All career guides

18 careers, each with steps, requirements, costs, exams and salary.

Public Safety & Law Enforcement

DetectiveTime: 4–7 years (police officer first, then promotion)Median pay: $93,790 per year (detectives and criminal investigators)High school diploma minimum; a college degree is often preferred and sometimes requiredHow to become a detective →FirefighterTime: 1–2 years (EMT, testing and academy)Median pay: $59,280 per yearHigh school diploma or GED plus EMT trainingHow to become a firefighter →Police OfficerTime: 6–12 months (application to sworn officer)Median pay: $76,210 per year (police and sheriff's patrol officers)High school diploma or GED; some agencies require college credits or a degreeHow to become a police officer →

Legal Careers

JudgeTime: 12–20+ years after high schoolMedian pay: $153,990 per year (judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates)Bachelor's degree + Juris Doctor (J.D.) for most judgeshipsHow to become a judge →Notary PublicTime: 2–8 weeks in most statesMedian pay: Not tracked by BLS as a separate occupationNo degree required; state-approved course in some statesHow to become a notary public →ParalegalTime: 3 months–2 yearsMedian pay: $62,890 per year ($30.24 per hour)Paralegal certificate or associate degree; some employers prefer a bachelor'sHow to become a paralegal →

Skilled Trades

ElectricianTime: 4–5 years (apprenticeship to journeyman)Median pay: $63,190 per year ($30.38 per hour)High school diploma or GED, with at least one year of algebraHow to become an electrician →HVAC TechnicianTime: 6 months–2 years of training; 3–5 years for an apprenticeshipMedian pay: $61,010 per year ($29.33 per hour)High school diploma or GEDHow to become an hvac technician →PlumberTime: 4–5 years (apprenticeship to journeyman)Median pay: $63,800 per year ($30.67 per hour)High school diploma or GEDHow to become a plumber →

Business & Sales

Real Estate AgentTime: 2–6 monthsMedian pay: $52,830 per year (sales agents); $73,220 for brokersHigh school diploma or GEDHow to become a real estate agent →Travel AgentTime: 1–6 monthsMedian pay: $50,160 per yearHigh school diploma or GEDHow to become a travel agent →

Transportation & Aviation

Air Traffic ControllerTime: 2–4 years from application to fully certified controllerMedian pay: $148,080 per year1 year of work experience, a bachelor's degree, or an AT-CTI programHow to become an air traffic controller →Flight AttendantTime: 3–9 months from application to first flightMedian pay: $63,580 per yearHigh school diploma or GEDHow to become a flight attendant →PilotTime: 2–4 years from zero to airline first officerMedian pay: $232,140 per year (airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers); $123,220 per year (commercial pilots)High school diploma; many airlines prefer a bachelor's degreeHow to become a pilot →Truck DriverTime: 1–3 months (full-time CDL school)Median pay: $58,640 per year ($28.19 per hour)High school diploma or GED preferred; CDL training requiredHow to become a truck driver →

Creative & Performing Arts

ActorTime: 1–5+ years to steady paid workMedian pay: $29.05 per hourNone required; classes, a BFA or conservatory training are commonHow to become an actor →

Fitness & Flexible Work

DoorDash DriverTime: A few days to 2 weeks (background check)Median pay: No official median for Dashers. Closest BLS comparison, light truck drivers: $44,860 per yearNone requiredHow to become a doordash driver →Personal TrainerTime: 3–6 monthsMedian pay: $47,160 per year ($22.67 per hour)High school diploma or GEDHow to become a personal trainer →