25 careers
Best Outdoor Jobs
These careers spend much or most of the workday outside, on job sites, roads, rooftops, utility lines and wind farms. Expect weather, physical work and a lot of variety. None typically requires a four-year degree.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Substation Technician | $103,020 | +9.7% | 1–2 years + experience | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 2 | Refinery Operator | $96,710 | -1.9% | 6–18 months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Electrical Lineworker | $95,320 | +10.3% | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Detective | $93,790 | +0.2% | 3–5 years as a police officer | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Railroad Signal Technician | $92,460 | +1.8% | Railroad training plus months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Ship Captain | $92,460 | +4.0% | Years of sea time and credentials | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 7 | Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | +2.2% | 2–5 years of related experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Farm Manager | $89,900 | -3.4% | 5+ years of farm experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | -6.0% | 1–2+ years on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Construction Foreman | $79,920 | +5.0% | 5+ years in a trade | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 | +5.4% | 18–30 months | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 12 | Railroad Conductor | $78,000 | +0.9% | 3–6 months of railroad training | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Gas Compressor Operator | $77,320 | +2.1% | Months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Police Officer | $76,210 | +3.5% | 6–12 months (academy + field training) | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Fire Inspector | $75,920 | +4.2% | 1–2 years plus experience | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 16 | Construction and Building Inspector | $74,690 | 0.0% | Several years of trade experience + certification | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Control Valve Technician | $74,340 | +4.3% | Months to years of training | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Telecommunications Lineworker | $74,330 | -3.4% | 1–3 years | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Pile Driver Operator | $73,300 | -5.7% | Months to years of training | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | Commercial Diver | $72,990 | +4.8% | Diving school plus tending experience | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 21 | Railroad Track Equipment Operator | $70,070 | +1.5% | A few months of training | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 22 | Property Manager | $69,990 | +3.7% | 1–3 years of experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 23 | Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | -2.0% | Under 5 years of experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 24 | Railroad Switch Operator | $68,840 | +0.8% | Months of railroad training | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 25 | Crane Operator | $68,080 | +3.8% | 3–12 months plus experience | High school diploma or equivalent |
1. Substation Technician
Electrical and electronics repairers for powerhouses, substations and relays inspect, test, repair and maintain transformers, breakers, relays and control systems.
- Median pay: $103,020 ($49.53/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years + experience: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +9.7% (much faster than average), 1,800 openings/yr
Substation Technician career guide · Substation Technician training
2. Refinery Operator
Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers control refinery units, pumps and tanks that process and move crude oil and petroleum products.
- Median pay: $96,710 ($46.50/hr)
- Training: 6–18 months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -1.9% (a projected decline), 2,700 openings/yr
Refinery Operator career guide · Refinery Operator training
3. Electrical Lineworker
Electrical lineworkers install, maintain and repair the overhead and underground power lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses, often working at heights on energized equipment and restoring power after storms.
- Median pay: $95,320 ($45.83/hr)
- Training: 3–4 years (apprenticeship): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +10.3% (much faster than average), 10,900 openings/yr
Electrical Lineworker career guide · Electrical Lineworker training
4. Detective
Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, and build cases on crimes such as theft, fraud, assault and homicide.
- Median pay: $93,790 ($45.09/hr)
- Training: 3–5 years as a police officer: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +0.2% (little or no change), 7,800 openings/yr
Detective career guide · Detective training
5. Railroad Signal Technician
Signal and track switch repairers install, inspect, test, maintain or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches and related equipment.
- Median pay: $92,460 ($44.45/hr)
- Training: Railroad training plus months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +1.8% (slower than average), 800 openings/yr
Railroad Signal Technician career guide · Railroad Signal Technician training
6. Ship Captain
Captains, mates and pilots of water vessels command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, and navigate them on oceans, rivers, lakes and harbors.
- Median pay: $92,460 ($44.45/hr)
- Training: Years of sea time and credentials: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +4.0% (about as fast as average), 3,800 openings/yr
Ship Captain career guide · Ship Captain training
7. Transportation Inspector
Transportation inspectors check the safety of commercial vehicles, aircraft, railroads, vessels and freight, enforce federal and state regulations and investigate accidents and violations.
- Median pay: $92,100 ($44.28/hr)
- Training: 2–5 years of related experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +2.2% (slower than average), 2,300 openings/yr
Transportation Inspector career guide · Transportation Inspector training
8. Farm Manager
Farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock and dairy, managing operations, workers, finances and marketing.
- Median pay: $89,900 ($43.22/hr)
- Training: 5+ years of farm experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -3.4% (a projected decline), 70,800 openings/yr
Farm Manager career guide · Farm Manager training
9. Gas Plant Operator
Gas plant operators distribute or process gas for utilities and industry, controlling compressors, pipelines and processing equipment at plants and stations.
- Median pay: $87,820 ($42.22/hr)
- Training: 1–2+ years on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -6.0% (a projected decline), 1,400 openings/yr
Gas Plant Operator career guide · Gas Plant Operator training
10. Construction Foreman
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of construction or extraction workers.
- Median pay: $79,920 ($38.42/hr)
- Training: 5+ years in a trade: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +5.0% (faster than average), 67,000 openings/yr
Construction Foreman career guide · Construction Foreman training
11. Aircraft Mechanic
Aircraft mechanics inspect, maintain and repair airplanes and helicopters (engines, airframes, landing gear, hydraulics and systems) following FAA regulations so every aircraft is airworthy.
- Median pay: $79,870 ($38.40/hr)
- Training: 18–30 months: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +5.4% (faster than average), 11,400 openings/yr
Aircraft Mechanic career guide · Aircraft Mechanic training
12. Railroad Conductor
Railroad conductors coordinate train crews, verify cars and paperwork, switch and inspect cars, communicate with dispatchers and make sure trains follow operating rules.
- Median pay: $78,000 ($37.50/hr)
- Training: 3–6 months of railroad training: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +0.9% (little or no change), 3,000 openings/yr
Railroad Conductor career guide · Railroad Conductor training
13. Gas Compressor Operator
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators operate steam, gas, electric motor or internal combustion engine driven compressors to transmit, compress or recover gases.
- Median pay: $77,320 ($37.17/hr)
- Training: Months on the job: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +2.1% (slower than average), 300 openings/yr
Gas Compressor Operator career guide · Gas Compressor Operator training
14. Police Officer
Police officers protect lives and property by patrolling communities, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, investigating crimes, enforcing laws, writing reports and testifying in court.
- Median pay: $76,210 ($36.64/hr)
- Training: 6–12 months (academy + field training): high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +3.5% (about as fast as average), 51,500 openings/yr
Police Officer career guide · Police Officer training
15. Fire Inspector
Fire inspectors and investigators examine buildings to enforce fire codes, review plans and fire protection systems, and investigate fires to find their origin and cause.
- Median pay: $75,920 ($36.50/hr)
- Training: 1–2 years plus experience: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +4.2% (about as fast as average), 1,600 openings/yr
Fire Inspector career guide · Fire Inspector training
16. Construction and Building Inspector
Construction and building inspectors examine buildings, roads, utilities and other structures during and after construction to ensure they comply with building codes, zoning rules, approved plans and contract specifications.
- Median pay: $74,690 ($35.91/hr)
- Training: Several years of trade experience + certification: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: 0.0% (little or no change), 14,800 openings/yr
Construction and Building Inspector career guide · Construction and Building Inspector training
17. Control Valve Technician
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door, install, repair and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices such as valves and meters.
- Median pay: $74,340 ($35.74/hr)
- Training: Months to years of training: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +4.3% (about as fast as average), 3,600 openings/yr
Control Valve Technician career guide · Control Valve Technician training
18. Telecommunications Lineworker
Telecommunications line installers and repairers install and repair the cables, fiber optics and equipment that carry phone, cable and internet service.
- Median pay: $74,330 ($35.73/hr)
- Training: 1–3 years: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -3.4% (a projected decline), 8,000 openings/yr
Telecommunications Lineworker career guide · Telecommunications Lineworker training
19. Pile Driver Operator
Pile driver operators operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads and foundations.
- Median pay: $73,300 ($35.24/hr)
- Training: Months to years of training: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -5.7% (a projected decline), 200 openings/yr
Pile Driver Operator career guide · Pile Driver Operator training
20. Commercial Diver
Commercial divers work below the surface of water, using scuba or surface-supplied air equipment to inspect, repair, remove or install equipment and structures.
- Median pay: $72,990 ($35.09/hr)
- Training: Diving school plus tending experience: postsecondary nondegree award
- Growth: +4.8% (about as fast as average), 400 openings/yr
Commercial Diver career guide · Commercial Diver training
21. Railroad Track Equipment Operator
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators lay, repair and maintain track for railroads, using machines such as tampers, spike drivers and ballast regulators.
- Median pay: $70,070 ($33.69/hr)
- Training: A few months of training: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +1.5% (slower than average), 1,200 openings/yr
Railroad Track Equipment Operator career guide · Railroad Track Equipment Operator training
22. Property Manager
Property, real estate and community association managers oversee rental properties and associations, handling leasing, rent collection, maintenance, budgets, vendors and resident relations.
- Median pay: $69,990 ($33.65/hr)
- Training: 1–3 years of experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +3.7% (about as fast as average), 36,900 openings/yr
Property Manager career guide · Property Manager training
23. Wellhead Pumper
Wellhead pumpers operate power-driven pumps and equipment that move oil, gas and water from wells, checking production, adjusting equipment and keeping records.
- Median pay: $69,960 ($33.63/hr)
- Training: Under 5 years of experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: -2.0% (a projected decline), 1,700 openings/yr
Wellhead Pumper career guide · Wellhead Pumper training
24. Railroad Switch Operator
Railroad brake, signal and switch operators and locomotive firers operate railroad track switches, couple or uncouple rolling stock and watch for track obstructions.
- Median pay: $68,840 ($33.10/hr)
- Training: Months of railroad training: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +0.8% (little or no change), 900 openings/yr
Railroad Switch Operator career guide · Railroad Switch Operator training
25. Crane Operator
Crane and tower operators use mobile, tower and overhead cranes to lift and move heavy materials and equipment at construction sites, ports, rail yards and industrial facilities.
- Median pay: $68,080 ($32.73/hr)
- Training: 3–12 months plus experience: high school diploma or equivalent
- Growth: +3.8% (about as fast as average), 3,500 openings/yr
Crane Operator career guide · Crane Operator training
Methodology
Rankings use national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35)) for the 700+ careers profiled on Career Education Institute. Lists are not exhaustive of all U.S. occupations. Data checked October 15, 2026.
About this list
What is #1 on the list of outdoor jobs?
Substation Technician, with a median wage of $103,020 per year and about 1–2 years + experience of training.
How was this list made?
We ranked careers from our 700+ profiles using BLS May 2025 wage data and 2025–35 employment projections, applying the criteria described on this page.