A Dozen Careers That Do Good
When searching for fulfilling professions, many people reflect on whether their chosen lines of work will have positive effects on the world.
These 12 jobs from the U.S. News & World Report Best Jobs of 2018 rankings stand out for the ways in which they enable workers to directly help other people.
Salary and job growth data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Median annual salary: $43,300 Job growth by 2026: 23 percent
These therapists work with clients who are suffering from addiction, often to alcohol or drugs. They may counsel patients one-on-one or in group settings to help set treatment and recovery goals. They also teach healthy mechanisms to handle stress and provide insight about fixing personal and professional relationships that have been strained by drug abuse.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors usually need at least a bachelor’s degree, many hours of supervised clinical experience and a license to practice therapy.
Learn more about substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Mental Health Counselor
Median annual salary: $43,300 Job growth by 2026: 23 percent
People suffering from depression, anxiety, grief and relationship problems may seek the services of mental health counselors. These professionals assess patients’ needs and recommend treatment options. They may have their own practices or work in schools, prisons or employee assistance programs.
Mental health counselors require master’s degrees, many hours of clinical experience and state licenses.
Learn more about mental health counselors.
Social and Community Services Manager
Median annual salary: $64,100Job growth by 2026: 18 percent
Making sure programs designed to serve the public come to fruition and run efficiently and effectively are the responsibilities of social and community services managers. They may work for nonprofits, nursing homes or government agencies, and their duties may include analyzing program data, writing grant proposals to receive financial support and recruiting, hiring and training staff members.
These professionals typically need bachelor’s or master’s degrees to gain employment.
Learn more about social and community services managers.
Interpreter and Translator
Median annual salary: $47,190Job growth by 2026: 18 percent
Interpreters and translators foster communication between individuals and communities, the former using spoken information, the latter using written text. They may work in schools, hospitals, courtrooms, performing arts venues or for companies, bridging language and cultural barriers and keeping people with hearing impairments included in the proceedings.
These professionals need fluency in at least two languages, and their work usually requires a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about interpreters and translators.
High School Teacher
Median annual salary: $59,170Job growth by 2026: 8 percent
High school teachers often are deeply influential to their students, imparting lessons not just about math and literature, but also about life. These educators work in public and private schools to plan lessons, provide instruction and administer assessments.
High school teachers need bachelor’s degrees and subject matter expertise. Some also earn advanced degrees.
Learn more about high school teachers.
Dietitian and Nutritionist
Median annual salary: $59,410Job growth by 2026: 15 percent
Dietitians and nutritionists are experts on eating well. Their job duties may include assessing clients’ needs, developing meal plans, creating educational guides and conducting food science research. They may work in hospitals, nursing homes, for the government or independently.
These professionals need bachelor’s degrees and sometimes state licenses.
Learn more about dietitians and nutritionists.
Child and Family Social Worker
Median annual salary: $44,380Job growth by 2026: 14 percent
Protecting children who are at risk and families that need assistance are the primary responsibilities of these professionals. They help families access food, housing and child care services and check regularly on children who may be abused or neglected.
Child and family social workers need bachelor’s degrees to enter the field, and many need master’s degrees and licenses.
Learn more about child and family social workers.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Median annual salary: $48,790Job growth by 2026: 23 percent
Marriage and family therapists help couples and families work through conflicts and strengthen their relationships. They listen to clients describe their experiences and feelings, facilitate their conversations about difficult subjects and help them make decisions. Some of these therapists work independently, while others work for health care providers or governments.
These professionals need master’s degrees and licenses.
Learn more about marriage and family therapists.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Median annual salary: $76,610Job growth by 2026: 18 percent
People with serious speaking disorders enlist the services of speech-language pathologists. These professionals assess and treat communication and swallowing problems caused by injuries, diseases and developmental delays. They teach children and adults how to make sounds and develop their swallowing muscles.
This career requires a master’s degree and often a license.
Learn more about speech-language pathologists.
Nurse Midwife
Median annual salary: $100,590Job growth by 2026: 21 percent
Nurse midwives care for women and babies. They provide gynecological exams and pre-birth care, deliver newborns and teach new parents about the health needs of their children. They may work in hospitals or doctor’s offices.
Nurse midwives need master’s degrees and licenses.
Learn more about nurse midwives.
Lawyer
Median annual salary: $119,250Job growth by 2026: 8 percent
Although some lawyers work on behalf of corporations, many others represent the interests of individuals or the general public. They defend people’s rights in court, interpret laws as government employees and research matters of civic importance.
Lawyers need law degrees and must also pass bar exams permitting them to practice.
Learn more about lawyers.
Pediatrician
Median annual salary: $231,637Job growth by 2026: 15 percent
Pediatricians provide medical care to kids from the time they’re infants through their young adulthoods. They diagnose and treat ailments common to children, such as ear infections, poison ivy and bumps and bruises. They also chart growth and development and give vaccinations.
These doctors need medical degrees, residency experience and licenses.
Learn more about pediatricians.
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The 12 Best Jobs That Help People originally appeared on usnews.com
