Top 10 Most In-Demand And Highest Paying Jobs For OFWs

Can you still remember the times when everyone would go to a nursing school and dream of becoming a nurse overseas? For some time, it seemed like getting a nursing diploma is a golden ticket to a greener pasture. If you are a licensed nurse, you will have a good chance to find a better job abroad and provide for your family.

However, all of a sudden, the trend suddenly waned just as quickly as it became popular. There are stricter immigration and more difficult application process that led to hundreds of thousands of Filipino nurses stuck in the country with no jobs.

On the brighter side, more and more countries are looking for other professionals. Countries in the Middle East as well as the United States, are looking for skilled workers and land-based professionals and are offering generous salaries.

Filipinos continue to be in demand abroad, whether they are a degree holder or not. If you are planning to take your chance and work abroad to earn a higher salary for a shorter period of time, you should know which jobs you should try applying to.

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

Here are the top 10 highest paying jobs for Overseas Filipino Workers with their Average Monthly Income

1. Healthcare (doctors, veterinarian, nurses) = P111,620
2. Process Design and Control = P87,027
3. Public Relations = P83,375
4. Aviation or Aircraft Maintenance = P81,149
5. Law or Legal Services = P80,300
6. Education or Training Development = P62,438
7. Quality Control = P58,463
8. Information Technology = P57,639
9. Engineering = P57,102
10. Architecture and Interior Design = P55,660

Top 10 Countries of Deployment

Many countries are employing Filipinos as their workers. According to the survey conducted by Workabroad.ph, here are the top 10 countries of deployment of OFWs for 2017:

1. Saudi Arabia = 61,534 posted jobs
2. Qatar = 16,083 posted jobs
3. United Arab Emirates = 7,231 posted jobs
4. Kuwait = 5,310 posted jobs
5. Bahrain = 3,725 posted jobs
6. Oman = 3,661 posted jobs
7. United States = 3,017 posted jobs
8. New Zealand = 1,190 posted jobs
9. Malaysia = 1,094 posted jobs
10. Taiwan = 861 posted jobs

Six out of ten countries of destination for OFWs can be found in the Middle East. Many countries in the Middle East put the most job orders for nurses, engineers, domestic workers, and skilled workers. According to Private Recruitment Agencies, skilled workers are still the most in demand.

There are two types of OFWs: the Land-based workers and the Sea-based workers.

There are numerous opportunities for Filipinos with specializations related to engineering, food and beverage, and general work service sectors. General work refers to electricians, drivers, plumbing, maintenance, and A/C, auto, and refrigeration repairmen.

Top 20 In-Demand Land-Based Jobs

Based on the survey conducted by POEA to the private agencies, here are the top in-demand land-based jobs abroad:

1. Waiter
2. Carpenter
3. Electrician
4. Welder
5. Cook
6. Pipe Fitter
7. Civil Engineer
8. Plumber
9. Rigger
10. Nurse
11. Mechanical Engineer
12. Salesman
13. Cashier
14. Machine Operator
15. Laborer
16. Scaffolder
17. Cleaner
18. Driver
19. Service Crew
20. Electrical Engineer

Top 20 In-Demand Sea-based Jobs

Based on the survey conducted by POEA to the private agencies, here are the top in-demand sea-based jobs abroad:

1. Chief Engineer Officer
2. Chief Mate
3. Master
4. Second Engineer Officer
5. Able Seaman
6. Second Mate
7. Electrician
8. Third Engineer Officer
9. Fitter
10. Chief Cook
11. Third Mate
12. Oiler
13. Bosun
14. Fourth Engineer Officer
15. Pumpman
16. Wiper
17. Messman
18. Chief Electrician
19. Deck Cadet
20. Assistant Cook

Highest Paying Jobs For Filipinos Around The World (Based on Region)

What are the highest paying positions for Filipinos in various regions of the world?

Asia Pacific

1. Engineer (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P59,000
2. IT Professionals (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P58,000
3. Engineer (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P56,000
4. IT Professionals (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P54,000
5. Nurse (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P50,000
6. Technician (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P45,000
7. Technician (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P40,000
8. Mechanic (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P39,000
9. Operator (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P39,000
10. Operator (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P38,000
11. Mechanic (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P37,000

The Middle East

1. Pediatrician (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P86,000
2. General Doctor (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P81,000
3. Orthopedic (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P79,000
4. Dental Hygienist (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P75,000
5. Dermatologist (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P74,000
6. Orthopedic (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P73,000
7. Dentist (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P71,000
8. Dentist (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P65,000
9. Dermatologist (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P65,000
10. Nurse (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P65,000
11. Pediatrician (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P63,000
12. Chemist (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P59,000
13. Veterinarian (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P58,000
14. Engineer (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P57,000
15. Veterinarian (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P57,000
16. Engineer (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P56,000
17. Chemist (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P55,000
18. Dental Hygienist (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P54,000

The United States

1. Master Engineer (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P99,000
2. Chief Engineer (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P98,000
3. Chiefmate (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P92,000
4. Nurse (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P80,000
5. Ship Officer (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P75,000
6. Ship Engineer (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P70,000
7. Fitter (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P67,000
8. Ship Officer (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P64,000
9. Ship Engineer (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P63,000
10. Electrician (with job experience of 5 years and above) = P62,000
11. Oiler (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P61,000
12. Nurse (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P56,000
13. Fitter (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P53,000
14. Electrician (with job experience of 0 up to 4 years) = P34,000

If you are an aspiring Overseas Filipino Worker, you must prepare before leaving by familiarizing yourself about your country of destination. Study their culture as well as the people living in the place so it’s easier for you to adapt to your surrounding. Most importantly, make sure to apply on legit private agencies listed in POEA for your security and peace of mind.