What Job Should I Do To Make Over 100k?

While some consider making over 100k a year an ideal goal, others see it as a stepping stone for further achievement. In any case, a salary of over $100,000 a year is an amount of money that can solve many problems and its why many of us set it as a goal.

So, what job should I do to make over 100k?

Most of us know that lawyers and doctors, for instance, can make over $100,000 a year. However, such professionals earn this salary only after numerous years of schooling and practice in their respective fields. On the other hand, there are a number of jobs in which you can earn $100,000 or more per year, but which do not require extensive schooling and which do not have high barriers to entry. Here is a list of five such jobs:

1. Financial Advisor

If you are a good communicator and feel comfortable managing money, you will be more likely to have a good career as a financial advisor. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook in this sector is promising with higher-than-average 32 percent growth.

Financial advisors work directly with clients and provide advice about financial, budgeting, and estate planning, as well as consult clients about investments. These professionals also sell various financial products or get paid to manage investment accounts. (Here’s more about what you should know before getting a financial advisor job) A college degree is recommended, but your degree is not required to be in a specific area. If you work hard over your career, aggressively seek out new clients, and get referrals from current clients, you will have an opportunity to make way over $100,000 a year.

2. Software Developer

Even if you do not have a degree in computer science, but are interested in computers and programming, I highly recommend you to consider a career in software development. It is going to be one of the most in demand and highly paid jobs in the next 20 years, and you can learn it online without the expensive college tuition. (see Codecademy.com and many other free online training programs) This career is especially appealing nowadays given the fact that software and software as a service (SAAS) companies are valued at all-time highs. Additionally, regular companies in every industry are looking to cut costs by implementing software and automation systems.

In addition to having a passion for computer programming, you would need to get training or train yourself in specialized computer languages, as well as compile a portfolio of your work and projects (Github is a place to do this). These qualifications will offer you an opportunity to get an interesting job, working collaboratively, with a salary of up to $100,000 a year and more.

3. Petroleum Engineer

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, you can become a specialist in extraction and storing of oil and gas. There are many oil sites across the country, and they provide a huge number of jobs. The shale oil boom in the United States is causing a shortfall in good petroleum engineers, and salaries are going up in perfect correlation. Though prices are cyclical, as the United States relies on more and more domestic supply, this career will be in demand.

The petroleum engineer’s tasks normally include: determining optimal tubing size and appropriate equipment, having contact with geologists, production and reservoir engineers, and commercial managers, providing maximum economic recovery of reservoirs, managing contractor relationships, supervising site operations, and managing staff. As a result, the median salary petroleum engineers can expect to make is about $130,000 a year.

4. Radiation Therapist

You might wonder whether it is possible to work in the hospitals and cancer treatment centers, taking care of people and helping them to overcome diseases, without receiving a medical degree. As it turns out, the answer to this question is an definite “yes” if you are a radiation therapist.

Radiation therapists do not need a four-year college degree or any previous work experience. These specialists are only required to receive either a two-year associate degree or a certification in radiation therapy. Among the main tasks of the radiation therapists are: providing radiation therapy, as prescribed by the physician, maintaining accurate and detailed documentation, working closely with the radiation oncologist and the therapy team to prepare treatment plans, and making sure that all equipment complies with safety standards.

Here’s an article I wrote on how to get radiation therapist jobs with more info. The most significant benefits of this profession are a standard 40-hour week and a salary of up to $115,000 a year.

5. Food-Service Manager

If you are interested in the restaurant industry, but do not wish to become a bartender or a cook, you should try to aim your efforts toward becoming a food-service manager. Its a longer term career path, but even without too many years of experience, these specialists, also known as food and beverage directors, can provide supervision for processes in restaurants, banquet halls, and hotels.

The food-service managers are responsible for their staff and inventory, and they have to provide the ultimate atmosphere for their customers. The average salary of a food-service manager is about $101,000 a year, and post-secondary education programs in restaurant management are required enough to get this job.

Updated 5/16/2017