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10 high-paying jobs in growing fields

Key takeaways

  • The median salary for full-time workers in early 2024 was $1,139 weekly or close to $60,000 per year.1
  • Many careers in growing fields have median salaries well above that figure, and many don't require a 4-year college degree.
  • Once you land that high-paying job, don't forget to invest some of that salary in your future through an employer-sponsored and/or individual retirement plan.

Whether you want to make a quick entry to the workforce after high school or make a name for yourself in a specific career, the earning potential for today's employees hovers around $60,000 per year or $1,139 a week, the median weekly wage for full-time American workers, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).2 The jobs below, however, could help you surpass that figure and they're in fields that are growing faster than average.

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10 high-paying jobs with median annual wages over $75,000

1. Respiratory therapist

Median annual wage: $77,960 per year3

Annual wage range: $59,180 to $104,480 per year4

Education required: Associate's degree

Respiratory therapy is an in-demand specialty with a projected 13% growth between 2022 and 2032, according to BLS.5 These pros work in shifts and care for patients who have difficulty breathing due to various conditions that affect the lungs, including underdeveloped lungs from premature birth, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They conduct pulmonary function and blood tests and perform treatments like physiotherapy to help improve patients' breathing. A license is required in most states before you work with patients.

2. Epidemiologist

Median annual wage: $81,3906

Annual wage range: $54,950 to $132,2307

Education required: Master's degree

If you're curious about the inner workings of pandemics like COVID, you could pursue a job as an epidemiologist. These scientific pros often work for state or federal governments and are in a field with a projected 27% growth.8 Epidemiologists research injury and disease patterns and use the results to help improve community health outcomes. To become one, you typically need a master's degree in public health with an emphasis in epidemiology. Many epidemiologists go on to earn doctoral degrees so they can direct research and teach at universities.

3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists

Median annual wage: $83,7409

Annual wage range: $61,470 to $112,42010

Education required: Associate's degree

Someone needs to run the MRI scanner when a patient needs diagnostic images. That could be you if you're up for getting a 2-year degree and having a high-paying job in a health care facility or hospital. Though most states don't require MRI technologists to be licensed, you're more likely to get a job in this field if you're certified. That certification comes from the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT). MRI technologists tend to start out as radiologic technologists, which is also relatively well-paying. Both those careers are expected to see faster-than-average growth.

4. Diagnostic medical sonographer

Annual median wage: $84,47011

Annual wage range: $63,680 to $116,30012

Education required: Associate's degree or postsecondary certificate

You've likely heard diagnostic medical sonographers referred to by another commonly used name: ultrasound techs. These pros are trained to operate diagnostic medical imaging and testing equipment that look inside the human body. It's a career projected to see 10% growth through 2032 and requires an associate's degree from a community college or specialty certification training.13 Once you've completed training, you can earn certification by taking an exam from a number of nationally recognized organizations. You could even get certified in different specialties, like breast or abdominal sonography.

5. Registered nurse (RN)

Median annual wage: $86,07014

Annual wage range: $63,720 to $132,68015

Education required: Associate's or bachelor's degree

With the biggest group of Baby Boomers hitting retirement age and nursing school enrollment not on pace with health care demand, there's a national nursing shortage. But this in-demand career caring for others could earn you upwards of $80,000 per year. To get the RN designation, you can choose a 2-year associate's degree (ADN) or a 4-year bachelor's degree (BSN). Those with BSN degrees typically earn higher wages, but the good news is that many hospital programs will help pay for ADNs to earn their BSN degrees. You'll also need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn your registered nurse license. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be about 195,400 additional openings for RNs through 2031.16

6. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Median annual wage: $99,20017

Annual wage range: $58,810 to $175,53018

Education required: High school diploma or equivalent

Are you a logistical whiz? Do you enjoy organizing lots of moving parts? You could turn that skill and interest into a high-paying job, no college degree necessary (but a few years of related experience helps). These managers work for warehouses, storage facilities, trucking businesses, wholesalers, and even corporate enterprises to plan out transportation, storage, and distribution tasks. And opportunities in this career are growing faster than the average one.

7. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

Median annual wage: $102,42019

Annual wage range: $51,960 to $138,91020

Education required: High school diploma (or equivalent) plus apprenticeship

Ready for an uplifting career? Becoming an elevator and escalator installer and repairer could help take you higher, potentially without a college degree. With a median salary above the $100,000 mark, these pros complete a 4-year apprenticeship through a union, employer, or industry association, which provides training on how to install and maintain a range of people-moving equipment. Most states require licenses too.

8. Actuary

Annual median wage: $120,00021

Annual wage range: $75,380 to $209,31022

Education required: Bachelor's degree

In this high-paying job, with an expected growth rate of 23% through 2032, you'll use a combination of statistics, math, and financial theory to assess risk and potential costs.23 The insurance industry relies on these pros because they help minimize loss and maximize profits. To become one, you'll need a bachelor's degree, often in business, math, statistics, or actuarial science, followed by certification through the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Employers typically expect you to pass one of these certification exams before you graduate.

9. Physician assistant

Median annual wage: $130,02024

Annual wage range: $86,280 to $170,79025

Education required: Master's degree

If the high cost of medical school turned you off from becoming a doctor, becoming a physician assistant could feed your passion for wellness usually for less. There's a national physician shortage, and physician assistants can help fill that gap. You'll need to earn a master's degree from an accredited physician assistant program, typically 3 years long, though admission is highly competitive. Once you're in, you must serve over 2,000 clinical hours and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to earn your PA credentials. You can then apply for your state license and work under a physician's supervision in various specialties like primary care, cardiology, neurology, and more.

10. Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers

Median annual wage: $132,27026

Annual wage range: $77,020 to $208,62027

Education required: From no degree to a bachelor's degree

You may be surprised to learn you can have a high-paying job in tech without a college degree. You can learn various coding languages online for free and pursue roles in software development. But yes, you can get trained in a computer science college program instead. The field is expected to grow 25% by 2032, with even entry-level salaries generally above the national median wage.28

You've found a high-paying job. Now what?

Landing the high-paying job of your dreams could be the first step toward a more financially secure future. Step 2: Having a plan to ensure that your hard-earned wages work hard for you. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your paycheck—from day 1 on the job and beyond.

Secure your emergency savings

Jobs come and go, which is why it's a good idea to make building up your emergency savings one of your top priorities. Consider setting up an automatic transfer from checking to savings each payday to save up $1,000 or 1 month's worth of expenses first. Keep going until you have roughly 3 to 6 months' worth of expenses stashed away. As you approach milestones like starting a family or buying a house, add a little more to your savings to cover all of the financial speedbumps you could hit.

Make the most of your employer's retirement plan

If your employer offers a match through a 403(b) or 401(k), make sure you're contributing enough to get the entire match. For instance, if your employer matches 100% of your contributions up to 3% of your annual salary, it's a smart money move to contribute at least 3% to the plan each year to get the full match. If you only contribute 1% or 2%, you're leaving money on the table.

Consider opening an IRA

After getting your employer's match, consider opening an IRA as part of your retirement savings strategy. Don't know whether to open a Roth or traditional IRA? Here's a quick overview: A Roth IRA lets you contribute after-tax money and receive federal tax-free distributions on earnings after age 59½ if withdrawals are made after a 5-year period, beginning with the first taxable year after which a contribution to the Roth IRA occurs.29 But you must earn under the Roth IRA income limit to contribute. A traditional IRA, on the other hand, is funded with after-tax money that may be tax-deductible. Earnings grow tax-deferred and distributions are taxed during retirement.30 If you'd like to be saving for retirement in a Roth account, but you earn too much to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, consider the backdoor Roth IRA strategy. It's a way of moving money into a Roth IRA, by making nondeductible contributions—or contributions on which you do not take a tax deduction—to a traditional IRA and then immediately converting those funds into a Roth IRA.

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More to explore

1. "Median weekly earnings $1,227 for men, $1,021 for women, first quarter 2024," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2, 2024. 2. "Median weekly earnings," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2, 2024. 3. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Respiratory Therapists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 4. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Respiratory Therapists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 5. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Respiratory Therapists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 6. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Epidemiologists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 7. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Epidemiologists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 8. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Epidemiologists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 9. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic and MRI Technologists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 10. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic and MRI Technologists," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 11. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 12. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 13. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 14. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 15. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 16. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 17. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 24, 2024. 18. "Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 3, 2024. 19. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 20. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 21. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actuaries," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 22. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actuaries," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 23. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actuaries," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 24. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physician Assistants," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 25. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physician Assistants," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 26. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physician Assistants," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 27. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 28. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers," US Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 17, 2024. 29. For a distribution to be considered qualified, the 5-year aging requirement has to be satisfied, and you must be age 59½ or older or meet one of several exemptions (disability, qualified first-time home purchase, or death among them). 30. A distribution from a Traditional IRA is penalty-free provided certain conditions or circumstances are applicable: age 59½; qualified first-time homebuyer (up to $10,000); birth or adoption expense (up to $5,000 per child); emergency expense (up to $1000 per calendar year); qualified higher education expenses; death, terminal illness or disability; health insurance premiums (if you are unemployed); some unreimbursed medical expenses; domestic abuse (up to $10,000); substantially equal period payments; Qualified Federally Declared Disaster Distributions or tax levy.

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