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Best Jobs in America

CNNMoney/PayScale's top 100 careers with big growth, great pay and satisfying work.

3.  Landman

100 best jobs landman 2
3
John Harris (center), landman with Texas-based Approach Resources
  • Median pay: $103,000
  • Top pay: $160,000
  • 10-year job growth: 13%

As the nation's energy boom unfolds, landmen are needed to negotiate oil and gas leases between the companies and the folks that own the resources. They travel the countryside in search of people willing to sell their mineral rights, and match them with oil firms.

Despite fluctuations in the price of oil, long-term projections for the oil industry -- and the profession's prospects -- remain strong.

What's great: One of the best things about the job is seeing the project through to the end, which often includes a regular person getting a substantial payout. "There have been times when I've walked that first check to the door myself," said landman John Harris. "Everyone loves to get money." --Steve Hargreaves

Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction: A | Benefit to society: A | Low stress: A

Notes: All pay data from PayScale.com. Median pay is for an experienced worker (at least five or seven years in the field). Top pay represents the 90th percentile. Job growth is estimated for 2012-22, and based on people working in broader 'job family' from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more details, see How We Picked the Best Jobs.
Sources: PayScale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CNNMoney research
  @CNNMoney - Last updated May 09 2017 01:24 PM ET

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