17 Well-Paying Jobs Most People Wrongly Think They’re Too Good For
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Many high-paying jobs are frequently overlooked because they don’t fit the traditional image of prestige. Despite providing solid financial stability—sometimes over $70,000 annually—alongside job security and growth potential, these roles are often disregarded due to outdated perceptions of success.
As industries such as skilled trades and essential services face labor shortages, demand for workers in these fields is rising, presenting both financial rewards and opportunities for personal satisfaction and career advancement. Keep reading to discover 17 well-paying jobs most people wrongly think they’re too good for
Mail Carrier
Some of those mail carriers can make a considerable amount depending on their assigned route, like one bringing in $230 a day. Routes differ in length, but on a topic of an hour, so many mail carriers are finished with work even on Fridays (which is usually before 9 am).
A good paying job that has union benefits, paid time off, and personal days. All of these are great for work-life balance for the nine months of the year you actually get to enjoy them.
Fashion Photographer
Day rates for fashion photographers are in the neighborhood of $10k and more to shoot a campaign. It is predominantly based on-set with models, clients, and creative teams, but the shooting process sometimes equates to a small amount of the day.
It is a coveted position in the creative industry and provides an enticing opportunity for artistic freedom in combination with financial reward; it is ideal for individuals with the correct skills, a strong portfolio, and an attractive list of client references.
Lab Technician in the Arctic
Arctic lab techs can take home six figures largely because of the station’s remoteness and having to live in isolation. The work itself is incredibly light, with maybe one sample coming in every now and then; so much of the technician’s day is spent watching videos or engaging in other leisurely activities.
Working a three and three schedule provides a rare life combination of isolation, labor, and recuperation.
Night Shift Gym Worker
Evenings at the gym might pay not only in cash. Workers in Night Shifts are claiming $80,000 yearly pre-tax for only 2 hours of work. The rest of the time in the shift can be utilized to learn more about you, such as by watching sports and browsing websites.
The paycheck is not quite as lucrative as other fields, but the amount of time you will have to put into your craft makes for a good setup if you need flexible work.
Management Consultant
Another area where the work may not justify the paycheck is management consulting. At 100k, many consultants are effectively paid only to hear their boss complain.
This role is frequently administrative in nature, with little direction or client engagement, but it is still one of the most highly compensated roles in corporate settings.
Slot Machine Technician
Repairing was lazy pays exceptionally well at around $32 per hour and offers amazing benefits, including time off. Whilst the job can be a little hectic, we have plenty of downtime, which you can use to catch up on your own activities like reading or other hobbies.
That combination of technical skills and some downtime on the job makes this a good opening for those looking for a steady gig with an occasional breather.
Marijuana Consultant (Budtender)
Becoming a government cannabis consultant or budtender is also good, as it pays at least $28 per hour. You assist customers in picking out mineralogy goods, which can be a lot of standing around and basic customer service.
Short of the low pay for such simple duties, it will be a fantastic work 9-5 job with decent enough payments (making you considered), making it ideal for people who are committed to finding a good steady position and will have afforded a bit of patience with religion.
Recruiter for Tech Companies
For big tech firms, recruiters can see huge earnings in the case of a hiring crescendo. At the peak of the great tech talent land grab, recruiters were willing to pay up to $175,000 for warm bodies with minimal qualifications.
A few did not work very much at all, a smaller number working just a few small projects per week, but they were still being paid large amounts. It often turns from recruiting to HR very quickly with big payoffs.
Phlebotomist (Night Shift)
Phlebotomists who work through the night are frequently compensated fairly for this experience, particularly in hospitals or clinics needing 24-hour staffing. The position requires taking blood from patients, usually during slower times when fewer packages are being processed.
The work is specialized, and it pays more per hour to compensate you for hours being less valuable than daytime shifts. There is greater availability of cheaper workers working day jobs but rare at night.
Real Estate Agent
In hot markets, this can be quite a bit of money in the pocket of real estate agents, particularly in niche sectors like vacation homes or luxury properties. In some of these areas, agents are also responsible for additional complicated tasks like arranging home improvements or doing financial evaluations.
However, some of the largest paydays can be collected just by overseeing a high-end property’s contract — easily earning five figures on deals that only require a few hours of work. Real Estate… for those with a good reputation and proven client base, it is very lucrative.
911 Operator
The job of a 911 operator, we know too well, is difficult but lucrative. Operators — who control emergency calls and are often forced to remain calm under extreme stress — average $36 per hour. It is not a position that calls for more education but rather an emotional reserve — operators are constantly exposed to harrowing life scenes.
However, while some have described them as intense calls, the stable pay and limited need for higher education have drawn interest from people seeking public service careers.
Medical Administrator
A medical administrator, especially one with a master’s degree, can walk into high-paying jobs and fetch six figures right out of school. They are often responsible for managing hospital or medical center administration.
This might make it sound like they do not work directly with patients, so many have an important job in helping to run healthcare facilities smoothly. Others cashed in on new financial opportunities born from the pandemic, which would get combined with their already healthy incomes.
Event Technology Specialist
Meanwhile, event technology specialists who operate and maintain projectors, microphones, speakers, or other audio/visual technologies may earn as much as $75,000 per annum. Waiting for events to end is mostly downtime, which allows the ability to tend to personal goals.
Teardown and setup of equipment are usually easy, so much of the day is spent on standby. It enables someone with the skills and knowledge of C++ to secure a stable, generally stress-free job that allows plenty of time outside the office.
Bartender
Some bartenders, especially those who work in well–populated areas or upscale establishments, earn a lot of money, to the point where they can sometimes bring home a paycheck of between $4,500 and $6,000.
It’s still a lot of pouring and serving, which can be easy or hard depending on the crowd of customers. The bartending profession is excellent for those seeking a flexible job with exposure to social vibes and a chance at good money via tips.
Warehouse Worker
Warehouse work might not be the sexiest thing in the world, but for several positions, it does bring in quite impressive earnings, with some workers claiming salaries of $100k per year. These roles can entail simple duties — such as the preparation of parcels, sorting, and packing stock.
Yet some firms incentivize this with overtime pay and bonuses, so it can be a great career field for people willing to work hard. Warehouse Work: Warehouse work can be another high-paying option for those who do not mind a little manual labor.
Consultant
You can make lots and lots of money consulting, especially if you have an advanced degree like an MBA. Large sums can be generated by consulting these strategies, and while they may not perfectly align with the effort that goes into them, they often justify the cost. Managing directors at some firms barely set foot in the office yet take home paychecks north of $500,000.
Even if source engagement from the consulting field can be more or less direct, knowledge of facts is what counts in business for consultants, and therefore, they are among the top-paying jobs with specialized knowledge.
Freelance Copywriter
Freelance copywriting allows for an option between a work-from-home job and earning a minimum wage, to a very good income with experience and the right clients. Most of the time, remote copywriters use to write Advertisements, blogs, and marketing materials for any company.
They come at different rates, but a good, seasoned freelancer can make more than $100k a year in members, especially with high-profile clients or agencies. The position allows for the creativity, selectivity, and flexible hours millennials see as attractive to those with a knack for writing or an entrepreneurial spirit.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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