Consider planning a career move toward one of these high-caliber, high-earning jobs.
These days, it may seem like employers want more out of their
employees for less money. But there are still careers out there where
it's possible to make an honest living and then some.
That's right. We're talking $80K salaried jobs that could help you
bring home the bacon, buy a house, save for a rainy day, you name it.
And besides the high pay, it turns out these jobs have another common
denominator.
"Jobs that are high paying are often those that combine high demand
and also require some technical expertise or higher education," says
Erik Bowitz, resume and career consultant for the web-based Resume
Companion company.
But don't get too excited just yet. It's important to keep in mind
that these are generally not entry-level careers, and in most cases
experience will be a significant factor when applying.
Still interested? To make your life easier, we've compiled a
shortlist of jobs that pay the big bucks because their requirements
entail some combination of the above.
So whether you're ready to make a career change, you're just starting
out and want to shoot for the stars, or you want to position yourself
to climb the career ladder, read on for our picks of jobs that pass the
$80K salary threshold - and what you'll need to pursue them.
Career #1: Medical and Health Services Manager
If you like the idea of medicine but know that blood and guts - and
patients - aren't your cup of tea, then a career as a medical and health
services manager could be right up your alley. In this
behind-the-scenes role, you would likely coordinate, rather than
provide, care at a hospital, doctor's office, or other medical facility.
Efficiency's the name of the game for medical and health services
managers, who, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, are often
responsible for staying up to date on laws and regulations, creating
schedules, and controlling the finances of a facility. They also improve
efficiency and quality in care delivery to patients.
What's the pay breakdown? Well, the median annual salary is $88,580,
with $53,940 reported by those in the bottom 10th percentile and
$150,560 for those in the 90th percentile.
The show-me-the-money factor here lies in the management aspect of
this role. "Medical health and services managers are paid $80K because
often they're managing a lot of people," says Kohut. "The workload can
also be pretty heavy in these jobs, too."
How To Make the Switch: "Prospective medical and
health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health
administration," says the U.S. Department of Labor. Master's degrees in
business administration, health services, public health, long-term care
admin, and public administration are also common, notes the Department
of Labor.
Career #2: Software Developer
Can't put down your laptop or iPhone? Are you the go-to person your
friends trust to troubleshoot their tech problems? Answer yes, and you
might find yourself personally fulfilled - and paid well - as a software
developer.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, software developers are
the creative forces behind the programs that run on computers. If you
were to follow this career path, your daily grind would involve a lot of
quality time logged on, developing apps people can use to perform tasks
on devices and making sure programs continue to run without any
hiccups.
And now the good part. Software developers are quite the moneymakers.
According to figures from the Department of Labor, this job fetches a
median salary that's just under six figures at $99,000. Those in the
bottom 10 percent make about $62,800, and the top 10 percent is sitting
pretty at $148,850. Why so much cheddar?
"The software developer has a high level of expertise in his or her
daily responsibilities," says Bowitz, meaning the skill set these
professionals bring to the table, from understanding computer languages
to debugging tech issues, isn't typical of the average person.
How To Make the Switch: To be considered qualified
for a job as a developer, the U.S. Department of Labor recommends
earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering,
or a related field. Mathematics is also an acceptable field. In order to
keep an edge in this career, the Department of Labor reports that
developers should stay on top of the latest computer languages and
tools.
Career #3: School Principal
Have fond memories of elementary school? If so, you're in luck; you
could go back there again, or to middle or high school, as a principal.
Trust us, it'll be much more exciting this time when you're getting paid
to rule the school.
As a school principal, the U.S. Department of Labor says you'll
likely help teachers improve by putting together programs and
mentorships, observing them in the classroom and making sure they have
the resources they need to be effective educators.
And being at the top of the pyramid in a school's hierarchy also
means you're at the top of the payroll, evidently. Specifically,
according to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for
elementary and secondary education administrators is $87,760. Those in
the 10th percentile make $58,530, while those in the 90th make $130,810.
"Principals are paid well because there's a lot of responsibility
there and many years of experience under the belt," says Abby Kohut,
career expert and professional HR recruiter. Bowitz agrees, saying that
pay as an educational administrator or principal tends to parallel the
managerial role of the job.
How To Make the Switch: Pursuing the path of
principal isn't impossible, but it will take some time. If you're
already teaching and want to advance to this kind of a role, the
Department of Labor says you better be ready to get back in the class -
as a student this time.
Most schools require principals to have a master's in education
leadership or administration, says the Department. Such programs require
that candidates entering the program already hold a bachelor's degree
in education, school counseling, or something related.
Career #4: Psychiatrist
Does helping people work through their problems seem less like a
chore and more like a calling? If so, you might consider going to school
to learn the official methods for helping people cope and then pursue a
career as a psychiatrist.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a psychiatrist is
essentially a physician that deals exclusively in mental health. That
being said, the Department of Labor says this job involves diagnosing
and treating mental illness, often by counseling and medication. They
also offer solutions that help patients change behavioral patterns.
Helping people in this capacity is rewarding for sure. But as it
turns out, it also pays big. According to the U.S. Department of Labor,
the median salary for psychiatrists is $173,330. The bottom 10th
percentile of pros make $70,920, while the top 90th make a figure
greater to or equal than $187,199.
High pay here, according to Bowitz, correlates to the degree of
specialization and the amount of schooling that practicing requires.
There's also a huge demand here, too, he says, as baby boomers begin to
retire from this profession.
How To Make the Switch: Pursuing a career as a
psychiatrist definitely involves a big commitment in time and money. The
U.S. Department of Labor says almost all physicians get a bachelor's
degree followed by four years of medical school. From there, people on
this career path can expect another three to eight years in internship
and residency programs, depending on the exact line of work.
Career #5: Human Resources Manager
Ever been told you're a real people person? That you're easy to talk
to? Why not cash in on those skills as a human resources manager, where
your job description could include making sure a staff understands its
compensation and feels supported in the office environment.
Working as a human resources manager requires staying on your toes.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you could be in charge of the
hiring process, fielding employee questions, and mediating conflicts
that arise in the workplace. Effectively directing an organization's
administrative processes is key, says the Department of Labor, as is
taking care of payroll, training, and benefits.
What exactly are we talking money-wise, you ask? For starters, the
median pay for human resources managers is about $99,720, says the U.S.
Department of Labor. The bottom 10 percent of professionals in this
field make close to $59,020, while the top 10 percent make $173,140.
According to Bowitz, pay is high in this profession because of the
duties that can affect profit, albeit indirectly. "The core
responsibility of [human resources managers] will be the management of
people," says Bowitz. "Acquiring, training, and releasing people within a
company all can directly impact the company's bottom line, so finding
talent and recognizing how to best utilize it is the key to success and
higher salaries in this position."
How To Make the Switch: To pursue a career as a
human resources manager, you'll need to have a mix of related work
experience and education. If you can get your bachelor's in human
resources, that's a good place to start, as the Department of Labor says
human resources managers usually need this degree or one in business
administration.
But you can also get the required bachelor's in another field and
take courses in human resources subjects, according to the Department.
Or you might supplement your management experience in another field with
a master's in human resources, which the Department says is one degree
required for higher-level jobs.
Career #6: Financial Manager
Think about it: if you're good with money and make it multiply, then
you should be compensated well, too. That's the case with financial
managers, who are typically in charge of an organization's financial
health and investments.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, financial managers produce
financial reports, set long-term financial goals, and seek ways to
reduce costs. The idea, of course, is to help senior managers make the
biggest profit possible.
According to the Department of Labor, the compensation in this career
ranges from $59,630 to $187,199 or more, according to earnings reported
by the 10th and 90th percentiles, respectively. The median annual
salary, as reported by the Department, is $109,740.
These healthy returns mean you can walk the walk. "There's definitely
a level of expertise and responsibility for a financial manager that
dictates a higher salary," says Kohut.
How To Make the Switch: You should prepare to work
your way up the ladder in this profession, as the Department says
financial managers typically must have five years of experience in
another business or financial occupation. That's in addition to a
bachelor's degree, which the Department notes is often in finance,
economics, accounting, or business administration.
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