20 jobs that keep you on your feet

These jobs take you beyond the office.

Not every job requires hours spent hunched behind a desk. Many health care, engineering and social services jobs allow workers to get out in nature, work the hospital floor or sit face-to-face with patients and clients. While paperwork may still be a component of these jobs, which placed high among U.S. News’ 100 Best Jobs of 2017, it’s not the only part of these workers’ days. Click on to see which jobs made the list.

Paramedic Median Salary: $31,980 Unemployment Rate: 1.3 percent Expected Job Openings: 58,500 These medical workers are first on the scene after an accident or health emergency. Their job requires physical strength as well as a cool head in stressful situations. (ThinkStock) Learn more about paramedics.

Patrol Officer Median Salary: $58,320 Unemployment Rate: 1 percent Expected Job Openings: 34,200 Officers patrol, write reports and protect the communities in which they serve. A major portion of the job involves spending time in the community, making their presence known and responding to incidents. (ThinkStock)

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Owners bringing their pet to veterinarian — **Veterinary Technologist and Technician** **Median Salary:** $31,800 **Unemployment Rate:** 1.8 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 17,900 These professionals assist veterinarians with the tasks involved in diagnosing and treating their animal patients. Veterinary technologists and technicians often work face-to-face with animals, including holding, cleaning or restraining them. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/shironosov) *Learn more about veterinary technologists and technicians.* (Getty Images/iStockphoto/shironosov)

A contract ratified by the Washington Teachers' Union could give DCPS teachers a 9 percent raise over a three-year period.
(Thinkstock) — **High School Teacher** **Median Salary:** $57,200 **Unemployment Rate:** 2 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 55,900 These instructors focus on teaching secondary students, typically specializing in a subject such as science, math, literature or art. While paperwork, including grading tests and assignments, is often a large part of the job, these education professionals may spend much of the day on their feet as they lecture, instruct and corral their teenage students. (ThinkStock) *Learn more about high school teachers.* (Thinkstock)

The veterinarian checks teeth to a small kitten over white background — **Veterinarian** **Median Salary:** $88,490 **Unemployment Rate:** 0.4 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 6,900 These animal health professionals examine, diagnose and treat their animal patients. Some may work in private clinics or hospitals while others travel to farms or slaughterhouses to treat their furry, scaly or slimy patients. *Learn more about veterinarians.* (Getty Images/iStockphoto/2002lubava1981)

Wind Turbine Technician Median Salary: $51,050 Unemployment Rate: 5.1 percent Expected Job Openings: 4,800 These workers adjust, inspect or repair wind turbines. Wind turbine technicians often work outdoors, traveling to rural areas where wind farms are located, to repair and maintain the turbines. (AP/Jeff Schrier) Learn more about wind turbine technicians.

A pharmacy tech fills a prescription. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) — **Pharmacist** **Median Salary:** $121,500 **Unemployment Rate:** 1.7 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 9,100 Pharmacists dispense medicines, instruct patients on how to take them, keeps records, coordinate with insurance companies and manage pharmacy technicians. For many pharmacists, much of the day is spent on their feet, interacting with customers and staff from behind the pharmacy counter. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) *Learn more about pharmacists.* (AP/Rich Pedroncelli)

Environmental Engineer Median Salary: $84,560 Unemployment Rate: 0.8 percent Expected Job Openings: 6,800 These engineers use their training to solve environmental problems, including issues with recycling, waste disposal and pollution. These engineers may break up office hours with visits to project sites to monitor progress. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Learn more about environmental engineers.

Anesthesiologist Median Salary: >$187,199 Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 7,100 These medical specialists administer anesthesia to numb pain during invasive procedures. Anesthesiologists may spend hours on their feet, working with patients, administering anesthesia and monitoring vital signs during medical procedures. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Learn more about anesthesiologists.

Radiation Therapist Median Salary: $80,220 Unemployment Rate: 1.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 2,300 Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases using radiation. These pros work in hospitals, physicians’ offices and other health care centers, often standing for long hours, lifting or turning patients. Learn more about radiation therapists. (ThinkStock)

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Physical therapist helping patient with crutches — **Physical Therapist** **Median Salary:** $84,020 **Unemployment Rate:** 1.1 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 71,800 PTs help patients battling physical issues or injuries regain movement and manage pain. These health care pros spend a lot of time on their feet, lifting, moving and working with patients. (Getty Images/Jupiterimages) *Learn more about physical therapists.* (Getty Images/Jupiterimages)

**Massage Therapist** **Median Salary:** $38,040 **Unemployment Rate:** 2 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 36,500 Massage therapists reduce and relieve pain and unwind tense muscles using a variety of techniques. This physically demanding job may involve hours of standing and repetitive motions. (ThinkStock)

Nurse Midwife Median Salary: $92,510 Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 1,300 These trained medical specialists diagnose and coordinate the birthing process for their patients. Nurse midwives may work in hospitals, clinics or even travel to patients’ homes, with time behind the desk broken up by visits with their patients, including assisting with the childbirth process. (AP) Learn more about nurse midwives.

**Surgeon** **Median Salary:** >$187,199 **Unemployment Rate:** 0.6 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 9,100 Scalpel, please. Surgeons operate on patients to help treat diseases, injuries and other issues, and they may need to stand for long periods during surgical procedures. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/megaflopp) *Learn more about surgeons.* (Getty Images/iStockphoto/megaflopp)

Occupational Therapy Assistant Median Salary: $57,870 Unemployment Rate: 0.6 percent Expected Job Openings: 14,100 Patients may require occupational therapy to manage a lifelong medical condition or the effects of a stroke, accident or other physical trauma. OTAs spend time working in hospitals, nursing care facilities and occupational therapists’ offices. Their days may involve setting up equipment and working actively with patients. Learn more about occupational therapy assistants.

Confident female physical therapist working with senior man in health club — **Occupational Therapist** **Median Salary:** $80,150 **Unemployment Rate:** 1.3 percent **Expected Job Openings:** 30.400 These professionals spend a lot of time on their feet, assisting patients who are injured, ill or disabled to recover or improve mobility skills. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/g-stockstudio) *Learn more about occupational therapists.* (Getty Images/iStockphoto/g-stockstudio)

Nurse Anesthetist Median Salary: $157,140 Unemployment Rate: 0.7 percent Expected Job Openings: 7,400 These registered nurses specialize in anesthesiology, administering drugs to minimize the pain of procedures. These health professionals spend lots of time on their feet, working closely with patients in clinics, hospitals and other health care centers. (Getty Images/Wavebreak Media/Wavebreakmedia Ltd) Learn more about nurse anesthetists.