from the employer;
• invitation letter;
• A completed application form;
• 1 electronic photo and 2 printed;
• a check confirming payment of the consular fee ($190);
• a certificate from the bank with information about the account status and banking transactions for the last six months;
• copies of marriage or divorce certificate (if available);
• copies of the birth certificate (if there are children);
• A completed application form;
• copies of documents for real estate and car.

All certificates are submitted to the embassy. You must also agree that you do not mind having the interview recorded. If necessary, the consulate may require additional documents.