10 'Boring' Jobs That Secretly Pay $120,000+ (And Are Desperate for Workers)
- - 10 'Boring' Jobs That Secretly Pay $120,000+ (And Are Desperate for Workers)
Andy LindquistJanuary 2, 2026 at 4:40 AM
0
Many high-paying careers don't require high-stakes drama or a spotlight on you at all times. In fact, some of the most stable roles in the U.S. economy are tucked away in back offices and corporate headquarters, offering six-figure salaries for those who appreciate routine and reliability.
If you're ready to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck and want a career with a lucrative salary, these jobs are in high demand and are looking to hire.
Editor's note: All salary information sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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1. Actuary
Median annual salary: $125,770
As an actuary, you'll use math and statistics to calculate the financial cost of risk for a company. Much of the job involves solitary work with statistical models and spreadsheets for insurance companies or government agencies.
You'll need a bachelor's degree and need to pass a series of professional actuarial exams, but the payoff is worth it: the field is exploding with a projected 22% growth rate through 2034.
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2. Financial manager
Median annual salary: $161,700
While others are out making deals, financial managers are in the office ensuring the books stay balanced. This role involves a steady diet of financial statements, tax laws, and internal audits to protect a company's long-term health.
If you have a bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience in accounting or analysis, you could capitalize on a field projected to grow 15% much faster than average through 2034.
3. Human Resources manager
Median annual salary: $140,030
HR managers oversee the essential administrative functions of a business, including payroll, regulatory compliance, and company-wide training. It's a stable desk job that keeps an organization running smoothly behind the scenes, but it's not exactly the most exciting work.
With a bachelor's degree and several years of experience, you can join a field expected to see 5% growth faster than average over the next decade.
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4. Software developer
Median annual salary: $131,450
While this role gets a lot of publicity for being the engine that drives the big tech companies in America, most of your time as a developer will be spent writing code, testing for bugs, and attending meetings. It's a mostly solitary job, and if you find deploying apps to be exciting, you're one of the outliers.
The job's growth rate is 15% over the next decade, well beyond the national average. With tech and AI companies in desperate need of developers, this number will likely increase over time.
5. Sales manager
Median annual salary: $138,060
While sales representatives handle the excitement of the pitch and the close, sales managers focus on the logistics of the entire department. This involves setting goals, analyzing performance data, and coordinating training programs from behind a desk.
A bachelor's degree is typically required to step into this administrative role. Employment is projected to grow 5% faster than average through 2034, with plenty of opportunities in wholesale trade and retail management.
6. Public relations manager
Median annual salary: $132,870
PR managers play a vital role in maintaining a consistent corporate voice. These are the unsung heroes who keep companies together and keep C-suite executives on task when addressing the public.
You'll need a bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience to qualify. Demand is solid, with a projected 5% growth rate as companies and government agencies seek to protect their reputations.
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7. Training and development manager
Median annual salary: $127,090
In this role, you'll coordinate the programs that keep a company's staff up to date on their skills. The work is mainly administrative, focusing on managing learning modules and tracking completion rates across the organization.
If you have a bachelor's degree and experience in HR or teaching, you could find a home in this field, which is expected to grow 6% faster than average through 2034.
8. Advertising and promotions manager
Median annual salary: $159,660
Instead of designing ads, you'll spend your time negotiating contracts and managing campaign budgets in this job. It's a role centered on logistics and legal disclosures rather than art.
If you're more interested in the backend of creative work rather than creating the content yourself, this could be a good fit. With a bachelor's degree and relevant experience, you can enter a field growing at a 6% rate through 2034.
9. Database administrator and architect
Median annual salary: $123,100
This job will see you create and maintain systems that store a company's most sensitive data, including customer records and financial logs. It's a technical role focused on organization and security, rather than creating databases or performing other computer programming tasks.
A bachelor's degree in a computer-related field is standard, and with 4% growth projected through 2034, these digital architects are in high demand.
10. Computer research scientist
Median annual salary: $140,910
The job involves writing algorithms, testing system architectures, and documenting experimental results in technical papers for computer applications. It is a highly academic, methodical role that, in most cases, requires a master's degree in computer science or a related field and deep focus.
With a massive 20% projected growth rate through 2034, these researchers are in high demand at government agencies, research laboratories, and software firms.
Bottom line
If you value stability and strong pay over excitement or visibility, these roles show that "boring" can be financially rewarding.
Many of these positions sit at the managerial or analytical core of large organizations, where routine oversight and long-term planning are more valuable than day-to-day excitement. That means you can keep growing your money more in this relaxed environment, and that will end up being far more exciting for your long-term future than any adrenaline rush at work.
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