Trabajos soñados alrededor del mundo: las carreras más buscadas
In 2022, we set out to uncover the world's most coveted dream jobs. We revisited the data in 2024, and now, two years on, we're back for a third look at the most popular jobs people across 145 countries are searching for when they imagine their next career chapter. What those popular careers are has shifted dramatically since we first started this research.
In an era where AI is rewriting entire industries, the creator economy has gone from niche to normal and people are more open than ever to a fresh start in a new country, the question of "what do I want to do with my life?" has rarely felt more open-ended. More and more workers are willing to pivot, reskill or move abroad entirely to pursue the role they've always dreamed of, whether that’s in order to support family by sending money home (se abre en una ventana nueva) to loved ones, or building a brand-new life from scratch on their own overseas.
To find out which dream jobs around the world are capturing imaginations in 2026, we analysed Google search data around the world, focusing not on traditional job search terms like "pilot jobs" but on the more revealing phrasing "how to be a..." and "how to become a..." - the language used by people still in the dreaming stage. To reflect how the world of work has evolved since our last study, we've also expanded this year's analysis to include emerging roles across AI jobs and the creator economy.
In an era where AI is rewriting entire industries, the creator economy has gone from niche to normal and people are more open than ever to a fresh start in a new country, the question of "what do I want to do with my life?" has rarely felt more open-ended. More and more workers are willing to pivot, reskill or move abroad entirely to pursue the role they've always dreamed of, whether that’s in order to support family by sending money home (se abre en una ventana nueva) to loved ones, or building a brand-new life from scratch on their own overseas.
To find out which dream jobs around the world are capturing imaginations in 2026, we analysed Google search data around the world, focusing not on traditional job search terms like "pilot jobs" but on the more revealing phrasing "how to be a..." and "how to become a..." - the language used by people still in the dreaming stage. To reflect how the world of work has evolved since our last study, we've also expanded this year's analysis to include emerging roles across AI jobs and the creator economy.
Hallazgos clave:
- Being an actor has overtaken pilot as the world's most searched dream job for the first time, with 222,080 annual searches for "how to be an actor" (up 11.5% from 2024).
- Pilot has dropped to second place, with searches falling 48% since our last analysis. This is the first time it's lost the top spot since we began tracking popular careers in 2022.
- Legal careers continue to surge - "how to be a lawyer" has jumped 55 places to fourth, with searches up an extraordinary 273% since 2024.
- Physiotherapy is 2026’s other dramatic climber, rising 55 places into the top 20, reflecting growing global interest in healthcare and rehabilitation careers.
- YouTuber is the top dream job in more countries than any other. This career comes first in 28 nations, mostly across Latin America and the Caribbean.
- AI jobs make their debut in this year's analysis, with "Prompt Engineer" and “AI Specialist” leading a new category of dream careers.
The top 20 dream jobs around the world
| Job | Global search volume for 'how to be a...' | Position change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Actor | 222,080 | +8 |
| 2. Pilot | 221,060 | -1 |
| 3. Firefighter | 171,330 | +13 |
| 4. Lawyer | 168,510 | +55 |
| 5. YouTuber | 148,430 | +8 |
| 6. Veterinarian | 146,770 | +22 |
| 7. Flight attendant | 126,480 | +10 |
| 8. Police officer | 123,800 | -5 |
| 9. (Real) Estate agent | 100,410 | +9 |
| 10. DJ | 97,930 | +14 |
| 11. Judge | 90,120 | -1 |
| 12. Physiotherapist/ Physical therapist | 85,430 | +55 |
| 13. EMT | 85,160 | N/A |
| 14. Prosecutor | 80,230 | -6 |
| 15. Astronaut | 79,870 | +10 |
| 16. Doctor | 79,860 | -5 |
| 17. Nurse | 78,400 | -12 |
| 18. Diplomat | 75,510 | +3 |
| 19. Voice actor | 74,370 | +3 |
| 20. Entrepreneur | 74,090 | +9 |
The world's most popular dream jobs
For the first time since we began tracking the most popular jobs around the world, pilot has officially been knocked off its position as the world's dream profession. An acting career now sits at the top of the global dream jobs list, with 222,080 searches for "how to be an actor" over the past year, up 11.5% from 2024. The pull is as diverse as it is global, with acting topping the rankings in countries including Malaysia, the Bahamas, Tonga, the Czech Republic and Denmark. Whether the dream is Hollywood stardom or a stage in the West End, the appeal of a creative life on stage or in front of the camera shows no sign of slowing down.
Slipping into second place is the long-standing favourite, pilot (with 221,060 searches), though notably, interest has fallen more than 48% from when we previously ran the study. Despite the drop, becoming a pilot remains the top dream job in 11 countries, including India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Sweden, the UAE, Kuwait, Latvia and Antigua and Barbuda - again, dreams are spanning the globe.
In third place, the noble profession of firefighter has climbed 13 places, with 171,330 annual searches. The role is the top dream job in France and Lithuania, reflecting a continued global appetite for public-service careers built around courage, teamwork and direct community impact.
Perhaps the most dramatic mover of all is lawyer, which has jumped an extraordinary 55 places into fourth place, with searches climbing 273% year on year. Whether the boost is being driven by high-profile real-life cases, the popularity of legal dramas on streaming platforms, or the rise of legal tech careers, global interest in entering the profession is at an all-time high.
Rounding out the top five, YouTuber continues to capture global career desires, with 148,430 searches. While the absolute numbers have dipped slightly since 2024, the role still takes the number one dream job slot in 28 countries. This is more than any other career we investigated, and perhaps a strong sign of where many see their future.
Entrepreneur is the second most popular profession by the number of countries that have it as their number one dream job. Recently, in a separate piece of research, we found out that nearly three quarters of people globally (74.6%) say they would like to be their own boss (se abre en una ventana nueva), but only a third (33.3%) would be looking to take steps to make that dream a reality in 2026. It suggests many people across the world are increasingly considering starting their own business but are perhaps struggling to take the leap to make their dream a reality.
Completing the top 10 ranking of dream jobs globally are veterinarians, flight attendants, police officers, (real) estate agents, and DJs - a mix reflecting healthcare, public service, hospitality and the creative economy, capturing the breadth of what a dream career means in 2026.
Slipping into second place is the long-standing favourite, pilot (with 221,060 searches), though notably, interest has fallen more than 48% from when we previously ran the study. Despite the drop, becoming a pilot remains the top dream job in 11 countries, including India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Sweden, the UAE, Kuwait, Latvia and Antigua and Barbuda - again, dreams are spanning the globe.
In third place, the noble profession of firefighter has climbed 13 places, with 171,330 annual searches. The role is the top dream job in France and Lithuania, reflecting a continued global appetite for public-service careers built around courage, teamwork and direct community impact.
Perhaps the most dramatic mover of all is lawyer, which has jumped an extraordinary 55 places into fourth place, with searches climbing 273% year on year. Whether the boost is being driven by high-profile real-life cases, the popularity of legal dramas on streaming platforms, or the rise of legal tech careers, global interest in entering the profession is at an all-time high.
Rounding out the top five, YouTuber continues to capture global career desires, with 148,430 searches. While the absolute numbers have dipped slightly since 2024, the role still takes the number one dream job slot in 28 countries. This is more than any other career we investigated, and perhaps a strong sign of where many see their future.
Entrepreneur is the second most popular profession by the number of countries that have it as their number one dream job. Recently, in a separate piece of research, we found out that nearly three quarters of people globally (74.6%) say they would like to be their own boss (se abre en una ventana nueva), but only a third (33.3%) would be looking to take steps to make that dream a reality in 2026. It suggests many people across the world are increasingly considering starting their own business but are perhaps struggling to take the leap to make their dream a reality.
Completing the top 10 ranking of dream jobs globally are veterinarians, flight attendants, police officers, (real) estate agents, and DJs - a mix reflecting healthcare, public service, hospitality and the creative economy, capturing the breadth of what a dream career means in 2026.
The most popular digital jobs in the world
The dream of building a career online continues to grow, with searches for how to become a YouTuber heading the digital-jobs category for the third edition running, racking up 148,430 global queries. The role takes the top dream job spot in 28 countries, including Japan, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru and much of Central and South America, making it the world's most geographically widespread dream career.
In second place, "how to be an influencer" pulled in 61,420 searches, cementing the rise of personal brand-building as a legitimate career aspiration. Software engineer takes third with 59,680 searches, reflecting continued global demand for tech skills that can be applied remotely anywhere in the world.
Notably, "how to be a virtual assistant (se abre en una ventana nueva)" (58,110 searches) and "how to be a content creator" (44,610 searches) both broke into the top five this year, highlighting how thoroughly the remote and creator economies have reshaped what people consider a "real career". For those eager to build a portable working life, one that can travel with them, whether that's to a new city or a new country, digital careers offer perhaps the clearest path.
In second place, "how to be an influencer" pulled in 61,420 searches, cementing the rise of personal brand-building as a legitimate career aspiration. Software engineer takes third with 59,680 searches, reflecting continued global demand for tech skills that can be applied remotely anywhere in the world.
Notably, "how to be a virtual assistant (se abre en una ventana nueva)" (58,110 searches) and "how to be a content creator" (44,610 searches) both broke into the top five this year, highlighting how thoroughly the remote and creator economies have reshaped what people consider a "real career". For those eager to build a portable working life, one that can travel with them, whether that's to a new city or a new country, digital careers offer perhaps the clearest path.
Top 5 digital jobs
| Rank | Most popular digital jobs | Global search volume for 'how to be a…' |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | YouTuber | 148,430 |
| 2 | Influencer | 61,420 |
| 3 | Software Engineer | 59,680 |
| 4 | Virtual Assistant | 58,110 |
| 5 | Content Creator | 44,610 |
The most popular public sector jobs
Public-service careers continue to be a popular choice and this year firefighter takes the top public-sector spot with 171,330 searches, up more than 10% from the 2024 study. The role is the number one dream job in France and Lithuania.
Being a police officer remains a major global draw in 2026 with 123,800 searches, while judge takes third with 90,120 searches, reinforcing that the appeal of the legal system isn't limited to lawyers and prosecutors. Physio/physical therapist is one of this year's biggest stories too, with searches climbing 114% to 85,430 and the role jumping 55 places overall. EMT enters the top 20 dream jobs for the first time with 85,160 searches, a likely reflection of the visibility emergency-services workers gained during the pandemic and beyond.
Healthcare and emergency-response careers remain among the world's most in-demand for migrants. In the UK, for example, around 21% of the healthcare workforce is made up of non-British nationals1. These are roles in genuinely global demand, with employers actively recruiting across borders. For those considering moving to another country for work, we put together an annual report where we evaluate 82 countries across 34 metrics, spanning everything from earning potential and healthcare to family support and the strength of immigrant communities. You can read the Immigration Index here (se abre en una ventana nueva).
Being a police officer remains a major global draw in 2026 with 123,800 searches, while judge takes third with 90,120 searches, reinforcing that the appeal of the legal system isn't limited to lawyers and prosecutors. Physio/physical therapist is one of this year's biggest stories too, with searches climbing 114% to 85,430 and the role jumping 55 places overall. EMT enters the top 20 dream jobs for the first time with 85,160 searches, a likely reflection of the visibility emergency-services workers gained during the pandemic and beyond.
Healthcare and emergency-response careers remain among the world's most in-demand for migrants. In the UK, for example, around 21% of the healthcare workforce is made up of non-British nationals1. These are roles in genuinely global demand, with employers actively recruiting across borders. For those considering moving to another country for work, we put together an annual report where we evaluate 82 countries across 34 metrics, spanning everything from earning potential and healthcare to family support and the strength of immigrant communities. You can read the Immigration Index here (se abre en una ventana nueva).
Top 5 public sector jobs
| Rank | Most popular public sector jobs | Global search volume for 'how to be a…' |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Firefighter | 171,330 |
| 2 | Police officer | 123,800 |
| 3 | Judge | 90,120 |
| 4 | Physiotherapist | 85,430 |
| 5 | EMT | 85,160 |
The most popular jobs in art and culture
For anyone dreaming of a creative life, the competitive role of acting now sits at the very top - not just of the arts-and-culture category, but of the entire global dream jobs list. With 222,080 searches and the number one spot in countries including Malaysia, the Bahamas, Tonga, the Czech Republic and Denmark, the dream of life on stage or screen has rarely been more alive.
In second place, DJ pulls in 97,930 searches. Whether the goal is headlining a Berlin techno night, landing an Ibiza residency or building an audience entirely online, the role offers an unusual blend of creativity, travel and entrepreneurship - all of which work particularly well across borders.
Voice acting takes third with 74,370 searches, while singer (53,610) and journalist (48,650) round out the top five. With streaming platforms commissioning more original audio and audiovisual content than ever before2, the creative routes into the industry are more diverse (and more globally accessible) than ever.
In second place, DJ pulls in 97,930 searches. Whether the goal is headlining a Berlin techno night, landing an Ibiza residency or building an audience entirely online, the role offers an unusual blend of creativity, travel and entrepreneurship - all of which work particularly well across borders.
Voice acting takes third with 74,370 searches, while singer (53,610) and journalist (48,650) round out the top five. With streaming platforms commissioning more original audio and audiovisual content than ever before2, the creative routes into the industry are more diverse (and more globally accessible) than ever.
Top 5 arts and culture jobs
| Rank | Most popular arts and culture jobs | Global search volume for 'how to be a…' |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Actor | 222,080 |
| 2 | DJ | 97,930 |
| 3 | Voice actor | 74,370 |
| 4 | Singer | 53,610 |
| 5 | Journalist | 48,650 |
The most popular jobs in the sciences
For those drawn to the stars, astronaut tops this year's science category, with 79,870 searches. Despite a small dip from 2024, becoming an astronaut remains a deeply aspirational role, perhaps fuelled in part by the Artemis II mission in April 2026, which was the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years.
Scientist comes in second with 34,120 searches, followed by engineer in third (29,320). Archaeology continues to fascinate with "how to be an archaeologist" landing fourth with 18,080 searches, while forensic scientist completes the top five with 12,210 searches - possibly due to the ongoing global appetite for true-crime documentaries and dramas.
Scientist comes in second with 34,120 searches, followed by engineer in third (29,320). Archaeology continues to fascinate with "how to be an archaeologist" landing fourth with 18,080 searches, while forensic scientist completes the top five with 12,210 searches - possibly due to the ongoing global appetite for true-crime documentaries and dramas.
Top 5 science jobs
| Rank | Most popular science jobs | Global search volume for 'how to be a…' |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astronaut | 79,870 |
| 2 | Scientist | 34,120 |
| 3 | Engineer | 29,320 |
| 4 | Archaeologist | 18,080 |
| 5 | Forensic scientist | 12,210 |
The most popular jobs in sports
Footballer remains the most-searched sporting dream job, with 53,110 annual queries. With the global football tournament taking centre stage in the summer of 2026, it is possible that interest in this career pursuit will grow even more.
Personal trainer comes in a close second with 44,920 searches, which is a career that travels particularly well across borders, often delivered online or one-to-one with international clients. Formula 1 driver (36,610), football coach (33,460) and fitness trainer (21,530) complete the top five.
Personal trainer comes in a close second with 44,920 searches, which is a career that travels particularly well across borders, often delivered online or one-to-one with international clients. Formula 1 driver (36,610), football coach (33,460) and fitness trainer (21,530) complete the top five.
Top 5 sports jobs
| Rank | Most popular sports jobs | Global search volume for 'how to be a…' |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Footballer | 53,110 |
| 2 | Personal trainer | 44,920 |
| 3 | Formula 1 driver | 36,610 |
| 4 | Football coach | 33,460 |
| 5 | Fitness trainer | 21,530 |
The most popular AI jobs - new for 2026
For the first time, we've broken out AI jobs as a category of their own, and while the search volumes are still modest compared with long-established sectors, they capture a clear picture of a new world of work taking shape.
Topping the list, "how to be a Prompt Engineer" attracted 5,590 global searches, with "how to be an AI Specialist" next up at 3,430. Machine Learning Engineer comes in third (2,550), with AI Trainer (2,060) and AI Product Manager (890) completing the top five.
These volumes are smaller than the dream job heavyweights, but the very fact that "AI Trainer" and "Prompt Engineer", roles that didn't meaningfully exist three years ago, now appear in global search data signals just how quickly the AI economy is moving. For those willing to upskill, this is the category of popular careers likely to grow fastest between now and our next study.
Topping the list, "how to be a Prompt Engineer" attracted 5,590 global searches, with "how to be an AI Specialist" next up at 3,430. Machine Learning Engineer comes in third (2,550), with AI Trainer (2,060) and AI Product Manager (890) completing the top five.
These volumes are smaller than the dream job heavyweights, but the very fact that "AI Trainer" and "Prompt Engineer", roles that didn't meaningfully exist three years ago, now appear in global search data signals just how quickly the AI economy is moving. For those willing to upskill, this is the category of popular careers likely to grow fastest between now and our next study.
Top 5 AI jobs
| Rank | Most popular AI jobs | Global search volume for 'how to be a...' |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prompt Engineer | 5,590 |
| 2 | Artificial Intelligence Specialist | 3,430 |
| 3 | Machine Learning Engineer | 2,550 |
| 4 | AI Trainer | 2,060 |
| 5 | AI Product Manager | 890 |
Metodología
- Google search data was used to establish the annual search volume (May 2025 to May 2026) in each country for 'how to be a [job]' search terms associated with dreaming of a new job or career for every country in the world, searched in each country's respective language.
- We grouped keywords for like-for-like job titles together when analysing the data, for instance 'vet' and 'veterinary', and 'CMO' and 'chief marketing officer'.
- The most searched-for job was then used as the top career for the specific country. Not all countries provided enough search data to be featured, meaning we have analysed data for 145 out of 195 countries.
- Having conducted this research first in 2022, then again in 2024, we have expanded the 2026 list of job titles from previous iterations. We compared the results to our previous analysis from 2024 to examine how the rankings have changed since then. Job titles that were not included in the 2024 research have been flagged wherever relevant to ensure comparisons have not been made.
- Data is correct as of June 2026.
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