Summary
Highlights
The world is short 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals, with a gap of 700,000 unfilled positions in the US. Entry-level salaries are $80,000-$100,000, mid-level $120,000-$180,000, and senior roles can reach $200,000-$400,000+. This industry provides significant opportunities for those willing to learn, and building a presence on YouTube can lead to career and business success.
Nursing offers long-term stability with 189,100 RN openings projected annually through 2034, and a projected shortfall of over 500,000 RNs by 2030. Travel nurses can earn $130,000-$200,000+, and nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) average over $200,000. Paths to becoming an RN include a 2-year ADN or a 4-year BSN, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses leverage their expertise on YouTube.
The video introduces the concept of chasing labor shortages rather than trends to gain career leverage. The presenter, with a decade of experience in career trajectories and business building, claims to have helped over a thousand people pivot into new industries. All data presented is from credible sources like the BLS, FAA, Boeing, ISC2, and the American Welding Society.
This career path, though morbid, faces severe understaffing. Over 60% of US funeral directors plan to retire by 2028, while demand for services is growing due to an aging population. Mortuary schools report a 90% job placement rate. Starting involves a 1-2 year associate's degree, state licensing, and a paid apprenticeship. The role offers meaningful work and can even be a niche for content creation.
A high-paying, niche career where individuals live in pressurized chambers for weeks, performing underwater repairs. Daily rates are $1,000-$1,500, with annual earnings of $200,000-$300,000, often with extended periods off work. Training involves welding certification (AWS) and commercial diving school (6-8 months, $15,000-$25,000), starting with inland work and progressing to offshore.
Elevator and escalator mechanics earn a median salary of $109,000, with top earners making $159,000+ without a college degree. Demand is high, and the talent pool is small, making these specialists highly sought after. Getting started involves applying to the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IEC) apprenticeship program, a 4-year paid program.
AI-related skills are the hardest to find globally, with 1.6 million open roles and only 518,000 qualified candidates. Average AI engineer salaries are $260,000, and senior specialists make $300,000-$350,000. No PhD or college degree is required, only the skill to build, train, and deploy machine learning models. YouTube offers free tutorials for learning these skills.
The appraisal industry faces a labor crisis, with 80% of active US appraisers over 50 and a 20% decline in active appraisers since the mid-2000s. This shortage delayed 68% of US mortgage transactions in 2023. Average salaries are $106,000, with commercial appraisers averaging $130,000. Starting requires becoming an appraisal trainee, completing education hours, and finding a mentor.
Crane operators are in high demand, with 59% of construction companies struggling to find them. Top operators earn $100,000-$160,000 annually, with city-based tower crane operators clearing $115,000+ in base salary. Training involves trade school courses, an apprenticeship, and NCCCCO certification. This field also offers a significant niche for social media content.
The HVAC industry faces a shortage of 110,000 technicians, projected to hit 225,000 by 2027. BlackRock invested $100 million in skilled trades training, highlighting the critical need. Specialists, especially in commercial HVAC, refrigeration, and data centers, easily clear $100,000+, with data center techs getting 25-30% wage premiums due to the AI boom. Training involves trade school (6-24 months), EPA certification, and an apprenticeship.
Starting a personal brand or YouTube channel can multiply the earning potential of any of the jobs listed. Many successful clients, like those in cybersecurity (GRC) or accounting (financial controllers), leverage their expertise to teach others and build significant online businesses. Even those new to a field can document their learning journey, become an authority, and attract opportunities from major companies.