15 High-Paying Careers You May Have Not Heard Of Yet
It’s common for working-aged people to look for ways to boost their income. Who doesn’t want to earn more money? The tricky part is how to do that without taking on multiple jobs or side gigs.
Numerous professions that aren’t commonly known pay quite well. Some require a college degree or formal training, while others require ingenuity and a passion for your work. Whichever career path you choose, these obscure but high-paying occupations should be on your radar.
1. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
If you’ve never heard of an industrial-organizational psychologist, you’re not alone. These mental health professionals employ psychological principles in the workplace. They work with managers, Human Resources personnel, and administrators to improve employee satisfaction and enhance productivity.
Industrial-organizational psychologists consult in problem-solving activities, assist in employee training, and administer assessments. The 2023 median salary for this profession is $147,420.
2. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers are professionals in the oil and gas sectors of the energy industry. They oversee the planning of extracting and producing oil and gas and supervise drilling activities.
Petroleum engineers also provide technical advice to energy companies and recommend designs for extraction and production tools. Their median income is $135,690.
3. Information Security Analyst
Companies of all sizes rely on information security analysts’ expertise to protect their digital assets, such as networks, systems, software, and data. These workers monitor networks for vulnerabilities and aid in responding to security incidents.
To stay current on the ever-evolving IT threats, information security analysts research the latest trends and methods to prevent or minimize the damage caused by a security breach. This occupation is growing strongly, with a median salary of $120,360.
4. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
If you’re willing to undergo on-the-job training and sit for a licensing exam, you could earn an annual median salary of $120,350 as a nuclear power reactor operator. The overall purpose of the operator is to manage the safe production of nuclear energy.
In addition to operating nuclear reactors, nuclear power reactor operators monitor and log all activities and make any necessary adjustments. They may also investigate irregularities or emergencies and advise on the appropriate responses.
5. Actuary
An actuary works primarily with businesses and insurance companies to determine the risk of unplanned events. They use statistics to estimate how much an event would cost if it occurred.
Actuaries use this information to help clients plan to minimize risks and costs. These risks can include accidents, disasters, and mortality rates. As of 2023, the median salary for an actuary is $120,000.
6. Professional Sleeper
Generally, professional sleeper employment is limited to adults. Certain health conditions like sleep apnea or insomnia may determine a potential candidate’s eligibility to participate, depending on the company’s requirements.
7. Enterostomal Therapist
One of the specializations in healthcare is enterostomal therapy. These nurses provide treatment to patients who have had an enterostomy.
An enterostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the small intestine leading to the outside of the abdomen to allow it to drain. Salary.com lists the low end of the annual wage at $102,700.
8. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
People ride elevators and escalators every day, but the job of installing and repairing them is overlooked. That’s surprising, considering the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median yearly pay as $102,420.
These experts are responsible for installing elevators and escalators and for their repair and maintenance. Graduation from an apprenticeship in this specialization is required to become a technician.
9. Database Administrator
A database administrator is a specialized role in the information technology (IT) field. These tech pros manage large databases to ensure they’re functioning correctly. When a database experiences technical issues, the administrators identify and address them.
Database administrators organize and implement database changes and can enact security protocols to ensure they’re protected. Demand for this occupation is growing, with a median annual salary of $101,510.
10. Genetic Counselor
Individuals and families who plan to have children may seek out the services of a genetic counselor. They help determine the risk prospective parents have for inherited medical conditions.
After completing genetic tests, genetic counselors review the results with their clients, allowing them to make informed decisions. The most recent median salary for this occupation is $95,770.
11. Hydrologist
Hydrology is a branch of science that studies how water moves and is distributed above and underneath the ground and how human behaviors affect its availability. Hydrologists carry out this work.
These scientists also study the water cycle to analyze precipitation and its respective stages. The BLS indicates the median salary for this job as of 2023 is $88,770.
12. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound machines to obtain images from inside the body. They work with nurses and physicians to examine the images and interpret their results.
Diagnostic medical sonography training programs last one to two years, and a certification exam is taken upon program completion. The median salary for this medical career is $84,470.
13. Operations Research Analyst
Businesses hire operations research analysts to solve high-level problems using mathematics and data analysis. Their solutions help companies reduce costs and operate more efficiently.
Operations research analysts work in numerous industries to solve problems in scheduling, supply chain, and treatment plans. The most recent median salary for this career is $83,640.
14. Logistician
You’ve probably heard the term logistics but may not be familiar with it as an occupation. Logistics manages how assets are procured, stored, and distributed.
The role of a logistician is to analyze a company’s supply chain from the design phase through delivery to its end destination. This occupation is expected to experience higher-than-average growth and has a median pay of $79,400 annually.
15. Food Stylist
With an average annual salary of $74,354, a career as a food stylist is lucrative. You’ve probably seen the work of food stylists without even realizing it.
Food stylists prepare and arrange food for video, print, and other media. The goal is to make it look appetizing and appealing to the viewer. Their work is featured in print ads, movies, and television.
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