Career change at 30
30 is a good age to change careers: you have work experience and more than 37 working years ahead. 34% of U.S. workers are under 35 (BLS, 2025), so newcomers are common. Below are 78 careers that usually take up to a bachelor's degree to prepare for, pay more than the U.S. median of $50,980, and have at least 34% of their workers under 35, the same share as the whole U.S. workforce.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS CPS 2025, BLS OEWS May 2025 and O*NET 31.0 · How we match careers
- Median age of U.S. workers
- 42.1
- U.S. workers under 35
- 34%
- U.S. median pay
- $50,980
- Careers on this page
- 78
78 careers to start at 30
Each one usually takes up to a bachelor's degree to prepare for, pays more than the U.S. median and has at least 34% of its workers under 35. Highest pay first.
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | Workers under 35 | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developers | $135,980 | A bachelor's degree | 42% | 38.6 |
| 2 | Aerospace Engineers | $134,960 | A bachelor's degree | 40% | 39.5 |
| 3 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,220 | A bachelor's degree | 36%Broader group | 41.4 |
| 4 | Chemical Engineers | $125,040 | A bachelor's degree | 46% | 38.1 |
| 5 | Electrical Engineers | $120,630 | A bachelor's degree | 36%Broader group | 41.4 |
| 6 | Data Scientists | $120,230 | A bachelor's degree | 44%Broader group | 38.4 |
| 7 | Materials Scientists | $117,790 | A bachelor's degree | 45%Broader group | 39.8 |
| 8 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,160 | A bachelor's degree | 38%Broader group | 42.1 |
| 9 | Materials Engineers | $112,860 | A bachelor's degree | 41% | 40.8 |
| 10 | Computer Systems Analysts | $105,850 | A bachelor's degree | 34% | 41.2 |
| 11 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $104,300 | A bachelor's degree | 35% | 42.3 |
| 12 | Mechanical Engineers | $104,110 | A bachelor's degree | 37% | 41.2 |
| 13 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | $104,000 | A bachelor's degree | 41% | 37.1 |
| 14 | Industrial Engineers | $102,440 | A bachelor's degree | 38%Broader group | 42.1 |
| 15 | Civil Engineers | $100,840 | A bachelor's degree | 39% | 41.3 |
| 16 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $96,590 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 42% | 39.7 |
| 17 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $95,320 | Up to a year | 40% | 39.3 |
| 18 | Web Developers | $92,650 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 49% | 36.2 |
| 19 | Chemists | $91,240 | A bachelor's degree | 45%Broader group | 39.8 |
| 20 | Transit and Railroad Police | $90,230 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 39.9 |
| 21 | Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,150 | A bachelor's degree | 42%Broader group | 39.7 |
| 22 | Microbiologists | $87,990 | A bachelor's degree | 35%Broader group | 38.2 |
| 23 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $82,890 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 24 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | A bachelor's degree | 38% | 40.3 |
| 25 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $78,760 | A bachelor's degree | 43% | 38.5 |
Show the other 53 careers
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | Workers under 35 | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $78,000 | Up to a year | 36% | 41.2 |
| 27 | Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $76,780 | A bachelor's degree | 35%Broader group | 38.2 |
| 28 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,210 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 39.9 |
| 29 | Terrazzo Workers and Finishers | $76,170 | Up to a year | 37%Broader group | 39.2 |
| 30 | Film and Video Editors | $75,420 | A bachelor's degree | 49%Broader group | 36.5 |
| 31 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 49%Broader group | 36.5 |
| 32 | Public Relations Specialists | $74,750 | A bachelor's degree | 35% | 40.1 |
| 33 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,510 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 34 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,900 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 35 | Pile Driver Operators | $73,300 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.9 |
| 36 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $68,380 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 45%Broader group | 37.4 |
| 37 | Tapers | $68,270 | Up to a year | 41%Broader group | 37.8 |
| 38 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | $68,120 | Up to a year | 40%Broader group | 41.2 |
| 39 | Interior Designers | $67,190 | A bachelor's degree | 36% | 41.7 |
| 40 | Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $66,270 | A bachelor's degree | 42% | 40.8 |
| 41 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,120 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 42 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,950 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 43 | Advertising Sales Agents | $64,820 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 41.4 |
| 44 | Surgical Technologists | $64,650 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 43% | 38.8 |
| 45 | Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $63,890 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 41.6 |
| 46 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38% | 40.2 |
| 47 | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | $63,520 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 41.6 |
| 48 | Electricians | $63,190 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 40% | 39.6 |
| 49 | Graphic Designers | $62,960 | A bachelor's degree | 38% | 41.8 |
| 50 | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,890 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 42.8 |
| 51 | Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,680 | A bachelor's degree | 40%Broader group | 39.3 |
| 52 | Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,470 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 40.5 |
| 53 | News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,200 | A bachelor's degree | 37% | 41.4 |
| 54 | Sheet Metal Workers | $61,800 | Up to a year | 35% | 42.3 |
| 55 | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $61,770 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 41.5 |
| 56 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,560 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 42%Broader group | 39.7 |
| 57 | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $61,160 | A bachelor's degree | 47% | 37.1 |
| 58 | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $61,010 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 40% | 39.9 |
| 59 | Carpenters | $60,580 | Up to a year | 36% | 41.5 |
| 60 | Chemical Technicians | $60,390 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 45% | 37.6 |
| 61 | Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | $60,070 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 41% | 39.1 |
| 62 | Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,920 | A bachelor's degree | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 63 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,850 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.9 |
| 64 | Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,650 | Up to a year | 38% | 41.9 |
| 65 | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | A bachelor's degree | 36% | 39.1 |
| 66 | Firefighters | $59,280 | Up to a year | 42% | 38.1 |
| 67 | Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,940 | Up to a year | 41% | 39.9 |
| 68 | Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,930 | Up to a year | 41%Broader group | 37.8 |
| 69 | Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,040 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.6 |
| 70 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,020 | Up to a year | 37%Broader group | 39.2 |
| 71 | Roofers | $55,440 | Up to a year | 47% | 36.6 |
| 72 | Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $54,890 | Up to a year | 37% | 40.7 |
| 73 | Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $54,240 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39% | 40.3 |
| 74 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | Up to a year | 42%Broader group | 39.3 |
| 75 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $53,340 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.9 |
| 76 | Public Safety Telecommunicators | $53,040 | Up to a year | 42% | 37.7 |
| 77 | Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians | $52,000 | Up to a year | 57%Broader group | 30.2 |
| 78 | Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,610 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.6 |
Workers under 35: share of employed people, BLS CPS 2025 (Table 11b). “Broader group”: BLS publishes ages only for a wider group of jobs. Supervisor and manager jobs are left out because they are usually filled by promotion. Methodology
Faster options: two years or less of preparation
The 47 careers from the list above that usually need two years or less of preparation.
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | Workers under 35 | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $96,590 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 42% | 39.7 |
| 2 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $95,320 | Up to a year | 40% | 39.3 |
| 3 | Web Developers | $92,650 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 49% | 36.2 |
| 4 | Transit and Railroad Police | $90,230 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 39.9 |
| 5 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $82,890 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 6 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $78,000 | Up to a year | 36% | 41.2 |
| 7 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,210 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 39.9 |
| 8 | Terrazzo Workers and Finishers | $76,170 | Up to a year | 37%Broader group | 39.2 |
| 9 | Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 49%Broader group | 36.5 |
| 10 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,510 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 11 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $73,900 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 12 | Pile Driver Operators | $73,300 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.9 |
| 13 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $68,380 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 45%Broader group | 37.4 |
| 14 | Tapers | $68,270 | Up to a year | 41%Broader group | 37.8 |
| 15 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | $68,120 | Up to a year | 40%Broader group | 41.2 |
Show the other 32 careers
| # | Career | Median pay | Usual preparation | Workers under 35 | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,120 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 17 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,950 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38%Broader group | 41.1 |
| 18 | Advertising Sales Agents | $64,820 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 41.4 |
| 19 | Surgical Technologists | $64,650 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 43% | 38.8 |
| 20 | Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $63,890 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 41.6 |
| 21 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 38% | 40.2 |
| 22 | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | $63,520 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39%Broader group | 41.6 |
| 23 | Electricians | $63,190 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 40% | 39.6 |
| 24 | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,890 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 42.8 |
| 25 | Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,470 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 40.5 |
| 26 | Sheet Metal Workers | $61,800 | Up to a year | 35% | 42.3 |
| 27 | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $61,770 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 36% | 41.5 |
| 28 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,560 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 42%Broader group | 39.7 |
| 29 | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $61,010 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 40% | 39.9 |
| 30 | Carpenters | $60,580 | Up to a year | 36% | 41.5 |
| 31 | Chemical Technicians | $60,390 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 45% | 37.6 |
| 32 | Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | $60,070 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 41% | 39.1 |
| 33 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,850 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.9 |
| 34 | Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,650 | Up to a year | 38% | 41.9 |
| 35 | Firefighters | $59,280 | Up to a year | 42% | 38.1 |
| 36 | Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,940 | Up to a year | 41% | 39.9 |
| 37 | Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,930 | Up to a year | 41%Broader group | 37.8 |
| 38 | Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,040 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.6 |
| 39 | Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,020 | Up to a year | 37%Broader group | 39.2 |
| 40 | Roofers | $55,440 | Up to a year | 47% | 36.6 |
| 41 | Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $54,890 | Up to a year | 37% | 40.7 |
| 42 | Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $54,240 | 1–2 years (training or associate) | 39% | 40.3 |
| 43 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | Up to a year | 42%Broader group | 39.3 |
| 44 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $53,340 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.9 |
| 45 | Public Safety Telecommunicators | $53,040 | Up to a year | 42% | 37.7 |
| 46 | Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians | $52,000 | Up to a year | 57%Broader group | 30.2 |
| 47 | Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,610 | Up to a year | 38%Broader group | 40.6 |
Is 30 too late to change careers?
No. At 30 you likely have more than 37 working years ahead, and 34% of U.S. workers are under 35 (BLS Current Population Survey, 2025).
U.S. workers by age
- 16-19
- 3%
- 20-24
- 9%
- 25-34
- 22%
- 35-44
- 23%
- 45-54
- 20%
- 55-64
- 16%
- 65+
- 7%
Start from the job you have now
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Questions about changing careers at 30
Is 30 too late to change careers?
No. At 30 you likely have more than 37 working years ahead, and 34% of U.S. workers are under 35 (BLS Current Population Survey, 2025).
Is it worth going back to school at 30?
It can be. A bachelor's degree takes about four years full time, which still leaves more than 30 working years. 31 careers on this page usually need a bachelor's degree; 47 need two years or less.
What careers can I switch to at 30?
By BLS pay data the best-paid careers on this page are Software Developers, Aerospace Engineers, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer. Our Career Change Tool ranks careers by how much of your current experience carries over.
Where do these numbers come from?
Ages: BLS Current Population Survey 2025 annual averages (Table 11b). Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Preparation: O*NET 31.0 Job Zones. Supervisor and manager jobs are left out because they are usually filled by promotion.