All careers
Answer a few yes-or-no questions to narrow things down. Skip any you're not sure about.
Real estate agent
Full step-by-step guideHelp people buy and sell homes, and build your own client list.
- Median pay
- $52,830 a year
- Cost to start
- $300 to $1,200
- Time to start
- 2 to 6 months
Insurance agent (life and health)
Help families pick life and health coverage, often with a set schedule.
- Median pay
- $62,280 a year
- Cost to start
- $100 to $500
- Time to start
- 3 to 8 weeks
Insurance claims adjuster
Full step-by-step guideInspect damage after storms and accidents and decide what insurance pays.
- Median pay
- $78,020 a year
- Cost to start
- $200 to $500
- Time to start
- 1 to 2 months
Home inspector
Check houses top to bottom before people buy them.
- Median pay
- $74,690 a year
- Cost to start
- $1,000 to $3,500
- Time to start
- 2 to 6 months
Mortgage loan officer
Guide people through getting a home loan.
- Median pay
- $76,690 a year
- Cost to start
- $300 to $800
- Time to start
- 1 to 3 months
Real estate appraiser
Work out what a home is worth for buyers, sellers and banks.
- Median pay
- $67,960 a year
- Cost to start
- $2,000 to $5,000
- Time to start
- 1 to 3 years as a trainee
Financial services representative
Start in finance by passing the SIE exam, then join a firm.
- Median pay
- $78,660 a year
- Cost to start
- $100 to $400
- Time to start
- 1 to 3 months to pass the SIE
Personal trainer
Coach people to get stronger and healthier.
- Median pay
- $47,160 a year
- Cost to start
- $500 to $1,000
- Time to start
- 2 to 4 months
Commercial drone pilot
Fly drones for real estate photos, roof checks, farms and events.
- Median pay
- No official figure
- Cost to start
- $700 to $2,500 with a drone
- Time to start
- 1 to 2 months to get certified
Boat captain (charters and tours)
Take small groups out on the water for fishing trips and tours.
- Median pay
- $92,460 a year
- Cost to start
- $1,000 to $2,000
- Time to start
- Needs about a year of logged boating first
Restaurant and food service
Cook, serve or run a kitchen, with jobs available almost everywhere.
- Median pay
- $31,710 a year
- Cost to start
- $10 to $20 for a food handler card, often paid by the employer
- Time to start
- 1 to 2 weeks
Electrician or plumber apprentice
Get paid to learn a skilled trade on real job sites.
- Median pay
- $63,190 a year
- Cost to start
- Usually free, and you're paid while you train
- Time to start
- Hired as an apprentice in 1 to 3 months
Pharmacy technician
Fill prescriptions and help patients at a pharmacy counter.
- Median pay
- $45,750 a year
- Cost to start
- $0 with on-the-job training, up to $3,000 for a program
- Time to start
- 3 to 12 months
Registered nurse
Care for patients in hospitals, clinics and homes.
- Median pay
- $97,550 a year
- Cost to start
- $10,000 or more for school, with aid available
- Time to start
- 2 to 4 years of school
Bookkeeper
Keep the books for small businesses, often from home.
- Median pay
- $50,670 a year
- Cost to start
- $0 to $800
- Time to start
- 2 to 6 months
HVAC technician
Full step-by-step guideInstall and fix heating and air conditioning in homes and buildings.
- Median pay
- $61,010 a year
- Cost to start
- $0 to $500
- Time to start
- Start as a paid helper in a few weeks
Construction helper
Start on a building crew and learn a trade as you go.
- Median pay
- $46,680 a year
- Cost to start
- Under $200 for boots and basic tools
- Time to start
- 1 to 4 weeks
Truck driver
Haul freight across town or across the country.
- Median pay
- $58,640 a year
- Cost to start
- $0 with company-paid training, $3,000 to $10,000 at a private school
- Time to start
- 3 to 8 weeks
IT support specialist
Full step-by-step guideHelp people fix computer, network and account problems.
- Median pay
- $62,890 a year
- Cost to start
- Free programs exist; certification exams cost about $250 each
- Time to start
- 3 to 6 months
Cybersecurity analyst
Protect companies from hackers and data leaks.
- Median pay
- $129,180 a year
- Cost to start
- Free programs up to about $500
- Time to start
- 6 to 24 months
Seasonal tax specialist
Help people file their taxes from home during tax season.
- Median pay
- $54,920 a year
- Cost to start
- Free training
- Time to start
- Train in the fall, work January to April
Dental hygienist or assistant (temp shifts)
Already licensed? Pick up paid shifts at local dental offices.
- Median pay
- $98,100 a year
- Cost to start
- Free to join if you're already licensed
- Time to start
- Days, once you're licensed
Notary and loan signing agent
Witness signatures and guide people through home loan paperwork.
- Median pay
- No official figure
- Cost to start
- $100 to $500
- Time to start
- 2 to 6 weeks
Nothing matches every answer yet. Try changing one or two, or take the full quiz for a more personal match.