<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands and products we trust or use ourselves. Using them doesn’t cost you a thing, but it helps support our mission.&nbsp;</i></p><p>Entry-level jobs have always been a mixed bag. They’re your first job when you’re just getting started in your industry, yet the pay and the job outlook has lately been hit or miss, so it can be hard to find a high paying entry-level job. Especially in the realm of AI and how that’s slowed down hiring for many corporate entry-level positions, <strong>but 2026 and going into 2027 may be a turning point.</strong></p><p>According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) recent <a href="https://naceweb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2026/publication/research-report/2026-job-outlook-report-spring-update.pdf">Job Outlook 2026 report</a>, <strong>employers project a 5.6% increase in hiring for the class of 2026 when compared to 2025.</strong> The top industries hiring include engineering, information/data, wholesale trade, construction, and miscellaneous professional services, some of which come with very well-paid and <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/most-secure-jobs">secure jobs</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>NACE’s report also cited that 35% of entry-level roles now require AI skills. New grads taking advantage of the AI labor market and embracing new jobs AI has created are coming out with some of the top salaries. LinkedIn released a <a href="http://aka.ms/AiTalentDivide">study in August 2026</a> that shows AI and machine learning jobs pay more than double the pay of non-AI roles. The highest-paying entry-level job recorded in our <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-databas">Salary Database </a>is a machine learning engineer at Waymo with a <strong>$234,000 salary and 0 years of experience</strong>. But that’s not the only top-paying role available.</p><p>Let’s take a look into other emerging entry-level jobs that pay well for those just getting into the job market, along with tips for how to break into each one!</p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>Entry-level hiring is projected to grow 5.6% in 2026, according to NACE.</li><li>You don't need a four-year degree to earn six figures early on. Plumbers, physical therapist assistants, and LPNs all offer high-earning, low-debt paths through apprenticeships or associate degrees.</li><li>Skills-based hiring is replacing degree requirements, with 70% of employers now prioritizing skills over formal credentials and 89% focused on how a candidate's skills solve real problems, according to NACE's Job Outlook 2026 report.</li><li>Browse over 25,000 more publicly shared and verified salaries on our <a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul>

<h2>What Are The Highest-Paying Entry-Level Jobs?</h2><p>We’ve ranked the entry-level jobs that pay the most using job data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/">Occupational Outlook Handbook</a>, our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> of over 25,000 self-reported and verified salaries, and past interviews with new grads. The results are sorted by highest to lowest median salaries, as reported by the BLS. Keep in mind that salaries can vary by location and various other factors.</p><p>You can find all of the entry-level salaries mentioned below by searching for any of these positions in our Salary Database. <strong>Don’t forget to </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/onboarding"><strong>join </strong></a><strong>and add your salary too!</strong></p><h2>1. Marketing Specialist/Strategist</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm#tab-5">$159,660</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database: </strong><a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$130,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>6% increase in job growth</p><p>Marketing specialists create the marketing and advertising we see in our everyday life and plan how those campaigns are served to us. The marketing space has a lot of opportunity for entry-level professionals to find high salaries as marketing and advertising is what drives a lot of a company’s sales. If they have good advertising and marketing, they’re likely to profit more.</p><p><a href="https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=marketing+strategist&amp;l=seattle%2C+wa&amp;radius=25&amp;sc=0kf%3Aexplvl%28ENTRY_LEVEL%29%3B&amp;from=searchOnDesktopSerp&amp;explvl=ENTRY_LEVEL&amp;vjk=88a39aae91c59c69">Entry-level marketing specialist/strategist jobs on Indeed</a> list starting salaries of anywhere between $60,000 and $95,000 (or more). While the highest salary for marketing specialists in the Check Salaries Database is $130,000, there is a marketing specialist verified salary of <strong>$91,300 as their first job at Cisco</strong> (0 years of experience) with a bachelor’s degree. Entry-level job seekers with <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/high-income-skills">high-income skills</a> like AI skills will stand out in this industry.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in marketing or similar area, but entry-level job seekers can also break into the space with online learning, certifications, and freelancing for small businesses and creators. Building a portfolio can help you stand out when applying to jobs.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/DWMQP5" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Marketing</a></p><h2>2. Machine Learning Engineer (ML Engineer)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm">$140,910</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$550,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034:</strong> 20% increase in job growth</p><p>Machine learning engineers are the professionals currently building the future of AI. They’re the ones that are sourcing and processing large sets of data to build AI and ML models from scratch, like fraud detection models and recommendation models, and are continually working to improve those models.&nbsp;</p><p>LinkedIn’s study found that job postings for ML engineers have increased by 50% between 2025 and 2026 and 98% of ML engineers are either Gen Z or Millennials, which shows a strong entry path for young workers in one of the <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/top-careers-for-the-future">top jobs for the future</a>. It’s also among the <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-tech-jobs">highest-paid tech jobs</a> in the report, citing a typical salary of <strong>$191,000</strong> (taken from LinkedIn job postings). The BLS reports a median annual salary of $140,910.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field (although not all companies require one) and strong Python skills, but many can break into lower-level engineering roles with skills and certifications while they complete their degree.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/aNZ5aN" rel="sponsored">Machine Learning With Python</a></p><h2>3. Sales Engineer</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/sales-engineers.htm">$121,520</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$210,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p>Sales engineers are sales representatives who need a certain level of technical expertise to sell business products or technical services so they can sufficiently support their clients. Alternative job titles include tech sales representative or other similar names. With the influx in AI products and services especially, this role isn’t going anywhere and is constantly looking for new hires (plus it helps that AI isn’t very good at selling, so we need humans for that). <strong>Our Salary Database cites a salary of $93,000 for an entry-level sales engineer with 0 years of experience.</strong></p><p>There aren’t any specific educational or work requirements to become a sales engineer, but candidates will need to demonstrate they have the technical skills to do the job. Some companies may require certifications or a degree.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>No formal education required but certain certifications in the specialization you want to get into sales for may help you stand out in the hiring process.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/n4eN0V" rel="sponsored">IBM Sales Representative Professional Certificate</a></p>

<h2>4. Video Editor</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/film-and-video-editors-and-camera-operators.htm">$70,570</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database: </strong><a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$250,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>3% increase in job growth</p><p>Video editing is something that especially needs a human touch and is continuing to change and expand as a <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-creative-jobs">high-paying creative job</a> the more that AI advances. One area where video editing and production is growing quickly is the creator economy, which is also more accessible for entry level job seekers as many of these roles are held by Gen Z and millennials with open pathways for younger professionals.</p><p><a href="https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=video+editor&amp;l=&amp;sc=0kf%3Aexplvl%28ENTRY_LEVEL%29%3B&amp;from=searchOnDesktopSerp&amp;explvl=ENTRY_LEVEL&amp;vjk=312599ee61213c8e">Entry-level video editing jobs on Indeed</a> lists starting <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-range">salary ranges</a> between $28 an hour and $82,000 a year. <strong>Our Salary Database cites a salary of $250,000 for a video editor at Apple with 1 year of experience.</strong></p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>No formal education is typically required for video editors but some companies may look for certifications, associate’s, or bachelor’s degrees, but can usually be supplemented by skilling up and showing your value through your portfolio.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/7XByjY" rel="sponsored">Adobe Premiere Pro for Beginners</a></p><h2>5. Physical Therapist Assistant</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-5">$65,510</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$115,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>22% increase in job growth</p><p>Physical therapist assistants work under a licensed physical therapist to treat patients after an injury or surgery to manage their pain and get their mobility and strength back. They’re listed as one of the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm">fastest growing jobs by the BLS</a> with a 22% increase in job growth up to 2034 and only require an associate’s degree to start.&nbsp;</p><p>Upon completion of the program, entry level professionals could enter the market with a salary of $<strong>64,000 a year</strong>, as claimed by one of the accredited colleges, <a href="https://www.olympic.edu/academics/academic-pathways/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistant">Olympic College</a>.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>An associate’s degree from an <a href="https://www.capteonline.org/programs/master-list-pta">accredited physical therapist assistant program</a>.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/5kBAeb" rel="sponsored">Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise</a></p><h2>6. Plumber</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm#tab-1">$62,970</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database: </strong><a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$103,680</a> ($500,000 for a master plumber)</p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>4% increase in job growth</p><p>Plumbers work on pipe systems and don’t require any education or work experience to start working. They get paid to learn from day one through apprenticeship programs and that pay increases the longer they work and the more they move up towards journey and master plumber levels.</p><p>Current starting pay for apprentice plumbers varies on location. For example, 1st-year apprentice plumbers start at <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career/apprentice-plumber/salaries/WA">$24</a> in Washington and <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career/apprentice-plumber/salaries/NY">$21</a> in New York, according to Indeed. <strong>Our Check Salaries Database reports a plumber with 1 year of experience makes $73,000 a year and a master plumber with 18 years of experience makes $500,000 a year.</strong> That’s a perfect example of the type of opportunity for how much your pay can increase over time as a plumber (while still making pretty good money starting out).</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A paid apprenticeship <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-join-a-union">through a union</a> or company where you’re working and learning from day one or a technical school.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/2RBjoA" rel="sponsored">Design of Industrial Piping Systems Specialization</a></p><h2>7. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm">$62,340</a></p><p><strong>Highest verified salary in our database: </strong><a href="https://checksalaries.com/database">$105,600</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>3% increase in job growth</p><p>Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians to provide basic nursing care to their patients and can work in hospitals, surgery centers, home healthcare, nursing and residential care facilities, and doctor offices.</p><p>The role only takes a 1-year educational program to get into and is a great starting point for people who want to become RNs and move on to other <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-nursing-jobs">higher-paying nursing jobs</a>, but want to start working sooner rather than later. <a href="https://www.indeed.com/q-lpn-nurse-new-grad-l-seattle,-wa-jobs.html?vjk=d8d806bc988f6da9">Current open jobs on Indeed</a> in Seattle, WA list entry-level jobs for LPNs with a starting pay of around $34 an hour. <strong>Our Salary Database lists a salary of $63,360 for an LPN with 0 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree.</strong></p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>Completion of a 1-year state-approved LPN educational program, and have a state practical nursing license and CPR certification.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/DWMQ9a" rel="sponsored">Nursing Fundamentals: Key Skills Training with 3D Simulation</a></p><h2>How to Get a High-Paying Entry Level Job&nbsp;</h2><p>Searching for entry-level jobs can sometimes be extremely painful. Why are they classified as “entry level” when the job descriptions say different and ask for 1 to 3 years of experience or have higher degree requirements that seem unattainable? It’s maddening.&nbsp;</p><p>The good news is that the hiring culture is beginning to change. NACE’s <a href="https://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/job-outlook/2026/">Job Outlook 2026 report</a> found that <strong>70% of employer respondents say they’re more focused on skills-based hiring than other requirements</strong>. 89% of those employers cited that they’re looking at how potential hires’ skills can help solve their problems. 74% of them look for graduates that have done experiential learning and/or work during college that can be easily transferable to the role they’re hiring for.&nbsp;</p><p>If you lack the work experience or education to get the entry-level role you want, start with focusing on the skills you need to build for those positions. Then seek online learning or educational programs for easy access to start learning those skills. Certain accredited programs can also help you build a network with other professionals as you prepare to enter the job market.</p><p>If you’re working in an industry that likes to see visual results, put them to practice with personal projects or small freelance projects (small businesses and creators are perfect to start with freelancing) and build a portfolio as you go so you can show how your skills and expertise apply to real-world scenarios. Focus on more specialized skills that are listed on higher-paying positions or in the “nice to have” requirements area of the job description.</p><p><strong>The job market is a long game, so don’t give up if you don’t hear anything back in the first few weeks of applying. Keep going!</strong></p><p>That wraps it up for this week. I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, former member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a top-paying nursing job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@checksalaries.com">hello@checksalaries.com</a></p><p><strong>For more transparent resources:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Want to join the movement?</strong> Explore over 25,000 individually reported and verified salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li><strong>Do you know if you're being underpaid?</strong> <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li><strong>Want to break into a certain career?</strong> Browse our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/topic/free-guides">free career guides</a>!</li><li><strong>Need help determining your market rate?</strong> Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li><strong>Need help negotiating your salary? </strong>Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li></ul>

Green cover image with a person on a laptop collecting a salary and title text overlay that reads "highest-paying entry-level jobs"

mobile green cover image with a person on a laptop collecting a salary and title text overlay that reads "highest-paying entry-level jobs"

7 Highest-Paying Entry-Level Jobs That Are Also Hiring (+ Verified Salaries From Real People)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands and products we trust or actually use ourselves. Using them doesn’t cost you a thing, but it helps support our mission.&nbsp;</i></p><p>When we think of artistic jobs, many of us may think of starving artists. Creative jobs are typically associated with the image of a struggling freelance painter or musician, but there are many high-paying creative jobs that you might not know about.</p><p>Out of the many <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying jobs</a> for creative people that exist, the highest salaries we found recorded in our Salary Database were <strong>$175,000 a year for UX designers </strong>and <strong>$155,000 a year for video game designers</strong>, both of which don’t require college degrees to break into the field.&nbsp;</p><p>In fact, 62.8% of creative positions don’t require college degrees, according to research by <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90930086/these-are-the-most-in-demand-creative-jobs-least-likely-to-require-a-degree-and-where-to-find-them">Fast Company</a>.</p>

<p>Technology has had a huge part in the expanding world of creative careers. So much so that the creative industry will see a <strong>40% growth in jobs by 2030</strong>, taken from <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/uk/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/deloitte-uk-future-creative-economy-report-final.pdf"><i>The Future of The Creative Economy</i> report by Deloitte</a>. As this area continues to grow in demand, so will the opportunities and salaries that will come along with it.</p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>Creative careers have more flexibility when it comes to breaking into the field.</li><li>Half of the 10 top-earning creative jobs we covered don’t require a bachelor’s degree.</li><li>The highest-paying creative jobs from our Salary Database are UX designers and video game designers.</li><li>The highest median salaries for creative jobs according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are brand managers, social media marketing managers, and creative directors.</li><li>Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>10 Highest-Paying Creative Jobs That Bring In Six-Figures</h2><p>We’ve identified 10 creative jobs that pay over $100,000 using salary data from the past 3+ years of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SalaryTransparentStreet/">interviews</a>, data we’ve collected in our <a href="http://checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>, and job data from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/">U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Here’s a sneak peak of a few creative salaries from our recent interviews:&nbsp;</p>

🎨 How much do creative jobs pay? #salarytransparentstreet #paytransparency #howmuchdoyoumake

<p>You can find all the highest creative salaries we recorded by searching for any of the below positions in our Salary Database. Don’t forget to <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/onboarding">join </a>and add your salary too!</p><h2>1. Brand Manager</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm">$159,660 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DBrand+Manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$130,000 per year</a></p><p>While social media marketing managers are responsible for brand visibility and identity on social media, a brand manager is responsible for shaping and maintaining the overall image of a brand. Brand managers are a few levels above that, and work to make sure the brand image aligns with business objectives and resonates with the targeted audience(s).</p><p>Any time you see a successful brand out in the wild, such as Apple or Coca Cola, and their associated brand aesthetic and reputation is pleasing, there is a brand manager behind the logo and marketing that helps make it all happen.</p>

<p>Their duties include developing marketing strategies, overseeing product development, managing advertising campaigns, and analyzing trends and consumer feedback. In order to be able to balance the several moving parts of a brand manager role, you must have some marketing expertise, be able to think strategically, and have strong communication skills to coordinate between teams and stakeholders.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 8% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Many companies require a bachelor’s degree in marketing or similar fields, and some work experience. <strong>Need help paying for school? </strong>Check out our <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/r8fc8db4eb91" rel="sponsored">top student loan picks</a> to compare options and find what fits your future.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLv6ny" rel="sponsored">Strategic Brand Management&nbsp;</a></p><h2>2. Social Media Marketing Manager</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm">$159,660 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dsocial+media+marketing+manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$145,000 per year</a></p><p>A social media marketing manager’s main responsibility is developing and executing strategies to grow a brand’s presence across social media platforms. They spend their time creating content, managing social media accounts, looking at performance metrics, and building a community through engagement with followers.</p>

spongebob making a rainbow with the word "marketing" above his head

<p>To become a social media marketing manager, you’ll need to understand social media algorithms and have some data analysis skills to measure the success of posts and videos. Test out social media management tools like Buffer with your personal Instagram or start with a social media manager or virtual assistant side hustle (which is actually one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-side-hustles">highest-paying side hustles</a> we've found).&nbsp;</p><p>If you’re already a little social-media obsessed, you'll definitely have fun exploring a role like this.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 8% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> There are no concrete requirements and many social media managers can get started using online certification programs or free courses, such as those provided by <a href="https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/social-media">Hubspot</a>. However, some companies may require a bachelor’s degree in communications or marketing.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/rayNgy" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Social Media Marketing</a></p>

How much does a #SocialMediaManager in Greenville, NC make? #salarytransparency

<h2>3. Creative Director</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/art-directors.htm">$111,040 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcreative+director&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$288,000 per year</a></p><p>A creative director oversees the visual and conceptual direction of a project or brand. They are not to be confused with art directors, who solely focus on the visual elements of a project. However, both are great high-paying jobs for creative personalities to explore.</p><p>We interviewed a creative director in the video below who summed it up beautifully. She said, “We use art to help amplify their message.”</p>

Watch the full interview on TikTok to learn more about the creative industry! #IndeedPartner

<p>Creative directors are responsible for managing creative teams, guiding design concepts, approving work, and working closely with clients and stakeholders to stay aligned. Those with exceptional leadership and communication skills, and the ability to see a creative vision through to its end – even in the early stages where everything is unclear – will excel in this role.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>Due to the level of management and responsibility that creative directors have, many companies require a bachelor's degree in art, advertising, marketing, communications, or related field.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/3Ja0jk" rel="sponsored">The Creative Leader</a></p><h2>4. Animator</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm">$99,800 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Danimator&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$100,000 per year</a></p><p>Popular shows like The Simpsons and Spongebob Squarepants would be impossible without animators. Animators create motion graphics and visual effects by designing and animating characters, objects, and scenes for TV, movies, video games, and other forms of digital media.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<p>They are responsible for producing smooth, visually engaging animations by drawing storyboards, creating models, and using animation software to bring concepts to life. Key skills are not only creativity, but also proficiency in animation software like <a href="https://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/free-trial">Maya</a>, a strong understanding of movement and timing, and the ability to collaborate with directors and other creative teams.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>4% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>Animators are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in animation or computer graphics, but it depends on the company. You can also get started with free online programs to start putting together a portfolio.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/YRYm1B">Introduction to Programming and Animation with Alice</a></p><h2>5. Video Game Designer</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm">$99,800 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dvideo+game+designer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$155,000 per year</a></p><p>Calling all gamers! Being a video game designer is a dream for those who are both creative and love to play video games. As a game designer, you’ll be creating concepts, rules, storylines, and mechanics that shape the overall player experience within a game. You may even design characters and entire levels. Think of anything that needs to be designed in a video game, and you may end up taking that task on.</p>

<p>To become a video game designer, look to learn different video game development software, such as Unity, and develop a deep understanding of game mechanics and user experience. And of course, play a lot of video games.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 4% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> There are no formal education requirements to become a video game designer but some companies may require a degree in game design, software engineering, computer graphics, or similar area of expertise. You can also get started with free online programs to start putting together a portfolio.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/K0GdJy" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Game Design</a></li><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kOv2z3" rel="sponsored">Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate</a></li></ul><h2>6. UX Designer</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes151255.htm">$98,540 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DUx+Designer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$175,000 per year</a></p><p>A UX (short for user experience) designer is responsible for creating a positive user experience for a particular product, whether digital or physical. Their work focuses on understanding the needs and behaviors of users and ensuring that the product meets those needs in an intuitive and enjoyable way.</p>

<p>For a digital product, a UX designer might optimize the navigation flow of a mobile app to make it more user-friendly, while for a physical product, they could design the layout of a self-checkout kiosk to ensure it’s easy to use. Their day-to-day duties may include user research, creating wireframes and prototypes using Figma or Adobe XD, and performing tests to refine designs.</p><p>This role is especially great for those who have a passion for design and love when everything is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to interact with. Plus, it's one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-remote-jobs">highest-paying remote jobs</a>, making it a perfect career choice for someone who values flexibility and autonomy.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>8% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>There are many free online programs to get started with but some companies may require a bachelor’s degree or certificate in graphic design, computer science, or related field (which can be obtained online). <strong>We actually interviewed a UX designer started with a free program at a community college, and makes $185,000 a year with only 5 years of experience!</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/mOoye1" rel="sponsored">Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design</a></li><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/mOoye1">Google UX Design Professional Certificate</a></li></ul>

How much does a #UXDesigner make? #salarytransparentstreet

<h2>7. Architect</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/architects.htm">$96,690 per year</a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Darchitect&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$1M per year</a></p><p>The buildings and spaces you spend your everyday lives in originally came from the creative minds of architects. That beautiful new museum in your city? An architect designed it while paying extra attention to how to make it beautiful while also being functional and safe. A few tools they use for their job include AutoCAD to draft 2D and 3D drawings, and Revit to create detailed digital models.</p><p>Sustainability is another concern for architects as they strive to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. It’s an important job for the health of any city, which is also why they get paid pretty well. <strong>We interviewed a few architects with incomes that ranged from $20 an hour to $98,000 a year!</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>8% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A bachelor’s degree in architecture from a <a href="https://www.naab.org/accreditation/accredited-programs">National Architectural&nbsp; Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited program</a> and passing the <a href="https://www.ncarb.org/pass-the-are">Architect Registration Examination</a> (ARE). One architect we interviewed also had an internship in architecture and design.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/2a9W20" rel="sponsored">Making Architecture</a></p><h2>8. Creative Producer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm">$83,480 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcreative+producer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$173,000 per year</a></p><p>A creative producer is responsible for overseeing the development and execution of creative projects. Their duties include coordinating between designers, writers, and directors, managing project timelines, and handling budgets and resources. This role is similar to that of a project manager in some aspects, but with additional responsibilities like making sure everything aligns with the client’s vision.</p>

A person saying I'm the producer with fingers pointing down

<p>For instance, when managing the production of a TV commercial, they would coordinate between departments to ensure the concept matches the client’s vision, oversee the filming schedule, manage the budget, and troubleshoot any issues that arise on set. Their role is the glue that holds the project together and makes sure that the final product delivers both creatively and logistically within the set constraints.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 8% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Most creative producers have a bachelor’s degree in film studies or communications, but it depends on the company and job requirements of the role.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/je46n6" rel="sponsored">The Art of Visual Storytelling Specialization</a></p><h2>9. Copywriter</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm#tab-1">$72,270 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dcopywriter&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$112,000 per year</a></p><p>Many people have no idea what a copywriter is because many of us have no idea what “copy” in the content world even means. How is it any different from a normal writer?</p><p>Well, copywriters specifically write for advertisements, websites, social media, and other marketing materials. Their main goal is to promote products or services through persuasive and engaging content that drives the target audience to take a specific action – whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a service, or just engaging with the brand.</p>

<p>An example of copywriting in the real world is the text you’re reading right now. We’re transparent here and we’ll admit it – we want you to engage with us! We encourage salary transparency through engaging with each other and talking about pay – and this blog gives us another way to do that.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034): </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>There are no strict educational requirements for copywriters, but free online writing courses are a great place to get started. Keep in mind that some employers may require a bachelor’s degree in writing or marketing, and you may also need one depending on where you want to take your career.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/Wy0rQZ" rel="sponsored">The Strategy of Content Marketing</a></p>

How much do a #Copywriter and #NatureArtist make? Atlanta, GA📍#salarytransparentstreet

<h2>10. Content Creator</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm#tab-1">$72,270 per year</a></p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DContent+Creator&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$170,000 per year</a></p><p>If you love scrolling through Instagram and watching reels to learn a recipe, complete a DIY project, or learn about salary transparency (shameless plug), thank a content creator because they’re the reason for all of those free resources – like our own resident content creator and CEO, Hannah Williams!</p>

How do Content Creators make money? Brand deals, market rates and more! The Break Room Episode 4

<p>Content creators create content for various formats, including videos, articles, social media posts, and podcasts to reach their intended audience. They are responsible for generating ideas, creating and editing content, and publishing it on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and blogs.&nbsp;</p><p>Like what’s covered in the above video, content creators make money from brand deals, user generated content, ads, affiliates, paid products, and several other income streams – if they work for themselves and not at a company.</p><p>This role can sometimes be a catch-all where content creators are performing several different job roles in one. They may act as a social media manager one day, a writer the next day, and a video editor and producer the day after that. This job is a mixed bag but with a lot of creative freedom to explore to your liking.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (2024-2034):</strong> 10% increase in job growth</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Many content creators get started on their own and run their own businesses, so they may not have degrees. If you want to work for a company as a content creator, it is best to do some of your own content creation on your social media platform of choice and create a portfolio with results when applying for jobs.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this role: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/VxKD6a" rel="sponsored">How to Craft Contagious Content</a></p>

<h2>How to Start a Creative Career</h2><p>Breaking into the creative field can happen in many different ways. <strong>You don’t necessarily need to pursue a 4-year college degree, but you may need one depending on where you want your career to go.</strong> Other options include free courses and educational videos online, certification programs, associate’s degrees, free programs at community colleges, or gaining expertise through an <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-unpaid-internships-worth-it">internship</a>.</p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>Get started with our step-by-step guide on <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-start-a-creative-career">How to Start a Creative Career</a>.</p><p>Working a <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/high-paying-part-time-jobs">part-time</a> or seasonal side hustle in your creative field of choice will also help you learn quickly and get some experience. This might look like freelancing during nights and weekends, working a creative seasonal or <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/holiday-jobs">holiday job</a>, or creative your own small-business on the side of your day job. If you take this route, do whatever works best for your schedule</p><p>Since many creative jobs require a portfolio, spend as much time as you can in the beginning to put what you’re learning into practice. For instance, if you want to do something with branding, social media, content, or marketing, create your own online presence (using one platform like Instagram) to try and produce results. This will help you show potential employers that you take this seriously, so seriously that you already do it on your own in your free time.</p>

gif of someone gesturing that someone is smart

<p>It’s overwhelming to think about all the things you need to be doing to get a well-paid job in the creative industry. What’s important is that you start, whether that’s watching a tutorial video on YouTube, following other creative professionals online that you admire, or playing around on Photoshop.&nbsp;</p><p>Once you start, keep going, and never stop flexing those creative muscles of yours! 💪&nbsp;</p><p>That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the<a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/"> CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub"> Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/"> Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com</p><p><strong>For more transparent resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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10 Highest-Paying Creative Jobs in 2026 That Pay $100k+

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p>If you’ve ever wanted to land a high-paying tech job, now is the time. The tech industry is going through a major evolution period, with AI and information processing technologies projected to create <strong>11 million jobs</strong> globally by 2030, according to the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAz6q-BhCfARIsAOezPxnMkMggai_ruo5Ax4LQ95Ejcjs3JYj8EaI24xcG_6BH0OY6rbj_HHcaAs7zEALw_wcB">Future of Jobs Report</a>.</p><p>This is mainly being driven by <strong>60%</strong> of businesses that are expected to broaden their digital access in that time. As businesses ramp up their efforts, employees are the ones behind the scenes making it happen.&nbsp;</p><p>Some of the top-paying tech jobs powering the industry include software engineering managers, product managers, machine learning engineers, and network and cybersecurity engineers. We found some of these jobs paying as much as <strong>$900,000</strong> (total compensation) in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</p><p>Let’s dive into the data.</p>

<p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>The fastest-growing top-paying tech jobs are machine learning engineers and data scientists, both of which have a job growth rate of over 30% over the next 5 years.</li><li>There are a variety of ways to break into tech, even if you don’t have a traditional 4-year degree.</li><li>Some of the top tech companies that often hire for these positions include Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Cisco, Meta, Amazon, and Google.</li><li>Browse thousands of more publicly shared salaries on our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul><h2><strong>12 Highest-Paying Tech Jobs in 2026</strong></h2><p>We’ve identified these top-paying tech jobs using salary data from the past <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SalaryTransparentStreet">3+ years of interviews</a>, data we’ve collected in our Salary Database, and job data from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh">U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook</a>.</p><p>Keep in mind that our Salary Database currently doesn’t have a way to distinguish between base pay and total compensation. Our salary data may also include other compensation, such as bonuses, commissions, stock options, equity, or other forms of pay in addition to their yearly salary.</p><p><strong>Here's a sneak peak into some of the top tech salaries our interviewees shared this year:</strong></p>

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<p>You can find more salary data by searching for any of the below positions in our Salary Database. Don’t forget to <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/onboarding">join </a>and add your salary too!</p><h2>1. Software Engineering Manager</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm"> $169,510</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dsoftware+engineering+manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$900,000</a> per year (total compensation) at Meta</p><p>Software engineering managers lead and support a team of software engineers while overseeing the development and delivery of a company’s software projects. A few of their daily duties include roadmap planning with stakeholders, representing their engineering team in business meetings, and negotiating ownership and workstreams with other teams and managers.</p><p>Software engineering managers tend to have more technical expertise than general managers and many spend time as a software engineer before moving over to management. This is especially true for companies like IBM, Meta, and Microsoft, which have a high demand for software engineering managers with a technical background.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033: </strong>17%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Recommended learning:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/09RDGY" rel="sponsored">IBM DevOps and Software Engineering</a></p><h2>2. Technical Product Manager</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm">$156,580</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dproduct+manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$750,000</a> (total compensation) per year at Bloomberg</p><p>Technical product managers ensure a product aligns with user needs, technical feasibility, and business goals. For example, a technical product manager at a fintech company may work with stakeholders to define and build a new mobile payment feature, while also making sure it meets security and compliance standards.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s a lot of responsibility to be weighing on someone’s shoulders, which is why the position pays so well as one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-remote-jobs">highest-paying remote jobs</a> available. We interviewed a data science product manager who works in govtech and makes <strong>$165,000 a year</strong> after consulting for 8 years.</p>

How much does a #DataScience #ProductManager make? Atlanta, GA📍#salarytransparentstreet

<p>Technical product managers may use tools like Jira or Azure DevOps for project management, SQL for data analysis, and Confluence for documentation. Companies that have a high demand for technical product managers, such as Amazon and TikTok, may also require some experience with APIs and programming languages like Python.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 8%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Recommended learning:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/YR23DO" rel="sponsored">IBM Product Manager</a></p><h2>3. Computer and Information Research Scientist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm">$145,080</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database</strong>: <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DResearcher&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$150,000</a> per year</p><p>Computer and information research scientists perform research and work to solve complex problems in areas like AI, data science, and cybersecurity. A few of their duties may include designing and training machine learning models, working to develop new algorithms, and publishing their findings. For example, an AI research scientist may design and train machine learning models, such as those used within natural language processing (NLP) for tasks like text classification and language translation.</p><p>This role may fall under a few different job titles, including AI research scientist, AI research engineer, and research and development (R&amp;D) engineer. Companies that often hire for these positions are Meta and Oracle.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 26%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Bachelor’s or Master’s degree</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/OeER1P" rel="sponsored">Operations Research (1): Models and Applications</a></p><h2>4. Machine Learning Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm"> </a><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm">$145,080</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DMachine+Learning+Engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$140,000</a> per year</p><p>Machine learning is used in almost every application we use daily, and machine learning engineers are the professionals behind the code, making our everyday online experience come to life. They leverage frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch to build and deploy machine learning models, such as those used in Spotify for personalized playlists and Apple Maps for route optimization.</p><p>With a projected <strong>80% job growth</strong> over the next 5 years, it’s one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/top-careers-for-the-future">highest-paying jobs of the future</a>. Companies like Apple, Spotify, and Google, and many other big tech companies have an increasing demand for machine learning engineers and are constantly hiring for these positions.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate (2025-2030):</strong> 80% (taken from the <a href="https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf">Future of Jobs Report</a>)</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/4GMed3" rel="sponsored">IBM Introduction to Machine Learning</a></p><h2>5. Software Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm">$130,160</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dsoftware+engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$450,000</a> per year (total compensation) per year at Block</p><p>Software engineers work with a variety of tools and programming languages to develop and support software and mobile applications. A few programming languages software engineers need to know include Python, Java, Javascript, C++, and SQL for building applications and managing databases - all of which are <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/high-income-skills">high-income skills</a> can be used in a variety of areas across tech, not just software engineering.</p><p>They also use tools like Git for version control and integrated development environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code for development. Companies that have a high demand for software engineers due to their constant software updates and initiatives include Mastercard, Uber, and Chewy.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 17%</p><p><strong>Education needed</strong>: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but some jobs may accept certifications or experience in place of a traditional degree. We interviewed a software engineer who makes <strong>$250,000 a year</strong> without a degree or any certifications. They started out at a call center, then moved up from there.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/mO1gzO" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Software Engineering</a></p>

Software Engineers Make How Much? 🤯 Salary Transparent Street™️ Compilation 💵

<h2>6. Network Engineer or Cloud Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm">$129,840</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DNetwork+architect&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=created_at&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$130,000</a> per year</p><p>Network and cloud engineers ensure reliable connectivity by designing and maintaining physical and virtual networks. While cloud engineers focus on cloud-based infrastructure, network engineers may focus on on-premises and hybrid infrastructure, but may also focus on cloud infrastructure as a part of their duties. They typically work with networking tools like VMware and cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure.</p>

<p>Network and cloud engineer roles can also fall under alternative job titles, such as cloud network engineer and network architect. Companies like Microsoft and Intel have an increasing demand for network and cloud engineers and are often hiring for these positions, which offer great pay and the option for remote work in some cases.</p><p>We interviewed a cloud engineer couple who work remotely and make <strong>$120,000 a year </strong>each after 7 years of experience.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 13%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/YR2mOj" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Cloud Computing</a></p>

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<h2>7. Information Security or Cybersecurity Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm">$120,360</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DInformation+Security+Engineer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$760,000</a> per year</p><p>Information security engineers and cybersecurity engineers are another case in the tech industry where two different job titles do the same thing. Their main role is to design and implement security measures to protect an organization’s systems, network, and data.</p><p>In order to do their job, they may use security monitoring tools like Splunk and vulnerability scanning tools like Nessus. With a projected job growth of 33%, top tech companies like Cisco and T-Mobile are often hiring for these positions. It’s also one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-government-jobs">highest-paying government jobs</a> due to the demand to improve cybersecurity across government agencies.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 33%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Bachelor’s degree. We interviewed a cybersecurity analyst that makes <strong>$150,000 a year</strong> and says certifications are huge to get into the role, but a degree and certification will help you stand out.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLoE0O" rel="sponsored">Foundations of Cybersecurity</a></p>

🔒Cybersecurity Pay Compilation!#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<h2>8. Database Administrator</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm">$117,450</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DDatabase+Administrator&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$115,000</a> per year</p><p>Database administrators (DBAs) manage and support databases for companies and organizations, including government offices and agencies. They work with different types of databases, including MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and MongoDB, and languages such as SQL for querying and Python or Shell scripting for automating database management tasks.</p><p>For example, a DBA at a retail company may manage the customer database and optimize SQL queries to speed up product searches, while also ensuring the database can handle peak shopping seasons like Black Friday.</p><p>Companies that often hire database administrators are Spectrum, Oracle, and Lumen.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 9%</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but some companies may accept database-specific certifications and experience in place of a traditional degree.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/gO5bD2" rel="sponsored">IBM Relational Database Administrator</a></p><h2>9. Data Scientist</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm">$108,020</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DData+Scientist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$260,000</a> per year</p><p>Data scientists solve complex business problems through cleaning and analyzing large datasets, extracting insights, and building predictive machine-learning models. They may use programming languages like R for statistical analysis and data visualization, and machine learning and data manipulation tools like Pandas.</p><p>Even though a Bachelor’s degree in a technical field is typically required, we interviewed a data scientist with a business degree who makes <strong>$110,000 a year </strong>after breaking into data science with a boot camp.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033: </strong>36%</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>Bachelor’s degree</p><p><strong>Recommended learning:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/MAEXnY" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Data Science</a></p>

Data Scientists Make How Much? 🤯 Data Scientist Salary Compilation 💚 Salary Transparent Street

<h2>10. Web Developer or Engineer</h2><p><strong>Median salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-5">$105,950</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dweb+developer&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$165,000</a> per year</p><p>Web developers and engineers build websites using front-end languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript, and back-end systems like servers and databases. They’re responsible for making sure the finished product is not only functional but is also user-friendly and visually appealing.&nbsp;</p><p>We interviewed a web developer who makes<strong> $175,000 a year </strong>after 5 years of experience who states that sometimes you might spend hours on debugging something in the code. You’ll need to love coding to love web development.</p><p>Companies that often hire web developers and engineers include Adobe and Amazon.</p><p><strong>Job growth rate through 2033:</strong> 8%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but some jobs may accept certifications or experience in place of a traditional degree. Doing freelance web development work as a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-side-hustles">side hustle</a> could be a great way to get some experience and counts as valid work experience on a resume.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/WyED4Z" rel="sponsored">Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development &amp; Coding</a></p>

#SeniorWebDesigner in Washington, DC📍#salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<h2>11. Systems Engineer or Administrator</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm#tab-5">$104,070</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DData+Scientist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$260,000</a> per year</p><p>System engineers design and implement systems at companies, while system administrators support the systems and make sure they’re functioning per the organization’s needs. Even though the roles are slightly different, many jobs in this area include an overlap of skills and duties, as covered in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-trade-jobs">highest-paying trade jobs</a> article. Systems engineers may also fulfill the role of administrators and vice versa.</p><p>Both of these roles require knowledge of different operating systems, such as Linux/Unix, Windows, and macOS. Tools they often use in their role include VMware for managing virtual machines and scripting languages like PowerShell for automation in Windows environments.</p><p>Companies that have a high demand for system engineers and administrators and often hire for those roles include AT&amp;T and Boeing.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (up to 2033):</strong> -3%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but some jobs may accept certifications or experience in place of a traditional degree. We interviewed a systems administrator who makes <strong>$93,000 a year</strong> and has an Associate’s degree but didn’t have that degree when they started. Their job offered tuition reimbursement and supported his decision to get a degree.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/bOQ3Db" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Systems Engineering</a></p>

How much does a #SystemsAdministrator make?📍Detroit, MI #salarytransparentstreet

<h2>12. Quality Assurance (QA) Tester</h2><p><strong>Median salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-5">$101,800</a> per year</p><p><strong>Highest salary recorded in our Salary Database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DQuality+Assurance+Tester&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$154,000</a> per year</p><p>A QA tester is someone who tests software and websites to make sure they meet functional requirements and are defect-free. They assure the quality of the software they’re testing and that it behaves the way it’s expected to, even during any type of input or user activity.</p><p>QA testers may use scripting languages like Python and Java to automate testing, and use performance testing tools like JMeter. Companies that often hire QA testers include Meta and Cognizant.</p><p><strong>Job outlook (up to 2033): </strong>12%</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but some jobs may accept certifications or experience in place of a traditional degree.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/RGEyOR" rel="sponsored">Foundations of Software Testing and Validation</a></li><li><a href="https://tripleten.com/qa-engineer/?utm_channel=influencers&amp;utm_source=influencers&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=influencers_salarytransparentstreet0525blog&amp;utm_content=post" rel="sponsored">QA Bootcamp</a></li></ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>How to Land a Top-Paying Job in Tech</h2><p>There are many different routes to take when trying to get your foot in the door in the tech industry. Many jobs require a traditional Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree but also accept experience, certifications, and other online learning.</p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>Get started with our step-by-step guide on <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-break-into-tech">How to Get Into Tech</a>.</p><p>A few of the tech professionals we interviewed expressed their different routes of learning, from different degrees to boot camps and being self-taught. There are courses available on LinkedIn Learning, Google, and even through companies like <a href="https://www.ibm.com/training">IBM </a>that may help you get started.&nbsp;</p><p>When you’re still getting your degree or trying to find other ways to break into tech, put together a portfolio of your project work from courses and personal projects, specifically on GitHub (this is standard in the tech world). Also, look for ways to get into an entry-level tech job that doesn’t require a degree to build experience, such as working in a call center or doing low-level technical support.</p><p><strong>Don’t forget to browse our other resources as you navigate your career:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">How to Find Your Market Rate</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">Find Pay Transparency Laws in Your State</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/job-interview-questions-and-answers">Most Common Interview Questions and Answers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">Salary Negotiation Scripts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/can-you-lose-a-job-offer-by-negotiating-salary">Can You Lose a Job Offer By Negotiating Salary?</a></li></ul><p><strong>Author note: </strong>I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Street resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Looking to start a career in tech but don't know where to start? Take our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/tech-career-quiz">Tech Career Quiz </a>and find what tech career is perfect for you (+ get free resources to help break in).</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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12 Highest-Paying Tech Jobs In 2026 (All Pay Over $100k)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands and products we trust or actually use ourselves. Using them doesn’t cost you a thing, but it helps support our mission.&nbsp;</i></p><p>You don’t have to go to medical school to land a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">high-paying healthcare job</a> with a doctor-level salary. That’s exactly what Chabely Rodriguez proves as a certified anesthesiologist assistant (CAA) who makes <strong>$300,000 a year </strong>while sharing her story online through <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caalifestyle/">CAA Lifestyle</a>, her <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-side-hustles">side hustle</a> where she mentors the next generation of non-MD anesthesia providers.</p><p>Starting with a chemistry major, she didn’t know her path would lead to the operating room. Her focus was originally on pharmacology and research rather than surgery. But the urge to make a more immediate impact on patients’ lives set her on a rewarding path in a lesser-known corner of medicine.</p><p>What her journey tells us is that there is no right or wrong path to take to make good money and create a flexible lifestyle. You can bend your career to fit your needs. It may just take a little experimentation to find what clicks.</p><h2>From The Lab to The Operating Room</h2><p>After graduating with a degree in chemistry from Brooklyn College, Chabely started her career in clinical research. She loved contributing to long-term scientific advancements, but missed the personal connection and fast-paced energy of patient care.</p><p>“I craved a role where I could see the immediate effects of my care,” she explained. That spark led her to explore <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">healthcare careers</a> beyond becoming a doctor or nurse. She looked into physician assistant programs, then discovered the CAA field.</p><p>“Anesthesia stood out to me because of how quickly you can see your interventions take effect. A single medication can immediately relieve pain or reduce blood pressure. When I shadowed a CAA, I was hooked,” she said. “It had the perfect blend of real-time decision-making, procedural skills, and patient advocacy. I knew this was it.”</p><h2>How to Become an Anesthesiologist Assistant</h2><p>The path to becoming a CAA is rigorous but it doesn’t require any medical school – *queue the sigh of relief*. Instead, it requires a science-focused bachelor’s degree, a Master’s-level CAA program, and passing a national certification exam.</p><p><strong>Here’s the typical process:</strong></p><ul><li>Earn a bachelor’s degree usually in the science field, such as chemistry or biology.</li><li>Complete prerequisite coursework, similar to medical school.</li><li>Volunteer or work in a clinical or biomedical setting.</li><li>Take the <a href="https://students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/take-mcat-exam">MCAT </a>(Medical College Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination).</li><li>Complete an accredited CAA Master’s program.&nbsp;</li><li>Pass the <a href="https://nccaa.org/certifyexaminfo">National Certification Exam</a>.</li><li>Get licenses in your state.</li><li>Complete hospital credentialing</li></ul><p>“CAA practice varies by state,” Chabely explained. “Some states fully recognize and license CAAs, while others currently don’t.” She recommends checking out the <a href="https://www.anesthetist.org/">American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA)</a> for the latest legislative map or using her own <a href="https://caa-state-practice-map.streamlit.app/">interactive version</a>.</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-iOAJguqVZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-iOAJguqVZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-iOAJguqVZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by CAA Lifestyle- Anesthesiologist Assistant (@caalifestyle)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>She also noted that CAAs can work in all 50 states through the Veterans Affairs system, but the roles are limited. “The ultimate goal is state licensure, which provides more flexibility and broader access to different practice settings,” she clarified.</p><p><strong>Recommended learning to get oriented while applying to programs:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/zxD6jM" rel="sponsored">Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us</a></li><li><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xLvygd" rel="sponsored">Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology Fundamentals</a></li></ul><h2>Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Salary (&amp; Student Debt)</h2><p>Due to high demand and a provider shortage, CAA and anesthesia salaries have seen an upward trend. ZipRecruiter reports a nationwide average salary of <a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Anesthesiologist-Assistant-Salary">$140K</a> for anesthesiologist assistants, while Glassdoor states a median salary of <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-anesthesiologist-assistant-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,29.htm">$273K</a>. Our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DAnesthesiologist+Assistant&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=created_at&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">Salary Database</a> reports salaries of <strong>$177K and $210K</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p>Chabely started her career in the mid-$100Ks. Thanks to the growing demand and plenty of weekend shifts, her salary quickly climbed. “<strong>Within two years, my base salary increased to around $200,000</strong>,” she said. “With overtime, I was able to earn an additional $50K per year.” Today, her income tops $300,000.</p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>Always <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiate your salary</a> for any job offer you get. Our list of <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">salary negotiation scripts</a> can help!</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3vADCmuvcx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3vADCmuvcx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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<p>Like many in healthcare, she took on over $120,000 of <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/r8fc8db4eb91">student loans</a> for her Master’s program. However, careful financial planning, working overtime, and the student loan pause helped her pay off that debt within a year of working.</p><p>“I’ve spoken openly about my student journey on my platform CAA Lifestyle,” she said. “I believe financial transparency helps future students plan smarter and avoid surprises.”</p><p>🎓<strong> If you're considering a healthcare career as a CAA and need help financing your education, it's smart to start comparing your options early. </strong>We've partnered with Money.com to bring you <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/r8fc8db4eb91" rel="sponsored">trusted student loan providers</a> who can help you fund your degree without surprises! 👇</p>

<h2>How Her Role Has Evolved</h2><p>“Overall my role of providing anesthesia under the supervision of an anesthesiologist has remained consistent,” she said. “I still take care of patients from the start of their anesthesia care to the end but I would say my confidence and adaptability have grown significantly.”</p><p>Beyond the operating room, she expanded her role into mentorship, digital education, and advocacy. “These opportunities have added purpose and depth to my career and allowed me to connect with future CAAs around the country,” she said.</p><h2>Building a Flexible CAA Lifestyle Around Work</h2><p>In the beginning, Chabely worked intense shifts: long hours, weekends, and nights. “Working at that pace took a toll on my personal life,” she admitted. “But it's also what ultimately led to me sharing more about CAAs online.”&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CAALifestyle">Creating content</a> for her was a fun and affordable hobby that she could do while also focusing on work and paying off student loans. Now, she works on a contract basis after becoming more financially secure, takes over two months off every year, and spends her free time traveling, skiing, and mentoring others.</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLQA1INxk18/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLQA1INxk18/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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<p>“I’ve been able to travel, explore new countries, and even take up hobbies like skiing – all of which bring me so much joy,” she said. “I finally feel like I’ve found a healthy rhythm that allows me to show up fully for my patients while also living a full and balanced life.”</p><h2>Advice for Aspiring CAAs</h2><p>Chabely urges future healthcare pros to look beyond the doctor-or-nurse binary. CAA is still a relatively new field, but it offers a lot of<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/most-secure-jobs"> job security</a> and it’s growing fast as one of the potential <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/top-jobs-of-2025">top jobs of the future</a>. It’s a powerful way to make a direct impact without the time, cost, or competition of medical school, and could be a role that inspires other emerging healthcare roles in the years to come.</p><p><strong>Her top tips?</strong></p><ul><li>Research different areas you might like to work in.</li><li>Start with a bachelor’s degree and look for CAA-accredited Master’s programs.</li><li>Shadow a CAA.</li><li>Budget realistically for student loans.</li><li>Stay curious and keep learning.</li></ul><p>Want to learn more from Chabely? Connect with her on <a href="https://instagram.com/caalifestyle">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@caalifestyle">TikTok</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@caalifestyle">YouTube</a>.</p><p><strong>Read more helpful career resources:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">How to Find Your Market Salary</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/job-board">Search Our Salary Transparent Job Board</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/high-income-skills">10 High-Income Skills to Learn Without a Degree</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-unpaid-internships-worth-it">Are Unpaid Internships Worth It?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-discrimination">Pay Discrimination 101: What It Is and How to Fight Back</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">Pay Transparency Laws by State: What's Required &amp; What's Not</a></li></ul><p><strong>This article is a part of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series</strong>, where we highlight real career paths and real paychecks from across the country.</p><p><strong>Read more from the series:</strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/from-baseball-to-law-to-tech">&nbsp;</a></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/speech-language-pathologist">How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist (From a Real SLP That Makes $110K)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/flight-attendant">How to Become a Flight Attendant With No Experience (From A Real Flight Attendant)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/freelance-ghostwriter">How This Freelance Ghostwriter Built a $200K Business</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/from-baseball-to-law-to-tech">From Professional Baseball Player to Software Tester</a></li></ul><p>If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent resources:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Want to join the movement? </strong>Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li><strong>Do you know if you're being underpaid?</strong> <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li><strong>Need help determining your market rate?</strong> Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li><strong>Need help negotiating your salary? </strong>Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li><strong>Want to save more of what you earn?</strong> Get transparent savings with our partner, the <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/h5b4cb990813">Capital One Shopping App</a>.💸Automatically apply coupons, get alerts on price drops, earn shopping rewards, and more <i>for free!</i></li><li><strong>Follow us on</strong> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li><strong>Subscribe to our </strong><a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

desktop cover image with graphic of certified anesthesiologist assistant in surgery with green background and title text overlay that reads "this CAA makes $300K"

cover image with graphic of certified anesthesiologist assistant in surgery with green background and title text overlay that reads "this anesthesiologist assistant makes $300K"

How This Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Makes $300K a Year Without Going to Medical School

<p><i>Heads up:<strong> </strong>This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands and products we trust or actually use ourselves. Using them doesn’t cost you a thing, but it helps support our mission.&nbsp;</i></p><p>If you want to be a nurse, you’re probably curious about what the highest-paying nursing jobs are. You know, because life is expensive…and unpredictable.</p><p>Despite the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">AI panic</a> that’s distorted the job market in recent years, nursing remains a <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/most-secure-jobs">stable and high-paying career</a> for folks to break into. Nursing currently has a demand that’s higher than its supply, with more than <strong>189,100 new job openings for registered nurses (RNs) being projected each year through 2034</strong>, <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6">according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>On top of that, higher paying roles like advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are projected to grow by <strong>32,700 job openings each year at that same time</strong>. If you want to make a living taking care of and healing others, the money and opportunity is there. Let’s take a look at the roles that pay the most.</p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>Some of the highest-paying nursing jobs are nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners.</li><li>Nursing jobs have faster than average job growth over the next decade, according to the BLS.</li><li>You don’t have to get a bachelor’s degree to get into nursing but will need it to move on to advanced degrees and programs for higher-paying roles.</li><li>Browse thousands of individually reported high-paying nursing salaries on our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>.</li></ul>

<h2><strong>8 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs With Increasing Demand 2026</strong></h2><p>We’ve ranked the highest-paid nursing jobs using job data from the BLS <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/">Occupational Outlook Handbook</a>, our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> of thousands of self-reported and validated salaries, and interviews with real nurses. The results are sorted by highest to lowest median salaries, as reported by the BLS.</p><p>To get a sneak peak of a few nursing jobs that pay well, the video below features a few of our recent interviews with nurses about what they make and how they got started:</p><p><br>&nbsp;</p>

How Much Do Nurses Make? Nurse Salary Compilation 💚 Salary Transparent Street

<p>You can find all of the nursing salaries we recorded by searching for any of the below positions in our Salary Database.<strong> Don’t forget to</strong> <a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/onboarding">join </a><strong>and add your salary too!</strong></p><h2>1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5">$223,210</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dnurse+Anesthetist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$400,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034:</strong> 9% increase in job growth</p><p>Nurse anesthetists make the most amount of money out of any other nursing job title on this list and is ranked 5th on our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">highest-paying healthcare jobs</a> report because their work goes a little beyond normal nursing responsibilities. They’re advanced practice registered nurses that can administer anesthesia to patients for procedures and are often the only anesthesia providers in underserved areas. <strong>We interviewed a CRNA that makes</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rK5mUiglMM">$280,000 a year</a> <strong>with 2 years of experience!</strong></p><p>They typically work in operating rooms, surgery centers, pain clinics, hospitals, and dental offices.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing while becoming an RN with 1 year of experience working in an intensive care unit (ICU). As of 2025, CRNAs also need a doctorate in nurse anesthesia (DNP) from an <a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation/find-accredited-programs">accredited program</a> and to pass the <a href="https://www.nbcrna.com/students/nbcrna-certification">National Certification Examination</a> administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/6kX1ar" rel="sponsored">Integrative Health and Medicine Specialization Course</a></p><h2>2. Nurse Practitioner (NP)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5">$129,210</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DNurse+Practitioner&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$225,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>40% increase in job growth</p><p>Nurse practitioners are another role under APRNs whose work is very similar to physicians within their scope of practice and is ranked 3rd on our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/top-careers-for-the-future">top-paying careers of the future</a> report. They can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and perform procedures, but the scope of what they’re permitted to do varies by state.</p><p>NPs work in clinics, hospitals, urgent care, specialty practices, and telehealth, and specialize in a variety of areas, such as family, adult-gerontology, psychiatric, pediatric, women’s health, and neonatal care.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, an active RN license in their state, pass the <a href="https://www.aanpcert.org/">national NP certification board exam</a>, and obtain an NP license.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/X4oRPa" rel="sponsored">Healthcare Career Explorer Nurse Practitioner Course</a></p><h2>3. Nurse Midwife (CNM)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5">$128,790</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DNurse+Midwife&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$142,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034:</strong> 11% increase in job growth</p><p>Nurse midwives are another subset of APRNs, but they distinctly specialize in women’s reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care. They provide prenatal and postpartum care, manage births, and can prescribe medication to patients. You’ll normally see them working in hospitals, OB/GYN or midwifery practices, health clinics, and home birth settings in states where it’s supported.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree from a nursing-midwifery program accredited by the <a href="https://theacme.org/">Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education</a>, and pass the national <a href="https://www.amcbmidwife.org/amcb-certification">AMCB certification exam</a>.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/MKoVZK" rel="sponsored">Global Quality Maternal and Newborn Care</a></p><h2>4. Nurse Manager</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-1">$117,960</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DNurse+manager&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$155,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>23% increase in job growth</p><p>Nurse managers supervise over a nursing departments and combine their clinical nursing background with administrative responsibilities. They’re in charge of staffing and scheduling, budgets, compliance, and implement policies within the nursing staff. They also liaison and have some clinical involvement, typically working in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, nursing homes, and home health agencies.</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A bachelor’s degree in nursing and an active RN license in their state with 2 years of clinical experience, but some healthcare providers may prefer a master’s degree with some focus on management and leadership.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/xJXvx5" rel="sponsored">Nursing Leadership Course</a></p><h2>5. Registered Nurse (RN)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm">$93,600</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DRegistered+Nurse&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$205,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p>RNs are the backbone of the healthcare industry. They provide patient care across every specialty and care setting, assessing patients, advocating for them, administering treatments, and coordinating their care.&nbsp;</p><p>RNs have several areas they can choose to specialize in, including (but not limited to) ICU/critical care, emergency room (ER), oncology, psychiatric, labor and delivery, and case management. They have the option to work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, surgery centers, nursing homes, schools, public health departments, and home health, among many others.</p><p>We interviewed <strong>a registered nurse who makes $43 an hour </strong>and a nursing student who is still working towards her degree in the video below to give you a good idea of what you can expect to make as a nurse and what to expect while still in school.</p>

How much does a #RegisteredNurse and #NursingStudent make? The Big E in MA📍#salarytransparentstreet

<p><strong>Education needed:</strong> An associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass the <a href="https://www.nclex.com/">National Council Licensure Examination</a> (NCLEX-RN) to obtain an active RN license in their state. (You can start out as a licensed practical nurse after completing the 1-year program and use that <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-entry-level-jobs">high-paying entry-level role</a> and you work towards becoming an RN.)</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/o4amDY" rel="sponsored">The Nurse’s Toolkit</a></p><h2>6. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary: </strong><a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm">$93,600</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DClinical+Nurse+Specialist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$137,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p>Clinical nurse specialists are APRNs who use their clinical expertise in a specific speciality, such as pediatric, critical care, diabetes, oncology, etc, in roles that focus on improving care quality and education through direct patient care, nursing staff development, and systems leadership.</p><p>They typically work in hospitals, academic medical centers, outpatient specialty clinics, long-term care facilities, and healthcare consulting.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed: </strong>A bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, an active RN license in their state, and 1 or more years of work experience as an RN.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/o4amDY" rel="sponsored">Getting Started with Clinical Skills: A Focus on the Patient</a></p><h2>7. Clinical Research Nurse</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm">$93,600</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DClinical+Research+Nurse&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$150,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>5% increase in job growth</p><p>A clinical research nurse specializes in coordinating clinical trials and research studies and is a role that’s growing in demand with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. They support their research by recruiting and screening patients for trials, implementing protocols, collecting data, collecting specimens, and monitoring patients, perfectly combining their clinical experience with their love for research.</p><p>They have the option to work in academic medical centers, research departments in hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, contract research organizations (CROs), government research institutions (like the NIH), and specialized research clinics.</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing, an active RN license in their state, and 1 to 2 years of clinical work experience as an RN.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/jRD4P5" rel="sponsored">Clinical Trials Operations Specialization Course</a></p><h2>8. Nursing Instructor</h2><p><strong>BLS median annual salary:</strong> <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-5">$79,940</a></p><p><strong>Highest self-reported salary in our database:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DNurse+Educator&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$140,000</a></p><p><strong>Job outlook up to 2034: </strong>17% increase in job growth</p><p>Nursing instructors or educators are RNs who teach nurses in academic or clinical training programs, and are highly needed. Nursing schools have had <a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Fact-Sheets/Nursing-Faculty-Shortage">trouble in recent years</a> accepting all qualified applicants because they lack the staff to handle them.</p><p>Nursing educators have many options for where they can teach, including universities and colleges, like nursing schools, community colleges, vocational/technical nursing programs, and hospitals. Private colleges and universities tend to pay the highest salaries, according to the BLS.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Education needed:</strong> A bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing with a focus on education, an active RN license in their stature, and 2 years of experience working in a clinical setting.</p><p><strong>Start learning skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/KB2Gnn" rel="sponsored">Teaching and Assessing Clinical Skills</a></p><h2>How to Get Into Nursing&nbsp;</h2><p>The best place to start if you want to get into nursing is with an <a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/about-aacn/member-schools">accredited </a>associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in nursing to work toward passing the NCLEX-RN exam.&nbsp;</p><p>You also have the option to enroll in a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program approved by your state’s Board of Nursing that lasts anywhere from 12 to 18 months to qualify for the <a href="https://www.nclex.com/files/2026_PN_Test%20Plan-F.pdf">NCLEX-PN licensing exam</a>. This shorter route can help you break into working in clinical settings quicker as you work towards advanced degrees and specialties.&nbsp;</p><p>You can also look at <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/dy3v1M">online course work </a>and entry-level work in surgery centers, hospitals, and clinics to get more experience while still in school, which also gets you access to licensed nurses that you can shadow while you figure out what specialty you want to focus on.&nbsp;</p><p>Whatever program and route you decide on, don’t get too ahead of yourself. It takes years to become a nurse with intensive training, so take your time to figure out what you really want to do in the field and what’s the best fit for you versus *not so much*. If you’re looking for more guidance,<strong> our free</strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/healthcare-career-quiz"> Healthcare Career Quiz</a> <strong>can also help you decide if nursing is the right place for you in healthcare with additional resources.</strong></p><p>That wraps it up for this week. I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, former member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a top-paying nursing job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com</p><p><strong>For more transparent resources:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Want to join the movement? </strong>Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li><strong>Do you know if you're being underpaid?</strong> <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li><strong>Want to break into healthcare?</strong> Read the full <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">Healthcare Career Guide</a>!</li><li><strong>Need help determining your market rate?</strong> Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li><strong>Need help negotiating your salary? </strong>Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li></ul>

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8 Highest Paying Nursing Jobs in 2026 (With Real Salaries)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p>Side hustles are nothing new. People have used them for centuries to make ends meet, explore hobbies and passions, or pivot their careers, even before the internet was around. Some of the highest-paying side hustles have even helped folks quit their day jobs to run their own business, like Salary Transparent Street's founder, Hannah Williams, did when she quit her job as a data analyst to <a href="https://time.com/collections/time100-creators-2025/7299126/hannah-williams/">run the brand full time</a>.</p><p>I'm also another proponent of side hustles, having run my own website on the side working full time as a software engineer while also freelance writing. That was until I quit my job in 2022 to write full time.</p><p><strong>Half of Americans actually report having a side hustle</strong>, according to a 2025 survey by <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/financial-guides/banking/side-hustles/">MarketWatch</a>. But we all know that when you already work full-time, it’s hard to juggle another job on top of that just to survive, let alone keep your mental health in check in the process.</p><p>The best side hustles shouldn’t require another full-time commitment and should give you the highest return for your time spent, in both money and fulfillment. They also shouldn’t be so expensive to start that you have to take out a loan or buy in to a “starter kit”, like so many MLMs (multi-level marketing) companies try to get you to do.</p><p><strong>Let’s dive into some of the top-paying side hustles we’ve found that are truly part-time and where you can find them!</strong></p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>The highest-paying side hustles include freelance writing and editing, becoming a notary public, and small business automation.</li><li>The top side hustles pay as much as <strong>$150 an hour</strong>, <strong>$2,000 a project</strong>, and <strong>$10,000 a month or more</strong>.&nbsp;</li><li>You can use platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, freelance marketplaces like Fiverr, and Facebook Communities (as well as several side gig apps) to connect with other professionals and find gigs.</li></ul><h2><strong>17 Highest-Paying Side Hustles (No Burnout Included)&nbsp;</strong></h2><p><strong>Here’s a sneak peek into our side hustle conversation on our podcast, </strong><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/73aW8kLgSzNrpKyKdxgMzf"><strong>Two Cents</strong></a><strong>:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>We’ve identified these top side hustles that pay well&nbsp; ideas using salary data from the past 3+ years of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SalaryTransparentStreet/">Salary Transparent Street interviews</a> with real professionals, data we’ve collected in our <a href="http://checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a> of over 13,000 publicly shared salaries, and wage data from various career resources like <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Community/profile/hannah-williams-ygsa">Glassdoor</a> and <a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/">ZipRecruiter</a>.</p><p>Many of these side hustles require working as a freelancer. Not all, but many. They typically charge hourly or by project, and have to set aside money for income and self-employment taxes.&nbsp;</p><p>As W-2 employee, your taxes are automatically taken out of your paycheck, but that won't be the case when you're working as a freelancer. You'll have to pay those yourself quarterly or ask your employer to withhold more taxes to account for your side hustle earnings.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center">Self-employment taxes </a>are also higher at 15.3%. Your employer normally pays half when you're a W-2 employee, but freelancers pay the full percentage. <strong>Keep this in mind when looking at any side hustle-related pay data.</strong></p><p>You can find more transparent pay data by searching for any of the below side jobs in our Salary Database. <strong>Don’t forget to </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/onboarding"><strong>join </strong></a><strong>and add yours too!</strong></p><h2>1. Freelance Writing and Editing ($25-$100/hr)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$25 - $100 an hour&nbsp;</p><p>Freelance writers and editors get paid to create content for countless mediums. The most popular type of content with a high demand for them right now is web content and social media content, but many businesses are also increasing the demand for documentation, training, and other types of internal content.</p><p>Think of anything you read online in your daily life or your job. They make their money by charging clients for that content, like blog posts, social media posts, newsletters, video and podcast scripts, and user guides. Copywriters, who write to get the reader to take action on something (like make a purchase), specifically have one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-creative-jobs">highest-paying creative jobs</a>.</p><p>Freelance writers can also become <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/freelance-ghostwriter">ghostwriters</a>, which are writers who get paid to write content without credit or as someone else (like a CEO's LinkedIn posts). <strong>We interviewed a ghostwriter that makes $200,000 a year!</strong></p>

"I've Made Over $200K as a Ghost Writer" 👻 Interview with Alice Lemee | Two Cents Podcast

<p>Don’t sound the AI alarm yet. Writer’s won’t cease to exist because of word-generating algorithms. This field thrives on human creativity and perspective, something <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/will-ai-take-my-job">AI can't replicate</a>.</p><p><strong>How to get started:</strong> As a freelance writer myself, I created a blog that many of my clients were able to find me through. When you’re starting from scratch, try publishing some work on a free site like <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://medium.com/">Medium</a>, <a href="https://substack.com/home">Substack</a>, or your own blog. Also, look for courses to help you with your craft, such as these <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/9LrP4E" rel="sponsored">writing courses.</a></p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>List your services on marketplaces like <a href="http://fiverr.com">Fiverr</a>, write content on Substack and charge subscribers, or look for writing gigs and open calls for writers on job sites like LinkedIn, <a href="https://www.findfreelanceopportunities.com/">Freelance Opportunities Newsletter</a>, and<a href="https://contentwritingjobs.com/"> Content Writing Jobs</a> by Best Writing.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/vP5Zze" rel="sponsored">Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization</a></p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>If you want to turn your side hustle into a real business, consider <a href="https://secure.money.com/lp/business-registration-services/lp/best-business-registration-services-sts?pcuid=v6a8ada9ae4b&amp;jump_from_embed=true&amp;wafid=" rel="sponsored">registering your business</a>. <strong>This helps unlock tax benefits, protect your personal assets, and boost credibility.</strong> Start with our recommended business registration services, which guide you step-by-step from LLC formation to EIN registration and more. <a href="https://secure.money.com/lp/business-registration-services/lp/best-business-registration-services-sts?pcuid=v6a8ada9ae4b&amp;jump_from_embed=true&amp;wafid=" rel="sponsored">Compare top recommended services and get started here</a>!</p><h2>2. Virtual Assistant ($20-$40/hr)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage:</strong> $20 - $40 an hour</p><p>Virtual assistants (VAs) have a similar demand to freelance writers and editors, in which they’re the glue that holds many online business operations together. They offer a variety of services depending on the specialty they choose, such as social media content creation and management, email marketing, site support, and even full-on business administration.&nbsp;</p><p>VAs get paid pretty well too. <strong>We found a part-time VA in our Salary Database making </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dvirtual+assistant&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters="><strong>$48,000 a year</strong></a><strong> with only a high school degree!</strong></p><p>While AI is an apparent threat in this area, there are ways to position yourself as a VA with <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/high-income-skills">high-demand skills</a> that AI can never compete with. AI<strong> </strong>can't create anything <strong>original. </strong>AI can't connect emotionally with social media followers. It can't even fact check itself and make sure it isn't making mistakes.</p><p>Show clients how your strategic thinking and human touch are packaged in your customized services and how that outweighs any simple task completion bot.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Choose a niche (like inbox management, social media, or customer support), then build a simple portfolio using <a href="https://www.canva.com/">Canva </a>or <a href="https://www.notion.com/">Notion</a>. Taking helpful courses that focus on social media and <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/7aQgnY" rel="sponsored">how to use Canva</a> can also be helpful. Also look for established VAs on social media (like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liYeQjE1s4w">this one</a>) to learn the ropes, and start networking in entrepreneur-focused Slack groups, LinkedIn, or Reddit threads.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Use LinkedIn or Slack and Facebook groups to find jobs (search for “virtual assistant jobs” or #virtualassistant on LinkedIn) or work with a site like <a href="https://getmagic.com/careers/">Magic </a>to find clients. Following other successful virtual assistants online and pitching directly to business owners (CEOs are a huge market for this!) can help you find work.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/qzQ2ny" rel="sponsored">Office Productivity Software Specialization</a></p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>Use our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to help set your market rate.</p><h2>3. User Testing and Market Research Panels ($40 - $150/session)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage:</strong> $40 - $150 a session</p><p>If you didn’t think you could get paid for your opinion online, think again. And no, I’m not talking about surveys. I’m talking about user testing and market research panels.&nbsp;</p><p>User testing usually involves a user (you) testing out a website, application, or product. It’s actually one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-tech-jobs">highest-paying tech jobs</a> available and a great side hustle to get your feet wet with if you want to eventually<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-break-into-tech"> get into tech</a>.</p><p>Market research panels are a little different and involve getting paid to give your opinion on something. A real-world example of a market research panel is when a healthcare company recruits people to give their feedback in an ongoing study for a medication or medical device.</p><p><strong>How to get started:</strong> Create an account on any user testing and market research panel websites you can find. You can find these by Googling terms like "user testing sites" and "market research panels near me". Then ask Google (or whatever ChatGPT look alike you use) questions like, “Is UserTesting.com a legit site to get paid for user testing?” to make sure the sites you find are legitimate.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Use testing sites like <a href="http://ustertesting.com">UserTesting</a>, <a href="https://www.userfeel.com/">UserFeel</a>, and <a href="https://trymata.com/">TryMata </a>to find testing opportunities. Usually these require passing a small test before you can start accepting tests. For market research, <a href="https://app.respondent.io/signup/?r=hannahwilliams-386720cd8fb1&amp;signupAs=participant" rel="sponsored">Respondent </a>is a great app to get started on with many opportunities <strong>paying $50 or more</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/RGEyOR">Foundations of Software Testing and Validation</a></p><p><strong>💸 Want more ways to get paid for your opinion? </strong>Earn <strong>up to $100 per survey </strong>with <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/j91066be116d">Money.com’s top paid survey providers</a> (some even offer a free <strong>$5 signup bonus </strong>for new members)!</p>

<h2>4. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking ($20-$40/walk and $50-$150/day)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$20 - $40 per walk and $50 - $150 per day</p><p>If you love animals, this is one of the most fun and low-barrier side hustles to get into, and it can be surprisingly lucrative 🐶. Pet sitters care for animals while their owners are away, either by visiting the home daily or staying overnight. You can also offer dog walking services and have animals stay in your home for day or overnight boarding services.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://rover.com">Rover</a> and <a href="https://wagwalking.com/">Wag</a> are the the best for this and can easily set you up to run your business locally. <strong>Some successful pet care pros even earn six figures annually, like this dog walker we interviewed who makes $100,000 a year with this side hustle.</strong></p>

This #DogWalker makes up to $100k!📍Boston, MA #salarytransparentstreet #salarytransparency

<p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Create a profile on pet-sitting apps and make sure to include your experience, availability, and any certifications (like pet CPR). Start by offering competitive rates and asking friends or family for reviews to build credibility.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Use apps like Rover, Wag, and <a href="https://meowtel.com/become-cat-sitter/information">Meowtel</a>. You can also post flyers at local vet offices, pet stores, restaurants, or in neighborhood Facebook groups. Word of mouth spreads quickly in pet parent communities. <strong>Once you get one happy client, more will follow.</strong></p><h2>5. Online Course Creation ($500-$10K/month)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$500 - $10,000 a month</p><p>Online instructors create and sell courses on platforms like <a href="https://gumroad.com/">Gumroad </a>and <a href="https://www.udemy.com/">Udemy</a>. They may teach topics like software tutorials, design, and how to start a business. Some instructors even contract with companies to design employee training programs as freelance curriculum creators.</p><p>Courses can be video-based, text-based, or a mix of both. Once you build them, they can become a long-term passive income stream with a little maintenance here and there. Even niche skills like spreadsheet tricks and resume writing can sell well if packaged the right way <i>to the right person.</i></p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>List out 2 to 3 topics you’re confident in teaching, then validate your ideas by searching for similar courses on platforms like Udemy. Choose one to start with, outline your content, and record short videos using tools like <a href="https://www.loom.com/">Loom</a> or Canva. Also look for online resources that can be helpful in <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/9Lron4" rel="sponsored">learning how to be an effective teacher</a>.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Use platforms like <a href="https://teachable.com/">Teachable</a>, Gumroad, and Udemy to host and sell your own course. To contract out your skills, look on LinkedIn, Fiverr, or pitch course creation services directly to small businesses, online coaches, or education startups. <a href="https://www.codeadvantage.org/about/join-the-team">CodeAdvantage </a>is a platform that often hires online instructors skilled in coding for up to $40 an hour. <strong>We found one of their instructors in our Salary Database making </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3Dinstructor&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=jobType%3DPart-time%2CContract%2CGig"><strong>$48,000 a year</strong></a><strong>!</strong></p><p><strong>Learn the skills for this side hustle: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/9LmJL5">How to Create Video for Online Courses</a></p><h2>6. Notary Public ($75-$200/signing)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$75 - $200 per signing</p><p>Notaries are licensed professionals appointed by a state official who witness and verify signatures on legal documents like loan agreements and real estate paperwork. Mobile notaries in particular bring their services to clients, meeting them at homes or wherever they happen to be. If you've ever bought a house, you might've had one come to you for urgent mortgage and deed paperwork.&nbsp;</p><p>This side hustle is especially popular with real estate and legal professionals, and it’s both flexible and pays pretty decent. <strong>We interviewed a notary that makes $25 an hour!</strong> It does require some paperwork and a state license, but once you’re certified, you can offer your services on your own terms.</p>

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<p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Research the notary commission requirements in your state (usually via your Secretary of State’s website or the <a href="https://www.nationalnotary.org/">National Notary Association).</a> You’ll need to complete an application, pay a small fee, and pass a brief exam. Once approved, get a notary seal and logbook, then start offering mobile or remote services.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Sign up on notary directories like <a href="https://www.snapdocs.com/join-notary-network">Snapdocs</a>, <a href="https://www.notaryrotary.com/">NotaryRotary</a>, and <a href="https://www.signingorder.com/">SigningOrder</a>. You can also reach out directly to real estate agents, loan officers, law offices, and title companies in your area to partner with</p><h2>7. Voice Work/Audiobook Narration ($100-$500/project)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$100 - $500 per project</p><p>Voice actors and narrators get paid to lend their voice to audiobooks, anime, explainer videos, podcasts, ads, and anywhere a voice is needed. It’s a side hustle that thrives on personality and tone, and one where your voice is its own resume.</p><p>You don’t need a professional studio to start, but sound quality matters. Many use closets or small spaces with sound-absorbing materials, and that works just fine. With basic equipment (like a good USB mic and free audio editing software), you can begin auditioning for projects.</p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Start by listening to popular narrators and voiceover reels on platforms like <a href="https://www.audible.com/">Audible</a>. Then record a demo reel using a basic script (you can find samples online) and edit it using free tools like <a href="https://www.audacityteam.org/">Audacity</a>. Since dubbing is in such high demand, a fun way to do this is recording some signature lines from your favorite dubbed anime characters. Some <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/RGWV2X" rel="sponsored">basic acting classes </a>can also help you get familiar with voice acting.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Post your reel and apply to jobs on <a href="http://acx.com">ACX.com</a> (Amazon's Audiobook Exchange), <a href="https://www.findawayvoices.com/">Findaway Voices by Spotify</a>, and <a href="http://voices.com">Voices.com</a>. You can also find freelance voiceover gigs on Fiverr, Upwork, and in podcast or indie author communities on Reddit and Facebook.</p>

How much do people in Portland, OR make? Filmed at the Pioneer Courthouse Square @c@capitalonecafe

<h2><strong>Less Saturated Side Hustles to Explore</strong></h2><p>The above side hustles are great areas to explore but there are so many other possibilities out there which much less saturation (and lower barriers to entry).&nbsp;</p><h2>8. Podcast Notes Writer ($30-$150/episode)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$30 - $150 per episode</p><p>Podcast notes writers get paid to listen to episodes and turn them into reusable content for summaries and timestamps, guest bios, and social media posts. Good show notes boost a podcast’s visibility and listener engagement, making this role in high demand, especially with business and educational podcasts.</p><p>This is a great gig if you love writing and are like a hawk with details. Don’t be discouraged by AI in this field because it can’t replace the perspective that is required for a podcast notes writer. AI doesn’t know their subject matter well enough nor the audience it’s designed to reach.</p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Choose a few favorite podcasts in the niche you want to explore (like travel, wellness, or tech) and write 1 to 2 sample episode summaries to build a mini portfolio. Use tools such as Google Docs or Notion for formatting show notes (utilize the built-in AI in them as well!). Bonus if you know how to optimize for SEO (search engine optimization) or create content repurposing templates.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Pitch podcasters directly via Instagram, LinkedIn, or their website contact forms. You can also search freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Slack groups for podcasters are another great place to network and find leads.</p><h2>9. Digital Decluttering Coach ($25-$150/hr)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$25 to $150 an hour</p><p>A digital decluttering coach helps people clean up and organize their digital lives, including chaotic email inboxes, cloud storage like their Google Drive, password management, and even their own videos and pictures on their phone. Unlike in-person organizers that declutter closets and kitchens, this type of organization can be done 100% remotely.</p><p>If you're someone who loves digital organization and helping others simplify their online life, this is a niche side hustle with growing demand. Many of us are extremely unorganized on our devices with no time to do anything about it. That's where you come in.</p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Decide on 2 to 3 services to specialize in, such as email management, digital file organization, password vault setup, etc. Create a portfolio (you can even use a case study from cleaning your own digital life) on a simple website builder like Canva, and offer free or discounted sessions to get testimonials. Bizway has a great article on <a href="https://www.bizway.io/business-ideas/for-digital-decluttering-and-organization">digital decluttering service ideas</a> to help you define your niche.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Promote your services on LinkedIn, Facebook groups for productivity and organization, or offer sessions on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and <a href="https://www.taskrabbit.com/services/online-tasks">TaskRabbit </a>(under virtual tasks). You can also pitch yourself as a productivity assistant or digital organizer to online business owners and creators.</p><h2>10. Help Small Businesses Set Up Automations ($50-$150/hr)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage:</strong> $50 - $150 an hour</p><p>Helping businesses set up automations so they can get more done (and make more money) is a huge area of opportunity right now. With the rise of AI, all anyone can talk about automation, and businesses desperately need it if they want to scale their operations.</p><p>This side hustle goes by many names, such as automation specialist or consultant, business operations engineer, or something similar. They automate tasks like client intake, email marketing, and sales funnels, and is a great side hustle for folks who love tech and figuring out cool ways to use it.</p><p><strong>How to get started:</strong> Pick 1 to 2 automation tools to learn well. <a href="https://zapier.com/">Zapier </a>is a great beginner-friendly platform. Practice building automations for your own workflows, or offer free help to a friend’s business to build a case study. Post your projects with before/after transformations on LinkedIn and follow automation experts to see how they position their services.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Pitch yourself directly to small business owners (like e-commerce store owners) who are active on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok. You can also find freelance automation gigs on Upwork and list your services on Fiverr or <a href="http://clarity.fm">Clarity.fm</a> under tech consulting.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/OekmYW" rel="sponsored">Automation for Business</a></p><p><strong>Read also: </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/top-jobs-of-2025">7 Highest-Paying In-Demand Jobs for The Future</a></p><h2>11. Online Reputation Cleaner ($300-$2,000/project)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$300 to $2,000 per project</p><p>Online reputation cleaners help their clients, usually people with a public-facing job or responsibility, manage how they appear on the internet. This also includes removing or pushing down any bad press or links about them.&nbsp;</p><p>This is a niche side hustle for people with a background in digital marketing, PR (public relations), or content strategy. It's also something people are willing to dish out a lot of money for. You're basically rewriting a person's online image (and history), and not many people know how to do that.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>How to get started:</strong> Learn the basics of SEO and digital PR using online courses or by moderating your own online presence. You can also pick a few of your favorite public figures to see how their own online reputations might be managed. Familiarity with tools like <a href="https://www.semrush.com/">SEMrush </a>and <a href="https://www.google.com/alerts">Google Alerts</a>, or reputation monitoring software helps too.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs:</strong> Offer your services on LinkedIn and pitch directly to professionals in industries where reputation matters (like law, real estate, influencer marketing, or local government). You can also network in PR Slack groups and other online business communities where reputation issues often come up.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/4GzWan" rel="sponsored">Introduction to Public Relations</a></p><h2>12. Digital Menu Consultant ($150-$750/project)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$50 to $750 per project</p><p>Digital menu consultants help restaurants and food businesses digitize their online menus and optimize them so they're easy to find online. This may include creating digital menus for QR codes and designing user friendly layouts. They may also include writing item descriptions and improving usability for online ordering platforms in their services.</p><p>This niche is growing in popularity as more restaurants want to go digital. Many restaurants are also starting to utilize QR codes for self checkout at the end of meals, which can be added as another task for a digital menu consultant. It’s a great opportunity for consultants who understand design, branding, and customer experience, all at once. <strong>And if you love food? It’s a win-win.</strong></p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Research popular platforms like <a href="https://www.musthavemenus.com/">MustHaveMenus</a>, Canva, or <a href="https://www.gloriafood.com/">GloriaFood </a>that restaurants use to build and share digital menus. Offer to revamp a local restaurant’s menu for free or a discounted rate (or a few free meals) to build your portfolio. Use that to showcase before-and-after examples that you can show potential clients.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs:</strong> Pitch restaurant owners directly via email, Instagram, or Google Business Messages. Join local business Facebook groups or walk into independent cafés to introduce yourself.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/7aEJXg" rel="sponsored">Google Digital Customer Engagement Specialization</a></p>

<h2>Remote Side Hustles That Pay Well</h2><p>Even though many of the side hustles we’ve already covered in this article can be done remotely, we’ve also identified a few <strong>that are strictly online</strong> and also great for remote workers to easily switch to after their 9 to 5.</p><p>Some of the remote side hustles below are actually listed as top remote <a href="https://checksalaries.com/resource-hub/high-paying-part-time-jobs">part-time jobs</a> on <a href="https://flexjobs.sjv.io/xL7Rm5">FlexJobs</a>, a remote job board that we recommend for anyone looking to work from home (or anywhere). They screen every job to make sure it’s legit, so there isn’t an ounce of spam on the site!</p><h2>13. Tutoring and Teaching Online ($20-$50/hour)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage:</strong> $20 - $80 an hour</p><p>If there is a specific subject you enjoy and excel in, consider tutoring others online for extra cash. All types of people and kids need tutoring for things like test prep and learning a skill or other language online.&nbsp;</p><p>You can tutor or teach online in subjects like math, english, and even music and dancing. Not only kids need those services either. Tons of adults meet with tutors and teachers online daily to learn new things.</p><p><strong>How to get started:</strong> Look for websites that hire tutors and teachers to see what subjects have the highest demand and what they pay. Be sure to stick to those that offer online services.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs:</strong> Use sites like <a href="https://www.varsitytutors.com/tutoring-jobs">Varsity Tutors</a>, <a href="https://tutormeeducation.com/fortutors/">Tutor Me</a>, and <a href="https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/careers/tutor">PrepScholar </a>to apply to be a tutor and find tutoring gigs. <a href="https://www.superprof.com/">Superprof </a>is a good site for those who also want to tutor in skills like music, dancing, accounting, and coding (they also pay up to <strong>$80 an hour</strong>). For teaching, you can find teaching gigs to teach English online with <a href="https://vipteacher-content-site.webflow.io/content/home">VIPTeacher</a>. You don’t need experience being an actual teacher, but you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and some teaching experience, whether that’s from tutoring, mentoring, or running training programs.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/e13AnO" rel="sponsored">Foundations of Teaching for Learning</a></p><h2>14. Create Digital or Physical Products to Sell ($60-$80/hour)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage:</strong> $60 - $80 an hour (or more)</p><p>If you’re creative in any way or just have an idea for something to sell, you can absolutely do that. There are so many shopping platforms available today that make it easy to quickly set up a shop. For instance, if you have an interest in something like Labubus, you could create accessories or clothing for them and sell them on sites like TikTok Shop.&nbsp;</p><p>The audience is already there on the platform. All you have to do is start talking to them. Show off your Labubu in the accessories or clothing you’ve created and direct people to your TikTok Shop.</p><p><strong>This is actually something Hannah and James talked about in a past episode of their podcast, Two Cents:</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

How to Monetize Your Labubu (Creative Side Hustle Ideas) | Two Cents by Salary Transparent Street

<p>If you don’t want to create and sell physical products, think of a digital product to create, like a budget tracker or how-to guide.</p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>Look at the type of products you want to create and see where there might be a gap in the market in the specific niche you want to sell in. Start scrolling on Instagram and TikTok and browsing shops to see if your idea already exists.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs:</strong> You don’t necessarily “find gigs” as an ecommerce store owner. Instead, you sell on different platforms or your own website. Create a store on <a href="https://business.tiktokshop.com/">TikTok Shop</a>, Etsy, or other frequently visited shopping platforms where users can easily find your products.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle:</strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/JK9mqq" rel="sponsored"> Make the Sale: Build, Launch, and Manage E-commerce Stores</a></p><h2>15. Web Developer or Designer ($40-$70/hour)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$40 - $70 an hour&nbsp;</p><p>This side hustle is perfect for those who work in tech, I.T., or have some experience working with websites, but you don’t need work experience to freelance as a web developer. You can even use no-code tools to build your webpages, like <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/">Squarespace </a>and <a href="https://www.wix.com/">Wix</a>, if you aren’t confident in your coding skills.</p><p>Before you can get clients, you’ll need something to show what you can do for them. This is when building a portfolio comes in, which is hard to do when you don’t have any projects to show yet. If this is the case, try building a website of your own, like a blog, or offer online creators a free mini website to add to your portfolio.</p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>If you already use this expertise in your job or have past personal projects to share, have a space that shows your work (like LinkedIn) and start reaching out to potential clients. Instagram and TikTok are full of creators, musicians, and artists who need websites built but have no idea where to start. Start reaching out to these types of accounts.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Fiverr and Upwork can be your starting points to help gain more experience and get samples for your portfolio. Then, get off the freelance marketplaces to take your own clients, which will help you earn more.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/WyED4Z" rel="sponsored">Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development &amp; Coding</a></p><h2>16. Video Editor ($30-$50/hour)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage: </strong>$30 - $50 an hour&nbsp;</p><p>Piggybacking off of the podcast notes writer side hustle we mentioned earlier in this article, podcasters are another group that need video editors for video podcasts and editing clips for social media.&nbsp;</p><p>All sorts of online content creators and business owners actually have a need for video editors because that’s mainly how they connect with their audience. For instance, YouTube has <a href="https://www.semrush.com/website/top/">48.6 billion visitors</a> a month. That’s a massive audience for video content! When you add in TikTok and Instagram Reels, you have <strong>another 7 billion on top of that.</strong></p><p><strong>How to get started: </strong>If you have video editing experience or create videos often for social media (either at work or personally), clean up one social media account of yours to showcase your best work. This is what you’ll use when reaching out to clients or applying to job listings.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs:</strong> Video editing gigs can be found on niche production job boards like <a href="https://www.productionhub.com/jobs">ProductionHub, </a>but also on most job boards that list part-time and freelance remote jobs, like <a href="https://flexjobs.sjv.io/xL7Rm5">FlexJobs </a>and LinkedIn. Our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board </a>is another great place to check!</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle:</strong> <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/WyZGYA" rel="sponsored">Start Your Freelance Video Editing Career Specialization</a></p><h2>17. Community Moderator ($30-$40/hour)</h2><p><strong>Average hourly wage:</strong> $25 - $40 an hour&nbsp;</p><p>Community moderators, also sometimes referred to as chat moderators or social media moderators, monitor conversations in different community platforms and respond to posts. This might look like granting access to members and enforcing community rules in a Facebook group, or responding to posts on a Discord server.</p><p>The tasks you’ll be performing as a moderator depends on the community and business it’s for. Some communities might require the scheduling and overseeing of events in the community on top of normal moderation duties while others might require monitoring for misinformation and removing spam.</p><p><strong>How to get started:</strong> If there are any communities you’re a part of and enjoy, reach out to its creator to see if they need any help managing the space. You can also reach out to any online creators you follow that you see are launching communities to see if there is an opportunity there.</p><p><strong>Where to find gigs: </strong>Community moderator gigs can be found on sites like <a href="https://web3.career/moderator-jobs">Web3 Jobs</a> and&nbsp; <a href="https://join.modsquad.com/join-the-mods/">ModSquad </a>or reach out directly to creators online on social media.</p><p><strong>Learn the skills needed for this side hustle: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/vP5Z2v" rel="sponsored">Social Media Management 101</a><br>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How to Start a Profitable Side Hustle That Isn't Exhausting</h2><p>As you dive in head first into the world of side hustling, don’t get too far ahead of yourself just yet. That’s how you exhaust yourself and eventually burn out. Start with what you already know or do well. Lean into skills you’ve already used at your job, in hobbies, or helping others (writing, organizing, customer service, etc.).</p><p><i><strong>We actually created a free </strong></i><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/side-hustle-quiz"><i><strong>Side Hustle Quiz</strong></i></a><i><strong> to help you decide what to do and how to do it. 👇</strong></i></p>

<p>Once you have a better idea of what you want to do, start small with at least one or a few of these actions each day.</p><ul><li><strong>Validate the demand before diving in: </strong>Search job boards, Reddit threads, TikTok or Instagram trends, or Google to make sure people are already paying for the service you want to offer.</li><li><strong>Start small, cheap, and fast: </strong>Don’t waste months building a business before you test it. Offer a sample version of your service to a few real clients and build from there.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Create a simple service menu or offer: </strong>Package your offer clearly (example: “1-hour podcast notes for $75” or "1 digital menu page for $500") so potential clients know exactly what they’re buying.</li><li><strong>Avoid platforms that don’t respect your time: </strong>If a gig app pays you $5/hour after fees and expenses (like drive time on gig apps), it’s not profitable. It doesn’t matter how much flexibility it offers.</li><li><strong>Build a repeatable system:</strong> Once you find something that works, create templates, workflows, or automations to keep things organized and reduce the time you spend per client.</li><li><strong>Use free courses to learn how to manage a business: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/bO0z6M" rel="sponsored">Building Your Freelancing Career</a> is a great one for beginner side hustlers.</li></ul><h2>Balancing Your Side Hustle With a 9-to-5</h2><p>As much as you want to make some waves with your new side hustle, be mindful of your current lifestyle and how you can remain grounded and balanced. You need to still make time for yourself between your job, second job, and personal life. This means scheduling your time for your side hustle outside of family and social obligations, as well as taking care of your health and rest.&nbsp;</p><p>Don’t sell yourself short on your pay either. Prioritize gigs that pay <strong>$20/hr or more </strong>(or what best matches your <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">market rate)</a> and allow you to work flexible hours without sacrificing your mental health. You know yourself best, so do what feels right.</p><p>And that's it for today! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, member of the <a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/">CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and side hustle expert quoted by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/13/side-hustles-for-spring-one-pays-as-much-as-150-per-hour-.html">CNBC</a>, TIME, and Buzzfeed. I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub">Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/">Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Want to join the movement? </strong>Explore over 13,000 individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database"><strong>Salary Database</strong></a>!</li><li><strong>Subscribe to our</strong> <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe"><strong>weekly newsletter</strong></a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li><li><strong>Do you know if you're being underpaid?</strong> <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz"><strong>Take our free quiz</strong></a> to find out!</li><li>If you need help finding a career that fits you, <strong>take any of our </strong><a href="https://www.salarytransparentstreet.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes"><strong>career quizzes</strong></a><strong> that comes with tons of free resources</strong>!</li><li><strong>Need help determining your market rate?</strong> Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47"><strong>Market Research Guide</strong></a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li><strong>Need help negotiating your salary?</strong> Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide"><strong>Salary Negotiation Guide</strong></a>!</li><li><strong>Follow us on</strong> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet"><strong>TikTok</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet"><strong>Facebook</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet"><strong>YouTube </strong></a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/"><strong>LinkedIn </strong></a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li></ul>

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mobile cover image with different people doing different side hustles against a green backgound with title text overlay that reads "top side hustles that won't burn you out"

17 Highest-Paying Side Hustles That Won’t Burn You Out

<p>In 2023, Salary Transparent Street made <strong>over $1 million</strong> in revenue. 🤯</p><p>We made <strong>$1,043,740</strong> to be exact – more than double what we made in 2022. Best of all? Our business grew while we got to do what we love: share <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/the-importance-of-salary-transparency">the importance of salary transparency</a> with the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>For some context: </strong>There are some important things to note about the ways content creators make money…</p><ul><li>Unlike people with salaried roles, content creators have uncapped earning potential. As business owners, the more we work, the more money we make.&nbsp;</li><li>We have business expenses, so our paychecks are <i>not</i> our revenue. Our take-home pay is a fraction of our gross revenue.&nbsp;</li><li>Because there are many different ways to make and spend money as a creator, creators’ earnings can vary a ton (even on the same platforms with the same audience size).</li></ul><p>In the spirit of transparency, we’re sharing exactly 1) how we got to $1 million, and 2) where it all goes. <strong>Let’s break it down →</strong></p><h2>How We Made $1 Million</h2>

We Made $1M in 2023 From Street Interviews | Salary Transparent Street

<h2>1. Brand Partnerships</h2><p>Brand partnerships are sponsored content – AKA when a brand we love pays us to make content. You’ll know it when you see it. This content must be labeled as a “paid partnership” or have #ad or #partner in the caption of our videos.</p><p><strong>The deets:</strong> At a total of <strong>$1,012,329</strong>, brand partnerships made up <strong>96%</strong> of Salary Transparent Street’s 2023 revenue. For full transparency of what we charge for partnerships, the market rate for videos on Salary Transparent Street’s channels is between $10,000 and $15,000. We prioritize long-term partnerships, which means that we work with the same partners for a set number of deliverables each month — and at our rate, that adds up quickly.</p><h2>2. Ad Revenue</h2><p>We get payouts from the platforms we publish content on including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. These platforms serve ads alongside our content, like when YouTube plays ads before and during videos, and they pay creators like us for bringing eyeballs to their ads. While each platform <a href="https://www.epidemicsound.com/blog/which-social-media-platform-pays-the-most/">pays creators differently</a>, their payouts are all correlated to views. So just by watching our content, you helped grow our business! 💚</p>

<p><strong>The deets:</strong> Ad revenue made up<strong> 3%</strong> of our total revenue, which comes out to $30,265. We don’t take it for granted either. That’s more than half of the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/average-salary-by-state/">average US salary</a>.&nbsp;</p><h2>3. Miscellaneous</h2><p>Merch sales, speaking engagements, and social media consulting made up the remaining <strong>1%</strong> of our revenue.</p><h2>Where the Money Goes (Our Expenses)</h2><h2>1. Our Salaries</h2><p>This year, I took home <strong>$125,000</strong> as a full-time CEO, while our incredible part-time cameraman (and my husband!) James took home <strong>$65,000</strong>.&nbsp;</p><h2>2. Paying Contractors and Part-Time Workers</h2><p>We worked with a social media manager, assistant, accountant, lawyer, and blog writer this year. In total, outsourcing this work cost us <strong>$361,058</strong>.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>3. Website Expenses</h2><p>We work with an awesome website development team to keep our website up and running (with amazing resources like our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>). That cost us <strong>$215,770</strong>.</p><h2>4. Marketing Expenses</h2><p>This year, we did a full brand redesign, built a media kit, and worked with an agency to produce our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">newsletter</a>. This cost <strong>$132,158</strong>.</p><h2>5. Travel Expenses</h2><p>In 2023, we traveled to 20 different states and Canada to spread transparency! Plane tickets, hotels, and rental cars added up to <strong>$37,039</strong>.</p><h2>6. General Expenses and Operations</h2><p>From platform subscriptions to insurance to film equipment, we spent <strong>$27,022</strong> to keep everything operating smoothly behind the scenes.</p><h2>What It Means to Us</h2><p>Earning $1M is cool and all (okay, I admit it—it’s <i>insane</i>). However, at the end of the day, our biggest accomplishments in 2023 weren’t tied to a number at all.</p><p>In that same year, we testified in support of Washington, DC’s <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/d-c-to-require-pay-range-in-job-ads-ban-salary-history-queries">Pay Range Act</a> (which passed and is going into effect in June 2024!), spoke with multiple state representatives about <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/pay-transparency-laws">pay transparency laws</a> and free speech legislation, gave back to our community through cash giveaways, and so much more.</p>

<p>In 2024, we hope to double our revenue again (that’d be <i>wild, </i>right?). More importantly, we want to share more valuable content and increase our charitable pool. I have a pretty good feeling we’ll reach our goals and then some – and it’s all thanks to your support. 💚</p><p>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</p><p>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</p><p>Explore over 5,000+ individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</p><p>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</p><p>Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com<br>&nbsp;</p>

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How We Made $1M From Street Interviews

<p>If you’ve just found the perfect <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-jobs-without-a-degree">high-paying job</a> for you and know in your heart of hearts that you can’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers, don’t just stop at creating an eye-catching resume. It’s time to learn how to write an unignorable cover letter to help you stand out and show the employer that you’re more than just what’s on your resume.&nbsp;</p>

brooklyn 99 gif of Amy says okay, I got this

<p>Cover letters are typically needed when you want to explain a career pivot or career gap from <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/what-to-do-when-you-get-laid-off">when you got laid off</a>, a relevant <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-side-hustles">side hustle </a>or business-owner experience that’s on your resume, or anything else from your resume that you think needs additional context.&nbsp;</p><p>However, <a href="https://resumegenius.com/blog/cover-letter-help/cover-letter-statistics">83% of managers</a> say differently and actually prefer job applicants to submit cover letters for every application they submit. When a cover letter is done well, it could be the deciding factor that pushes the hiring manager to give you a call.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Key points:</strong></p><ul><li>Hiring managers only spend 1 to 2 minutes reviewing a cover letter.</li><li>Avoid bells and whistles in your cover letter. You don’t need them.</li><li>Talk about your accomplishments and results that align with the position and needs of the company.</li><li>Don’t stop at the results, include some proof of those results with a link!</li><li>You need a new cover letter for every job you apply to, but our template can help with that.</li></ul>

<h2>3-Part Cover Letter Structure</h2><p>A cover letter is short, sweet, and straight to the point. It shouldn’t be any longer than one page.</p><p><strong>After your contact details, stick to a simple 3-part format for your cover letter:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Introduction: </strong>The “what, where, and why” you’re applying. Provide a brief statement that helps you stand out, along with what position you’re applying for, the company you’re applying at, and why you’re applying.</li><li><strong>Body:</strong> Provide a story of your achievements that align with the position, including results, metrics, and any other proof.</li><li><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Thank the reader with a call to action to meet and discuss.</li></ol>

<h2>How to Write a Cover Letter Step-By-Step (With Examples)</h2><p>The majority of cover letters are horrible. They’re generic, bland, and boring. That’s where you and all your unique qualities come in.&nbsp;</p><p>“The best cover letters I’ve read have one thing in common—they feel personal and intentional,” says Julia Stalnaya, CEO at Unbench. “A strong cover letter connects the applicant’s experience to the company’s challenges and needs. It’s not just about listing skills. It’s about showing how those skills can solve problems or add value.”</p><p>Get creative and flip the traditional cover letter format on its head by using it to show <i>exactly </i>what you’re good at.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>A strong resume and cover letter combo can make all the difference. We’ve partnered with<a href="https://secure.money.com/lp/resume-builder/lp/best-resume-builders-sts?pcuid=keae7ea2e027&amp;jump_from_embed=true&amp;wafid=" rel="sponsored"> Money.com’s top-rated resume builders</a> to help you build a professional resume fast, <i>even if you're starting from scratch</i>.</p><h2>Avoid anything unnecessary.&nbsp;</h2><p>Common advice for writing a perfect cover letter includes a lot of things that you just don’t need. You don’t need to pull any design punches on your cover letter (unless you’re applying for a designer position, of course). Your cover letter also doesn’t need your picture, street address, nor the street address of the employer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A heading with your name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile link, and date is all you need.&nbsp;</p><h2>Start off strong and don’t waste any time in your introduction.</h2><p>Your introduction should lead right into why the position is perfect for you and what you bring to the table. Talk about why you’re interested in the position and company and show that you understand the company and its challenges. You can even list 1 or 2 things you would do or past results from what you’ve done to address those needs.</p><p>“When it comes to writing a unique cover letter, I recommend starting with a bold, specific opening that immediately demonstrates your knowledge of the company,” says Lauren Mastroni, a career expert at Resume Genius. “For example, ‘When I read about [Company's] recent innovation in [specific area], I knew my experience in [your expertise] could provide exactly the strategic approach you're seeking.’”</p>

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<p>When crafting a cover letter, remember that it’s you writing it and not some corporate drone desperate for a job. As much as it may seem like you need to fall in-line with everyone else in a corporate landscape – or any work environment for that matter – and follow a set script, that’s not true.</p><p>While yes, employers are looking for people that fit into their work culture, they also want employees with diverse perspectives and creative thinking skills that will help them get the results they need. Start off any cover letter you write with that in mind.</p><h2>Be short, sweet, and straight to the point.&nbsp;</h2><p>Avoid giving a generic summary of your resume or adding excessive flattery and filler words. A cover letter shouldn’t be longer than one page.&nbsp;</p><p>Imagine you’re a hiring manager who’s short on time. They may review your cover letter in 1 to 2 minutes and judge from that short amount of time if they’ll be calling you for an interview. You’ll need to pull some creative punches in that amount of time to keep them engaged and curious to talk to you.</p><h2>Write your cover letter with intention and purpose.</h2><p>Don’t only talk about why you’re perfect for this position. Back up your claims with past results that align with the job description. Show them your value and why you aren’t like every other job candidate.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>

ron burgundy gif of him saying i don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal"

<p>This will also help you when <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer">negotiating salary</a> and why your market salary is what it is. Your value illustrated in your resume and cover letter will naturally lead to the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/job-interview-questions-and-answers">interview questions and answers</a>, and will stay at the top of the hiring manager’s mind.</p><h2>Put your unique spin on it</h2><p>The secret sauce to writing an unignorable cover is not only showing off how you stand out, but also being able to grab the reader in ways they might not expect.&nbsp;</p><p>For instance, if you’re applying for a writer position, you know your target audience and how to hook them. They’re most likely a hiring manager that also has writing experience and will judge your writing throughout the letter.&nbsp;</p><p>“One cover letter that stood out to me started with a simple, bold statement: ‘I know how to solve [specific problem related to the role]. Let me show you how,’ Stalnaya says. “Clearly, this person had researched the company, understood the role, and came in ready to make an impact. Ignoring it wasn’t an option.”</p>

<p>If you’re a marketer, show that you know how to market yourself well for the position. Even refer to it when concluding the letter with something like, “I’m excited about this opportunity and know I’m the perfect fit for this position, especially from how well I marketed myself in this letter.” You can show your cleverness as long as you keep it professional.</p><p>For a few other examples, cover letters for designers that include an appealing design will help them stand out, while software engineers can include a code snippet they wrote that solved a past significant issue. This shows exactly how they solved a problem that aligns with the job description and the results it had.</p><h2>Catch their attention and don’t let go.&nbsp;</h2><p>Go above talking about your results and show them actual proof of your results. This can be a link to a public facing marketing campaign that you helped put together, a video you helped produce, published articles or designs, or any way that you can show results of your work and the quality of your work.&nbsp;</p>

a gif of a workout trainer saying I'm all about results 

<p>Hiring managers love links where they can easily navigate to your results and see first-hand how you’ll fit into the role.</p><h2>Wrap it up.</h2><p>Briefly summarize why you’re a good fit and how you’re excited for the opportunity to possibly be able to contribute to their team. Also Thank them for their time and consideration, and a call to action to discuss further with contact details attached.&nbsp;</p><h2>Cover Letter Template (With Examples)</h2><p>Do you need to create a new cover letter for each job you apply to? <strong>Yes.</strong></p>

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<p>It’s a good thing we have a template for that!😊&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Use the below template and examples to put together your own cover letter:</strong></p><p>Your Name</p><p>City, State | Phone number | <a href="mailto:email@email.com">email@email.com</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a></p><p>Dear Hiring Manager,</p><p><strong>Introduction: </strong>[Start off with something that catches their attention, the position title you’re applying for, the company you’re applying at, and why you’re interested]&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Example: </strong>“With over 11 years of experience in IT and technical writing, I’m excited to apply for the Lead Technical Writer position at Oracle. I’m passionate about closing the communication gap in tech and that is not possible without data – something that was revolutionized thanks to Oracle. With the type of influence and the values Oracle holds, I feel like I would be making a real impact while being able to take the next big step in my career.”</p><p><strong>Body:</strong> [Go into a story that shows some of your accomplishments (2 or 3) and results that align with the position you’re applying for]&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Example of accomplishment 1: </strong>“The reason I’m so interested in this position is my proven track record as an engineer and technical writer. In my current Technical Writer role, I was able to increase the company’s monthly tech blog output by 100% [link to tech blog], with some of them reaching the first page of Google search results and boosting web traffic. Not only that, but their top competitors that already had entirely built out tech blogs, are now outdated compared to the output quality and frequency of my technical articles. This also caught the attention from other teams to have me help with other writing projects, such as product guides and internal knowledge hubs.”</p>

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<p><strong>Example of accomplishment 2:</strong> “My past role as a Lead Reliability Engineer, after I was promoted from a Senior Software Engineer, really shows my experience and results in documentation and process improvement. Having governed a team of 40 ITSM (IT Service Management) managers and assisted them in building out their knowledge article hubs, internal documentation, and incident response processes, I was able to help reduce incident durations and decrease financial impact by 50% in one year for that department.”</p><p><strong>Example of how you would explain unconventional items on your resume, such as recent self-employment or employment gaps:</strong> “What might seem a little unconventional on my resume is my self-employment experience for the blog I run and the freelance writing I do: [link to a writing portfolio]. I still work on these projects part-time for only a few hours a week and it doesn’t interfere with my work as a technical writer. It was actually what helped me get my current job and grow my writing skills.”</p>

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<p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>[Show that you’re excited about the opportunity and look forward to speaking with them. Include a call-to-action with your contact details to set up a meeting and then thank them for their time.]&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Example: </strong>“I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to Oracle and am looking forward to the possibility of contributing to your team. Please contact me at (XXX)XXX-XXXX or email@email.com to set a meeting to discuss the role further. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!”</p><p>Sincerely,</p><p>Your Name</p><h2>Last-Minute Tips for The Perfect Cover Letter</h2><p>When you think you’ve done your best work putting together your cover letter, it’s time to get a second set of eyes on it. You can ask a mentor or a colleague to take a look at it and provide any feedback they have.&nbsp;</p><p>If you keep in contact with any past managers on LinkedIn, it might be a good idea to message them and ask them to review it. It’s best to get a perspective from someone who regularly reads cover letters and is involved in hiring processes.</p>

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<p>Once you've submitted your cover letter, don’t forget to follow up!&nbsp;</p><p>Either way, you’re on your way to blow some hiring managers’ minds. We just know it.</p><p>Need more help with landing your next job and increasing your income? Browse our other resources, including guides on <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-scripts">salary negotiation scripts</a> and <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/salary-negotiation-myths">myths</a>, <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits">how to negotiate benefits</a>, <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/how-to-ask-for-a-raise">how to ask for a raise</a>, and more!</p><p>That wraps it up for this week. Until next time, stay awesome, stay strong, and keep advocating for yourself no matter what! I’m Daniella Flores, a former engineer who writes about tech, money, and careers, a current member of the<a href="https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/financial-review-board/"> CNET Money Expert Review Board</a>, and career researcher that’s appeared in TIME, CNBC, and Investopedia (among many others). I’m extremely passionate about workers' rights and financial freedom, so it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you this type of content through the<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub"> Resource Hub</a> (thank you for the opportunity, Hannah!) You can also follow me on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamarquez/"> Linkedin</a>. Chat soon!</p><p>If this guide helps you land a higher-paying job, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ <a href="mailto:hello@checksalaries.com">hello@checksalaries.com</a></p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Street resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/are-you-underpaid-free-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-market-research-guide">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Need help negotiating your salary? Download our free <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/free-salary-negotiation-guide">Salary Negotiation Guide</a>!</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

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How to Write An Unignorable Cover Letter (With Examples)

<p><i>Heads up: This article may include affiliate links or sponsored content from brands we trust. Using them doesn’t cost you anything and helps support our mission.</i></p><p>Becoming a speech language pathologist (SLP) gives you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives <i>and make a steady income doing it.&nbsp;</i></p><p>While the path requires a master’s degree and clinical hours before you can get licensed, it’s one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/highest-paying-healthcare-jobs">higher-paying healthcare jobs</a> out there with tons of different work settings and the opportunity to do deep meaningful work.</p><p><strong>Ok, but first, what does a speech language pathologist do? </strong>Simply put: they help people communicate. For adults, that may mean helping a brain injury patient restore their communication skills. For kids, that may mean helping them with speech and language development, including finding alternative ways of communicating for nonverbal children.</p><p>We interviewed a licensed pediatric speech language pathologist, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatssojayah/">Jayah</a>, to share how she got into the field, what she makes, and tips for those who also want to get into speech language pathology.</p>

<h2>Why Jayah Chose to Become a Speech Language Pathologist</h2><p>Jayah chose speech language pathology thanks to her mom, who owned a daycare and also worked in the special education field. This gave Jayah early exposure to the world of therapeutic support for children.</p><p>“She introduced me to the speech therapist at her school and once I got the opportunity to shadow her, I knew it was the field for me,” says Jayah. That shadowing experience where she got to see the daily job of a speech language pathologist firsthand was the turning point that solidified her career choice.</p><h2>How to Become a Speech Language Pathologist</h2><p>It isn’t exactly an easy path to become a speech language pathologist. You need a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology before you can even become licensed. But once you get into the field, it's one of the <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/most-secure-jobs">most secure jobs</a> with a projected 15% growth rate by 2034.</p><p>Jayah faced significant challenges along the way. “I got rejected by over 10 schools and it took me 4 years to finally get accepted,” she shared. Graduate programs for speech language pathology are highly competitive, with the average acceptance rate being 30% to 40%, according to the <a href="https://www.asha.org/siteassets/surveys/2023-asha-speech-language-pathology-assistants-survey-results.pdf">American Speech-Language-Hearing Association</a> (ASHA).&nbsp;</p><p>More competitive schools accept only 10% to 20% of applicants, but that doesn’t mean you have no chance of getting in. Persistence definitely pays off, as Jayah has shown us.</p><p><strong>As you start looking into speech language pathology requirements and programs, use this full list of requirements as your checklist:</strong></p><ul><li>A Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders</li><li>A Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology</li><li>1,260 professional supervised hours after completing your degree (also known as your Clinical Fellowship Year)</li><li>Pass the SLP Praxis exam</li><li>Get licensed in your state (<a href="https://www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org/state-licensing-overview/">requirements</a> vary by state)</li></ul><p><strong>Also read:</strong> <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/healthcare-careers-guide">How to Get Into Healthcare (+Tips From Real Healthcare Workers)</a></p><p><strong>Free course to learn the skills for this job: </strong><a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kOnK9n" rel="sponsored">Voice Disorders: What Patients and Professionals Need to Know</a></p><h2>Where Do Speech Language Pathologists Work?</h2><p>There are a variety of work settings available to speech language pathologists, so you have some flexibility to choose an environment that matches your interests and lifestyle.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Common work settings include:</strong></p><ul><li>Public and private schools</li><li>Hospitals and medical centers</li><li>Rehabilitation facilities</li><li>Nursing homes and long-term care facilities</li><li>Private practices</li><li>Early intervention programs</li><li>Home health care</li><li>Teletherapy companies</li></ul><p>School-based speech language pathologists work during the academic year with summers off (unless they work another contract), while medical settings may offer higher pay with more flexibility. Nursing, residential care facilities, and hospitals offer the highest pay, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>.</p><h2>How Much Do Speech Language Pathologists Make? Salary &amp; Benefits</h2><p>When we interviewed Jayah (shown at the beginning of the article), she is on track to make <strong>$110,000 to $125,000</strong> <strong>this year</strong> as a pediatric speech language pathologist. Before that, the highest she earned from one job was $85,000.&nbsp;</p><p>The setting you choose to work in and your location has a lot to do with how your salary varies. For example, self-employed speech language pathologists tend to make more than those who are employed somewhere, as Jayah also indicated in her interview. This is partially why Jayah said in her interview that she would much rather have her own practice. This also allows her more flexibility.&nbsp;</p><p>But with your own practice, you aren’t getting health insurance benefits provided like you would be as an employee somewhere. Jayah recommends to “get a plan that makes sense to you”. You may have to do some shopping around on <a href="http://healthcare.gov">Healthcare.gov</a> to find a plan that’s affordable. When you negotiate a competitive package at an employee, don’t forget to<a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-benefits"> negotiate your benefits</a>, including healthcare if you can!</p><p><strong>For what other speech language pathologists make, we dug into some data from the BLS and our </strong><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database </a><strong>of over 13,000 publicly shared salaries from our community. This is what we found:</strong></p><ul><li>The national median salary is <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-1">$95,410</a> per year, according to the BLS.</li><li>The industry where speech language pathologists are paid the most is nursing and residential care facilities, which is a median salary of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-5">$106,500 </a>per year.</li><li>The highest recorded salary in our Salary Database for speech language pathologists is <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSpeech+Language+Pathologist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$230,000</a> per year. Their salary entry indicates they have 28 years of experience and work healthcare remotely full-time.</li><li>The second highest recorded salary in our Salary Database is <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database?query=job_title%3DSpeech+Language+Pathologist&amp;page=1&amp;sortByField=calculated_annual_salary&amp;sortOrder=-1&amp;filters=">$154,000</a>. Their salary entry indicates they have 23 years of experience and work a healthcare contract on-site.</li></ul><p>When you’re ready to enter the job market as a speech language pathologist, or any job for that matter,<strong> don’t forget to </strong><i><strong>always</strong> </i><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/negotiate-salary-offer"><i>negotiate your salary</i></a><i><strong>!&nbsp;</strong></i></p><p><strong>Download our</strong> <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> <strong>to find out how much you should be getting paid, then download our Salary Negotiation Guide to use hand-in-hand to prepare for any job offer.</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Pro tip: </strong>If you want to get a better idea of the different things speech language pathologists do, check out our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/job-board">Transparent Job Board</a> and search for “speech language pathologist” to read different job descriptions from different companies and organizations!</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Last-Minute Tips for Aspiring Speech Language Pathologists</h2><p>As you’re exploring a speech language pathologist career path, the best thing you can do to determine where you should go in the field is to shadow someone. Shadowing was what showed Jayah that the field was perfect for her and getting insight from others helped her plan her career path.</p><p>You can also take free online courses to get introduced to the field and start building skills early. We recommend starting with the <a href="https://imp.i384100.net/kOnK9n" rel="sponsored">Voice Disorders: What Patients and Professionals Need to Know</a> course on Coursera.</p><p>It’s also helpful while in school to find an entry-level healthcare job within speech pathology or an adjacent field to start gaining some insight into the industry. This could be a front desk receptionist job at a facility or hospital, a doctor office staff job that verifies insurance and enters patient records, or a school where you would handle student records or handle assistant-level work. It’s also great experience to add to an application for a master’s program to show how much you’re already actively pursuing the job.</p><p>It might take you a while to get licensed to practice, but that’s no excuse to pause on gaining useful skills directly from the field. That’ll just make you that much more experienced and ready to make a difference in other people’s lives when the time comes!</p><p>To learn more about Jayah, connect with her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatssojayah/">Instagram</a>!</p><p><strong>This article is a part of our “Meet Your Neighbor” series</strong>, where we highlight real career paths and real paychecks from across the country.</p><p><strong>Read more from the series:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/flight-attendant">How to Become a Flight Attendant With No Experience</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/freelance-ghostwriter">How This Freelance Ghostwriter Built a $200K Business</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/certified-anesthesiologist-assistant">How This Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Makes $300K a Year Without Going to Medical School</a></li><li><a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/from-baseball-to-law-to-tech">From Professional Baseball Player to Software Tester</a></li></ul><p>If this guide helped you start or pivot to a career in the airline industry, let us know! Send us an email ➡️ hello@checksalaries.com.</p><p><strong>For more Salary Transparent Resources:</strong></p><ul><li>Want to join the movement? Explore thousands of individually reported salaries nationwide across all industries in our <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/salary-database">Salary Database</a>!</li><li>Do you know if you're being underpaid? <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/p/underpaid-quiz">Take our free quiz</a> to find out!</li><li>Check out our other <a href="https://www.checksalaries.com/resource-hub/topic/quizzes">free career quizzes</a> in areas like trade jobs, tech, and side hustles .</li><li>Need help determining your market rate? Download our free <a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ccc8e1e8046b220253e47">Market Research Guide</a> to learn what you should be making.</li><li>Follow us on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/salarytransparentstreet/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salarytransparentstreet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/salarytransparentstreet">YouTube </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/salarytransparentstreet/">LinkedIn </a>for daily pay transparency interviews and career news you can use!</li><li>Subscribe to our <a href="https://salarytransparentstreet.beehiiv.com/subscribe">weekly newsletter</a> for news updates, professional deep dives, learning opportunities, and more!</li></ul>

Green cover image with an illustration of a speech language pathology team and title text overlay that says "becoming a speech language pathologist"

Green cover image with a speech language pathology team illustration and title text overlay that says "how to become a speech language pathologist"

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