15 Jobs You Wouldn’t Expect To Pay Well But Do
There are many things to consider when deciding upon a career. What one is passionate about, commute times, remote positions, corporate or family-owned businesses, and benefits are among them. However, a well-paying salary is often at the top of the list.
It’s a widely held belief that surgeons, lawyers, athletes, realtors, and those in finance, entertainment, and computers rake in the big bucks. But several other fields also offer substantial paychecks.
Mindfully American reviewed information to assemble a list of 15 jobs you wouldn’t expect to pay well but do. You just might be inspired to make a career change.
1: Sommelier
Studying to be a sommelier sounds like an enjoyable experience, but it’s a serious job. A highly educated wine professional can make up to $150,000.
A sommelier’s salary depends on their level/title. The different levels include Introductory, Certified, Advanced, and Master. The more knowledge and experience a sommelier has, the more money they make.
2: Equine Therapist
Hippotherapy incorporates horses’ movements into physical, speech, and occupational therapy. This unique specialty has proven to be an extremely beneficial therapy tool.
Working with elegant equines can be quite profitable. Depending on location and skill level, a person performing hippotherapy can make over $100,000.
3: Bereavement Coordinator
It takes a special kind of person to build a career in death, but it can be a lucrative business. Several careers exist in this field, including bereavement coordinators. This position works with dying patients while they’re still alive, grieving loved ones, social workers, and healthcare professionals.
Bereavement coordinators lead loved ones through their emotionally challenging time, ensuring logistics run as the patient and family want them to. The average salary of a bereavement coordinator is $67,571, but depending on location and experience, it can be as high as $83,727.
4: Toy Designer
Toys aren’t just child’s play. Creative, intelligent artists create these fun novelties. Toy designers need active imaginations to develop ideas, sketch them out, and figure out how to build them.
Toy designers work independently or for a manufacturer and must ensure their creations are safe for children. The salary for this job can be as high as $88,620.
5: Fire Investigator
Firefighters are known to be heroes, and fire investigators are like the detectives of the business. They come to the scene to discover what caused a fiery incident or an explosion.
This serious position scrutinizes a fire’s aftermath, takes photos, and collects evidence. The salary for this position can be as high as $100,780.
6: Court Reporter
Court reporting can be an exciting career, depending on your assigned cases. Court reporters, also known as “guardians of record,” transcribe cases in real-time.
There are special schools for this profession. Depending upon certification and experience, court reporters can make $60,000 to over $100,000.
7: Respiratory Specialist
What’s more important than being able to breathe? Respiratory specialists work with people with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea, and more.
These lung experts work with people of all ages. Depending on experience and location, the salary for this position can be up to $86,150.
8: Veterinary Acupuncturist
The average salary of a veterinary acupuncturist is $72,623 and can go up to $82,559. Similar to acupuncture for humans, these experts insert needles into specific points of an animal’s body to relieve pain and aid in digestion, skin ailments, and respiratory issues.
Those in the acupuncturist field don’t just work in veterinary offices; veterinary acupuncturists also work in zoos, farms, and kennels.
9: Truck Driver
Truck drivers cover thousands of miles on the road in large vehicles, transporting goods from one place to another. Depending on the traffic along the route, the job can be quite peaceful, allowing drivers to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music while on the road.
These long-haul drivers are often away from home, but the salary can make it worthwhile. Truck drivers earn an average of $108,267 per year.
10: Ethical Hacker
Computer geniuses use their powers for good when they become ethical hackers. The average pay range for this position is $135,269.
Ethical hackers are responsible for assessing the security of computer systems. These influential professionals are typically employed by large websites or government agencies.
11: Makeup Artist
Makeup artists not only bring out the beauty in their clients, but they also have the potential to significantly boost their financial status. This profession stands out as a rare creative career that offers substantial financial rewards.
The makeup artist career encompasses a wide range, from special occasion cosmetics to theater, film, and TV. Depending on the industry, a makeup artist can earn an average of $100,000.
12: Closed-Caption Broadcaster
Closed-caption broadcasters fulfill an important need. They type the captions on pre-recorded and live videos. These typists also ensure that captions are in the correct positions on a screen and check for accuracy.
Some closed-caption broadcasters also moonlight as court reporters. This position can earn up to $90,000 annually.
13: Funeral Director
Funeral directors, also known as morticians, have one of the most lucrative careers in the death industry, with potential earnings nearing $100,000 annually. They play a crucial role in helping families navigate the difficult process of planning funeral arrangements.
This profession requires funeral directors to confront mortality more frequently than most, and their work hours are unpredictable due to being on call. Despite the challenges, the positive impact of supporting grieving individuals brings a sense of fulfillment that is unparalleled.
14: Voice Actor
Voice actors have the potential to have a fun and high-paying career. The average salary for voice actors is $100,198.
These professionals record audiobooks, TV shows, films, and commercials, allowing them to showcase their creativity through various voice pitches and accents. Many of them have a background in traditional acting.
15: Brewmaster
People passionate about beer can build an entire lifestyle around it by becoming a brewmaster. This expert is responsible for crafting delicious beer.
The brewmaster ensures a safe work environment and is knowledgeable about beer equipment. On average, brewmasters can earn around $120,000 per year.
How Much Money It Takes To Be in the Top 1%
Whether you dream of being in the top 1% or think you might already be there, one thing is certain: The income a household makes to be in the top 1% club varies by state. Here’s how much you need to make to have a higher income than 99% of Americans.
How Much Money It Takes To Be in the Top 1% in Each State
25 Most Expensive Cities
Do you live in or are considering moving to one of the most expensive cities in America? These are the top 25 cities that’ll do a (lower) number on your bank account.
