These six professions might have more earning power than you think.
So you want a high-paying career, eh? Instead of going the typical doctor, lawyer, or Wall Street broker route, where competition is steep, a good strategy might be looking in unexpected places for careers with high salaries. But you'll still want to choose a career that interests you, so the 9 to 5 doesn't feel like drudgery.According to Stan Kimer, founder and president of Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer, a diversity and career development consultancy, striking that balance between a highly-skilled job and a high-level of personal enjoyment is what leads to career success in the first place. "In any field if you are extremely passionate about what you do and do it very well, you will rise to the top and make more," says Kimer.
Read on for a six great careers across a spectrum of fields that pay surprisingly well.
Career #1: Management Consultant
90th Percentile Salary: $142,58010th Percentile Salary: $44,370
Median Salary: $78,600*
Are you constantly being asked for your opinion and told you give great advice? Did you know that those same skills are fundamentally applicable - and capable of being monetized - in a career as a management consultant?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, management consultants may analyze a company's operations and make suggestions on how to improve efficiency and raise profitability. Their responsibilities may also include interviewing personnel and visiting company facilities to determine the methods, personnel, and equipment that will be needed to make improvements.
Why It Pays: According to Kimer, management consultants take home competitive salaries because of their expertise and strong decision-making skills that support a business or company's livelihood. "Very deep expertise in a critical area leads to higher salaries," says Kimer. "Applying long and deep knowledge gained over time, making sound recommendations to clients, being able to quickly identify key issues and develop fixes are some high-paying skills."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Program.
Education Requirements: According the Department of Labor, the typical entry-level requirement is a bachelor's degree. Since few schools offer formal programs in management consulting, common fields of study may include business, accounting, management, marketing, computer and information science, engineering, economics, and statistics. Additionally, the Department says that some employers prefer those with a master's degree in business administration.
Career #2: Accountant
90th Percentile Salary: $111,51010th Percentile Salary: $39,930
Median Salary: $63,550*
Have a knack for calculating taxes, tips, averages, and balances? Pursuing a career as an accountant may be right up your alley. You might be surprised to find out what these professional number crunchers get paid for their services.
There are many types of accountants, but the U.S. Department of Labor says most of them examine financial records to help their companies run efficiently. Some accountants may focus on examining the record of government agencies, while others may help advise on the management of funds.
Why It Pays: Accounting can pay well because of the breadth of financial expertise and longer hours it can sometimes require, says Ramon Santillan, interviewing consultant and founder of Persuasive Interview, an organization that offers interview coaching services "Accountants need to understand how the financial aspect of the company affects its growth. Particularly with the different areas of it (tax, audit, financial reporting, fraud) and long hours, plus in some cases the need for a CPA license, which requires advanced degrees, accountants can be paid well."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Education Requirements: According to the Department of Labor, a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is required for most accountant positions. However, some employers might prefer those with a master's degree in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting.
Career #3: Registered Nurse
90th Percentile Salary: $94,72010th Percentile Salary: $45,040
Median Salary: $65,470*
Nurses' earning power may be overshadowed by physicians and surgeons, but the take-home pay for these caregivers sure isn't shabby. If you've been told you're compassionate, you love working with people, and you're interested in medicine, you might consider preparing to pursue a career as a nurse.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered nurses may help coordinate patient care and help administer treatment to the sick and ill. Other common duties could include operating medical equipment, and educating patients and families on managing their illness or injuries at home.
Why It Pays: "Not everyone has the stomach to deal with the duties of a nurse," says Santillan. Essentially, he thinks the graphic nature of nurses' work is one major reason they're paid well.
"Aside from requiring certain types of degrees and licenses in some states, nurses have to maintain their cool and composure, remember all their training, and still maintain a soft demeanor under stressful situations," he says. "Who wants a nurse that's freaking out when they see a little blood?"
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Education Requirements: There are several potential routes to pursuing work as a nurse: an associate's degree in nursing, a diploma from an approved nursing program, or a bachelor's of science in nursing, according to the Department of Labor. Additionally, the Department says you will have to pass a state licensing exam to obtain licensure and qualify for providing care as a professional.
Career #4: Fashion Designer
90th Percentile Salary: $126,29010th Percentile Salary: $34,110
Median Salary: $62,860*
There are plenty of "starving" fashion artists on shows like "Project Runway" and "Fashion Star," but things look a lot better for the ones who make it in this industry. Pay in apparel and accessory design might be more than you think, especially compared to some other creative professions like theater or dance. So, if you're artsy and love shopping for clothes, you might want to take a closer look at fashion design as a potential profession.
There many different kinds of fashion designers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, some may design clothing or footwear, while others may create costumes or accessories. Whatever kind of role a fashion designer has, they could be responsible for anticipating upcoming trends and predicting what fashions will appeal to consumers.
Why It Pays: You might think fashion is based on nothing but trends, but Santillan says pay can be surprisingly high because workers have to be manually skilled as well as innovative thinkers - which is an invaluable mixture for labels looking to create the next big thing.
"More than schooling, it takes creativity and persistence to make it in the fashion industry," says Santillan. "Similar to professional football, those that make it are handsomely rewarded, but there are literally thousands that will never get to that level."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Fashion Design Program.
Education Requirements: According to the Department of Labor, post-secondary education is not required, but many fashion designers take courses or earn an associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field such as fashion merchandising. The Department also notes that employers rely on a designer's portfolio when deciding whether to hire the applicant or not.
Career #5: Web Developer
90th Percentile Salary: $105,20010th Percentile Salary: $33,550
Median Salary: $62,500*
You wish you could spend all day on the couch testing out apps and surfing different websites on your phone and iPad. Well, what if you could make money developing the sites and mobile experience rather than just browsing them for sport? You might be shocked to learn that you could fetch a decent salary professionalizing your hobby as a web developer.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, web development is a large field filled with many specialists. In general, the Department of Labor says that web developers may use a wide variety of computer code to design, create, and/or maintain a website or program for a company.
Why It Pays: The potential to make big bucks without spending a ton of time in the classroom may make the high pay for web developer jobs a bit surprising.
"Although you need a high level of knowledge about coding and design, you don't necessarily have to have a formal education in order to make good money as a web developer," says Santillan. "If you work as a freelancer, you have the potential to really make some serious cash."
He does note, though, that freelancers could face off-shore competition for these remote gigs.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Education Requirements: The wide range of skills and positions spanning this field call for different education requirements. According to the Department of Labor, entry-level position requirements vary from a high school diploma to a master's degree, depending on the job. Employers might prefer candidates with a computer-related degree. Proficiency is often paramount to employers, meaning on-the-job experience is highly valued.
Career #6: Market Research Analyst
90th Percentile Salary: $113,50010th Percentile Salary: $33,280
Median Salary: $60,300*
You've got your finger on the pulse of the latest trends and fads. But even more impressive than that, you've got the intuition to understand why certain things hit it big while others miss the mark. Sound familiar? You might have the aptitude - and a sound skill set - for preparing for a career as a market research analyst. How sweet it will be to get paid well for being customer-savvy.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, market research analysts gather and analyze a wide range of data to potentially help companies market goods and services. The Department of Labor says some of their chief duties may include studying sales trends, consumer preferences, and market conditions, devising methods for collecting data, and converting complex data into understandable reports.
Why It Pays: Market research analysts play an important role to a business' bottom line, but often people don't even know this position exists or that it's directly related to profit, Kimer explains, which makes salaries higher than expected. Kimer also says the skills required to succeed in this field drive high earning power, too.
"'Research' and 'analyst' are two key words here," says Kimer. "Understanding research methodology and analyzing it to make the best recommendations for sales and market growth can make or break a company."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
Education Requirements: According to the Department, a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field is typically needed. However, many analysts may have degrees in fields such as computer science, math, or statistics, while others have a background in business administration, communications, or one of the social sciences. The Department also notes that some companies may require at least a master's degree for more senior positions.
If you were like every other American kid, you dreamt of being a
police officer when you were young. If that dream is still alive, you
might consider an online criminal justice degree to get you started on
making it a reality.
If your dream job involves creating the next great iPhone app, an
online computer science degree might be a great way to boot up your
pursuit of that career.
Do you watch the stars of The Food Network and drool over the chefs'
tasty careers? Then an online degree in culinary arts might be the
perfect ingredient.
Has your dream always been to help the next generation acquire skills
they need to succeed in the world? Then an online degree in elementary
education could be the first thing on your study list.
Is your dream to turn your social media savvy and love of the internet into a career? An online marketing degree could help.
Does your dream involve upper management? Do you see yourself making
creative business decisions and directing departments or organizations? A
master's in business administration (MBA) might be the key to
manifesting those goals.
Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Do you want to get involved in the booming health care field? If you
want to make a difference, as well as a healthy salary, think about
earning a bachelor's degree in health care administration.
Are you fascinated by the Golden Gate Bridge or the Sears Tower? How
would you like to learn how to design great bridges and buildings for
today and generations to come? If you're intrigued by the idea, you may
want to consider a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. It's a major
that can pay off in more ways than one. 
Do you like to people watch? If studying human behavior is one of
your favorite pastimes, why not study psychology? A bachelor's in
psychology could prepare you to pursue many fascinating job
possibilities that could pay back. 
What does every successful business need? A plan. Consisting of what?
Smart choices. If you want to see that college investment pay off, a
wise choice may be to major in business, says Vainrub. 
Can you easily crunch numbers in your head, or do calculations make
it spin? If you belong to the former crowd, a bachelor's degree in
accounting may be for you. If you work the math, you may find that this
degree could pay you back. 
Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? If you enjoy helping others,
why not earn a nursing degree? A bachelor's in nursing could prepare you
to help people get better - and the pay isn't bad, either.
Some say love makes the world go round, but business leaders usually
say it's money. And that's one reason a degree in finance will be in
high demand well into the future, says Nicole Williams, LinkedIn's
career expert and the author of "Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning
Dating Rules into Career Success."
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that in today's
world, marketing is crucial to the success of any business. And that's
why Williams says this degree is a good bet for the future.
Like crunching numbers? This degree might be for you. And if it is,
consider yourself lucky, because Zimenoff says employers will seek
accounting majors in 2014 and far beyond.
Want a degree in what Williams describes as one of the hottest
industries going forward? Try a bachelor's in health care management,
which Williams says will likely offer opportunities in many different
jobs and clear roads to advancement.
Here's a versatile degree that gives you a broad range of knowledge
that will fit into virtually any industry, says Zimenoff. But she warns
that although this degree will remain a good, practical choice in the
future, graduates will have to distinguish themselves from others with
the same degree.
Do you enjoy trying to figure out the best use of your financial
resources? That same instinct could serve you well in a career as an
accountant - one of the jobs employers are looking to fill right now.
If you're always trying to get your loved ones to take better care of
themselves, and you're looking to get into a field with high demand,
you might want to consider a career as a dental hygienist. 
Do you have your finger on the pulse of what's current today? Why not
hone that natural gift and pursue a career as a market research
analyst? Employers are hungry to find qualified people with these
talents to fill open positions.
Were you the kid who was always trying to figure out how things work?
Apply that curiosity to computer systems, and you could be poised to
snag a position as a network and computer systems administrator.
Do you have natural leadership skills and compassion? Consider
pursuing a career as a medical and health services manager. You could
help improve the quality and efficiency of health care in your town -
and help fill another open position in need of someone with the right
qualifications.
If you've crunched the numbers and going back to school for a degree
in accounting adds up career-wise but may not work with your busy life,
maybe you should factor an online accounting degree into the equation.
It's a perfect fit for this medium, says David Bakke, editor at Money
Crashers, a website devoted to career and finance advice.
You might think that pursuing a degree in elementary education would
require a lot of time in the classroom. But this is not always the case,
says Bakke.
If you think going back to school for a business degree would be
great for your career, but you can't afford to pause your career to do
it, an online degree program might be a practical solution.
Fascinated with the law but don't have the time to put all your
obligations on hold while you pursue a law degree? An online program in
paralegal studies could be your ticket to a new career in law, attained
while you keep your current job.
If you've got a lot of artist and a little bit of computer geek in
you, a bachelor's in graphic design might be a great major for your two
sides to make friends. And pursuing your degree online could make a lot
of sense, as Bakke says the major is a perfect fit for online study.
Pursuing this degree the old-fashioned way, you'd probably spend a
lot of time on computers - but first you'd have to drive away from your
own computer at home to get to a college campus. Bakke says that now,
there may be a better way.