I am a 13-year-old student in Tokyo. I watch American movies and read about life in the United States. I see people doing many jobs. Some work in offices, some drive trucks, and some help sick people. Jobs are important because they help people live and make society work. I want to learn about jobs in America. What kinds of jobs are there? What do people do? Why are these jobs special? I write this to share what I find about various jobs in America. It is exciting to learn how people work.
America has millions of workers. There are over 800 different jobs. Some jobs are common, like teachers or doctors. Some are rare, like astronauts. People work in cities, towns, or at home. Jobs can be inside, like in offices, or outside, like on farms. Some jobs need school, like engineers. Some need training, like cooks. Every job helps America. I read that 17 million people work in the top five jobs, like selling things or caring for others. This shows how big America’s job world is.
Retail workers are very common. About 3.76 million people are retail salespersons. They work in shops, like clothing stores or supermarkets. They help customers find things, answer questions, and take money. Cashiers are similar. They work at cash registers and scan items. Their salary is about $24,193 a year. Retail jobs need no college, just a high school diploma. Workers stand a lot and smile to make customers happy. I saw retail workers in American movies, busy in big stores. These jobs are important because people need to buy things every day.
Teachers help students learn. They work in schools, from small kids to high school. Teachers teach math, reading, or science. They make lessons, give tests, and talk to parents. Good teachers show kids how to share and think. Their salary is about $61,000 a year. Teachers need a college degree and training. They work in classrooms with books and computers. I think teachers are kind because they help kids grow. In America, teachers are important because education helps people get better jobs.
Doctors and nurses work in healthcare. Doctors help sick people feel better. They check bodies, give medicine, or do surgery. Their salary is high, about $200,000 a year. Doctors need many years of school. Nurses help doctors. They give shots, check patients, and talk to families. Registered nurses earn about $70,822 a year. They need a college degree. Healthcare workers work in hospitals or clinics. They are busy and work long hours. I saw nurses in a TV show, running to help patients. These jobs save lives, so they are very important.
Home health aides care for old or sick people. They help with daily tasks, like eating or bathing. They work in homes or care centers. Their salary is about $30,000 a year. This job needs training but no college. Aides are kind and patient. They talk to people to make them feel good. This job is growing fast, with 44.5% more jobs by 2032. I think aides are heroes because they help people who cannot help themselves. They make life better for many Americans.
Police officers keep people safe. They drive cars, walk streets, or help in emergencies. They stop bad people and help lost kids. Their salary is about $65,000 a year. Police need training and a high school diploma. They work day or night. They carry badges and radios. Firefighters are similar. They put out fires and save people from danger. They earn about $50,000 a year. Both jobs are brave. I saw police in movies, helping people. These jobs make America safe.
Truck drivers move things across America. They drive big trucks with food, clothes, or machines. They earn about $74,931 a year. Drivers need a special license and training. They spend days on roads, away from home. They keep logs to track time. I saw trucks on highways in a movie. This job is important because shops need things to sell. Truck drivers help America’s stores stay full.
Cooks and servers work in restaurants. Cooks make food, like burgers or pizza. They use knives, stoves, and ovens. Their salary is about $30,000 a year. They need training, not college. Servers take orders and bring food to tables. They earn about $32,845 a year, plus tips. Servers smile and talk to customers. I like watching cooking shows with American chefs. These jobs are fun because they make people happy with food. Restaurants need cooks and servers to work.
Janitors keep places clean. They sweep floors, clean windows, and empty trash. They work in schools, offices, or stores. Their salary is about $39,110 a year. Janitors need no college, just training. They use mops and brooms. Maintenance workers are similar. They fix things, like lights or pipes. They earn about $49,794 a year. Both jobs make places nice and safe. I think janitors are important because clean places make people feel good.
Office workers do many jobs. Secretaries answer phones, write emails, and make schedules. They earn about $40,000 a year. Accountants check money and make reports. They earn about $50,618 a year and need some college. Managers lead teams and make plans. They earn about $71,166 a year. Office workers use computers and sit at desks. I saw offices in American shows, with busy people. These jobs keep companies working well.
Construction workers build things. They make houses, roads, or bridges. Laborers carry wood or mix cement. They earn about $45,580 a year. Carpenters use tools to make walls or doors. They need training. Construction workers wear helmets and work outside. I saw a construction site in a movie, with big machines. These jobs are strong and build America’s cities. They are important because people need homes and roads.
Mechanics fix cars and machines. They use tools to repair engines or tires. They earn about $45,000 a year. Mechanics need training and like cars. They work in garages with oil and tools. I think mechanics are cool because they make cars work again. This job helps people drive to work or school. Mechanics keep America moving.
Software developers make computer programs. They write code for apps or websites. They earn about $120,000 a year. This job needs a college degree and computer skills. It is growing fast, with 25.7% more jobs by 2032. Developers work in offices or at home. I saw a coder in a movie, typing fast. This job is important because people use phones and computers every day. Technology needs developers to grow.
Farmers grow food. They plant corn, wheat, or apples. They use tractors and work outside. Their salary is about $40,000 a year. Farmers need no college but learn from family or training. They work long hours in sun or rain. I saw farmers in a show, with big fields. This job is important because people need food to eat. Farmers feed America.
Artists make beautiful things. Painters draw pictures. Musicians play songs. They work in studios or at home. Their salary is different, maybe $50,000 a year. Artists need talent and practice. Some go to art school. I like American music videos with singers. Artists make people happy with art and music. They make America colorful.
Jobs in America are different. Some need school, like doctors or developers. Some need training, like cooks or drivers. Some are inside, like office workers. Some are outside, like farmers or laborers. Many jobs help people, like teachers or nurses. Some make things, like carpenters or developers. Every job is important. I read that jobs needing skills, like talking or thinking, grow fast. For example, managers and teachers need social skills, and their jobs grow by 83% since 1980.
Jobs have challenges. Retail workers stand all day. Nurses work long hours. Drivers are away from home. Some jobs, like laborers, are hard on the body. Others, like developers, need a lot of thinking. Workers can get tired or stressed. But jobs also give money, friends, and pride. I think every job is special because it helps someone.
Jobs are changing. Technology makes new jobs, like data scientists. They study numbers and earn about $100,000 a year. Old jobs, like cashiers, are smaller because of machines. I read that workers need new skills, like using computers. Many Americans, 72%, say they must learn to keep good jobs. Schools and companies help workers learn. This makes America strong.
I love learning about jobs in America. Retail workers sell things. Teachers help kids. Doctors save lives. Every job makes life better. I dream of visiting America and seeing workers. Maybe I will be a teacher or artist one day. As I write this, I look at my book about jobs. America’s workers are like a big team, and I want to learn more about them.