Survey reveals the coolest careers in each state

But beyond the headline-worthy job titles - Animator at Pixar, Flight Director at NASA, Shark Biologist in Hawaii - there’s a bigger story unfolding. 

When you zoom out, the list reflects something more personal: how we define a meaningful life, what we value in work, and why we’re still drawn to roles that offer either wonder, legacy, or sheer fun.

The below ranking shows the top 140 ‘coolest careers’ across America, as voted for by 3,002 job seekers.

Top 10 coolest careers

1.⁠ ⁠Animator – Pixar Animation Studios (Emeryville, CA)

Bring beloved characters like Buzz Lightyear and Joy to life at Pixar’s Emeryville studio, earning $73,000 to $124,000. Pixar animators create scenes that become part of pop culture history while collaborating in a whimsical, high-energy workspace. For creative storytellers with a tech edge, it’s the ultimate blend of art and innovation.

2.⁠ ⁠Paleontologist – Field Museum (Chicago, IL)

Paleontologists unearth fossils and curate exhibits at Chicago’s famed Field Museum, with salaries around $85,000. One week might put you on a dig; the next, prepping a T. rex skeleton for display. It’s a hands-on role steeped in science, storytelling, and Jurassic-sized excitement.

3.⁠ Research Scientist – The Hershey Company (Hershey, PA)

Research scientists at Hershey invent the next Reese’s variation or perfect a new chocolate bar in its confectionery labs, earning between $90,000 and $110,000. It’s part chemistry, part creativity—and yes, their office really does smell like chocolate.

4.⁠ ⁠Wildlife Biologist – Yellowstone National Park (Yellowstone, WY)

Tracking wolves, monitoring trout, and helping preserve the planet’s first national park while earning $70,000 to $90,000. It’s fieldwork with a backdrop of geysers and bison—science meets wonder in its purest form.

5.⁠ ⁠Marine Biologist – NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (Honolulu, HI)

Marine biologists dive into coral reefs and tag endangered species like monk seals while working in a tropical paradise. With salaries ranging from $65,000 to $100,000, it’s meaningful ocean conservation wrapped in an aloha spirit.

6.⁠ Designer – L.L.Bean (Freeport, ME)

Designers here create outdoor gear used by hikers and campers nationwide at L.L.Bean’s Freeport headquarters, earning up to $133,000. They prototype products and test them in Maine’s rugged wilderness. It’s where smart design meets the great outdoors.

7.⁠ ⁠Principal Designer – Hasbro (Pawtucket, RI)

Designers sketch, build, and test tomorrow’s favorite toys—from Nerf launchers to board games—while earning $85,000 to $100,000. Hasbro designers get to play with a purpose, turning childhood dreams into products kids can’t wait to unwrap.

8.⁠ Product Developer – Ben & Jerry’s (Waterbury, VT)

Imagine concocting wacky ice cream flavors in a real ‘scoop lab,’ with salaries between $65,000 and $85,000. From caramel swirls to sustainability sourcing, this employer lets product developers innovate with taste and social impact.

9.⁠ ⁠Meteorologist – NOAA (Norman, OK)

Meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast superstorms and chase tornadoes in the heart of America’s weather lab, earning $85,000 to $95,000. It’s real-time science with lifesaving stakes—and stories its employees will be telling for decades.

10.⁠ ⁠Flight Director – Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX)

Commanding space missions at Johnson Space Center is a real-life sci-fi gig. As a NASA Flight Director, you’ll earn $110,000 to $160,000 guiding astronauts on the ISS or lunar flights, making real-time “go/no-go” calls from the iconic Mission Control. You’ll manage crises like spacewalk snafus, lead simulation drills, and brief top brass. It’s high-pressure leadership with interstellar stakes—this is the job that makes “Houston, we have a problem” your problem to solve.

Key findings

We’re still wild at heart

A huge chunk of the most admired jobs are rooted in the natural world. Think of marine biologists tagging sea turtles, wildlife scientists tracking wolves in Yellowstone, or environmental researchers stationed in Alaska and Arizona. 

It’s clear that many people still yearn for careers that take them outside, where their “office” is a mountain range or coral reef.

In a world driven by screens and automation, maybe that’s not so surprising - there’s something grounding about getting your boots dirty for a living.

Big names still make a big impression

It’s no accident that some of the most admired roles are tied to iconic employers - Pixar, Ben & Jerry’s, SpaceX, Nike, Disney. 

These brands have built entire cultures around creativity and innovation, and it shows. Respondents aren’t just choosing roles - they’re choosing vibes. 

The logo on the building (or the ice cream carton) often says as much as the job title itself.

Science is finally getting its cool card

If this survey had come out a decade ago, would a “fusion energy scientist” or “epidemiologist” have made the cut? Hard to say. 

But now, lab coats and test tubes are showing up alongside storm chasers and animators. 

There’s a rising respect - and even glamor - in scientific careers, especially those tied to real-world impact. 

In a post-COVID, climate-aware, tech-powered society, it seems that working on the frontiers of science is starting to look pretty heroic.

Place matters more than we think

There’s something poetic about how each state’s coolest job feels like it belongs there. 

A brewer in Milwaukee, a hurricane pilot in Florida, a game developer in NYC, a paleontologist in Montana - it’s like each region’s personality is embedded in its top job. 

That local flavor is part of the charm. Even in a time when remote work is everywhere, there’s still value in a job that’s rooted in geography.

Creative fields haven’t lost their shine

Yes, STEM is huge. But the arts are still holding their ground. Greeting card designers, film festival managers, toy engineers, music professors - they’re all on the list.

These aren’t fallback jobs; they’re dream jobs. And they remind us that not everything needs to be about data sets and prototypes. 

Sometimes, the coolest careers are the ones that let you make something beautiful or joyful.

Fun still counts

Let’s not overlook the jobs that are just “fun”. Designing toys at Hasbro. Dreaming up ice cream flavors at Ben & Jerry’s. Playing with weather balloons or creating theme park rides.

These careers don’t just pay well or look good on LinkedIn - they make people smile. And that counts for something. Especially in a time when burnout is common, joy is a valid metric.

Final thoughts

More than anything, this list is a snapshot of what people wish work could be - exciting, meaningful, connected to passion or place. 

Some of these jobs are rare, sure. But many aren’t out of reach; they’re just off the beaten path. 

What’s encouraging is that people still care about work that tells a story, reflects a value, or makes a difference - even if it’s in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.

In the end, these aren’t just the coolest jobs - they’re a reminder that cool is personal.

For some, it’s about creativity. For others, adventure. For many, it’s about impact. But in every case, the dream is still alive - and maybe closer than we think.

Methodology

An online panel survey of 3,002 job seekers based on age, gender, and geography. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting. April 2025.

Image Credits

1. ⁠Image by Freepik

2. ⁠Photo by Gabi Scott on Unsplash

3. ⁠Image by Freepik

4. ⁠Photo by Trevor Vannoy on Unsplash

5. ⁠Image by Freepik

6. ⁠Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

7. ⁠Photo by Nebular on Unsplash

8. ⁠Photo by Cristi Ursea on Unsplash

9. ⁠Photo by Raychel Sanner on Unsplash

10. ⁠Photo by Sheeyam on Unsplash