That profession you admire so much may look perfect in your head until it’s time to get a job and you realize that it’s no longer in demand.
If you’re like most reasonable people, you’d want to go for a career that offers lucrative job opportunities not just for the time being but for years to come.
We understand that there are thousands of jobs out there that can be eye-catching and you wouldn’t want to waste years in the wrong field. That’s why we’ve taken out the time and patience to compile a list of lucrative professions that will help secure your future and save you the stress of doing so yourself.
Our list is derived from sources across the web. We’ve looked at the data provided by the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, and compared it with an internally generated list of high-paying demand jobs in Nigeria and other parts of the world, before arriving at these.
Best Secure Jobs for the Future
- Software Developer
- Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioners.
- Physicians and Surgeons
- Dentists
- Web developer
- Technical writer
- Accountants and Auditors
- Marketing Manager
- Data Scientist
- Human Resource Manager
- Information Security Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Industrial Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Post Secondary Education Teachers
- Chefs
Software Developer
If you’re reading this right now, you’re doing so with the help of a mobile device. Our phones, laptops and tablets are all pieces of hardware that require software applications to run smoothly. Software developers are responsible for designing, coding, testing and developing software for different uses ranging from business software solutions for big organisations to consumer-focused mobile applications to be used by individuals.
To become a successful software developer, all you need are coding skills. You can learn how to code through a degree program, by investing in an online course or you can yourself through tutorials on YouTube. Your mode of acquiring the skills doesn’t matter, as long as you’re good and you can defend your skills in a technical interview, clients will gladly hire you.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N250,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $9,500
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 22%
Registered Nurse (RN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP)
Registered nurses (RN) work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, surgery centres, doctor’s offices and patients’ homes, providing medical care and support to patients. Depending on their area of specialization and where they work, their job can include things like administering medications, monitoring vital signs and assisting with surgery, updating medical records, monitoring equipment, and teaching and communicating with the patient.
Nurse practitioners (NP) on the other hand are registered nurses who have extra training and certification in primary care services. An NP can perform some doctor’s duties like ordering medications, lab tests or an X-ray.
To become a registered nurse, you’ll need a nursing degree or diploma and licensing. For a nurse practitioner, you must have a master’s degree, experience in that field and licensing.
Average Salary in Nigeria: RN– N227,000, NP– N337,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: RN– $6,000, NP- $9,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: RN– 15%, NP– 31%
Physicians and Surgeons
The job of a physician is to study, diagnose and treat diseases, and injuries, and promote, maintain and restore health. As a surgeon, you’ll have to perform preoperative diagnosis of the patient, perform operations and also give postoperative care and treatment.
You’ll need to get a medical degree which will take you about a decade and lots of money.
Average Salary in Nigeria: Physician- N500,000, Surgeon- N970,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: Physician- $13,300 Surgeon- $21,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 13%
Dentists
Your job as a dentist is to offer patients healthcare advice and instructions on good oral care. You’ll be dealing with a lot of gum, teeth and mouth-related problems, including activities like removing plaques and screening for oral cancer.
All you need for this profession is a doctoral degree and licensing to start earning money.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N292,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $13,000monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 19%
Web Developer
Web developers build websites for companies using coding languages like JavaScript and HTML. They also create website content and are responsible for maintaining the website and fixing any user issues.
You don’t necessarily need to have a degree to get started, just invest in a good course and build your portfolio. Although, some companies may request a bachelor’s or an associate degree in web development, programming, web design or any other relevant field.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N180,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $5,600 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 15%
Technical Writer
Technical writers are the bridge between companies and consumers. They help translate technical and complex information into simple sentences that can easily be understood by the end users of whatever product or service they’re writing about. Things like how-to guidelines and instruction manuals, on how to install a new smart TV or software application on your phone, all need to be written in easy-to-understand language. You can also write about Blockchain, crypto and tech-related articles for tech companies.
To become a technical writer, all you need is experience with the product or service and the ability to explain its functions clearly.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N200,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $5,900 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 7%
Accountants and Auditors
Accountants help organisations to keep and interpret financial records. As an accountant, you’ll have to analyse data, budgets, tax returns, financial reports, and accounting records while making sure that they are in line with the law. If you love playing with numbers, then this profession is for you. First, you’ll need to obtain a degree in accounting and additional certification to get started.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N150,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $5,700 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 10%
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are in charge of creating awareness aimed at driving sales for a company and their products or services. There are generalist and specialist marketing managers, and although the more specialised you get, the higher your pay, it’s still great to know a thing or two about other mediums of advertising and marketing. You can specialize in any of the following- e-commerce, social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing or search engine optimization.
You can launch a career in this field with a relevant degree in marketing or buy an online course. Whether or not you have a degree, if you have experience and can produce results, companies will gladly hire you.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N300,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $10,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 6%
Data Scientist
Organisations can collect, organise and analyze data with the help of the framework created by data scientists. This allows them to leverage the data to make better-informed decisions about their business.
A degree in computer science, engineering, statistics or maths is needed for this role.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N248,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $8,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 31%
Human Resources Manager
HR managers handle employee-related tasks including, recruitment, training, managing employee complaints, and improving company culture through team building and company wellness programs.
To become an HR manager requires a bachelor’s degree with excellent logistics and people skills.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N210,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $10,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 6%
Information Security Analyst
In times like this when companies store and send sensitive information digitally, it’s important to make sure that the stored information is secure and free from hack threats. Your job as an information security analyst includes evaluating a company’s current security digital processes, identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, researching and testing security solutions, and managing breaches or threats through the installation of firewalls and the use of data encryption.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science plus a master’s in cybersecurity is required for this role.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N186,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $8,500 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 31%
Financial Manager
As a financial manager, you get to identify the company’s weaknesses and risks, come up with solutions to eliminate those risks, set financial goals and prepare financial projections, reports and financial statements. You also come up with practical ways for the company to achieve their financial goals, increase profits, reduce costs or expand into new markets.
A bachelor’s degree in business, finance or any other related field will get your foot in the door and most likely get you hired.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N200,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $11,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 19%
Industrial Engineering
As an industrial engineer, you have the responsibility of coordinating people, machines, materials, energy and information to solve production problems. You’ll also need to use quality control, cost analysis, analytical software solutions and create distribution plans to increase profits. A degree in industrial engineering is needed for this role.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N288,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $7,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 10%
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers handle the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure in both public and private sectors including roads, airports, dams, and systems for water supply and sewage disposal. You’ll need a degree in civil engineering plus a licence to start.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N321,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $7,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 11%
Post Secondary Education Teachers
University professors and lecturers have the duty of helping young adults prepare for the real world. If you like the idea of continuous learning and meeting new faces then this occupation might be for you. Aside from lecturing in classrooms, other activities might include research, getting published or creating a college textbook. You’ll need a master’s degree or a PhD in your interested field.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N300,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $6,000 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 15%
Chefs
Chefs are quite different from cooks and they earn way more. Head chefs in big restaurants and five-star hotels are in charge of creating a menu, training new kitchen staff, and overseeing other chefs and operations in the kitchen. To become a chef, you must have gone to culinary school and have 1-5 years of experience.
Average Salary in Nigeria: N237,000 monthly
Average Salary in the US: $3,400 monthly
Job growth forecast between 2020-2030: 25%
Takeaway
Before you pursue that career, you need to consider three things- are there high-paying jobs? Is there current demand for jobs in this field? What does future demand for such jobs look like?
We hope our list of future careers in demand will help you to narrow down your search. But remember these are mere projections and they do not take into account things like natural disasters, war, or financial crises.
One last tip: careers in medicine, science, technology and engineering will always be in demand. So if you’re looking for a recession or pandemic-proof job, pick your choice from any profession in these fields.
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