5 lucrative roles employers are struggling to fill in America this year

Despite offering six-figure salaries and long-term security, five high-demand US careers—cybersecurity analyst, nurse practitioner, mental health therapist, AI software engineer, and physical therapist—remain critically understaffed in 2025. From steep educational barriers to emotional burnout and unrealistic industry expectations, these roles reveal a paradox: well-paying jobs exist, but too few are willing—or equipped—to take them.

Education