20 most common professions in USA

The US has a vibrant job market with many jobs available. But if you are a student and want to stay back, job hunting in the US can be stressful. Yet, you may get lucky if you possess the right qualifications for the most sought-after jobs. This blog post discusses the top 10 jobs in demand in the US. It also assesses hot part-time student jobs, the US shortage list jobs, and employment opportunities for foreign students after obtaining their MS.

June 23, 2025
9 min read
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In this article, we explore 20 of the most common professions in USA that you can apply for.

1- Cashier

A cashier is employed in a retail setting and makes transactions for a customer's purchase. Cashiers help customers locate products they are looking for and bag grocery items for customers.

National average salary: $24,193 per year

2- Food Preparation Worker

A food preparation worker cleans the kitchen space at restaurants. They measure, weigh, and chop ingredients needed for dishes on the restaurant menu. Food preparation workers check the storage areas for food temperatures and replenish the restaurant salad bar.

National average salary: $31,931 per year

3- Stocking Associate

Working as a stock associate or stock clerk is one example of a role many people fill, and stock clerk positions are among the jobs that help answer what is the most common job in the United States. Stock associates unload merchandise when it comes into the warehouse, verify it for proper labeling and shipping damage, and update inventory records to determine if the warehouse requires additional units of a product.

National average salary: $27,320 per year

4- Laborer

A laborer will perform at a construction site and identify effective methods of finishing physical tasks. They help clean and clear away debris and assist in loading and unloading material. They examine construction plans to identify practical means of completing tasks.

National average salary: $45,580 per year

5- Home Health and Personal Care Aides

People who assist disabled individuals suffering from chronic diseases and help them perform their daily chores by supervising their state. Some cases are related to personal care, assistance with transport, appointment schedules, and cleaning. They can be based in the home, group homes, or day service programs.

National average salary: $40,110 per year

6- Construction Worker

A construction laborer inspects equipment operates machinery, and makes use of it on a construction site. They transport supplies to various locations and can cut materials to specifications for their projects.

National average salary: $49,871 per year

7- Bookkeeper

Bookkeeping is one of the most common professions in many industries, where a bookkeeper keeps a company's income and expenses and issues invoices to customers for payment. They use accounting software to assist in constructing reports and determining the company's financial position.

National average salary: $50,820 per year

8- Server

A server, waiter, or waitress writes down orders of food and drinks. They relay the customers' orders to the chef. They serve food to customers, and they respond to other questions that customers might have for them. Servers clean dining areas after a customer departs from the restaurant.

National average salary: $32,845 per year

9- Medical Assistant

A medical assistant makes patients' appointments and welcomes them upon arrival at a medical centre. They take blood, administer vaccines if a patient is due for one and educate patients on medical procedures they're undergoing.

National average salary: $36,584 per year

10- Operation Managers

Operations managers play a crucial role in many organizations, and this role is among the most common careers in USA. An operations manager develops training standards and hiring practices for new hires, and looks at business procedures to enhance staff performance and work quality.

National average salary: $71,166 per year

11- Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants are in charge of managing executives' travel schedules and calendars. They arrange supplies for the workplace and make presentations based on industry research.

National average salary: $40,052 per year

12- Marketing Specialist

A server, waiter, or waitress writes down orders of food and drinks. They relay the customers' orders to the chef. They serve food to customers and respond to other questions that customers might have for them. Servers clean dining areas after a customer departs from the restaurant.

National average salary: $57,173 per year

13- Customer Service Representative

Being a customer service representative is one of the most common occupations in most industries. A customer service agent speaks with customers, informs them of the goods and services offered by the business, authorized transactions, addresses problems, and manages refunds.

National average salary: $38,964 per year

14- Mechanic

A mechanic checks a car's condition using tools for auto parts such as oil filter wrenches, tire pressure gauges, and spark plugs. They discuss with clients the price of repairs and perform repairs on transmissions, engines and air conditioners.

National average salary: $48,014 per year

15- Police officer

A police officer responds to and investigates emergency incidents in their neighborhood. They collect evidence and arrest suspects. They interview eyewitnesses and interrogate possible suspects to ensure their credibility aligns with the collected evidence.

National average salary: $59,621 per year

16- Carpenter

A carpenter chooses materials for a building they are constructing and constructs and fixes building frames. They use equipment to install a building's frame or fittings like tubs, showers and kitchen cabinets.

National average salary: $54,052 per year

17- Bartender

Working as a bartender is one of the most common professions in the hospitality industry. A bartender prepares and serves alcoholic beverages to customers at a bar or restaurant, engages with them to learn their drink preferences, and restocks bar supplies.

National average salary: $39,458 per year

18- Line Supervisor

A line supervisor, also a "first-line supervisor," provides guidance to the manufacturing workers in order to help them make things. Supervisors monitor the operation of the manufacturing process established by project managers and engineers.

National average salary: $65,810 per year

19- Office Clerk

An office clerk supports an organization by carrying out a wide range of clerical tasks. They take calls, sort correspondence and file confidential documents. They prepare reports for the management, welcome visitors and prepare bills for payment.

National average salary: $36,770 per year

20- Truck Driver

A truck driver delivers goods to distribution and retail outlets in their region. They maintain a record of travel time and are responsible for ensuring that deadlines on shipments are met.

National average salary: $74,931 per year

Key Takeaways:

1. Professions common in the USA are healthcare, retail, food services, office administration, and also education-related fields.

2. Some of the high-demand professions are registered nurses, software developers, and customer service representatives.

3. Careers in the STEM and healthcare fields are burgeoning.

4. Such professions include teaching, accounting, and sales, which boast high employment rates.

5. Since the advent of the 21st century, the gig economy and more recently remote work, have undoubtedly seen a rise in general popularity. More and more are choosing to be freelancers or independent contractors.

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