Meaningful careers that pay well

Americans spend roughly one third of their lives at work, so it makes sense why workers would a career that feels meaningful. As part of its annual College Salary Report , PayScale analyzed data from graduates of more than 2, schools in order to spotlight how much graduates typically make early and mid-way through their careers. The site also identified the highest-paying college majors, and polled workers about whether or not they felt their work makes the world a better place. PayScale found that there are several fields where workers are paid well and feel their work is worthwhile.

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Content:

• I want a career helping people – what are my options?
• Make a Difference Day: 8 of the most meaningful careers that will help you make a difference!
• Top 18 Easy Jobs That Pay Well in 2021
• Finding the Right Career
• 10 meaningful jobs that pay well
• The 24 Highest-Paying Trade Jobs — No Bachelor’s Degree Required

WATCH RELATED VIDEO: What's Your Well Paying Low Stress Job Of Choice? (r/AskReddit)

I want a career helping people – what are my options?

Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Nearly everyone wants a job that makes them happy, but job happiness can be hard to define. Studies indicate that people who find meaning in their work tend to be happier and more satisfied.

But happiness can mean different things to different people. For example, a job involving work outdoors may appeal to some individuals but not others. Interests and passions often change as well. What you dream of doing currently might not end up being your ultimate career goal.

You could be passionate about animals and decide to become a veterinarian, only to later realize you're not equipped to handle the emotional stress of the job. The reality is that only half of American workers are "very satisfied" with their jobs.

Most associate job satisfaction and happiness with qualities like a low-stress environment, a decent salary, supportive co-workers, good work-life balance, and the opportunity to perform meaningful work. So what are the happiest jobs?

We analyzed several career paths using criteria such as job satisfaction, job meaningfulness ratings, job outlook, work-life balance, and salary competitiveness to come up with the following list of the 10 happiest and most satisfying jobs.

You may not think cleaning teeth all day would lead to career happiness, but it can. According to a survey by PayScale , dental hygienists rank in the top 50 for job satisfaction among more than professions. The position also ranks second on Glassdoor's job satisfaction survey. In addition to cleaning teeth and gums, dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, take X-rays, and educate patients on proper oral health. Many hygienists enjoy getting to build relationships with patients while improving and helping maintain their oral health.

Demand is mainly expected to be driven by the aging baby-boom population. Society's increased emphasis on the importance of preventative dental care will also likely contribute to this profession's growth.

You'll typically need an associate degree in dental hygiene to land a job as a dental hygienist. These programs normally take years to complete. All states require licensing, and requirements vary by state. Those wishing to advance their careers into a research or teaching position can pursue a bachelor's in dental hygiene or a master's. Education administration , particularly at the elementary and secondary school levels, ranks among the most satisfying jobs.

In terms of the work they do, elementary and secondary education administrators — including principals, vice principals, school directors, and superintendents — put together curricula, manage staff, counsel students, and oversee school budgets. Growth is largely dependent on student enrollment and local government funding. Education administrators typically need a master's degree in education administration or educational leadership. Some schools may also require you to have teaching experience.

Most states require administrators to possess a school administrator license. Arguably one of the best parts of working as a physical therapist is getting to help others improve their health and resume their daily activities. Moreover, about 4 in 5 physical therapists surveyed reported high professional satisfaction. Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients with injuries, disabilities, and other physical conditions.

They also help individuals deal with chronic health conditions, improve or restore mobility, and manage or reduce pain. Demand is expected to rise as more baby boomers remain physically active later in life. These health specialists will also be needed to help meet the growing rehabilitation needs of those with chronic conditions that affect their mobility. Physical therapists must hold a doctor of physical therapy from a program that's been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

This degree typically takes around three years to earn. All states also require you to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. Speech-language pathologists assist people with managing and overcoming disorders related to speech, communication, language, and swallowing. Their important work helps people of all ages who are unable to communicate effectively due to hearing impairments, chronic disease, trauma, and neurological impairments.

High demand is expected to come from the aging baby-boom generation and the increase in patients with stroke and dementia. Speech-language pathologists will also be needed to assist children with speech and language disorders. Those aiming to become a speech-language pathologist will typically need a state license and a master's degree in speech-language pathology.

A bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field is generally required to enter a speech pathology graduate program. Nearly 9 in 10 radiation therapists called their jobs highly satisfying in the PayScale survey. Under the direction of oncologists and radiologists, radiation therapists help treat patients with cancer and other diseases by administering radiation treatments in order to shrink and remove tumors.

They also monitor patients' conditions throughout treatment and record results. An aging population, along with advancements in radiation therapy, is expected to drive demand in this field. These professionals generally make more money working at outpatient care centers than they do at public and private hospitals. Most employers require radiation therapists to have an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited radiation therapy program , though some positions may only require a professional certificate.

Licensing or certification is required in most states. Foresters play an important role in the stewardship of our country's forested areas. The primary responsibilities of foresters include maintaining wilderness areas, managing animal habitats, developing and overseeing trail systems, implementing rules and regulations, rehabilitating forests, and educating the public on sustainable timber harvesting. Demand in this field will likely be fueled by increasing forest conservation awareness, growing concerns over wildfire suppression, and the popularity of green career paths.

A bachelor's degree in forestry, environmental science , forest management, agricultural engineering , horticulture , or a similar field is usually required to land a job as a forester.

Some states may also require licensure. Certification from the Society of American Foresters can aid in career advancement. They say eyes are the window to the soul, but could they also be the window to finding a job that makes you happy?

Not to be confused with ophthalmologists or opticians, optometrists provide routine eye care. Duties normally include conducting eye exams, diagnosing eye-related conditions, writing prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, providing treatment to help patients manage eye diseases, and performing minor surgeries.

The aging baby-boom population will play a significant role in maintaining demand for workers in this field. As people age, they become increasingly susceptible to eye-related health conditions.

Aspiring optometrists must earn a doctor of optometry OD from an accredited program. Most students who enter OD programs possess a bachelor's degree with a medical or biological sciences concentration. Admission to optometry programs is highly competitive. All states require optometrists to be licensed, with many requiring the completion of continuing education coursework in order to maintain licensure.

In PayScale's job satisfaction survey, over three-fourths of occupational therapists said their job offered high levels of meaning and satisfaction. These rankings, combined with the position's competitive salary and high projected growth rate, make occupational therapy an incredibly rewarding field. Occupational therapists use various forms of therapy to help individuals who are ill, injured, or disabled regain the skills necessary to perform everyday functions. Tasks may include giving recommendations for adaptive equipment in the client's home, school, or workplace; supporting children with disabilities so they can participate in school activities; helping patients cope with dementia or recover from a stroke; and educating family members.

Demand is expected to come from the aging baby-boom population and the fact that more people are remaining active later in life. Advancements in technology should also expand the scope of practice.

To become an occupational therapist, you must hold a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy and state licensure. All states require you to pass an exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

If you consider yourself a people person, you may want to pursue a career as a human resources HR manager. On Glassdoor, HR managers ranked 11th, with a high job satisfaction score of 4. HR managers create and implement programs and policies related to staffing, training, payroll, benefits, employee relations, governmental regulations, health and safety protocol, and more.

They also help business leaders identify ways to maximize the value of a company's employees to ensure efficiency and high productivity. Demand will be driven by overall business growth and the increasing complexity of rules and regulations regarding employment law. A bachelor's degree in HR management , business management , business administration , or a similar field is usually required to land a position in human resources.

Some employers may require a master's degree. An associate degree in human resources could help get your foot in the door for an entry-level position. You may be surprised to learn that actuaries rank among the jobs with highest satisfaction. Job search site CareerCast similarly ranks actuaries within the top 10 jobs based on factors like work environment, stress levels, and projected employment growth.

Actuaries primarily work in the insurance and finance industries, analyzing financial risk associated with the issuance of insurance policies, investments, pension plans, and other financial strategies. These financial experts use advanced statistics and modeling software to predict the probability of an event occurring.

Demand should come from the increased volume of available data used to analyze financial risk, new financial product offerings, and the expansion of healthcare. Most employers require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, economics , finance , or a similar field.

Certification by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society is generally a condition of employment. Certification candidates must meet experience requirements and pass multiple exams. View the most relevant school for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to find your college home. Share this Article.

Ready to start your journey? Education Administrator Education administration , particularly at the elementary and secondary school levels, ranks among the most satisfying jobs. Educational Requirements Education administrators typically need a master's degree in education administration or educational leadership.

Educational Requirements Those aiming to become a speech-language pathologist will typically need a state license and a master's degree in speech-language pathology. Forester Foresters play an important role in the stewardship of our country's forested areas.

Educational Requirements A bachelor's degree in forestry, environmental science , forest management, agricultural engineering , horticulture , or a similar field is usually required to land a job as a forester.

Make a Difference Day: 8 of the most meaningful careers that will help you make a difference!

Bachelors degree in business or supply chain-related discipline. Posted On May 28, Returning to civilian life after years of service is bittersweet. That can involve working with the community to reduce violence, or actively gathering evidence and chasing criminals. Randstad is a world leader in matching great people with great companies.

Top 18 Easy Jobs That Pay Well in 2021

Does a preference for "meaningful" work necessitate a lifetime of modest compensation? That's the finding of a new study from the online salary- and benefits-tracking company PayScale. Using data collected from about , PayScale site visitors, researchers at PayScale found that doctors tended to have the best combination of high compensation and a positive response to the question "Does your job make the world a better place? They did, however, also report high levels of stress. PayScale found that people employed in a group broadly labeled as "community and social service workers"—therapists, clergy, directors of religious programs—were most likely to report that they found their work meaningful, at 84 percent. Clergy, in particular, thought their work was making the world a better place: 97 percent answered in the affirmative. The report noted that jobs in these fields are more likely to be filled by women and that, in general, female-dominated professions were more likely to be high-meaning and low-earning, the lower right-hand corner of the chart below. Of course, many jobs earn little in both cash and fulfillment. Low-paying service jobs—food prep, cashiers, fast-food cooks—were both poorly compensated and not meaningful the chart's lower-left area. No professions at all fell in the chart's upper-left-hand reaches: highly remunerative and not very meaningful.

Finding the Right Career

It is possible to find meaning in your career, no matter what it is that you are doing. It is about connecting with the bigger purpose of your role and knowing and understanding your strengths and values. Take time to notice all of what you do. How do you utilise your strengths and values in your role and also in your activities out of work?

10 meaningful jobs that pay well

Instead, these people likely place a premium on their ability to be closer to nature and not be trapped inside all day. They might like the physical connection, the sense of contentment, and the subsequent igniting of creative energy that our brains crave and nature can provide. They might like having plenty of space to explore beyond the finite boundaries of a typical office. Working outdoors affords people the opportunity to enjoy the sun instead of artificial or fluorescent light, to feel fresh breezes over stale, ventilated air. Some people simply like being physically active, which is obviously good for the body.

The 24 Highest-Paying Trade Jobs — No Bachelor’s Degree Required

By Publisher Last Updated January 3, Exciting careers make going to work every day something to look forward to. After all, when people describe their ideal jobs, the words "boring," "mundane," and "tedious" do not usually make the list. By contrast, exciting jobs engage your passions and keep you coming back. They challenge you to fulfill your potential. Lots of people want exciting careers, but not everyone would agree on what "exciting" actually means. Some people might say the most exciting jobs provide an adrenaline rush: They're fast-paced and unpredictable, with plenty of danger and risk.

Top 55 Meaningful Jobs to Pursue February 22, Pursuing a meaningful career offers benefits for both the professional and those around them. There are several meaningful careers to consider, including positions as a firefighter, neurosurgeon and mental health therapist.

You love to teach and you love making a difference for kids. But what happens when you start to feel burned out by the profession or want a different challenge? What other meaningful careers exist in education besides classroom teaching? However, they are viable alternatives to being a classroom teacher that allow you to use your degree and experience to teach others and make a positive difference in their lives. I know one educator who tutors children in small groups from pm four days a week and makes more than she did as a classroom teacher. Working with babies, toddlers, or preschoolers may be a good option for those who want to stay in a classroom teaching position but need a change from working with older children.

By the time they realize their career in clinical medicine isn't everything they thought it would be, many physicians believe they're too invested in their trade to turn back now. Feeling burned out, disengaged, unfulfilled or burdened by high student debt or compensation incommensurate with the demands of their job, they may feel trapped, without options and with nowhere to turn. While providing an escape from the stressors of clinical medicine, the book also allays much of the potential guilt associated with selling out their chosen profession or abandoning patients by explaining how each physician's training and talents directly translate to patient care outside of clinical medicine. And while other authors encourage physicians to start their own business, Stacy focuses on full-time positions that don't require the reader to begin their own consulting business or find their own clients. Stacy has put together a brilliant map down the road less traveled that every physician should be aware of whether they choose to go down it or not. Some might pursue this path right out of medical school while others will use it for a side hustle or an encore career. Still others might simply dream briefly of leaving clinical medicine after a bad week.

After all:. The dark ages right? There were many people just like me that were really there for the pay-check but felt like they had the potential and capability to be doing something much greater, much more impactful and that I could feel not just good but great about.