With such impressive salaries, these careers may be worth pursuing.
With all the competition in the current job market, it may seem like
you should settle for any old low-paying job. But why sell yourself
short when there are opportunities out there with better potential?
Not sure where to start? You're in luck. We've compiled a list of job
options that have a median annual salary of $80,000 or more. Just keep
in mind that reaching these career heights won't happen overnight.
Still interested in learning more? Keep reading for details on six careers with high-pay potential.
Career #1: Applications Software Developer
- Median Annual Salary:*
- $90,060
- Top 10 Percent of Earners:*
- $138,880
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners:*
- $55,190
Can't put down your laptop or iPhone? A career in software development might be right up your alley.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department
of Labor, these developers are the masterminds behind the software that
we use on computers, tablets, smart phones, and more. In addition to
designing applications, they also test software to make sure it
functions correctly.
Why It Could Pay: Lynn Kindler, a Texas-based
career coach, saw software developers making excellent money in her past
as a professional recruiter. According to Kindler, this was due to the
specialized skills it takes to create software for any given company.
How much you make depends on your level of expertise with various
tools and platforms, she says. This knowledge allows someone to take on
more responsibility - which is why it's well-rewarded. "Your work can
mean a matter of making or breaking a project," Kindler explains.
How to Prepare for the Switch: The Department of
Labor says these professionals usually have a bachelor's degree in
computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Math degrees
are also acceptable.
Career #2: Medical and Health Services Manager
- Median Annual Salary:
- $88,580
- Top 10 Percent of Earners:
- $150,560
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners:
- $53,940
With the introduction of Obamacare, the medical industry's gotten
even more complex. If you're interested in how to keep things running
smoothly, you may want to learn more about the medical and health
services management profession.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department
of Labor, planning and coordinating medical and health services is the
chief concern of these professionals. Creating schedules, staying up to
date on laws and regulations, and controlling finances are also often
part of the gig.
Why It Could Pay: The specialized nature of their work requires both knowledge of the health care system and business savvy, says Kindler.
How to Prepare for the Switch: "Prospective
medical and health services managers should have a bachelor's degree in
health administration," says the Department of Labor. Master's degrees
in fields such as health services, business administration, public
health, public administration, and long-term care administration are
also common.
Career #3: Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal
- Median Annual Salary:
- $87,760
- Top 10 Percent of Earners:
- $130,810
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners:
- $58,530
If you place a high value on learning and have some teaching
experience, you might want to put school principal on your list of
careers to consider.
What They Do: Principals might be responsible
for everything from overseeing the operation of an entire school to
evaluating the efficacy of teachers to meeting with parents to discuss
students' behavior, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Could Pay: Principals often take home
high pay, because the position carries the huge responsibility of being a
leader, according to Kindler. Principals are responsible for creating
an effective environment where students can learn successfully - which
is no easy task.
How to Prepare for the Switch: According to the
Department of Labor, most schools require principals to have their
master's degrees in education administration or leadership. Candidates
usually need teaching experience as well.
Career #4: Financial Manager
- Median Annual Salary:
- $109,740
- Top 10 Percent of Earners:
- $187,199 or more
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners:
- $59,630
If you believe money makes the world go 'round, then you may want
to steer your career path toward a role as a financial manager.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department
of Labor, financial managers generate financial reports, strategize
long-term financial goals, and look after an organization's financial
health.
Why It Could Pay: Financial managers make big
money, because they have the right stuff - meaning they know how to
interpret the economy and make smart investments - explains Kindler.
Additionally, they possess the necessary interpersonal skills to work
with clients.
Of course, in order to be successful and well-compensated, she
says, candidates will either be exceptionally talented in regards to
numbers, people, or ideally, a little bit of both. She adds that
personal recommendations and referrals will also factor heavily into how
much you earn in this profession. "The more you distinguish yourself by
the companies and people you align yourself with, the better," she
says.
How to Prepare for the Switch: At minimum,
financial managers often need a bachelor's degree - in accounting,
business administration, economics, or finance - and five or more years
of experience in a related area, says the Department of Labor. The
Department also notes that nowadays, many employers want candidates to
have a master's degree in business administration, economics, or
finance.
Career #5: Human Resources Manager
- Median Annual Salary:
- $99,720
- Top 10 Percent of Earners:
- $173,140
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners:
- $59,020
If you're a people-person and feel comfortable speaking with
almost anyone, a career in human resources management might be a good
fit for you.
What They Do: According to the U.S. Department
of Labor, human resources managers typically serve as a link between an
organization's employees and management team, mediating conflicts and
hiring new staff.
Why It Could Pay: For Kindler, it's a
combination of education, people skills, and prior management
experience. Things can get tense when your main task is handling a
company's most important, and often most volatile, asset - its
employees.
She adds that taking on more responsibility regarding legal
issues in the workplace, such as the immigration status of employees or
employee disputes, could help you reach the high-pay potential of this
career.
How to Prepare for the Switch: Several years of
related work experience and a bachelor's degree in human resources or
business administration is needed, says the Department of Labor. For
some higher-level positions, a master's degree in human resources,
business administration, or labor relations is required, says the
Department.
Career #6: Nurse Practitioner
- Median Annual Salary:
- $89,960
- Top 10 Percent of Earners:
- $120,500
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners:
- $64,100
If you want to make a career out of helping people, you may want to look into the profession of nurse practitioner.
What They Do: Responsibilities vary by state,
but these practitioners might be responsible for performing physical
exams, diagnosing health problems, and prescribing medications, says the
U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Could Pay: According to Nicholas Dillon, a
Wisconsin-based professional career and life coach, the field of
nursing requires expertise that commands higher salaries. Practitioners,
according to the Department of Labor, also need specialized graduate
education, which can also drive salaries for this position up.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
How to Prepare for the Switch: The Department
says nurse practitioners must earn at least a master's degree from an
accredited program. However, they also note that they must first be a
licensed registered nurse. And what's the path for an RN licensure?
According to the Department, nurses must pass the National Council
Licensure Examination and graduate from an approved nursing programs.
RNs usually pursue a diploma from an approved nursing program, an
associate's in nursing, or a bachelor's in nursing.