If you’re interested in working in the comfort of an office rather than on your feet or outside all day, a desk job might be a great choice for you.
In this article, we’ll go over the best desk jobs and how to know which office job is the right choice for you.
Key Takeaways:
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Desk jobs provide a great environment for those who want to have a consistent workspace.
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Many desk jobs are high-paying.
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Entry-level desk jobs are quite common and accessible.
12 best-paying desk jobs
Desk jobs can provide great opportunities to make a lot of money. Consider the following high-paying desk jobs:
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Median Salary: $134,192
Job Growth: 15%As far as office jobs that pay well are concerned, investment fund managers are at the top of the list. These professionals handle their clients’ investment portfolios, using their economic expertise to grow their wealth.
The majority of investment fund managers go to college for a bachelor’s degree. So while you may have some student debt, that really won’t be much of an issue with a median salary of $134,192. Plus with the career expected to grow 15%, this desk job couldn’t get any better.
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Median Salary: $123,456
Job Growth: 11%If you like computers and technology, you’ll probably agree that information systems directors have some of the best office jobs. They oversee companies’ entire IT systems, making sure they’re running smoothly and are up-to-date.
By 2028, the number of information systems director positions is expected to grow by a total of 11%. With the increasing number of job opportunities, you’re sure to find a job in this field in no time. If that isn’t enough to convince you that this is a great job, maybe the average salary of $123,456 a year will be enough.
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Median Salary: $105,376
Job Growth: 21%If you enjoy programming computers and coming up with new operating systems, you’re sure to love this desk job.
A bachelor’s degree is a small price to pay for a median salary of $105,376. But that’s not the best part about becoming a systems software developer. No, the best part is the extreme growth the career is expected to have over the next eight years. At 21% growth, the position is expected to add 284,100 job opportunities.
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Information Technology Manager
Median Salary: $110,398
Job Growth: 11%Becoming an information technology manager is one of the best office jobs if you’re interested in helping companies maintain and improve their IT systems.
Almost every company needs someone skilled in this role, so as an information technology manager, you can expect a median salary of $110,398. Not too shabby for being able to sit at a desk all day.
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Median Salary: $90,264
Job Growth: 20%Actuaries have desk jobs that require a love of math and statistics, as they measure financial risks for businesses and provide strategies for lowering those risks. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a few certifications to become an actuary.
Out of the other desk jobs that pay well that you’ve read about thus far, actuaries earn the lowest median salary at $90,264. While that’s nothing to scoff about, it isn’t the best part about this position. You see, the job is predicted to grow 20% by 2028.
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Median Salary: $124,996
Job Growth: 8%For a chief development officer, desk life does not get any better. I mean, being able to lead a team of employees to success from the comfort of your desk chair (and probably your own private office) is the dream.
That dream gets better when you find out that the median salary for a CDO is $124,996. Hello, moneybags! On top of that, the position is expected to grow by 8% within the next eight years. That means an additional 6,300 job opportunities for you to take advantage of.
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Median Salary: $84,632
Job Growth: 21%Software developers have some of the best office jobs. Not only do they get to stay off their feet while they use their mastery of computer code to create new software, but they also make an average salary of $84,632.
While the salary is a definite selling point for this desk job, the best part is the 21% growth rate this career is set to experience.
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Median Salary: $106,445
Job Growth: 8%As one of the most important office jobs for a company’s growth, you’ve likely come across some marketing jobs in your job search journey. Marketing managers are in charge of creating strategies for strengthening the company’s brand and connecting with customers, and they usually have at least a bachelor’s degree if not a master’s as well.
In addition to exciting work and a nice desk job, marketing managers also enjoy a median salary of $106,445 and an 8% job growth rate.
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Median Salary: $87,478
Job Growth: 8%
Public relations managers have high-paying office jobs that focus on strengthening a company’s relationship with its customers and stakeholders.The majority of employers tend to look for those who have earned a master’s degree, but with a median salary of $87,478, you won’t have to worry about settling your school debt for too long. That’s not the only positive about this desk position: The job is expanding every year and will continue to do so at an 8% growth rate.
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Director of Operations and Finance
Median Salary: $118,001
Job Growth: 6%A director of operations and finance position is a great desk job for someone who loves to take charge. A director of operations and finance oversees the financial transactions of a business.
If you have an interest in developing financial revenue procedures and identifying new opportunities for your company to grow, then this is the job for you.
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Median Salary: $111,940
Job Growth: 6%
Most industries come with plenty of regulations, so a regulatory affairs manager spends time behind a desk making sure a business follows those regulations.In this role, you’d advise organizations on how to follow these guidelines while maintaining business goals. This is a job that combines a lot of time at a desk with travel opportunities, as well as a generous median salary.
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Median Salary: $119,052
Job Growth: 6%Attorneys have some of the best office jobs because they can choose specialties that let them work almost exclusively in an office or that allow them to get out into the courtroom regularly. To become an attorney, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a law degree, and a passing score on your state’s bar exam.
Once you do that, however, you’ll be well on your way to earning a generous salary from the comfort of your desk chair.
5 best entry-level desk jobs
If you’re interested in a desk job but aren’t sure where to get started, fear not: There are plenty of entry-level desk jobs that allow you to begin an office-based career.
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Median Salary: $45,348
Job Growth: 5%Payroll specialists work in offices where they collect data and maintain employee databases and calculate working hours, bonuses, benefits, and tax deductions to make sure employees are paid correctly. It is a great job for anyone who loves numbers and people.
This role can be a great entry point for a career in HR, accounting, or other related desk jobs.
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Median Salary: $33,437
Job Growth: 5%If you want to break into the healthcare industry but still want a desk job, consider working as a medical billing clerk. In this role, you’ll process payments and make billing arrangements for hospitals and healthcare clinics.
This is a great way to gain an understanding of how medical facilities operate as well as valuable professional skills.
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Median Salary: $29,180
Job Growth: 5%A receptionist position is a desk job that requires a lot of communication. Receptionists facilitate calls, emails, and meetings between the company and clients, as well as provide helpful information and administrative assistance.
You can have a long, fulfilling career as a receptionist, or you can use the skills and experience you gain in this role to help propel you into other positions.
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Median Salary: $37,578
Job Growth: 10%This is a great desk job for anyone good with computers and other technology. A help desk analyst helps customers with technical IT problems over the phone, via email, live chat, or remote-controlled screen sharing.
This entry-level role is a great way to gain both IT and customer service experience.
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Median Salary:$53,191
Job Growth: 6%If you’re passionate about helping people communicate more effectively, this desk job might be a great fit for you.
As communications associate, you will work across various departments to ensure communication about the activities or nature of your company is robust and consistent. These roles often lead to more advanced communications-based positions within a company.
What to look for in a desk job
Desk jobs are popular, to say the least: They’ve increased by 83% since 1950, and now 86% of workers sit for their work. Pay is a major motivating factor for people to enter these jobs, as those who work desk jobs are twice as likely to earn six-figure salaries as those who don’t work at a desk.
Not all desk jobs will be a great fit for you, though. As you consider your options, the following factors can help you choose the best office job for you:
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Salary potential. Money isn’t everything, but it is a necessary part of life. Before you apply for a job, consider what type of salary you need now to make ends meet, as well as the potential for raises a position offers.
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Education requirements. Some desk jobs require a master’s degree while others don’t require any degree at all. Consider how many years of school you’re willing to commit to before you set your heart on a specific job.
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Career growth opportunities. Look for jobs that align with your career goals — you probably can’t get a management role right away, but you can find a job that naturally leads to the leadership position you’re aiming for.
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The perks. From health benefits to free snacks, companies offer a wide range of perks to their employees. You can even look for an office that has an on-site gym or a game room that makes desk jobs look even more appealing.
Desk job FAQ
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What is an example of a desk job?
A reception position is an example of a desk job. A receptionist is typically tasked with administrative tasks such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing information about the organization to visitors. This job typically requires a high school diploma and good communication skills.
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What are some benefits of desk jobs?
Benefits of desk jobs include comfortable working conditions and predictability. Desk jobs allow for more accommodations than a job that requires a lot of standing. This can be beneficial to anyone who has a disability or have a hard time standing for long periods of time. Desk jobs are also more predictable with the day-to-day expectations. This can be helpful to anyone who likes to know exactly what they will be doing at work.
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What is a common problem for people who work at a desk?
Bad posture is a common problem for those who work at a desk all day long. Sitting at a desk and typing all day can cause your arms to be too high or too low in proximity to the keyboard which can cause issues with neck and shoulder pain. If you sit at a desk all day, try lowering or raising your chair that way you are at a better angle. You should also try different stretches that allow for your posture to improve.
References
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Lawyer Occupational Outlook
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Receptionist Occupational Outlook
Author
Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.
