Many vocations provide such a median pay rate of $35, or around $70,000 per year.
Budget analysts, registered nurses, laboratory staff, and power plant operators all share something in common. They are just a handful of the numerous jobs with a median hourly wage of $35, or around $70,000 per year.
If a salary like that appeals to you, consider any of the 11 positions listed below. These occupations require varied degrees of training and experience, so if you don't have the necessary credentials, think about what measures you should take to acquire one of these well-paying jobs.
1. Accountant and auditor*
Job description: Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time. They also assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree. It also helps to become certified within a specific field of accounting. Many accountants become Certified Public Accountants.
Median hourly pay: $36.19
2. Budget analyst
Job description: Budget analysts help public and private institutions organize their finances. They prepare budget reports and monitor institutional spending.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree, though many employers prefer a master's degree.
Median hourly pay: $36.16
3. Registered nurse
Job description: Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
Typical education level: RNs usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. They also must be licensed.
Median hourly pay: $34.14
4. Fashion designer
Job description: Fashion designers create original clothing, accessories and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns and give instructions on how to make the products they designed.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree in fashion design or fashion merchandising.
Median hourly pay: $35.18
5. Genetic counselor
Job description: Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Typical education level: Master's degree in genetic counseling or genetics, and board certification.
Median hourly pay: $35.85
6. Geographer
Job description: Geographers study the Earth and its land, features and inhabitants. They also examine phenomena such as political or cultural structures and study the physical and human geographic characteristics of regions ranging in scale from local to global.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree. A master's degree and work experience are typically needed for more advanced positions.
Median hourly pay: $36.02
7. Nuclear medicine technologist
Job description: Nuclear medicine technologists operate equipment that creates images of areas of a patient's body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients. The radioactive drugs cause abnormal areas of the body to appear different from normal areas in the images.
Typical education level: Nuclear medicine technologists typically need an associate degree from an accredited nuclear medicine technology program. Formal education programs in nuclear medicine technology or a related health care field lead to a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. Technologists must be licensed in about one half of the states; requirements vary by state.
Median hourly pay: $36.06
8. Power plant operator
Job description: Power plant operators, distributor, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $34.17
9. Dental hygienist
Job description: Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis and provide other preventive dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.
Typical education level: Associate degree. All states require dental hygienists to be licensed.
Median hourly pay: $34.96
10. Insurance underwriter
Job description: Insurance underwriters decide whether to provide insurance and under what terms. They evaluate insurance applications and determine coverage amounts and premiums.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $34.93
11. Diagnostic medical sonographer
Job description: Diagnostic medical sonographers operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests. The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. Some technologists assist physicians and surgeons during surgical procedures.
Typical education level: Associate degree.
Median hourly pay: $34.08