Key Takeaways
Many high-paying, growth-oriented careers in business, IT, healthcare, education, and the arts are increasingly accessible to people with physical disabilities, largely due to the rise of remote work options.
Many roles, such as marketing manager or software developer, require only a bachelor's degree and offer accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Fields such as social work, art, and teaching provide inclusive environments where professionals with physical disabilities can leverage their personal experiences and adaptive technologies to succeed.
The rise of remote work has created both opportunities and challenges for job-hunters and employees with physical disabilities.
People with physical disabilities can pursue wide-ranging and growing career opportunities, especially with the increased reliance on remote work. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only a quarter of Americans worked from home, but that number has increased significantly.
Regardless, individuals with disabilities can work in many different roles beyond remote work. Careers in management, education, business, technology, and healthcare all offer opportunities with few physical dexterity, stamina, or mobility requirements. Many of these careers also offer opportunities for people with visual or hearing impairments.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers must make reasonable accommodations for job candidates and employees with disabilities. In many high-paying careers that take place in an office setting, these accommodations can be as straightforward as ensuring the workplace is not mobility-limited, implementing assistive technologies, and offering schedule flexibility.
Read on to learn about the fastest-growing careers in the business, information technology, medicine, education, and social work fields — all of which are well suited to professionals with disabilities. We also cover education requirements and typical salaries for these roles.
—Highest-Paying Careers
People with disabilities have many high-paying career options. In fact, many of the highest-paying careers have little physical requirements. This includes careers in management, business, or information technology, and many of them require only a bachelor's degree.
The following list is by no means exhaustive; it is just a place to start your research. People with disabilities can find well-paying careers in many other fields and industries, too.
Median Salary: $171,200
What They Do: These managers oversee companies' computer-related activities.
Where They Work: Computer and information systems managers usually work in office settings within manufacturing firms or government agencies.
Education or Skills Required for the Role: Most computer and information systems managers possess a bachelor's in computer science or another information technology degree. Many also hold graduate degrees in management information science.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
—Top Business Careers
Median Salary: $206,420
What They Do: Chief executives oversee organizations' from the top down, setting company goals and gameplans.
Where They Work: Chief executives work across public and private sectors in professional and technical services, healthcare, and government.
Education or Skills Required for the Role: These professionals usually need a business administration-related bachelor's and at least ten years of business-related experience to work as an executive. Many chief executives also hold MBAs.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
—Top Information Technology Careers
Median Salary: $130,390
What They Do: Computer network architects design and oversee data communication network capabilities for organizations.
Where They Work: These architects spend most of their time in offices and server rooms, often working for large businesses with a lot of information technology needs.
Education or Skills Required for the Role: Computer network architects typically need a bachelor's in computer science, information science, or engineering. Experience with building LAN, WAN, and intranet networks also helps candidates stand out from the competition.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
—Top Medical Careers
Median Salary: $95,410
What They Do: Speech-language pathologists use their strong listening and verbal communication skills to help diagnose and correct clients' speech disorders.
Where They Work: Speech-language pathologists typically work within school systems, hospitals, and residential care. Some professionals are self-employed or work in private clinics.
Education or Skills Required for the Role: Working as a speech-language pathologist requires a master's in speech-language pathology from a Council on Academic Accreditation accredited program. Many states also require licensure.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Other Fields and Careers to Consider
—Art and Design
The art and design field offers diverse opportunities for people with physical disabilities.
Creative careers often take place in inclusive settings, including for remote workers and people with visual or hearing impairments. Artists, for example, often work in a variety of settings and set their own schedules.
Many grants, funds, and communities provide opportunities specifically for artists with disabilities.
Here are a few top careers in art and design.
Art directors
Multimedia artists and animators
Special effects artists and animators
Fashion designers
Digital designer
—Education
The educational field also presents unique possibilities for people with disabilities.
Public schools offer an inclusive environment for both educators and students with disabilities. Educators can work in a variety of settings, including remotely.
Here are a few top careers in education.
Postsecondary education administrators
Postsecondary teachers
Instructional coordinators
High school teachers
Self-enrichment education teachers
—Social Work
Many people with physical disabilities find success in social work careers. The career attracts people who are empathetic and enjoy teaching, counseling, and providing services.
Many social work organizations prioritize accessibility, making them a good place for employees with disabilities. Case managers and disability social workers who have disabilities can assist their clients by drawing on their personal experiences.
Here are a few top careers in social work.
Social work teachers
Social and community service managers
School and career counselors
Marriage and family therapists
Health educators
Common Questions About Careers for People With Disabilities
Any job that the person feels ready to pursue. People with physical disabilities are not restricted to a narrow range of options: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stipulates that employers must make "reasonable accommodations" for individuals with disabilities.
Matthew Sweeney
Matthew Sweeney received his Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in English literature from Portland State. His writings on music and culture have appeared in the publications Eleven PDX Magazine and Secret Decoder. In his free time he enjoys reading, cinema, hiking, and cooking.
Header Image Credit: Maskot | Getty Images
