10 Humanitarian Jobs That Make a Difference in the World

For many who provide humanitarian aid, there is no greater reward than making a difference in peoples’ lives while earning a living. There are countless people and communities around the world that rely on humanitarian aid to recover from natural disasters, escape conflicts, address hazardous living conditions, and break free from poverty.

Humanitarian jobs are available in many different fields and at many different organizations. What they all have in common is the goal of saving and improving lives while helping communities become more resilient to future crises.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some humanitarian jobs are in high demand. For example, social worker jobs are expected to increase by 12% and health education specialists by 17% over the next ten years.

Are you ready to lend a helping hand to those in need? Monster’s outlines 10 humanitarian jobs where you can make a difference.

10 Humanitarian Jobs

1. Social Worker

What you’d do: Choosing a career as a social worker is a great way to fight for social justice and improve and enrich the lives of others. You would assess the needs of people and communities in poverty or other crisis situations and help to provide financial, mental, and emotional support.

What you’d need: Many social workers hold a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), but having a master’s degree in social work (MSW) can help expand your opportunities. All states require social workers to obtain a license. Nonclinical social workers are required to be licensed or certified in most states. Check out this sample resume for a social worker.

What you’d make: Medical and clinical social workers typically make $58,915 per year. Family, school, and general social workers earn a median yearly salary of $51,376.

Find social work jobs on Monster.

2. Environmental Engineer

What you’d do: From pollution to climate change, environmental hazards endanger countless communities, especially in underdeveloped nations. Humanitarian jobs in environmental engineering solve problems with pollution, public health, and recycling. They also strive to address climate change, sustainability, and unsafe living conditions.

What you’d need: To become an environmental engineer, you would need at least an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field.

What you’d make: The median annual salary for environmental engineers is $71,957.

Find environmental engineer jobs on Monster.

3. Nurse

What you’d do: Natural disasters and other crises have a profound impact on peoples’ health. As a registered nurse, you would provide care and health education to patients and communities. Other day-to-day tasks in humanitarian nursing jobs include assessing patients’ conditions, recording patients’ medical histories, and administering treatments and medications.

What you’d need: Nurses usually have a bachelor’s or associate degree in nursing. Licensure is required to become a nurse and can be obtained by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Check out this sample resume for a registered nurse.

What you’d make: Registered nurses typically earn an hourly wage between $25.50 and $47.60.

Find nursing jobs on Monster.

4. Health Education Specialist

What you’d do: Poverty and poor environmental conditions are just a couple of crises that affect public health. As a health education specialist, you would assess the health needs of communities and develop educational programs that promote wellness.

What you’d need: Health education specialists often hold a bachelor’s degree in health education, health promotion, or a related field.

What you’d make: Health education specialists earn a median annual salary of $43,410.

Find certified health education specialist jobs on Monster.

5. Nutritionist

What you’d do: Malnutrition is prevalent in impoverished communities and impacts the cognitive and physical development of children. Nutritionists manage disease and promote health through food and nutrition. They also assess clients’ nutritional needs and develop healthy meal plans.

What you’d need: You need at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related program of study to become a nutritionist. Depending on which state you live in, you may need to be licensed or certified.

What you’d make: The median yearly salary for nutritionists is $56,824.

Find nutritionist jobs on Monster.

6. Civil Engineer

What you’d do: When you choose a career as a civil engineer, you address crumbling or underdeveloped infrastructures. Civil engineers design and carry out infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, buildings, and sewage systems. This creates a safer, more economically viable environment for people living in impoverished communities.

What you’d need: To become a civil engineer, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction, civil engineering technologies, or a related program accredited by ABET. Check out this sample resume for an entry-level civil engineer.

What you’d make: The median salary for civil engineers is $79,080 per year.

Find civil engineering jobs on Monster.

7. Military Personnel

What you’d do: Military personnel includes people enlisted in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard. Humanitarian aid jobs in the military are often carried out domestically and abroad to help with natural disasters, conflicts, and other crises. The military offers plenty of entry-level humanitarian jobs that can lead to greater opportunities in the future.

What you’d need: To enlist in the military, you must be at least 17 years old, be a U.S. citizen, and meet certain physical requirements. Age limits vary from 27 to 39 years old, depending on the military branch.

What you’d make: Military pay varies by rank, job assignments, and whether a mission is domestic or abroad.

Find military jobs on Monster.

8. Immigration Attorney

What you’d do: Want to help immigrants and refugees build a better life? Consider going into the field of immigration law. Immigration attorneys are responsible for protecting the legal rights of immigrants and helping them gain U.S. citizenship. They help immigrants complete visa applications, represent them in administrative courts, and inform them of their legal rights.

What you’d need: You must complete a law degree accredited by the American Bar Association after obtaining an undergraduate degree. Once you’ve completed law school, you must pass your state’s bar exam. Check out this sample resume for an attorney.

What you’d make: Attorneys make a median salary of $86,505 per year.

Find attorney jobs on Monster.

9. Urban Planner

What you’d do: Proper land development and use is vital for improving the job opportunities and daily lives of people in impoverished and highly populated areas. Urban planners create land use plans that develop and revitalize infrastructure.

What you’d need: Most positions in urban planning require at least a master’s degree in an urban or regional planning program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

What you’d make: The annual salary for urban planners ranges from $31,757 to $86,784.

Find urban planner jobs on Monster.

10. Emergency Management Director

What you’d do: Emergency management is one of the most critical humanitarian jobs for preventing serious harm to people and communities. Emergency management directors create plans and procedures to respond to natural disasters. They also assess potential hazards and develop emergency plans and procedures to reduce the toll of a natural disaster.

What you’d need: First you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, security, protective services, or a related area of study. You may need to obtain certification after being hired, depending on which state you live in.

What you’d make: Emergency management directors earn a median salary of $61,664 per year.

Find emergency management jobs on Monster.

How to Find Humanitarian Jobs Near You

Are you ready to make a difference in the world? Monster’s goal is to help you in your journey to help others. Simply create your profile for free and start clicking on humanitarian jobs that interest you. We’ll make finding employment as easy as possible by sending you free email job alerts and getting your resume in front of recruiters who are looking for candidates with your skills.