Source: Yahoo
While what you want out of a career varies from person to person, Michelle Riklan, owner of resume writing and career services company, Riklan Resources, urges individuals to evaluate their own circumstances, and what is important to them in a career.
If one of those must-haves for you is a high salary, don't sell yourself short. Instead of pursuing one of these five low-paying careers, consider opting for the higher-paying alternative instead.
According to Riklan, advertising sales agents sell advertising space
to businesses and individuals. Although "strong interpersonal skills are
necessary for prospecting, client relations, conducting sales
presentations, and account management," Riklan notes that a degree is
not necessarily required, and the take-home pay reflects that.
Taking your sales skills to the next level could pay off if you
pursued a career as a sales engineer. According to the U.S. Department
of Labor, sales engineers sell scientific and technological products or
services to businesses, and must be highly-knowledgeable about them to
do so.
Why the Pay is Higher: For Riklan, successful sales engineers have to "acquire extensive knowledge of scientific and technological products and services." And those are skills that pay - nearly double that of an advertising sales agent, says Riklan.
She says that for an individual who is working as an advertising sales agent, has strong interpersonal skills, and has completed (or is completing) an undergraduate degree, a transition to a sales engineer position is logical. "The initial learning curve would be services and products," says Riklan.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, these professionals typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Some workers with a degree in business or science may also be called sales engineers, the Department says.
For Nicholas Dillon, a Wisconsin-based career and life coach, a job
as a bookkeeper might expose you to basic accounting principles. But,
without the extra responsibility of making monetary recommendations to
supervisors, and the necessary specialty knowledge of taxes, pay will
never be as competitive as you might like.
A mind for math is still a great prerequisite for working as an
accountant, as looking at a company's expenses and profits could still
be a big portion of your job. But, according to the U.S. Department of
Labor, accountants can get even more involved in the financial security
of a company by suggesting cost-cutting measures to increase the bottom
line, and handling taxes and audits to make sure all dollars are
accounted for properly.
Why the Pay is Higher: For Dillon, skilling up and getting the additional education required to pursue an accounting job brings more employment opportunities and a "huge growth in income" over something like bookkeeping. Why? Accountants have a "whole new level of responsibility, growth, and development," Dillon says.
Riklan seconds that opinion, as working as an accountant has a direct bearing on profit in a way that just recording and calculating numbers as a bookkeeper does not. "In the accountant position, the accountability is higher, the salary is double, and a degree is required," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, most accountants are required to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. The Department says that some employers might prefer to hire those with a master's degree in accounting, or in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
As Riklan points out, computer support specialists often troubleshoot
more simplistic issues, meaning their level of expertise - and pay -
isn't as high as what programmers, engineers, and developers command.
She notes, however, that as support specialists "become more seasoned,
they may be challenged with more complex problems to solve," and make
the transition into any of those more specialized career paths with
additional schooling or a certificate, if either is necessary.
Instead of solving colleagues' computer problems, why not use your
tech savvy to make those computer programs instead? According to the
U.S. Department of Labor, computer programmers are responsible for
things like writing code and examining it to make sure there are no
errors in the computer programs they're writing.
Why the Higher Pay: According to Dillon, a career as a programmer, as compared to something like a computer support specialist, "definitely pays more while at the same time challenging you more in the technical side of the industry."
Additionally, a career as a programmer, he says, prepares individuals to move further into the IT field, from managing projects to supervising support specialists - both things that could lead to even higher salaries down the road.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Education Options: Although some employers may hire computer programmers with an associate's degree, the Department of Labor says most of these professionals have a bachelor's degree. Most programmers major in computer science or in a related field, it notes.
For Riklan, medical assistants' pay tends to be on the lower side
because while it is a health care job in a clinical environment, the
bulk of the work is administrative and low-skill.
If you're game to assist doctors and nurses with their ailing
patients, then why not consider working alongside dentists to help keep
patients' teeth healthy and clean? That's pretty much what being a
dental hygienist is all about, as according to the U.S. Department of
Labor, these professionals often educate patients on how to practice
good oral care, and remove tartar from teeth to keep them sparkling.
Why the Pay is Higher: Looking for a potential $40K per year increase in salary? Well, if you're a medical assistant or have a similar entry-level, health care industry job, Riklan says that could be a reality for you if you consider pursuing a career as a dental hygienist. There's much more of a clinical aspect to your work - seeing patients and performing services on them - and that's what Riklan and Dillon see leading to higher pay.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Assisting Program.
Education Options: In addition to being licensed, dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene, says the Department of Labor. According to the Department, requirements for licensure vary by state.
What's missing in the role of mental health counselors is the level
of authority and education that other mental health professionals, like
psychologists, have, says Riklan. As a result, mental health counselors
have relatively lower salaries.
Turns out that a career as a psychologist still involves helping
people work through their issues, but the take-home pay is much more
competitive than the salary for a mental health counselor. Psychologists
study mental processes and human behavior by studying how they relate
to one another and the environment, the U.S. Department of Labor says.
Why the Pay is Higher: When it comes to the world of mental health, Dillon says psychologists are at the top of the totem pole, and the salaries match the level of expertise required. A psychologist position obviously will pay more, as it is at the PhD level and also one of the highest levels of mental health jobs, Dillon says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Psychology Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, "psychologists need a master's, specialist, or doctoral degree in psychology." Independently practicing psychologists are also required to have a license.
Want a career that rewards you for your hard work? Cross a few of these low-earning careers off your list, and try these related, higher-paying alternatives instead.
Everybody has to make a living, right? You've got to put food on the table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head. Well, depending on the career you choose to pursue, doing all of those things could be potentially that much easier - or harder. You could set your sights on a job that doesn't require much preparation or skill and squeak by, or aim a little higher and increase your take-home pay - and ultimately, your livelihood.While what you want out of a career varies from person to person, Michelle Riklan, owner of resume writing and career services company, Riklan Resources, urges individuals to evaluate their own circumstances, and what is important to them in a career.
If one of those must-haves for you is a high salary, don't sell yourself short. Instead of pursuing one of these five low-paying careers, consider opting for the higher-paying alternative instead.
Low-Paying Career #1 Advertising Sales Agent
- Median
Annual Salary - $46,290*
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $103,170*
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $22,930*
The Better Choice Sales Engineer
Find Programs
- Median
Annual Salary - $$91,830
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $150,970
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $55,660
Why the Pay is Higher: For Riklan, successful sales engineers have to "acquire extensive knowledge of scientific and technological products and services." And those are skills that pay - nearly double that of an advertising sales agent, says Riklan.
She says that for an individual who is working as an advertising sales agent, has strong interpersonal skills, and has completed (or is completing) an undergraduate degree, a transition to a sales engineer position is logical. "The initial learning curve would be services and products," says Riklan.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, these professionals typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Some workers with a degree in business or science may also be called sales engineers, the Department says.
Low-Paying Career #2 Bookkeeping Clerk
- Median
Annual Salary - $35,170
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $54,310
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $21,610
The Better Choice Accountant
Find Programs
- Median
Annual Salary - $63,550
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $111,510
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $39,930
Why the Pay is Higher: For Dillon, skilling up and getting the additional education required to pursue an accounting job brings more employment opportunities and a "huge growth in income" over something like bookkeeping. Why? Accountants have a "whole new level of responsibility, growth, and development," Dillon says.
Riklan seconds that opinion, as working as an accountant has a direct bearing on profit in a way that just recording and calculating numbers as a bookkeeper does not. "In the accountant position, the accountability is higher, the salary is double, and a degree is required," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, most accountants are required to have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. The Department says that some employers might prefer to hire those with a master's degree in accounting, or in business administration with a concentration in accounting.
Low-Paying Career #3 Computer Support Specialist
- Median
Annual Salary - $44,300
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $72,690
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $27,200
The Better Choice Computer Programmer
Find Programs
- Median
Annual Salary - $74,280
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $117,890
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $42,850
Why the Higher Pay: According to Dillon, a career as a programmer, as compared to something like a computer support specialist, "definitely pays more while at the same time challenging you more in the technical side of the industry."
Additionally, a career as a programmer, he says, prepares individuals to move further into the IT field, from managing projects to supervising support specialists - both things that could lead to even higher salaries down the road.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Education Options: Although some employers may hire computer programmers with an associate's degree, the Department of Labor says most of these professionals have a bachelor's degree. Most programmers major in computer science or in a related field, it notes.
Low-Paying Career #4 Medical Assistant
- Median
Annual Salary - $29,370
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $41,570
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $21,080
The Better Choice Dental Hygienist
Find Programs
- Median
Annual Salary - $70,210
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $96,280
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $46,540
Why the Pay is Higher: Looking for a potential $40K per year increase in salary? Well, if you're a medical assistant or have a similar entry-level, health care industry job, Riklan says that could be a reality for you if you consider pursuing a career as a dental hygienist. There's much more of a clinical aspect to your work - seeing patients and performing services on them - and that's what Riklan and Dillon see leading to higher pay.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Assisting Program.
Education Options: In addition to being licensed, dental hygienists typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene, says the Department of Labor. According to the Department, requirements for licensure vary by state.
Low Paying Career #5 Mental Health Counselor
- Median
Annual Salary - $40,080
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $66,630
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $25,430
The Better Choice Psychologist
Find Programs
- Median
Annual Salary - $90,020
- Top 10 percent of earners
- $116,240
- Bottom 10 percent of earners
- $42,240
Why the Pay is Higher: When it comes to the world of mental health, Dillon says psychologists are at the top of the totem pole, and the salaries match the level of expertise required. A psychologist position obviously will pay more, as it is at the PhD level and also one of the highest levels of mental health jobs, Dillon says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Psychology Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, "psychologists need a master's, specialist, or doctoral degree in psychology." Independently practicing psychologists are also required to have a license.