6 careers that pay more than $60K

Source: Yahoo

You may think that a high-paying career is out of reach, but with the right preparation, you could follow one of these lucrative career paths.

By Margaret Rock

In these tough economic times, you may think a well-paying job is out of reach, but there are many career paths with the potential to pay more than $60,000 a year.
Some of these high-paying careers are well-suited to those with a special talent, according to Laura Labovich, CEO of the Career Strategy Group. For example, she points out that someone may be able to look at a sheet of numbers and almost immediately notice that something is off. That knack for numbers could really pay off if that person pursued a career as an accountant.
Natural talent aside, many high-paying positions require the right combination of work experience and education. So, if you are interested in pursuing a well-compensated career path, you might want to take a look at preparing for the following six careers, where the median annual salary exceeds $60,000.

Career #1 - Information Security Analyst

Median Annual Salary:

$86,170*

Bottom 10 Percent:

$49,960

Top 10 Percent:

$135,600

If you think you'd enjoy a career that involves managing systems and keeping information confidential, a career as an information security analyst might be a good option to pursue, especially since the field has the potential for high pay.
Information security analysts may plan and implement security measures to protect computer networks and systems from cyber attacks, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This career often involves researching the latest security trends, monitoring an organization's networks for security breaches, and installing software like firewalls and encryption programs to protect sensitive data.
Why It Pays Well: "Since they often have access to the highest level of security, these jobs are important and require a high trust factor within an organization," Labovich says.
There is a wide salary range for information security analysts, and Labovich points out that those candidates "who come to the table with a proven track record," demonstrating their ability to secure data, are better able to gain an edge.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
How to Prepare: Information security analysts usually need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or a related field. Employers sometimes prefer applicants who have a master of business administration in information systems.

Career #2 - Accountant

Median Annual Salary:

$63,550*

Bottom 10 Percent:

$39,930

Top 10 Percent:

$111,510

If you think in terms of numbers, enjoy accuracy, and get satisfaction from making figures balance, you might want to check out a well-paying accounting career.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, accountants analyze, interpret, and prepare financial records. They also give advice on best-practices recommendations to management, suggest ways to reduce costs and improve profits, and inspect account books and systems for efficiency.
Why It Pays Well: "The difference that one wrong number can make on a company report can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars," Labovich said. "So a person who has a good sense of obligation and dedication and is accurate and detail-oriented can be rewarded with a good-paying accounting position."
The dedication often comes in the form of putting in long hours, which can be common in this career. For example, in 2010, one in five accountants worked more than 40 hours a week, according to the Department of Labor.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
How to Prepare: Most accountant positions require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, and some employers may prefer a master's degree, either in accounting or in business administration with a concentration in accounting, according to the Department. Accountants who earn a Certified Public Accountant license may also have better job prospects.

Career #3 - Human Resources Manager

Median Annual Salary:

$99,720*

Bottom 10 Percent:

$59,020

Top 10 Percent:

$173,140

For those who enjoy working with other people, solving problems, and playing a role in a cohesive workplace, pursuing a career as a human resources manager could be very rewarding.
"Human resources managers often require ‘soft career skills,' like having high emotional intelligence," Labovich points out. That could be because according to the U.S. Department of Labor, those in this profession serve as a link between an organization's management and its employees by answering questions, administering services for employees, and resolving work-related disputes. Managers also advise managers on policies like equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment and oversee recruitment, interviewing, and hiring processes.

Why It Pays Well: "You need to know how to navigate challenging cultures, difficult personalities, and things that might not be clearly defined," Labovich says about the career's high-paying potential. "If you aren't aware of individual differences and how to mediate them, you might not do as well in this career."
In addition, some human resources managers who work for companies with nationwide offices may need to travel in order to visit other branches, attend professional meetings, and recruit employees, according to the Department of Labor.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
How to Prepare: Human resources manager positions usually require a bachelor's degree in human resources or business administration, according to the Department. Since not all undergraduate programs offer a specific human resources degree, candidates could get a bachelor's degree in another field and take courses in human resources subjects, such as organizational development, labor or industrial relations, or industrial psychology. Some higher-level jobs may require a master's degree in human resources, labor relations, or a master of business administration degree.

Career #4 - Personal Financial Advisor

Median Annual Salary:

$67,520*

Bottom 10 Percent:

$32,280

Top 10 Percent:

$187,199+

Navigating personal financial decisions like buying a house, evaluating your retirement, and planning to meet both short- and long-term financial goals is overwhelming to many people, but not personal financial advisors.
Personal financial advisors provide financial advice to their clients on investments, taxes, and insurance decisions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. So if you are knowledgeable about money and want to help people with their financial needs, a high-pay career as a personal financial advisor could be worth exploring.
Why It Pays Well: "In the field of investments," according to Labovich, "there is a lot at stake, especially for those personal financial advisors who work with high net-worth investors, so this job pays well." She also notes that being a personal financial advisor can be challenging because they need to stay on top of current trends and be plugged into what is happening at all times, which often includes traveling to visit with existing clients as well as meeting new ones.
As a result, most personal financial advisors work at least 40 hours a week, and 24 percent of them work more than 50 hours a week, says the Department of Labor.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
How to Prepare: A bachelor's degree is typically needed to pursue a career as a personal financial advisor, and although there isn't a specific field of study for this career, a degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law can help prepare candidates, notes the Department. Those who directly buy or sell stocks, bonds, and insurance policies would also need licenses, depending on the products they sell.

Career #5 - Industrial Organizational Psychologist

Median Annual Salary:

$83,580*

Bottom 10 Percent:

$48,780

Top 10 Percent:

$168,020

Ever heard of a doctor who treats an organization? Well, that is how Labovich describes the role of an industrial-organizational psychologist - another career that pays well.
"The IO psychologist diagnoses and fixes the health of an organization - complete with the board of directors, annual revenue, marketing, and other factors." The U.S. Department of Labor reports that industrial-organizational psychologists' responsibilities include policy planning, employee screening and training, and organizational development.
Why It Pays Well: "I think this role is highly paid because IO psychologists have to be able to take a seat at the table with high-level executives and get the buy-in of stakeholders." As a result, these psychologists are trusted, senior-level members of staff who work with management to organize the work setting and improve worker productivity.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Psychology Program.
How to Prepare: According to the Department of Labor, those who've earned a master's degree in psychology can work as industrial organizational psychologists. Entry into psychology graduate programs is competitive and may require undergraduate coursework in introductory psychology, experimental psychology, and statistics.

Career #6 - Elementary, Middle and High School Principal

Median Annual Salary:

$87,760*

Bottom 10 Percent:

$58,530

Top 10 Percent:

$130,810

Working in a school setting as an elementary, middle, or high school principal offers a challenging yet lucrative career path. School principals lead and direct members of school staff and manage daily school operations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
"They need to have good negotiating skills, because they often have to walk a narrow line between teachers, administrators, the community-at-large, and their students," Labovich observes. These skills are particularly helpful, because principals often need to implement policies and strategies that aren't well-liked at the time, she points out.
Why It Pays Well: One factor that might account for the high pay, according to Labovich, is that this career requires candidates who are "good mediators who cheer for their schools while sometimes defending policies they may or may not agree with."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Education Leadership Program.
How to Prepare: These professionals are usually required to have a master's degree in education leadership or administration by most schools, according to the Department of Labor. These graduate programs may require candidates to have a bachelor's degree in education, school counseling, or a related field.

6 big-money jobs that are within reach

Source: Yahoo

Are you interested in jump-starting a well-paid career? These six positions could be within reach.

By Danielle Blundell

When payday comes, are you left feeling disappointed? Maybe you feel like you aren't making what you're worth in your current job or perhaps you're still figuring out which lucrative career to pursue. If bringing home a big paycheck is a priority for you, there are several big-money careers in various industries that you could choose to pursue.
The jobs listed below have salaries ranging from $50,000 to $90,000, but to earn that top dollar, you'll need the right combination of experience, expertise, and education. But no matter where you are in your career, you could pursue the high-earning careers below with the right preparation.

High-Pay Career #1: Human Resources Manager

Median Annual Salary

$99,720*

Top 10 Percent Earnings

$173,140

Bottom 10 Percent Earnings

$59,020

Are you a business-savvy people-person with a keen attention to detail? Then a career as a human resources manager might be a good option for you. And because it's got that keyword "manager" in the title, you could be nicely compensated to deal with people and policies at a company.
High-Pay Potential: "HR managers, in a way, are in-house attorneys saving companies huge sums by avoiding harassment and similar lawsuits," says Bruce A. Hurwitz, career counselor and CEO of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing. In essence, he says, HR managers command high salaries because of their importance to a company's profit margins.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
Common Tasks: According to the U.S Department of Labor, human resource managers may help their companies by overseeing and coordinating the processes of hiring, recruiting, and training staff at a company. They also advise managers on organizational policies, including equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment.
Education Options: The U.S. Department of Labor states that a bachelor's degree is usually needed in either human resources or business administration. Some higher-level jobs could require a master's degree in human resources, labor relations, or a master of business administration (MBA).

High-Pay Career #2: Registered Nurse

Median Annual Salary

$65,470*

Top 10 Percent Earnings

$94,720

Bottom 10 Percent Earnings

$45,040

You're known in your circle of friends as the compassionate, caring one. And you're interested in medicine - but just not sure whether you want to toil away for years in medical school to become a doctor. Well, pursuing a nursing career could take much less time than an M.D. and pay pretty well for that matter, too.
High-Pay Potential: For McIlwain, the health care field overall pays well because of need and the difficulty of work. In addition, nurses are compensated well, maybe even more than you'd think, because of "the importance nurses play in keeping health care costs down by assisting higher priced physicians with their work," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Common Tasks: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, RNs perform diagnostic tests and teach patients how to properly treat their ailments once leaving the hospital. They also record patients' symptoms and medical histories, administer medications, and set up plans for patient care.
Education Options: There are three common ways to prepping for a career as a registered nurse, says the U.S. Department of Labor: a bachelor's of science or associate's degree from a university in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program.

High-Pay Career #3: Elementary School Teacher

Median Annual Salary

$53,400*

Top 10 Percent Earnings

$83,160

Bottom 10 Percent Earnings

$35,630

Love to get up and speak your mind to large groups? Enjoy spending time with young kids? Teaching could be a profession that's right up your alley. And guess what? The take-home pay for shaping future generations' minds could be higher than you think.
High-Pay Potential: There's a misconception that teachers don't make good money, Hurwitz says, because a lot of their salary has to do with behind-the-scenes negotiations. "Teachers make good money because of union contracts, not necessarily merit," says Hurwitz.
Next step: Click to Find the Right K-12 Education Program.
Common Tasks: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a day in the classroom as a teacher could include tasks such as planning lessons, setting up classroom rules, and communicating with parents about their child's progress. A teacher's responsibilities may also include assessing students' abilities and working with individual students on overcoming their weaknesses.
Education Options: The U.S. Department of Labor says public schools require teachers to obtain a bachelor's degree, but specific requirements vary from state to state, with all states mandating a certification or license. Although private schools do not need to meet state requirements when hiring elementary school teachers, they typically seek candidates with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

High-Pay Career #5: Art Director

Median Annual Salary

$80,880*

Top 10 Percent Earnings

$162,800

Bottom 10 Percent Earnings

$43,870

Do you find yourself doodling on everything from cocktail napkins to post-it notes? Then you should find a way to harness your creative energy and aspire to a lucrative career as an art director. It is by no means an entry-level job and may require years of experience to achieve this job title. But your hard work and time could pay off in a nice, steady paycheck, which sure beats being a starving artist.
High-Pay Potential: According to McIlwain, if you worked your way up to art director, you could make more than a fine artist, because your work could be directly tied to ticket sales or ad dollars. That said, whether you work for a nonprofit or for-profit company, such as an advertising agency, would have a material effect on salary, she says. McIlwain recommends the latter, since a job in advertising could pay off much more.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Graphic Design Program.
Common Tasks: Art directors may help create and design the visual style and images for magazines, product packaging, or movie and television productions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This career may also involve talking to clients to develop an artistic approach and supervising design staff.
Education Options: Art directors need at least a bachelor's degree in an art or design-related field, says the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor also states that some art directors may have worked in other art or design occupations previously.

High-Pay Career #6: Public Relations Specialist

Median Annual Salary

$95,450*

Top 10 Percent Earnings

$180,480

Bottom 10 Percent Earnings

$51,630

If you have a way with words, both written and spoken, then public relations specialist may be the right job for you. In this position, you'd play a valuable role in handling a client's communication with the public and the media.
High-Pay Potential: According to Hurwitz, public relations managers can be paid quite handsomely because of the important role they play in crafting a company or individual's image, and controlling the dialogue about them in the public. "The ability to communicate well is a lost art," says Hurwitz. "Every business needs someone, either on staff or retainer, who can explain policies and decisions, especially in a crisis."
McIlwain agrees. "Public relations professionals can make a good salary, particularly at the senior levels, as their role becomes critical to the overall success of the company," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Communications Program.
Common Tasks: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, public relations managers are responsible for helping organizations maintain and promote a favorable public image through cultivating relationships with the media. These PR professionals may also manage public relations programs and raise funds for their organizations.
Education Options: Public relations specialists usually need a bachelor's degree, and employers typically want applicants who have studied communications, public relations, journalism, business, or English.

The do's and don'ts of tapping your personal network for business

Susan Ricker,

Friends and family are usually happy to help out with a child's fundraiser or sponsor your 5K charity run, but when business proposals come up, you may be left with a smaller group of open minds. If you have a job that can benefit from generating new leads or adding business, what are some simple do's and don'ts to keep in mind when approaching your personal network?

Elene Cafasso is founder and president of Enerpace Inc. Executive and Personal Coaching. Here, she suggests a few rules of thumb to those who are interested in expanding business to their personal network and how to do so professionally and with tact.

DO ask for referrals
You can strategically use your network when expanding your business, simply by asking who could benefit from your services. "Ask for referrals gently," Cafasso says. "'Who do you know who needs what I do?' For instance, a financial advisor could ask, 'Who do you know who has changed jobs or left an employer recently?' Then ask for an introduction so you can help them rollover their 401K instead of leaving it someplace they've left behind."

DON'T assume they know about your experience
You may be an old family friend or an ex-classmate, but that may not necessarily validate you as a professional. Prove your skills by providing an overview of your services. "A benefit of asking for referrals is that your connection may realize they could use you themselves," Cafasso says. "And/or, you could offer a complimentary trial or sample of your services, so they'll feel more comfortable and be more knowledgeable when referring you."

DO be accessible
You're likely to appear much more legitimate, as well as organized, if you have supporting materials and resources available. "Make it easy for folks to help you, refer you, do business with you -- provide cards, flyers, literature, etc. that they can share with others," Cafasso says. Not only will they have a summary of your services and information, but if your personal network doesn't immediately commit to your pitch, you can still leave them with your information to review.

DON'T push too hard
Not only is it essential to understand your relationships before you talk business with those in your personal network, but it's also important to monitor these relationships as you introduce business. "Keep your antennae up -- if you feel your connection is uncomfortable, change the subject immediately or address it by backing off and stating that you don't want them to feel pressured or obligated in any way," Cafasso says. You may simply not be the right provider for them, or perhaps they'd like some time to consider the partnership.

DO share why you're the best business decision
Your friends and family will likely want to help you, but it's important to convey why you're a smart business decision as well. "Be sure to also share why you are in this business and what makes you unique from all the other folks out there doing the same thing," Cafasso says. Share your qualifications, your perspective on your services and what sets you apart from the competition.

DON'T come across as desperate
"Most importantly, make sure you have a thorough business plan and ample savings to support you and your family for at least six months or until you anticipate the business being able to support you," Cafasso says. "If you are financially desperate, you will put the sale over the relationship, which you'll most likely regret long term. Folks can tell when people are desperate and needy -- that's not the kind of person they feel comfortable referring or doing business with themselves."

Pitching business to your personal connections can be a smart step if you remain professional, offer exceptional service and keep your relationship in mind. However, just as you won't make every sale you attempt, not every personal connection will be interested in expanding the relationship to include business. The key to being a savvy professional instead of a sketchy friend is to be courteous and prepared.

High-pay careers that make college worth it

Source: Yahoo

Research shows that a college degree still pays, despite the cost. Learn about six careers with great rewards that require a college education.

By Lia Sestric

Sure, college debt isn't something that anyone wants to have. But no matter how tough it is to swallow, you shouldn't forfeit a post-secondary education.
"Unless a person is interested in working in, say, a non-managerial position in construction, auto tech, or sales, (he or) she needs a college degree," says Eddie LaMeire, a college admissions consultant and a former college admissions counselor. "With a college degree, you'll just be more employable, which largely explains why the unemployment rate for college grads is about half of the rate for those who stopped their education with a high school diploma."
Those who have more than a diploma to their name also make considerably more in pay, as shown in The College Board's report "Education Pays 2013: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society."
This report reveals that "during a 40-year full-time working life, the median earnings of bachelor's degree recipients without an advanced degree are 65 percent higher than the median earnings of high school graduates." Associate-degree holders make 27 percent more, and those with some college but no degree earn 13 percent more, according to the report.
Of course, there's no promise of higher earnings if you further your education, but this can certainly put the odds in your favor. So to put things in perspective, we've detailed six careers with a median salary of $60K or more that require either an associate's or a bachelor's degree. Keep reading to learn more.

Career #1: Financial Analyst

Median
annual wage*

$76,950

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$47,130

Top 10 percent of earners

$148,430

Needless to say by looking at the dollar figures, a career as a financial analyst may pay off big, but it will require a college education.
What do financial analysts do exactly? They might evaluate and provide guidance to businesses or individuals with making investment decisions, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why College Is Needed For Preparation: Associate professor J. Douglas Wellington at Husson University says there are a few main reasons: "First, students learn higher-level mathematical concepts such as present value, beta, and duration, which are used in financial analysis," he says, which are things a student might learn in a finance program.
"Second, students are introduced to various financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, options, and futures contracts, which are the types of investments that a financial analyst will recommend to clients."
Wellington also says students learn how to read and analyze financial statements and develop strong communication skills, as well as a foundation in ethics.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
Education Options: The Department of Labor says these professionals typically must have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as accounting, business administration, finance, economics, or statistics. A master's degree in finance or an MBA is required for advanced positions, the Department notes.

Career #2: Dental Hygienist

Median
annual wage*

$70,210

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$46,540

Top 10 percent of earners

$96,280

The potential earnings for a dental hygienist aren't too shabby - especially if you factor in that it may only take as little as a two-year investment.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a dental hygienist may clean teeth, examine patients for oral disease, and provide preventative dental care. Promoting good oral hygiene is also part of the job.
Why College Is Needed For Preparation: "Dental hygienists need to understand the human body almost instinctively," says LaMeire. "Just because the job is restricted to oral hygiene doesn't necessarily mean that the position demands less education."
In fact, Emily Kissane, a policy analyst at Hobsons, points out that education is very critical to training dental hygienists how to use specialized tools that are part of the job. A dental hygiene program also helps develop a student's diagnostic skills, she adds.
Click to Find the Right Dental Assisting Program.
Education Options: An associate's degree in dental hygiene is typically required to enter the profession, says the Department of Labor. Every state requires a dental hygienist to be licensed.

Career #3: Accountant

Median
annual wage*

$63,550

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$39,930

Top 10 percent of earners

$111,510

If you're good with numbers, you might want to consider pursuing a career as an accountant. But you'll need to head to college first to prepare for this type of career.
Accountants might be responsible for checking financial reports for accuracy, as well as making sure taxes are paid on time and properly, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why College Is Needed For Preparation: "Accountants track and analyze financial records and must have in-depth knowledge of accounting practices that vary from the private to public to non-profit sectors," says Kissane, who acknowledges that this ability comes through higher education.
Furthermore, she says accountants must learn about the regulatory and business environments in which they operate, which one will gain through courses like business law, for example.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Education Options: A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is required for most accountant positions, says the Department of Labor. It also notes that some employers prefer to hire a job candidate who has a master's degree in either accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting.

Career #4: Registered Nurse

Median
annual wage*

$65,470

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$45,040

Top 10 percent of earners

$94,720

A career as a registered nurse could provide more than reasonable pay - whether you take two years or four years to get there.
As a registered nurse, one might assist with the care of patients, as well as provide emotional support to the patient and family members, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why College Is Needed For Preparation: "I would say that higher education is more of a necessity today in preparation for work as an RN," says Mary Jude, assistant professor at Husson University's School of Nursing. "The field is highly technical [and] requires considerable critical-thinking [and] problem-solving skills."
LaMeire agrees. "Nurses serve as proxies for doctors in innumerable situations. They need an instinctive understanding of human biology, biochemistry, and drug interactions," he says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Education Options:There are three ways to prepare to pursue a career as a nurse says the Department of Labor. One can pursue a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must also have a nursing license, the Department notes.

Career #5: Medical and Health Services Manager

Median
annual wage*

$88,580

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$53,940

Top 10 percent of earners

$150,560

If you haven't heard already, health care is booming. And as a result, there's potential for great pay as a health services manager. Best of all, it may take only a few years of study to prepare to pursue this career.
Health services managers essentially run the show, so medical professionals can focus on the care of patients. The U.S. Department of Labor says they coordinate and direct medical and health services.
Why College Is Needed For Preparation: "Health services managers lead complex organizations like rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and nursing homes," says Kissane, who notes proper preparation for the career comes from higher education. "While in college, students learn about topics specific to the health field, health care ethics, law, and economics - and develop administrative skills," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Education Options: "Prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health administration," says the Department of Labor. Master's degrees are also common in the fields of health services, public health, pubic administration, long-term care administration, and business administration.

Career #6: Construction Manager

Median
annual wage*

$82,790

Bottom 10 percent of earners

$49,680

Top 10 percent of earners

$144,520

Ever wonder who built the bridge you crossed? The simple answer would be a construction manager. And the first step in preparing for the pursuit of this career would be to enroll in a related college degree program.
Construction managers coordinate and supervise a variety of projects from start to finish, says the U.S. Department of Labor. These projects might include residential, commercial, roads, bridges, or even a school or hospital.
Why College Is Needed For Preparation: "Construction managers need to learn about the technical aspects of construction as well as topics like building codes and safety management," says Kissane. She says valuable knowledge is gained from specialty courses like commercial construction methods.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Construction Management Program.
Education Options:The combination of an associate's degree and work experience may be enough for some positions, says the Department of Labor. While this is true, a bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management, architecture, or engineering is growing in importance as construction projects become more complex.

Seven top careers in 2014

Source: Yahoo

These seven careers are really heating up in 2014 and beyond.

By Terence Loose

Is your career fizzling out rather than heating up? Has it got you looking for a career with a bright - and growing - future to replace it? Well, despite what you might think, finding the careers that will be hot next year, and beyond, isn't pure guesswork.
That's why we asked experts where the jobs would be in 2014 and beyond in a broad range of industries. Then we cross-referenced that information with the U.S. Department of Labor statistics on growth projections from 2010 to 2020.
So read on for seven exciting careers that have a bright future in 2014 and beyond.

Hot Career #1: Public Relations Specialist

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 23%*
If Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter hasn't driven home the fact that marketing and public relations (PR) is going to be supremely important in the future, maybe you need a smarter smart phone. And one career that will be key for companies in the future is PR specialist.
"In the fast-paced, all-access world of social media, the difference between a record quarter and a bad one for a company can come down to good or bad public relations. So they will be in high demand," says Phil Dunn, president of Synapse Services Co, a web technologies and marketing company.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Communications Program.
That's because, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, PR specialists help their clients communicate effectively with the public (can you say Tweet?) and shape and maintain their clients' public images.
Education Options: Public relations specialists usually need a bachelor's degree, says the Department of Labor. They add that employers typically want applicants who have studied public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.

Hot Career #2: Database Administrator

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 31%*
Two words explain why this career will be hot in the future: Big Data. Big Data refers to the enormous amount of information that companies have been collecting from customers and the public regarding buying habits, demographics, product trends - you name it.
"Big Data will be the focus for the next decade," says Charley Polachi, a partner with Polachi Access Executive Search and someone who's been finding talent for top tech firms for 30 years. Businesses need skilled computer specialists such as database administrators to organize and secure the immense amount of data they've been collecting so they can analyze it and profit from it, he says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right IT and Information Systems Program.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, database administrators do everything from organize and store data to ensure its availability to authorized users, while keeping it secure from unauthorized ones.
Education Options: These professionals usually have a bachelor's degree in an information- or computer-related subject, says the Department of Labor.

Hot Career #3: Petroleum Engineer

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 17%*
Someday we may figure out how to move away from oil and gas and move toward other, cleaner energy sources. But that's not going to be 2014, or anytime soon after that. So petroleum engineers will be in demand in the foreseeable future, says Susan Heathfield, a management consultant and writer of About.com's Guide to Human Resources.
"If you're a petroleum engineer, your starting salary says it all: often, it's around $90,000. This is one career that is hot now, and will be for a while," says Heathfield. She says that's because of simple market forces: The population is growing, more fuel is needed, and fossil fuel reserves are being depleted. That means these engineers will be needed to figure out ways to locate and extract a diminishing resource.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
Just as Heathfield said, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, petroleum engineers develop ways to extract oil and gas from buried deposits, or find new ways to tap old wells.
Education Options: The Department of Labor says petroleum engineers are required to have a bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably in petroleum engineering.

Hot Career #4: Software Developer

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 30%*
If you haven't noticed, it's a bold new world out there, one in which technology and computer software play an increasingly important role. And one in which software developers are more and more important. But don't take our word for it.
"Computer technology has changed every sector of society. Many people now carry in their cell phone a computational device that serves as a communications center, Internet access point, entertainment system, and more," says Hal Stern, dean of University of California, Irvine's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. That's why, he says, tech experts such as software developers will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Software developers analyze users' needs and then design, test, and develop computer programs and applications to meet those needs, says the U.S. Department of Labor. To do this, they might collaborate with other software developers or programmers.
Education Options: The Department of Labor says software developers typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Math degrees are also acceptable.

Hot Career #5: Medical and Health Services Manager

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 22%*
Despite the computer glitches and the partisan divide associated with the Affordable Care Act, one thing is for certain, says Heathfield: The health care industry is a job creator. And it's also one that has to be managed, she says.
"No matter what happens with Obamacare, most Americans agree that we have to reform health care, and that means management. So I think health care administration will be a very good field for growth and jobs," says Heathfield.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Health services managers, also called health care executives or administrators, strive to improve the efficiency and quality of medical services, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They add that these professionals might manage entire facilities, or specialize in certain areas of health care.
Education Options: The Department f Labor says health services managers usually need at least a bachelor's degree in health administration. Master's degrees are also common in fields such as health services, business administration, public health, public administration, or long-term care administration.

Hot Career #6: Elementary School Teacher

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 17%*
Sure, we could have a vote tomorrow that repeals the mandate that all children need to get at least an elementary education. But, frankly, that's as likely as kids craving spinach. But that's just one reason the job of elementary school teacher is a good bet to be in demand.
"Other reasons are the fact that this happens to be one of the 'oldest' workforces, so a lot of retirements will open up many positions," says Heathfield. She adds that enrollment is predicted to increase, meaning more students, and consequently, more teachers will be needed.
Next step: Click to Find the Right K-12 Education Program.
Elementary school teachers prepare the next generation for their academic life by teaching them basic concepts such as math and reading, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They add that these teachers also mentor students in building social skills and developing study skills.
Education Options: Every state requires elementary school teachers to hold a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and certification, if they want to teach in the public school system, says the Department of Labor. And although the private school system does not require these, the Department says private schools usually seek candidates with a bachelor's degree in elementary education as well.

Hot Career #7: Personal Financial Advisor

Projected Growth 2010-2020: 32%*
Let's face it: If you're like most people, a big part of your day, week, even life, is taken up by managing money. So it's no wonder that when it comes to the big financial decisions - retirement, kids' college education savings, insurance needs - people often turn to personal financial advisors.
"Like so many industries, the aging baby boomers will really drive the demand for people like financial personal advisors," says Heathfield. She says that because this large segment of our population is entering retirement or planning for their coming retirement, personal financial advisors will be very busy.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
The U.S. Department of Labor says personal financial advisors help people make important financial decisions regarding investments, taxes, insurance. They meet with and educate their clients on these financial instruments and help them plan for things such as retirement and other big life events, says the Department of Labor.
Education Options: The Department says that personal financial advisors usually need a bachelor's degree. And though employers usually don't specify a major, finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law are good preparation for this career, says the Department.

7 major players in free online education

Source: Yahoo

Will the rise of massive open online courses change the face of education?

By Jennifer Berry

Imagine a world where free, college-level education was available to almost everyone. Believe it or not, you're living in that world right now.
Online education has been around for decades, but in the past couple of years, interest has spiked for massive open online courses, otherwise known as MOOCs, according to Brian Whitmer, co-founder of Instructure, an education technology company that created the Canvas Network, a  platform for open online courses.
"Since 2012, MOOCs have caught the attention of the educational world due to their potential to disrupt how education is delivered and open up access to anyone with an Internet connection," Whitmer explains.
[RELATED: 7 Degrees You Can Earn While Keeping Your Job]
If this seems too good to be true, you should know that, like many endeavors, students will largely get out of these classes what they put into them. Also, there are a number of organizations that currently offer MOOCs, each with its own personality, history, and course offerings. So we spoke to education technology experts about the providers at the forefront of MOOC development.
Read on to learn more about seven of the most popular MOOCs and some of the great free classes they offer.

Coursera

If you've heard of MOOCs, chances are you've heard of Coursera. This education company was created by Stanford professors involved with one of the earliest massive open online classes. How did it all begin?
"Stanford University opened up some of their more popular computer science courses to the general public, expecting a few hundred students to enroll. Instead over 100,000 students took part in each course," says Jonathan Haber, a writer and researcher who has worked in the field of educational technology.
According to Haber, this huge enrollment demonstrated pent-up demand for high-quality, free college-level classes. In response, "professors involved with this original Stanford project created two start-up companies - Udacity and Coursera - and began delivering MOOCs on different subjects to the world," says Haber.
"Coursera is probably the best overall MOOC provider," explains Hamish Brocklebank, co-CEO of Flooved.com, an online education platform that seeks to provide free education to a global audience. "They have a huge corpus of content, lots of users, and lots of money."
They also have an impressive 9.5 million students enrolled, up from 4 million last year, according to Brocklebank.
In February of 2013, Coursera announced that the American Council on Education had evaluated and recommended college credit for five courses on Coursera. That means you could theoretically take these five courses for free and earn college credit.
In order to earn college credit, students need to sign up for an eligible course in the ?signature track,? which links coursework in Coursera to a student's identity. Then students need to take an online proctored credit exam. Upon successfully completing a course, students may request a transcript from ACE, which they can then present to their college or university for consideration for college credit.

Standout Free Classes:

The five courses approved for college credit recommendation include:

• "Pre-Calculus" from the University of California, Irvine offers a solid foundation in algebra and trigonometry.
• "Introduction to Genetics and Evolution" from Duke University gives a basic overview of some principles behind fundamental areas of biology.
• "Bioelectricity: A Quantitative Approach" from Duke University teaches students how to think about electrically active tissue in terms of individual mechanisms.
• "Calculus: Single Variable" from the University of Pennsylvania covers the core ideas of single-variable calculus with emphases on conceptual understanding and applications.
• "Algebra" from the University of California, Irvine emphasizes understanding the properties of linear, polynomial rational and radical functions.

edX

Another MOOC provider with a great reputation, edX currently offers 85 courses that range from "International Human Rights" to "Fundamentals of Neuroscience."
"edX is very popular as well," Brocklebank says. "It's a not-for-profit school that offers mostly video-based courses."
According to Haber, edX has the second largest number of participants (after Coursera) of the three major MOOC providers, delivering completely packaged MOOC courses from schools like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Berkeley.

Standout Free Classes:

• "Central Challenges of American National Security, Strategy and the Press: An Introduction" is based on one of the most popular, and dynamic, courses taught at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
• "Classical Mechanics" is taught by the renowned Professor Walter Lewin who was proclaimed "a Web Star" by The New York Times.
• "Learning From Data" is an introductory course in machine learning (ML) - one of the hottest fields of study today.

Udacity

Udacity is the other MOOC provider that was founded by Stanford professors involved with that first open computer science course.
Brocklebank, who has himself personally enrolled in two Udacity courses, believes that "Udacity has the best and most interactive courses." The only drawback? "They have a limited number of courses available."
Currently, Udacity has 28 courses available on its website. But while they might not have the breadth of course offerings of some other MOOC providers, their mission statement speaks to a commitment to interactive learning.
According to their website, Udacity believes that "education should be less passive listening (no long lectures) and more active doing. Education should empower students to succeed not just in school but in life."
[RELATED: Hot Bachelor's Degrees To Earn From Home]

Standout Free Classes:

• "The Design Of Everyday Things" is a series of courses intended to be enjoyable and informative for designers and non-designers alike.
• "How To Build A Startup" is a course designed to help students evolve their startup business models and improve their chances of success.
• "HTML5 Game Development" helps students understand how to develop an HTML5 game.

Udemy

Udemy is slightly different from the MOOC providers we've already discussed.
For one thing, Udemy offers some classes for free but charges for others. Additionally, the courses offered aren't always academic in nature. For example, Udemy offers courses on cake decorating, reading body language, and even juggling.
"Udemy is hard to peg," says Haber. "It offers access to thousands of online courses, although some would not consider these MOOCs, since they often lack many course components such as a syllabus."
One more thing makes Udemy stand out from other MOOC providers. "Anyone can publish their own course and charge whatever they like for it or give it away," Haber says. Because of this, you'll see a wide variety of knowledge delivered with various levels of quality.

Standout Free Classes:

• "Astronomy: State of the Art" is an astronomy for beginners course taught by instructors from Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona.
• "Build. Measure. Learn. Lean Startup SXSW 2012" teaches lean startup methodology from startup founders and experts.
• "Photoshop Training: Tutorials" features more than 90 free video lessons, showing you tips, tricks, and techniques in Photoshop and other design programs.

6 Most Popular Degrees to Earn Online

Online education is becoming more and more common and encompasses many different types of programs, including MOOCs. But there are also educational institutions that grant degrees, from associate's to master's, with all the coursework conducted online. While these programs aren't free, they offer convenience and flexibility for working professionals or busy parents who want to earn a degree on their own time.
With an increasing number of choices in online education, it may be helpful to know which online degree programs are the most popular. The report "Online College Students" by Learning House, an organization that helps colleges develop online programs, and Education Dynamics, a company that helps colleges enroll and retain students, discovered which online undergraduate degrees were trending in 2013.

#1 - Business Administration and Management

Business administration was ranked as the top online undergraduate degree program. Students who study this major learn how to orchestrate an organization's activities, notes the College Board, the organization which administers the SAT. Potential courses could include operations management, economics, and accounting.

#2 - Accounting

Number-crunching is also a popular area of online study. As an accounting major, you could learn to organize and analyze an organization's financial information, according to the College Board. Typical courses include auditing, business law, and tax accounting.

#3 - Information Technology

In an information technology program, you'll learn how information and computing systems support research, communications, and business necessities, while developing strong technical and communication skills, says the College Board. You could take classes such as web technologies, systems analysis and design, and C++ programming.

#4 - Criminal Justice

If you choose this online degree, you'll learn every aspect of crime, the law, and the justice system. Typical coursework includes criminology, statistics, and policing society, notes the College Board.

#5 - Finance

Another number-oriented degree makes the list. Finance majors learn how to make long-term financial decisions for organizations, from raising funds to controlling costs. You could take courses such as financial markets and institutions, investments, and international finance, according to the College Board.

#6 - Psychology

This fascinating degree rounds out our list of top online programs. Psychology majors study human behavior and the learning process, notes the College Board. As for courses, you could take perception and sensation, social psychology, and personality.

Canvas Network

Canvas Network is another MOOC provider that offers some courses for free and charges for others. While they do charge for many courses, they are undertaking some interesting experiments that might spark some students' interests.
"Many players in the MOOC space have done little experimentation and can be seen more as taking the existing lecture model of education and moving it online," explains Whitmer. "With Canvas Network, we are pushing boundaries in multiple directions, trying to see what sticks and what improves education."
This makes sense, considering the internet's recent impact on education. "The Internet is a relatively new medium for instruction," Whitmer says. "We should be looking for ways to leverage the power of that medium rather than decrying the fact that old approaches don't necessarily work well in the new medium."
One of the more interesting educational experiments Canvas Network is now undertaking is a cross-disciplinary course called "Society, Science, Survival: Lessons From AMC's 'The Walking Dead.'" This course involved a formal partnership with AMC to use the popular series as a case study to teach a range of topics, from understanding social structures to modeling the spread of disease.

Standout Free Classes:

• "Gender Through Comic Books" looks at gender attitudes over time with comic books serving as the text.
• "Exploring Engineering" is one of the first MOOCs targeted specifically at pre-college students and offered by Brown University to help high schoolers learn about opportunities in STEM fields.
• "Sustainable Energy Innovation" offers students a $5,000 incentive to create a workable innovation for energy and sustainability.

iTunes U

Unlike the MOOCs mentioned above, iTunes U offers video lectures rather than interactive courses. Although it has a different format than other open online courses, iTunes U is still an important online education provider.
According to Whitmer, "iTunes U is really in a separate category because students view pre-taped lectures on their own as opposed to taking a MOOC with potentially thousands of people from around the world at the same time."
In other words, iTunes U doesn't provide an online replica of a university class in the same way MOOCs offered by Coursera, Udacity, or edX might. You might watch lectures from iTunes U, but there won't be the same level of interaction that you'd get with a traditional class, like homework, peer discussions, or exams.
Because of that, some educational experts - like Brocklebank - feel that iTunes U is very limited.
However, iTunes U could be great for someone interested in absorbing knowledge without the pressure of homework or tests. And, according to Haber, even though "iTunes just provides audio and video lectures of existing college courses, this is a popular service."
[RELATED: Degrees You Can Earn On Your Lunch Break]

Standout Free Classes:

• "Calculus One" by The Ohio State University is an introduction to calculus, suitable for someone who has never seen the subject before or for someone who wants to review and practice applying concepts.
• "Exploring the Past" by National Geographic Live allows students to join scientists and historians in the search for clues on how people can adapt to a changing world.
• "Personal Finance" explores how individual choices directly influence occupational goals and future earnings potential.

Saylor.org

Saylor.org presents another model of what online education can be, one based around curated courses. A "curated course" means the class might include lectures by a different professor or expert for each lesson. Instead of being anchored by one professor, this curated course model provides students with the opportunity to get a variety of experts' opinions on the class topic.
If you're wondering how this works - Saylor gathers excellent content for their courses by using a Creative Commons license. That license gives them permission from copyright holders to use their information, according to Shiv Gaglani, co-author of "Success with Science" and co-founder and CEO of Osmosis, a new app for medical students that sends practice questions and resources through text.
So what is the advantage of a curated course model? "[Saylor] can very quickly put courses together as they don't have to create the content," says Brocklebank. "The downside, though, is that at the moment it is not very social or interactive. Apart from a basic course discussion, there is no way to interact with other students." However, depending on the student, this might not be a problem.
Haber is currently taking a class from Saylor.org and has this to say: "While I've had trouble in the past with courses lacking a focal point, such as a single lecturer who anchors the course, it has been interesting to be taught week after week by experts in a particular subject." He adds that a curated course is valuable because the experts were selected by someone already familiar with the material and who has taught this subject previously.

Standout Free Classes:

• "Corporate Communications" aims to help you understand how communication forms a part of your self-concept, solves problems, and builds your career.
• "Introduction to Western Political Thought" intends to offer a critical perspective on our times by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of various regimes and philosophical approaches.
• "Business Law & Ethics" is an introduction to the laws and ethical standards that managers must abide by in the course of conducting business. Also, this course provides students the opportunity to earn actual college credit.

Valuable college degrees that are worthwhile

Source: Yahoo

College tuition is skyrocketing,  but these six worthwhile degrees have high payback potential.

By Lia Sestric

Before you finalize that degree choice, stop and ask, what value does it hold? You just may thank yourself later.
With college tuition and student debt skyrocketing, a student should be aware of a degree's payback potential, says Sharon Gilbert, a career coach and author of "Beyond Tuition: Career Coaching Your College Kid."
"Making an informed decision includes considering the starting salary, earning potential, hot skill sets, and the employment demand of a given major to determine the best return on investment," she says.
If you're looking for a good return on your investment, check out the following six degrees. They could prepare you to pursue careers that have a median salary of at least $50K, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Degree #1: Health Care Administration

You know there's potential for a healthy salary when health care continues to be ranked among one of the fastest-growing professions. So why not capitalize on this demand and study health care administration?
Why It Pays: The value of this degree boils down to the overall health care surge, says Gilbert. "More nurses and physicians will be needed to care for an aging U.S. population. Consequently, more health care administrators will be needed to manage the increasing number of health care professionals and facilities.
Furthermore, Gilbert says a bachelor's in health care administration is a good investment because it could prepare you to pursue many lucrative career opportunities. "It can prepare you for a wide range of entry-level positions in the health care industry, including care coordinator, account manager, practice administrator, billing administrator, service coordinator, case manager, and even entry-level supervisory roles," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
What You May Learn: The U.S. Department of Labor says a bachelor's program may prepare students for higher level management jobs. What courses might you take as a student? Human resources management, long-term care and aging, and health care law are all possibilities, says the College Board, an organization that promotes higher education.
Potential Career*: Health Services Manager
Median Annual Salary: $88,580*
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $150,560*
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $53,940*

Degree #2: Computer Science

If you are looking to reboot your career and upgrade your pay, you should consider studying computer science. That's assuming you are interested in learning the ins and outs of computers - and potentially profiting from that knowledge.
Why It Pays: The ability to write computer programming code is a highly desired skill set, and few people have it, according to Stuart Mease, director of undergraduate career services at Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business.
"Without question a CS degree would open up limitless job opportunities and significantly increase one's compensation," he says. Plus, a computer science degree enables one to be eligible for countless private sector jobs working on government contracts, as well as public sector jobs working directly for the federal government, explains Mease.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
What You May Learn: A computer science program will provide students with hands-on experience in some of the tasks they may do on the job, says the U.S. Department of Labor. These tasks may include writing code and debugging programs. And how do classes in digital system design, artificial intelligence, and software engineering sound? This is just a sampling of the courses you may take, says the College Board.
Plus, by successfully completing a computer science program, you may find yourself in a better position for a job and pay, notes Mease.
Potential Career*: Computer Programmer
Median Annual Salary: $74,280*
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $117,890*
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $42,850*

Degree #3: Criminal Justice

Are you ready to serve with the men and women in blue? Pursuing a degree in criminal justice could prepare you for a career as a law enforcement officer, with payback potential that's not too shabby.
Why It Pays: Public safety is a major concern in today's society, says Gilbert, and because of that criminal justice could prepare you for many career paths (that are lucrative too!). Unlike other fields, Gilbert says there is one driving force for higher pay. "Many criminal justice salaries depend upon a risk factor. Police and detective work can be physically demanding, stressful, and dangerous. Police officers have one of the highest rates of on-the-job injuries and fatalities."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
What You May Learn: Students learn about the legal system, theories of crime, and public policy. They also learn how to manage a budget and staff, says Gilbert. According to the College Board, courses might include policing society, the U.S. criminal-justice system, and juvenile justice. The College Board also notes that the degree might be offered at the associate's and bachelor's level.
Potential Career*: Police Officer
Median Annual Salary: $55,270*
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $89,310*
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $32,350*

Degree #4: Dental Hygiene

Who says you have to be the dentist to make a generous salary? If you aren't too fond about extra schooling to work in the dental field, perhaps this will make you grin from ear to ear. You could earn an associate's degree in dental hygiene, which could have solid payback potential.
Why It Pays: In addition to coursework, a degree in dental hygiene gives students essential hands-on experience and valuable communication and interpersonal skills, notes Gilbert.
"Since dental hygienists sometimes perform the majority of work on patients done during  check-ups," says Gilbert, "they need to be current on the latest best practices, be well versed in the science and medical knowledge behind dental hygiene, and have exceptional manual dexterity skills to use a variety of dental instruments."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
What You May Learn: The College Board says a student will train to care for tooth decay, diseases, and other injuries to the mouth. Some common courses may include dental anatomy, preventative dentistry, and dental materials.
Potential Career*: Dental Hygienist
Median Annual Salary: $70,210*
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $96,280*
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $46,540*

Degree #5: Accounting

Are you known for your critical eye? If you don't mind working with numbers, you may want to keep your eye on an accounting program. After completing this degree, you may just find yourself in a profitable career.
Why It Pays: "A degree in accounting is valued in the labor market because in successfully completing an accounting degree, students emerge with a balance of technical skills, an understanding of sources and uses of information, as well as a heightened critical-thinking and problem-solving ability," says Greg Sommers, director of the master of science in accounting program at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
What You May Learn: An accounting student could learn how to gather, record, and analyze data about an organization's or individual's financial performance, says the College Board. Does tax accounting, business law, and auditing sound up your alley? Those are some of the courses you might take in this major, according to the College Board.
Potential Career*: Accountant
Median Annual Salary: $63,550*
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $111,510*
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $39,930*

Degree #6: Information Technology

Do you consider yourself multitalented with strong points in business and computer science? An information technology program may be a perfect match for you. Plus, it may set you up for a career with pay that won't disappoint.
Why It Pays: "[An] information technology degree offers individuals a formidable level of depth of key IT skills such as analytics, database mining, introduction to programming languages, and above average Excel skills," says Mease. "What we have seen is that students who possess this type of technical knowledge coupled with softer skills in business acumen make them a valuable linchpin in organizations connecting business and technical functions, especially in a team format."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Information Technology Program.
What You May Learn: In an information technology (IT) program, you'll learn how information and computing systems support business and communication needs, says the College Board. Be ready to hone your technical and communication skills through the program as well. Courses may include introduction to computer science, database management systems, and web technologies.
Potential Career*: Database Administrator
Median Annual Salary: $77,080*
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $118,720*
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $42,930*