With inflation still squeezing wallets, salary growth matters more than ever. If you’re currently in the job market or are considering a career change, you may want to target roles that are most likely to see paycheck increases in the coming year.
To find the jobs most likely to see pay raises in 2026, Resume Genius looked at compound annual growth rate in median annual pay from 2021 to 2024, number of jobs and projected job growth from 2024 to 2034.
Based on this analysis, these are the jobs where pay is rising fastest and where demand is expected to increase in the years ahead.
1. Financial Manager
- Median annual salary: $161,700
- Annual salary growth: 7.1%
- Why growth is strong: Companies and organizations depend on financial managers to stay on track, especially during times of economic uncertainty.
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2. Marketing Manager
- Median annual salary: $161,030
- Annual salary growth: 6.1%
- Why growth is strong: As competition increases, businesses depend on marketing managers to effectively drive results and keep growth on track.
3. Information Security Analyst
- Median annual salary: $124,910
- Annual salary growth: 6.8%
- Why growth is strong: Cyber threats and cloud adoption are driving demand for security analysts, and companies are willing to pay more to prevent costly breaches and protect sensitive data.
4. Data Scientist
- Median annual salary: $112,590
- Annual salary growth: 3.7%
- Why growth is strong: As companies invest in AI and automation, demand for data experts who ensure models are accurate and business-driven keeps rising.
5. Registered Nurse
- Median annual salary: $93,600
- Annual salary growth: 6.5%
- Why growth is strong: Healthcare wages are rising as employers compete to fill shortages and retain experienced staff in essential patient-facing roles.
6. Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer
- Median annual salary: $92,560
- Annual salary growth: 5.7%
- Why growth is strong: High pay reflects the risks and training required, with demand rising as utilities modernize grids, meet AI-driven power needs and handle storm-related repairs.
7. Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician
- Median annual salary: $78,680
- Annual salary growth: 6.4%
- Why growth is strong: Airlines are competing for certified technicians as aging fleets and delivery demand drive constant maintenance needs.
8. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Median annual salary: $62,340
- Annual salary growth: 7.6%
- Why growth is strong: Wages are climbing as long-term care providers struggle to fill shifts amid rising hands-on care needs.
9. Construction Equipment Operator
- Median annual salary: $58,320
- Annual salary growth: 6.5%
- Why growth is strong: Pay rises as employers compete for skilled operators who can meet the demand fueled by infrastructure projects and ongoing development.
10. Truck Driver
- Median annual salary: $57,440
- Annual salary growth: 5.9%
- Why growth is strong: High turnover and licensing limits shrink the driver pool, so employers are boosting pay to keep routes covered.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Jobs Most Likely To Get a Paycheck Boost in 2026
