Mean Income: $93,340 Top 10%: $155,480
Working as an official astronomer can earn just as much money, if not more, than any other well-paying job. If you have a love for the stars but not enough courage to fly into space, becoming an astronomer could be perfect for you. This job can earn you up to $150,000 annually!
To become an astronomer, you’ll need a Ph.D. and a master’s degree. Publishing some articles also helps a lot, but this takes years to do. Ignore any naysayers because this job will give you all the flexibility you could want and need, and could potentially lead to you writing the next hit sci-fi book that ends up as a Hollywood film. Then we’ll see who’s laughing.
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Mean Income: $75,550 Top 10%: $137,570
If you’ve got some experience in law and have a knack for solving disputes, one interesting career option might be to become an arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator. Businesses and organizations frequently enter into complicated disputes, and they need someone who’s impartial, talented and highly experienced to help them solve these disagreements.
Once you’re working with high-status individuals, you can sometimes charge a certain percentage of the deal you’re helping mediate. Basically, this is a very lucrative field, but you’ll need to have a spit-shine reputation and a highly developed ability to read people. If you’re not interested in reading hundreds of psychology and leadership books, it’s best to just sit this one out.
Captains, Mates, Pilots of Water Vessels
Mean Income: $71,760 Top 10%: $119,280
If you love the seas and want to make a living from that, captaining a water vessel might just be the job for you. It’s actually a lot easier to get into the field than you think, as you don’t need any type of degree for it. You will, however, need a few years of training and certifications. Namely the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).
Obviously, you don’t want to enter this field if you tend to get seasick, or just don’t like being around or in anything sandy or dirty in general, as these are both characteristics of the wide ocean.
HR Managers
Mean Income: $108,600 Top 10%: $169,310
Offices can be quite a complicated environment to work in. Tensions between co-workers, employees and managers, and many other dynamics are at constant play throughout the day. Add those people who were born before the politically correct era into the mix, and you’ve got yourself quite an interesting work-day as an HR Manager.
The job combines many skills but is mostly about making people happy. You’ll most likely need a degree in the subject for an entry-level position. If you’ve got some experience and can help mediate between people, this might just be one of the most rewarding jobs you can possibly get. And hey, it also pays very well!
Transportation Inspectors
Mean Income: $65,770 Top 10%: $110,210
Transportation inspectors are the overseers of our roads, bridges, and sidewalks. They are usually hired by both the government and large construction companies to make sure that safety procedures are met. This job literally saves lives, which is why it requires a few key qualifications. The job might be very physically demanding, or involve mostly desk work, depending on who you work for.
You’ll obviously need some mechanical and/or construction background in-order to qualify for the job. Based on your state, different certifications are also required. It’s also extremely important to be knowledgeable in regulations, rules, and procedures, as that’s the essence of the job.