19 Jobs Where You Can Sit Down
If you are looking for a wide range of jobs where you can sit down for long periods of time, you’re in the right place!
In this article, I have uncovered some of the best jobs that allow workers to sit down the entire time they undertake their work. These jobs could be full-time or part-time with a more flexible schedule. There is a range of desk jobs to consider that might be a great fit.
That’s not it – these jobs pay well too! In my list, a number of these sit-down jobs pay more than $100,000 in median annual income, so you know it’s a big deal! Some roles require simply a high school diploma or a driver’s license. Job postings and job descriptions will give you some sense of the work environment and the number of stand-up tasks that might be required.
Job seekers, read on:
19 Jobs Where You Can Sit Down 2024
1. Receptionist
The very first person you face when you walk inside an office, a hospital, or any other building is a receptionist. The receptionist, seated at the front desk, is responsible for registering your name, booking an appointment, and guiding you towards your desired destination.
Median Annual Salary: $27,965
How to become a Receptionist: You do not need any formal qualifications in order to become a receptionist. However, you need to be able to talk well to customers, possess problem-solving skills, and be good at keeping records organized and up to date.
2. Bus/Truck Driver
Without them, you would not be able to buy half the things you buy from the superstore, and would not be able to get from one place to another on time. Bus and Truck drivers need to be comfortable sitting for extended periods of time.
Median Annual Salary: $34,450
How to become a Bus Driver: Every bus driver needs to have a proper license to be able to drive on the roads, and getting this license involves knowing how to properly drive and steer a massive bus or truck. Other than that, you will need stamina for long-haul trips.
3. Uber Driver
Who do you call when you want to get home from a splendid movie night? Simple: you call an Uber! Uber drivers roam the streets of every city, waiting to hear the buzz of a new ride on their smartphones. In short, Uber drivers are modern-day day taxi drivers. Often, these drivers enjoy a more flexible work schedule.
Median Annual Salary: $36,600
How to become an Uber Driver: In order to drive a car in the streets, you need an official driver’s license, for which you will have to pass a moderately difficult driver’s test. Once you have that license, all you need is a car and a smartphone with the Uber app Additional work experience is not required.
4. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers are modern-day artists who make beautiful posters, banners, social media posts, and animations you see all around you. Armed with creativity and expertise in modern designing software, they turn raw ideas into real posts, pictures, and illustrations.
Median Annual Salary: $50,370
How to become a Graphic Designer: There are no strict requirements to become a graphic designer. You can get a bachelor’s degree or start an online course, both of which will teach you how to use the features in creative software and bring your ideas into digital reality.
5. Accountant
Every business needs an accountant who can keep a track of all money transactions and tell you when you’ve overspent or are exceeding your capacity. These people are skilled at spreadsheets and maintain a perfect record of all credits and debits for as long as they’ve been around.
Median Annual Salary: $70,500
How to become an Accountant: Accountancy is no easy job, and so those aspiring to get into it need to have a degree in finance and accounting. Other than that, they should also have a strong grasp on using spreadsheets, because that’s the tool they will use for most of their work.
6. Human Resource Manager
Whenever a group of people works together in a company or small enterprise, there is always a need for a human resource manager. This manager is responsible for ensuring the payroll is processed on time, employees receive sufficient training, and much more.
Median Annual Salary: $99,180
How to become a Human Resource Manager: A degree in Business Administration or HR certification prepares well for a career in Human Resource Management. However, the job involves more than just knowledge. You need to have high levels of empathy and emotional intelligence to succeed.
7. Actuary
A job where you have to sit down in front of a computer and let your brain do all the work. Actuaries work in insurance firms and help them determine insurance rates based on calculated risk. So the next time you get an insurance plan, know that an actuary determined the terms.
Median Annual Salary: $100,610
How to become an Actuary: Along with strong mathematical and problem-solving skills, you need to complete an undergraduate degree with courses in math and statistics. After that, you have to take around 3 to 7 difficult exams to qualify as a certified (or associate) actuary.
8. Environmental Economist
Environmental economists use their knowledge and expertise to determine human activities’ impact on the natural environment. You will find them working in policy-making organizations or think-tanks, providing recommendations to governments and corporations.
Median Annual Salary: $101,050
How to become an Environmental Economist: Given the amount of expertise required, environmental economists need Masters and Ph.D. degrees along with a rigorous understanding of mathematics. However, getting entry-level jobs with just a bachelor’s degree is possible.
9. Investment Fund Manager
If you’re looking to invest your money to grow it over time, chances are you’ll go to an investment fund manager. The entire job of these managers is to make sure your money is invested properly and diversely, and that you get the returns you are aiming for.
Median Annual Salary: $104,970
How to become an Investment Fund Manager: Getting a job as an investment fund manager requires at least a bachelor’s degree in economics, business, finance, or mathematics. After that, you will have to give a licensing exam before you can start growing your client base.
10. Mathematician
Mathematicians spend their time thinking about abstract ideas and trying to find solutions to problems that may or may not have any real applications. This is a job where you can sit all day and come up with research that contributes significantly to fields like science and engineering.
Median Annual Salary: $105,810
How to become a Mathematician: A bachelor’s degree in mathematics will give you the title of ‘mathematician’, but to get into high-paying jobs that involve working on exciting problems, you will need to get at least a Master’s or even a Ph.D. degree in mathematics.
11. Software Developer
The devices you use throughout your day run on software made by software developers. These are the glasses-wearing, tech-savvy individuals who sit in front of a computer coding programs, applications, robots, and so much more. In short, they make computers do their bidding.
Median Annual Salary: $106,860
How to become a Software Developer: This is one of those fields where you do not necessarily need a college degree. All you need is a strong grasp of several programming languages (which you can get through online courses) and a portfolio of projects showing your work.
12. Computer Scientist
People in the field of Computer Science work jobs where they can sit down and design new ways of accomplishing tasks that are faster and more efficient. Through computer scientists’ efforts, we get faster software and devices with every successive year.
Median Annual Salary: $111,840
How to become a Computer Scientist: Along with a very strong grasp on programming languages, computer scientists need to get a bachelor’s degree to get into entry-level jobs. Getting a Master’s or even a Ph.D. degree is necessary for higher-paying research positions.
13. Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer hardware has come a long way over the past few decades, and it is due to the immense efforts of Computer Hardware Engineers. These skilled professionals find ways to make better hardware that helps increase computational power and efficiency in computers and other devices.
Median Annual Salary: $115,080
How to become a Computer Hardware Engineer: A bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering is enough to land you an entry-level computer hardware engineer job in any firm. After that, you can get promotions and climb higher by getting a lot of experience.
14. Lawyer
It is very likely that this profession is one of the first to pop up in your mind when you think about jobs where you can sit down. Lawyers help their clients navigate the legal world by helping with lawsuits, prosecutions, mortgages, divorces, and so much more.
Median Annual Salary: $118,160
How to become a Lawyer: Becoming a lawyer requires a lot of hard work and studying. After getting a bachelor’s degree (in any field), an aspiring lawyer will have to complete several years of study at a law school before passing a bar examination to start formal practice.
15. Air Traffic Controller
Even though this is one of the many jobs where you can sit down, air traffic controllers need to manage a lot of stressful and critical situations on a day-to-day basis. These people ensure flight departures and arrivals are managed perfectly so that airports can eliminate delays and safety incidents.
Median Annual Salary: $122,410
How to become an Air Traffic Controller: Joining a training academy is the first step in becoming an air traffic controller. Once you’ve graduated from there, you must enroll with the federal aviation agency, pass their certification examination, and get on-the-job training.
16. Judge
Through their knowledge of the constitution and law, judges make decisions to uphold justice, law, and order in any country. They sit in courtrooms, listen to the arguments of two sides, and considering the evidence, produce a judgment that is in accordance with the law.
Median Annual Salary: $125,880
How to become a Judge: To become a judge, you must first become a lawyer by completing law school and passing the local bar examination. After that, you can either opt for a clerkship or start practicing law. Once you have enough experience, you will be able to apply for a judgeship.
17. Pilot
This is a job where you sit down, just not on the ground. Instead, pilots fly airplanes and ensure successful takeoff, commute, and landing to bring a group of people (or goods) to another place. The job involves having strong mastery of aviation technology, and a sharp mind.
Median Annual Salary: $127,820
How to become a Pilot: Aspiring pilots have to join a Flight School where they take medical tests and start training as Student Pilots to receive the Student Pilot License. After that, they have to complete a set number of flying hours before receiving the Commercial Pilot License.
18. Customer Service Representative
Increasingly, many companies allow their customer service representatives to work from the comfort of your own home. These workers are often solving problems for clients who have a question or issue around the performance of a product or a question about delivery.
Customers may call with complaints or questions. The customer service representative needs to be patient and positive. Given their role, these representatives are often asked to document customer feedback about products so the company can continue improving them.
The nature of remote work has allowed customer service representatives to manage phone calls, perform data entry from home, and enjoy a more flexible work schedule.
Median Annual Salary: $54,316
How to become a Customer Service Representative: A high school diploma may be required. Many career paths begin with experience in customer service.
19. Forklift Operator
Forklift operators often work in a factory setting and are responsible for driving machinery that moves heavy objects such as pallets.
Median Annual Salary: $40,324
How to become a Forklift Operator: The Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) requires a certification for this job. First, determine the type of certification required this will depend on the class of truck you will be asked to drive. OSHA defines 7 different classes of powered industrial trucks. Depending on the employer, a high school diploma may be required.
