These positions pay well and are in demand.
Whether we’re making it, spending it, saving it or in lack of it, we think about money a lot. As a result, money spurs why we work and often the professions we choose. Still, money isn’t the be-all and end-all of a profession, nor is it the exclusive factor that determines your satisfaction with the work you do. That’s what makes the following professions special. They’re the 15 highest-paying occupations from our Best Jobs list, and they’re also jobs expected to hire abundantly this decade.
Physician
To work in U.S. News’ No. 4 job, you must complete at least four years of an undergraduate program, four years of medical school and up to eight years of an internship and residency. But the long training period literally pays off for many doctors. In 2013, a general internist made a median salary of $186,850 and an average salary of $188,440.
Dentist
The biggest myth about visiting the dentist’s office is that you’re going to see the dentist every time. It’s usually for non-routine issues like tooth decay or gingivitis that the dentist steps in to diagnose and recommend proper procedures and treatment. Dentists are well-compensated for their specialized skills: In 2013, dentists earned a median salary of $146,340. That same year, the average salary for dentists was $164,570.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers watch consumer trends to devise a plan for promoting products or services to certain people in certain places, and they usually earn six-figure salaries for their efforts. In 2013, these professionals had a median salary of $123,220 and an average salary of $133,700.
IT Manager
The person who oversees information technology and computer-related activities for an organization has a tall task. He or she is concerned with coordinating workflows, devising a security strategy, making recommendations, budgeting new software and hardware, and hiring and directing information technology and computer support personnel. In 2013, IT managers earned a median salary of $123,950 and an average salary of $132,570.
Lawyer
It’s the job that launched a thousand bad “What do you call a lawyer who …” jokes. Attorneys’ pay varies depending on experience, location, specialty and even the size of firm they work for (assuming they work for a firm at all). Still, lawyers earned a median salary of $114,300 and an average salary of $131,990 in 2013.
Financial Manager
Financial managers oversee all financial matters for an organization, set goals and devise strategies for maximizing profits. The job can be stressful at times and requires pulling long hours. Thus, these number crunchers are usually well-compensated. The Labor Department reports financial managers earned a median salary of $112,700 and an average salary of $126,600 in 2013.
Sales Manager
While those on the cold calls or the display room floors actually sell the products, sales managers analyze trends, set goals and implement strategies for executing those goals. In 2013, sales managers earned a median salary of $108,540 and an average salary of $123,150.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists should be well-compensated, because doing their job well plays a material part in how we handle our medical conditions, recuperating process and overall health and wellness. In 2013, pharmacists earned a median salary of $119,280 and an average salary of $116,500.
Business Operations Manager
You can’t just become a business operations manager. Ascending to this position happens after years of hard work and experience managing tasks and people. The best of the bunch don’t just have the chops to exceed expectations. They also have the emotional intelligence to motivate their staff. The work is hard, but it’s accompanied by good pay: In 2013, those in this profession earned a median salary of $96,430 and an average salary above six figures: $116,090.
Art Director
The skills of an art director aren’t strictly tied to aesthetics and creativity. Those in this field must also juggle marketing, public relations, business and operations duties. Fortunately, this multitasking profession also comes with a good salary. In 2013, art directors earned a median salary of $83,000 and an average salary of $96,650.
Software Developer
Software developers rank well on our list of Best Jobs from year to year. And with good reason: Duties for this job are challenging, unemployment is low and the salaries are comfortable. In 2013, these IT specialists responsible for developing, designing and engineering computer applications earned a median salary of $92,660. That same year, software developers earned an average salary of $96,260.
Veterinarian
Veterinary medicine isn’t health care lite. Vets are qualified to care for all types of animals, from the cute and cuddly to intense and immense. Their work affects food safety as well as the spread of infectious diseases. In 2013, veterinarians earned a median salary of $86,640 and an average salary of $96,140.
Nurse Practitioner
The scope of responsibilities for advanced practice nurses vary by state, but they always include daunting duties essential for quality patient care: performing physical exams, running diagnostic tests and analyzing the results, counseling patients on proper treatment and prescribing medications, to name a few. In 2013, nurse practitioners earned a median salary of $92,670 and an average salary of $95,070.
Physician Assistant
Physician assistants endure the rigors of a bachelor’s program followed by a full-time postgraduate program to qualify to examine patients, diagnose conditions, write prescriptions and counsel on and monitor treatment. But the intense years of study lead to job security and a handsome salary. In 2013, PAs earned a median salary of $92,970 and an average salary of $94,350.
Information Security Analyst
The Labor Department wisely predicts hiring for those who work this job will uptick. And our society needs them — we barely shift from one news cycle to the next without hearing of another security breach, another violation of digital privacy, another warning to protect our files and learn the risks of saving to the cloud. In 2013, information security analysts earned a median salary of $88,590 and an average salary of $91,210.
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15 Awesome Jobs That Pay More Than $90K originally appeared on usnews.com
