Looking for a career with high-pay potential? Keep reading to learn more.
They say money doesn't buy happiness - but it could certainly make some aspects of life much easier. So why not look for a job that meshes with your interests and has high-pay potential?So why do some careers have higher pay than others? One major factor is the amount a candidate has invested in education to learn and hone marketable skills, says Tim Dugger, career coach at The Career Café in Indianapolis. Other factors include the level of responsibility or stress involved with a job, as well as the level of supply for a position versus the level of demand.
Keep reading to learn more about these jobs that pay $50 an hour ? or upwards of six figures per year.
Career #1: Compensation and Benefits Manager
- Mean Hourly Salary
- $53.87*
- Mean Annual Wage
- $112,040*
In this career, you would plan, coordinate, and direct pay and benefits for organizations, including pay structures, health insurance, and retirement plans, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Might Pay: "They are paid for their skillset, which is to be generally detail-oriented and analytical," Dugger says. "They're also paid for their professionalism and their confidentiality."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Human Resources Program.
How to Prepare: Sound good to you? To pursue this position, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree, notes the Department of Labor. Since not all colleges offer a human resources major, managers may have their degree in business management, business administration, finance, or some related field.
Career #2: Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Mean Hourly Salary
- $63.74
- Mean Annual Wage
- $132,570
In this position, you would plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities for an organization, says the U.S. Department of Labor. You would also help implement computer systems to reach the information technology goals of a company.
Why It Might Pay: These managers are often paid well because of their combination of technical knowledge and good people skills, Dugger says.
"They have the ability to relate to and manage a team of high-performing individuals. Their responsibility is to retain the talent pool and make sure they play nice together."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Information Science Program.
How to Prepare: Does this sound like a dream career to you? If so, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or information science, along with related work experience, says the Department of Labor.
Career #3: Financial Manager
- Mean Hourly Salary
- $60.89
- Mean Annual Wage
- $126,660
Financial managers are tasked with keeping an organization financially stable. Your day-to-day activities might include creating financial reports, managing and recommending investment options, and setting financial goals for the business, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Might Pay: This job requires valuable skills such as good attention to detail, the ability to manage stress, and the ability to stay even-keeled in high stress situations, says Dugger. Also, a high percentage of financial managers have an MBA,so they've invested more into their education and skills and are compensated well as a result.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
How to Prepare: Want to start prepping for this career? You'll need at least five years of experience in another business or financial occupation along with a bachelor's degree, in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration, according to the Department of Labor.
The Department also points out that many employers are now seeking candidates who have a master's degree in a field like business administration, economics, or finance.
Career #4: Computer Hardware Engineer
- Mean Hourly Salary
- $51.41
- Mean Annual Wage
- $106,930
In this role, you might design and implement processors, memory devices, networks, and routers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Might Pay: "If it has the word 'computer' in it, it's probably going to pay well, because these positions are in high demand," Dugger says.
Computer hardware engineers specifically are paid well, because they have strong, in-demand analytical skills needed in the design of computer systems, adds Dugger.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Engineering Program.
How to Prepare: If you?d like to pursue this career, you'll need a bachelor's degree that comes from an accredited computer engineering program, says the Department of Labor. A degree in a related field, such as computer science or electrical engineering, is generally also acceptable.
Career #5: Systems Software Developer
- Mean Hourly Salary
- $50.23
- Mean Annual Wage
- $104,480
As a systems software developer, you would design and test operating software for a variety of industries, including medical, military, and communications, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Might Pay: "Software is essential to virtually every area of our modern life, and software developers are in high demand," according to Julie Erickson, career coach at myrightfitjob.com.
"Factors driving demand for software developers are growth in mobile technologies, increasing e-commerce, [and] expanded use of software in all kinds of everyday products," she says. And that demand drives up salaries.