Great jobs for detail-oriented people

Many job listings say “detail-oriented” is a necessary skill, so if you prefer the scrupulous to the superficial, take a thorough look at these careers.

By Jamie Thork, Monster contributor

"Detail-oriented” is a common qualification that employees require of candidates—and you probably already know this if you’re inclined to, well, pay attention to details. For those of you who love digging into data, mining the minutiae, or just geeking out over the little things that make a huge difference, we used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Monster data to track down some awesome detail-oriented jobs that are perfect for you.

Accountant

Why details matter: Because every penny counts. Accountants not only keep track of bottom-line figures, but also dozens or hundreds of individual accounts within an organization’s books. This dizzying array of interconnected accounts matters for day-to-day business but also for tax time, with its own bewildering array of detailed rules.
What you’ll need: A bachelor’s degree typically is the baseline, and further certification/specialization often is expected.
Popular areas hiring: New York CityLos Angeles Chicago Washington DC Dallas
What it pays: $71,550 per year

Find accountant jobs on Monster.

Anesthesiologist

Why details matter: It’s a perilously thin line between too much and not enough when it comes to putting and keeping a patient under for surgery and bringing them back to consciousness afterward.
What you’ll need: A bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school and additional specialization training.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Washington DC; Los Angeles; Houston; Chicago
What it pays: >$208,000 per year

Find anesthesiologist jobs on Monster.

Architect

Why details matter: Architects can’t afford to come up (literally) an inch short, as that could result in a crooked house or unstable foundation. They have to design buildings of all shapes and sizes that are fully functional and safe—and preferably do it with style.
What you’ll need: A degree in architecture and an internship to gain experience, followed by a certification exam.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Dallas
What it pays: $80,750 per year

Find architecture jobs on Monster.

Copy editor and proofreader

Why details matter: As the popular Internet meme says, there’s a major difference between, “Let’s eat, Grandma!” and “Let’s eat Grandma!” Sharp-eyed copy editors and proofreaders review articles and manuscripts to ensure the words—and their accompanying punctuation and grammar—appear as intended.
What you’ll need: A bachelor’s degree in communications, English or journalism, and skill with language and computers is a minimum.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Washington DC; Chicago; Boston
What it pays: $61,370 per year

Find copy editor and proofreader jobs on Monster.

Executive assistant

Why details matter: Executives can have some pretty specific and complicated wants and needs, and the assistant is there to see that every last one is taken care of, from scheduling international business flights (no layovers longer than three hours!) to ordering lunch for 25 people (half of whom have dietary restrictions!).
What you’ll need: A high-school diploma is a minimum, and additional education and several years of experience may be expected.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; Boston; Washington DC
What it pays: $60,890 per year

Find executive assistant jobs on Monster.

Surgeon

Why details matter: There’s a reason “surgical precision” is a known phrase. Surgeons are required to have profuse knowledge of the complex workings of the human body—not to mention a steady hand.
What you’ll need: A bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school and up to seven additional years of internship/residency/specialization training.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Boston; Los Angeles; Houston; Dallas
What it pays: >$208,000 per year

Find surgeon jobs on Monster.

Mechanic

Why details matter: It’s worth nothing that the largest, most complex machines in the world—say a space shuttle, for instance—function in part thanks to literal nuts and bolts. Millions of them. Mechanics excel at overseeing the installation and maintenance of all those parts, one by one.
What you’ll need: Formal postsecondary training and industry certification often are expected as a minimum.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; Dallas; Washington DC
What it pays: $42,090 per year

Find mechanic jobs on Monster.

Pharmacist

Why details matter: Filling prescriptions is serious business. One medication can come in a variety of potencies, and it’s critical that patients receive proper dosages. Accuracy is imperative in this role.
What you’ll need: A bachelor’s degree plus a four-year doctor of pharmacy degree, followed by licensing.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Chicago; Philadelphia; Dallas
What it pays: $128,090 per year

Find pharmacist jobs on Monster.

Picker-packer

What you’d do: The moment you order something online, the information heads to a warehouse, where loads of picker-packers get to work. This detail-oriented job requires workers to pay close attention to hundreds of orders (Was that a size L or XL? Did you order five or 25 boxes of tea? Did you choose the color gray or charcoal?) to make sure you get what you paid for.
What you’ll need: No formal education is required, but you have to be scrupulous, in good shape, and quick on your feet.
Popular areas hiring: Louisville, KY; Pomona, CA; Sugar Land, TX; San Bernardino, CA; Tempe, AZ
What it pays: $24,580 per year

Find picker-packer jobs on Monster.

Posting clerk

Why details matter: You need to keep your numbers organized in this job, which is a mix of administrative and customer service, with a little bookkeeping and accounting thrown in for good measure. You'll be tracking payments, gathering data, preparing invoices, and much more. Nearly every industry employs posting clerks, from hospitals to transportation companies.
What you’ll need: There are no formal educational requirements. On-the-job training is often provided.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Dallas; Chicago; Philadelphia
What it pays: $35,388 per year

Find posting clerk jobs on Monster.

Seamstress/tailor

Why details matter: Whether using a needle and thread, a specialized computer or an industrial sewing machine, seamstresses and tailors hone their craft according to both form and function. They have a vast knowledge of different fabrics and patterns and depend on precise measurements so that every bead, button and bow appears exactly where it should.
What you’ll need: There aren’t many specific educational requirements; generally on-the-job experience and an aptitude/interest in the field are enough.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Los Angeles; Washington DC; Warren, MI; Ahaheim, CA
What it pays: $28,600 per year

Find seamstress/tailor jobs on Monster.

Web developer

Why details matter: These workers produce and maintain countless of lines of computer code, often in tandem with numerous other people collaborating on the same project. One wrong keystroke—the needle in the proverbial haystack—and the software program won’t function as intended.
What you’ll need: A bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Popular areas hiring: New York City; Seattle; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Washington DC
What it pays: $73,760 per year

Find web developer jobs on Monster.

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