Mean Income: $67,960 Top 10%: $115,450
Loan officers are tasked with collecting important information, analyzing it to draw a conclusion, and making the final decision on whether someone is eligible for a loan, and on which terms. It’s a very complex subject, but if you love numbers, finances, and are great at reading people, this might be a perfect career path for you.
Common qualifications obviously include some sort of a degree in business, finance, or economics. You’ll also need proper certifications to become a loan officer, and having experience always helps. Another great skill is having thick skin, as you’ll often have to turn down people that are either really charming, dominant, or just really need your help.
Veterinarian Researcher
Mean Income: $68,170 Top 10%: $117,150
This is a job for people who absolutely love animals, but prefer to research and test new medications and treatments rather than be the ones administering them. It’s a perfect gig for the creative scientific personality types, and it helps that you never have to wrestle with large dogs and feisty cats.
Lots of adults once had the fleeting (or long-term) childhood dream of becoming a vet, but this job takes real grit, perseverance, and stamina. Research veterinarians have the option to be regular veterinarians as well, but they prefer to be on the research side testing new products, medications, and treatments for various animal diseases, which means less wrestling with stubborn 100 lb. dogs, and more experimenting.
Broadcast News Analysts
Mean Income: $76,370 Top 10%: $159,530
It seems that almost everyone considers themselves a new pundit or sports analyst these days. However, sometimes people prefer to just get a job in the field. This can take anywhere from five to seven figures, depending on your network.
To be considered a broadcast news analyst, you’ll need to have a Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field. Being a great public speaker, having a presentable look, and developing your own cool catchphrase can all help you get the job. Don’t forget that the cameras are rolling and that what you say can and will be used against you in the court of Twitter.
Software Architect
Mean Income: $129,148 Top 10%: $175,563
Software architects are very different from programmers. Just like building architects are very different from builders. Your job as the architect of a successful SAAS (Software as a Service) company is to constantly pay close attention to both your programmers and your customers so your product is optimal.
Software architects are the top-level people who help create the limitations and systems behind various popular software. Although they don’t usually do the coding themselves, most of them are highly proficient at it. Having a degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or Software Engineering can also help quite a bit. These jobs pay a lot of money thanks to the scaling nature of software which leads to massive growth.
Education Administrators, Elementary And Secondary
Mean Income: $90,200 Top 10%: $128,660
Becoming an administrator in an elementary school or a college is quite a rewarding position, and it also pays quite well. One of the biggest benefits is that you get to make a speech anytime you want, and students basically have to attend it. Just make sure you’re one of the “cool ones”, and that you actually care about and listen to the students you’re overseeing.
This position is usually short on supply and held for many years so it's not simple to get one. You’ll need at least a few good years of experience for the job, and the more certifications and recommendations you have the better.