The most common answers to this very important question on Reddit were:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1imorl/if_you_were_guaranteed_a_salary_of_exactly_100000/
Artist, Musician, Mechanic, Photographer, Journalist, Critic of movies/books/food, Brewing/Bartending/Beach Bartending, Blacksmith, Acting, Pro Athlete, Various types of Teaching, Video Game dev/tester/player, Hobby Store, and Librarian.
The thing common with this list: They are all ultra-competitive fields. Only a tiny few can make decent living, and most just scrap out daily.
This list is also from Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/3cslzv/redditors_who_make_over_100000_annually_what_do/?limit=500
Working 60 hours/week, and for at least 48 weeks/ year, the per hour rate for these high paying jobs turns out to be: $35/hour. Almost 4 times what a minimum wage worker makes per hour.
Common answers to this questions include: Major airline pilot (not commuter airline pilot, who aren't paid that much), full-time pharmacist for a retail chain, software engineer, investment banker, management consulting (backed by MBA degree and industry experience), corporate lawyer in a top notch firm, top notch copywriter, brand marketer, senior doctor, senior management, or even plumbers and dry cleaners in some tony places (but the work hours can be hard) among other jobs.
Another thing common with these high paying jobs: Yes, there are some 'lucky' degrees (MBA, for example), but people still have to put in the time. A great analysis of career paths of these high paying jobs from the Reddit discussion:
Here are the paths that people I know took. your path might look different (possibly very different):
Software engineer: Degree in computer science from a decent school. learned how to interview (and be a normal human being) and worked internships or built programs in the summers. moved to a metro area. min time: 4 years.
Electrical engineer: degree from a good school. did 'well' (basically, anything above 3.0 is a good GPA for EE). did as many internships as possible and stacked their resume. learned how to interview and did a lot of them. moved to a metro area. min time: 4 years.
Investment banker: Degree in finance from a good school. very high GPA. networked like crazy and made sure to be involved with investment banking competitions. move to New York, London, Chicago or a similarly big city. interviewed for every possible position until they got in. min time: 4 years.
Copywriting: Degree optional. practiced a ton, read lots of books on the subject. wrote a ton of sales letters for very cheap. built up a portfolio then went to companies who needed copywriters. $100/hr plus. min time: 2 years to stability.
Doctor: Kicked ass in undergrad, with research and a high GPA. did decent in med school, chose a specialty they knew they could do. worked their asses off in residency and their fellowship until they were able to work. min time: 12 years.
Senior management: Got into a large company with growth potential. worked their ass off while being assertive about their worth. got a bachelors, then MBA in order to get into management. performed well in management and kept being assertive about their abilities and worth. min time: 10 years.
There are other paths to take (accountant for big 4, attorney for businesses, among many many others) but these are the (non-entrepreneurial) ones that people i know personally have taken.
Again, everyone's path will end up different and 6-figures isn't always guaranteed.
COLLEGE ISN'T A REQUIREMENT TO MAKE 6 FIGURES... but it IS a requirement to get into most commonly known jobs.
Start developing a second set of skills. Automation is slowly but surely making an impact on the job industry. Businesses are using more and more machines/robots to do jobs that could be done better and cheaper using an automated machine.
According to a news item, the World Economic Forum expects automation and robots will eliminate 5.1 million jobs within the next five years. Using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the McKinsey Global Institute has just come out with a report on how much of any industry can be automated.
Highly 'automatable' industries include production, office and administrative support, or food prep, .
Jobs in the tech, management, and medical fields don't face that much a threat from automation, for now.
Economists (Average annual earnings: $83,590)
Biochemists and biophysicists (Average annual earnings: $82,840)
Veterinarians (Average annual earnings: $79,050)
Engineering managers (Average annual earnings: $115,270)
Engineering teachers post-secondary (Average annual earnings: $82,810)
Construction managers (Average annual earnings: $79,860)
Art directors (Average annual earnings: $76,980)
Producers and directors (Average annual earnings: $64,430)
Agents and business managers of artists, performers and athletes (Average annual earnings: $62,940)
Natural sciences managers (Average annual earnings: $112,800)
Computer and information systems managers (Average annual earnings: $112,210)
Health specialties teachers, post-secondary (Average annual earnings: $84,390)
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school (Average annual earnings: $83,880)
Engineering teachers, post-secondary (Average annual earnings: $82,810)
Financial managers (Average annual earnings: $99,330)
Actuaries (Average annual earnings: $84,810)
Financial analysts (Average annual earnings: $73,150)
Chief executives (Average annual earnings: $158,560)
Political scientists (Average annual earnings: $104,130)
General and operations managers (Average annual earnings: $91,570)
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (Average annual earnings: $166,400+)
Orthodontists (Average annual earnings: $166,400+)
Prosthodontists (Average annual earnings: $166,400+)
Gaming managers (Average annual earnings: $68,570)
Sociologists (Average annual earnings: $68,570)
Home economics teachers, post-secondary (Average annual earnings: $64,210)
Clinical, counseling and school psychologists (Average annual earnings: $64,140)
Engineering managers (Average annual earnings: $115,270)
Computer and information systems managers (Average annual earnings: $112,210)
Computer and information scientists, research (Average annual earnings: $97,970)
Lawyers (Average annual earnings: $110,590)
Judges, magistrate judges and magistrates (Average annual earnings: $110,220)
Law teachers, post-secondary (Average annual earnings: $93,210)
Nuclear power reactor operators (Average annual earnings: $73,320)
Elevator installers and repairers (Average annual earnings: $69,380)
Nuclear technicians (Average annual earnings: $67,890)
Marketing managers (Average annual earnings: $108,580)
Sales managers (Average annual earnings: $97,260)
Sales engineers (Average annual earnings: $83,100)
Engineering managers (Average annual earnings: $115,270)
Natural sciences managers (Average annual earnings: $112,800)
Petroleum engineers (Average annual earnings: $108,020)
Air traffic controllers (Average annual earnings: $111,870)
Airline pilots, co-pilots and flight engineers (Average annual earnings: $111,680)
Transportation, storage and distribution managers (Average annual earnings: $79,000)
(Source: '250 Best-Paying Jobs' by Laurence Shatkin)
You will notice how most of the high paying jobs are in the hospital business. And you wondered why the U.S. healthcare system is the most expensive in the world.
10. Psychiatrists
9. Chief Executives
8. Family and General Practitioners
7. Physicians
6. General Internists
5. Orthodontists
4. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
2. Surgeons
1. Anesthesiologists
(Source: Payscale)
This is where the bulk of humanity works:
1. Technicians (installing, configuring, troubleshooting and repairing products and services of all kinds.)
2. Sales Representatives (pitching potential customers about their products, ranging from automobiles to insurance.)
3. Skilled Trades Workers (for example, electricians, plumbers, welders and HVAC specialists)
4. Engineers (in many fields, from electrical to aerospace.)
5. Secretaries/Administrative Assistants (keeping any office running smoothly.)
6. Drivers
7. Production Operators (working at assembly lines and production plants of all types)
8. Laborers (working at construction sites, ranging from the easy to the hazardous.)
9. Accounting & Finance (many start with internships)
10. Management/Executives (available on numerous experience levels)
(Source: Manpower's Annual Talent Shortage Survey)
The future is automation. Many of the rote, low level jobs are increasingly being automated.
1. Statistical Analysts (analyzing all electronic activity- making payments, browsing internet, etc.)
2. Cyber-Security Specialists (keeping IT systems and all data safe from hackers, theft etc.)
3. Biomedical Engineers (involved in new things like imaging techniques and artificial organs, etc.)
4. Sustainability Professionals (helping companies go green, for example)
5. Health and Care Aides (doctors, surgeons, paramedics, nurses, coders, etc.)
6. Genetic Counselors (for example, DNA testing and analysis)
7. Helpers in the Trades (for example, brick mason, carpenter, plumber and pipe layer)
8. Nutritionists (helping deal with the obesity epidemic)
9. LEED-Certified Architects (building environment friendly homes- LEED). These architects are trained to blend environmental awareness with state-of-the-art building design.
10. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (because baby boomers like their pets in the lonely years)
These jobs are based on technological and demographic trends. In ascending order of numbers needed:
10. Personal Financial Advisors (assisting people with their taxes, investments, and insurance.)
9. Dental Hygienists (working alongside of a dentists, cleaning teeth and assisting in surgeries.)
8. Civil Engineers (this type of engineering, which involves overseeing transportation, municipal and industrial infrastructure development, is the most closely linked with population growth.)
7. Market Research Analysts (working with large companies to provide insight into demographics and target audiences.)
6. Computer Systems Analysts (building and managing computer networks for companies for use in file sharing and inter-office communication, and maintaining web security within the network.)
5. Physicians and Surgeons (the need for them will only increase as the population grows by several million each year.)
4. Computer Applications Software Engineers (especially people good at mobile application development and cloud computing management.)
3. Management Analysts (acting as consultants for businesses, aiding them in the process of navigating their industries, operating efficiently, and maintaining fluid inventory.)
2. Accountants and Auditors (managing businesses' books, tax payments, and preparing financial statements.)
1. Registered Nurses (providing basic medical treatment, manage patient records, and being the primary providers of long-term care for patients.)
(Source: Manpower)
1. VOIP- Short for Voice over Internet Protocol
2. Wind Power
3. E-Commerce & Online Auctions
4. Environmental Consulting
5. Biotechnology
6. Video Games
7. Solar Power
8. Third-Party Administrators & Insurance Claims Adjusters
9. Correctional Facilities (America puts more people in jails than any other country- jails are a profit center here)
10. Internet Publishing and Broadcasting -
(Source: IBISWorld)
1. Undersea Welder (working in offshore oil fields, repairing undersea infrastructure)
2. Zero-Energy Home Architect (also known as LEED-Certified Architects)
3. Combined Heat and Power Mechanic (also known as CHP mechanic)
4. Energy Engineer (first, you need to get a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification)
5. Digital Detective (hacking into computer systems to uncover vulnerabilities)
6. 3D Sports Tech (for example, doing 3D still photography)
7. Wind Explorer (working Wind energy farms)
8. Fabricator of Carbon-Fiber Spaceships and Planes (as it says on the cover)
9. Battery Engineer (designing better Duracells, for example)
10. Independent Video-Game Designer
(Source: Popular Mechanics)
1. Cut and sew apparel manufacturing
2. Offices of other health practitioners
3. Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services
4. Computer systems design and related services
5. Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except auto and electronic) repair and maintenance
6. Architectural, engineering, and related services
7. Cattle ranching and farming
8. Offices of physicians
9. Death care services
10. Poultry and egg production
(Source: Sageworks)
10. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators and Gaugers
9. Desktop Publishers
8. Prepress Technicians and Workers
7. Coil Winders, Tapers and Finishers
6. Textile Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders
5. Semiconductor Processors
4. Communications Equipment Operators
3. Shoe and Leather Workers
2. Sewing Machine Operators
1. Postal Service Workers
(Source: Aol.com)
In descending order, paywise:
Margin Department Supervisor (oversees a company’s credit department which manages customer credit accounts and approves or denies credit to customers.)
Air Traffic Controller (required to pass vigorous testing by the FAA, which includes health checks, as well as mental stability tests.)
Automobile Service Station Manager (run the day to day operations of a gas station)
Real Estate Broker (first, you need to take a couple of classes to become certified)
Landscape Designers (if you are certified you will have access to larger contracts and a wider scope of work. On theother hand, Landscape Architects do require a degree and a licensure test.)
Lead Carpenter (experience can be acquired through either going to a trade school to teach you the techniques, or by being an apprentice to a lead carpenter.)
Director of Security (starting off in an entry level security position, then working your way through the ranks to become the director.)
Elevator Mechanic (most likely be acquired through a trade school degree or lots of years experience.)
Cable Supervisor (overseeing the maintenance as well as installation workers that set up cable boxes and internet connections.)
Flight Service Manager (responsible for helping schedule flight crews as well as taking care of customer complaints and filing the necessary paper work for them.)
Freelance Photographer (wedding photography is especially promising all the time)
Personal Trainer (you must have a certification so that you are qualified to teach proper physical fitness techniques.)
Funeral Director (must be able to handle the macabre, and you do need to have a degree of tact and warmth.)
Commercial Pilot (training is required, but you will not need to get a college degree.)
Truck Driving (you need at least six to eight weeks of training, after which you obtain your commercial driver’s license)
Salesperson (the earnings depend on how well you sell, and what you sell- whether you are selling cars, furniture, real estate, pharmaceuticals, credit card processors or high-end clothes.
Fire Fighting (you will need to go through a training program, and your strength and stamina will be tested.)
EMT ( good jobs in the EMS are given to those who have more EMT certifications (for example, paramedics.)
Railroad Jobs (variety of jobs here- engineers, conductors and management positions available.)
Medical Coder (work involves typing up what procedures were done on a patient and bill the patient or the insurance company the amount owed.)
IT Technician (many start doing hourly paid handling calls at an IT helpdesk, and progress from there on, with prospects of better pay)
(Source: Payscale)
The 'No Bachelor's Degree' jobs, in ascending order.
35. Boilermakers
34. First-line supervisors of correctional officers
33. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians
32. Real-estate brokers
31. Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products
30. Computer-network support specialists
29. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
28. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
27. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
26. Gas-plant operators
25. Aerospace engineering and operations technicians
24. Petroleum-pump-system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers
23. Web developers
22. Subway and streetcar operators
21. Postmasters and mail superintendents
20. Electrical-power-line installers and repairers
19. Transportation inspectors
18. Gaming managers (Casino)
17. Magnetic-resonance-imaging technologists
16. Registered nurses
15. Diagnostic medical sonographers
14. Power-plant operators
13. Funeral-service directors
12. Nuclear technicians
11. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
10. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
9. Nuclear medicine technologists
8. Dental hygienists
7. Power distributors and dispatchers
6. Commercial pilots
5. Detectives and criminal investigators
4. Nuclear-reactor operators
3. Elevator installers and repairers
2. Radiation therapists
1. Air-traffic controllers
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Thank you for reading.
This guide is from The Success Manual, which contains 200+ guides to succeeding in business, career and personal life. Get the pdf ebook for $12 only.