You could make more than just a decent living in these high-paying careers...
So you want to make top dollar doing something you love? You're not alone.
The good news is that there are quite a few opportunities out there
with six-figure earning potential. But here's a dose of reality: Those
extra zeros in your paycheck won't appear overnight and will depend on a
variety of factors like locale and level of experience.
Of course every goal must have its starting point. Joining a company
with high integrity, an excellent reputation, and potential for growth
is a good place to start, says Michael Provitera, author of the book
"Mastering Self-Motivation: Preparing Yourself for Personal Excellence."
"The key is to make two or three moves in your industry, either up
the ranks in your current position or to jump ship and join a new
company," Provitera says. Other significant factors in earning a hefty
salary include your network of contacts and your job performance, he
adds.
Are you ready to learn more about careers with $100K earning
potential? We've compiled details on six careers where top earners have
median annual salaries in the six-figures. Keep reading to learn more.
Career #1: Human Resources Manager
- Top 10 Percent of Earners*
- More than $173,140
- Median Annual Salary*
- $99,720
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
- Less than $59,020
If you've got a combination of people skills and business savvy, then
a career as a human resources (HR) manager could be your dream job.
Those in this role may generally direct recruiting, interviewing, and
hiring efforts, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: The higher pay in this career
is due to the strategic role human resources managers play in
organizations, says Provitera. They tend to advise and collaborate with
chief executive officers and other senior managers to ensure that
business strategies are successful, he explains.
Provitera adds that the best way to reach a six figure salary as a
human resources manager is to join a large company that needs
organizational development and change.
How to Prepare: Consider earning a bachelor's degree
in human resources or business administration. According to the
Department of Labor, one of those degrees, combined with several years
of related work experience, are needed for this position. Some
higher-level positions require a master's degree in human resources,
business administration, or labor relations, says the Department.
Career #2: Art Director
- Top 10 Percent of Earners*
- More than $162,800
- Median Annual Salary*
- $80,880
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
- Less than $43,870
If life as a starving artist doesn't appeal to you, then consider
applying your creativity in a career as an art director. As an art
director, your responsibilities may include overseeing the visual style
and images in newspapers, packaging, and movie and television
productions, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: Art directors can work in a variety of settings and for diverse clients, notes the Department of Labor.
But the one constant is that their skills have the potential to pay
off - in any medium. They have the ability to command high salaries,
because they possess a great eye for design plus business smarts, says
Provitera.
He also offers a few words of advice: Compile a list of clients that
you have served and the art that you recommended to them in order to
show the value of your advice and knowledge.
How to Prepare: You will need at least a bachelor's
degree in an art or design subject along with work experience in an art
or design occupation, says the Department of Labor. In fact, many art
directors start out as graphic, industrial, and set designers, and
usually have earned a bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts.
Career #3: Medical and Health Services Manager
- Top 10 Percent of Earners*
- More than $150,560
- Median Annual Salary*
- $88,500
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
- Less than $53,940
If you're keen on working in the health care field but not on the
front lines with patients, consider a career as a medical and health
services manager. Also known as health care executives or health care
administrators, these managers organize and plan medical and health
services, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: Provitera says that medical and
health services managers earn high incomes because of the growing
demand for health care. That demand, according to the Department of
Labor, is due to the aging baby-boomer population who will need medical
services.
Medical health services managers are so highly valued because
physicians place a great deal of reliance on them to coordinate and help
treat the increased amount of people seeking health care, says
Provitera.
How to Prepare: Look into earning a bachelor's
degree or a master's. According to the Department, prospective health
care executives should have a bachelor's in health services. Master's
degrees in fields such as health services, public health, public
administration, long-term care administration, and business
administration are also common.
Career #4: Computer Systems Analyst
- Top 10 Percent of Earners*
- More than $122,090
- Median Annual Salary*
- $79,680
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
- Less than $49,950
Your tech skills could translate well in a career as a computer
systems analyst. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these
analysts use their understanding of business and information technology
to improve current computer systems and procedures.
Why It Tends to Pay: "Computer systems analysts have
such high earning potential, because they maintain the safety,
security, and [performance] of the computer networks," Provitera says.
And since this field is constantly changing, the best paid
professionals in this industry must continually learn and grow. "[You
must] never let your skills become obsolete in a rapidly changing
computer environment," he explains.
How to Prepare: While a bachelor's degree in a
computer or information science-subject is common among computer systems
analysts, according to the Department of Labor, it may not always be
required. Some may hire those with business or liberal arts degrees and
computer and IT skills, while others may prefer to hire applicants with a
master's in business administration with a concentration in information
systems.
Career #5: Accountant and Auditor
- Top 10 Percent of Earners*
- More than $111,510
- Median Annual Salary*
- $63,550
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
- Less than $39,930
Have a love for numbers and money? If so, a career as an accountant
or auditor may fit the bill. In this type of role, you might spend your
days preparing and studying financial records for accuracy and to ensure
taxes are correct and on time, according to the U.S. Department of
Labor.
Why It Tends to Pay: Accountants and auditors know
how and why numbers change and are able to predict future changes -
making them valuable assets to employers, says Provitera.
Even more importantly, these professionals are responsible for
presenting the bottom line. They establish important processes and
ensure that a company is accurately reporting its revenue, which is
essential for any business, he adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
How to Prepare: Consider earning your bachelor's
degree in accounting or a related area. According to the Department of
Labor, that's what most positions require. Some employers may prefer
those with a master's in accounting or business administration and an
accounting specialization.
Career #6: Public Relations Specialist
- Top 10 Percent of Earners*
- More than $101,030
- Median Annual Salary*
- $54,170
- Bottom 10 Percent of Earners*
- Less than $30,760
Don't mind taking center stage or hobnobbing for a living? Well then a
job as a public relations specialist could be the perfect career match.
In this career, you might develop and maintain a positive public image
for your employer or client, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Your
workday may include writing material for media releases, helping your
client communicate with the public, or evaluating advertising and
promotion programs.
Why It Tends to Pay: Public relations specialists
are well-compensated for protecting the image of the people and
organizations that employ them, says Provitera.
And as with any client-based profession, it pays off to build an
established track record and well-recognized reputation for success
yourself, he adds.
How to Prepare: Typically, you would need a
bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, business,
journalism, or English to pursue this career, according to the
Department of Labor.