Last updated Mar. 13, 2023 by Charles Zemub
For many people, it’s never been easier to get rich. Just look at the past decade: We’ve seen huge stock market gains, a boom in real estate prices, and even a rise in ‘superstar’ CEO salaries.
If you’re wondering how you can get in on the action, plenty of jobs will give you an edge toward earning (or saving) more money, but they might not be what you think.
I asked personal finance expert Brad Barrett for his recommendations to find out which jobs offer the best chance of making serious cash. Here are 14 high-paying positions with low barriers to entry:
Air traffic controller
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to land an air traffic controller job. You’ll also need to be comfortable with heavy workloads and working in high-pressure situations.
Air traffic controllers are expected to work long hours and weekends when necessary, so you must be able to balance your personal life with the demanding nature of this job.
In addition to being patient and good with people, air traffic controllers must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work well in teams.
Dental hygienist
As a dental hygienist, you can be part of your patient’s healthcare team. You’ll help patients maintain oral health by preventing gum disease and cavities.
This can involve educating them about proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as making sure they get the necessary dental care when it’s needed.
The job has high earning potential: The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $70,000 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
It’s also a great way to earn money while working with people who need help which could make all the difference if you’re looking for a career path that impacts others’ lives while still affording you some financial security.
Financial adviser
Financial advisers help clients manage their money and plan for their financial futures. These experts use their education, training, and experience to guide clients through financial decisions like saving for retirement and investing in stocks.
They can also advise you on insurance policies or how to manage a small business’s finances.
To become a financial adviser, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in finance or business administration, emphasizing personal finance (or related area).
You may also be required to take exams that measure your knowledge of accounting principles and investment strategies. In addition, many states require some kind o licensing or certification from the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) before going into business as an independent adviser.
For example, the SEC requires prospective advisers to pass its Series 65 exam before receiving licenses; this test covers basic financial principles such as asset allocation and market volatility risk analysis.
Computer systems analyst
Computer systems analysts are in charge of creating and implementing new systems, applications, and networks. Therefore, they need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related disciplines, often with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Many employers also require experience with programming languages like Java, C++, or Python.
Most companies expect you to work well as a team and independently when necessary because these positions can involve heavy lifting.
For example, you may have to do server installs and other physical tasks around the office building yourself if there aren’t enough people around to help.
Physician’s assistant
If you want to earn much money, being a physician’s assistant is one of the best jobs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for physician assistants was $100,530 in 2016, meaning half of all working physician assistants made more.
The job involves helping doctors diagnose and treat patients. In addition, you’ll perform medical tests, take vital signs, and prescribe medications. You might also have training in medical specialties like surgery or psychiatry.
This combination of duties makes this career path highly sought-after by many people looking for high-paying careers in healthcare.
Physician’s assistants usually work full-time hours Monday through Friday, with some weekends spent working, depending on how busy their clinic gets throughout the week (you can expect around 40 hours per week).
Software Developer
If you’re interested in earning more money, then becoming a software developer is something you should consider. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all computer programmers and systems analysts was $102,280 in May 2017 — almost double 20 years ago!
The BLS says that most software developers work for computer systems design firms, operating system publishers, and other establishments with less than 250 employees. But there are plenty of opportunities with larger companies like Google or Microsoft where you can earn even more than average (though these positions tend to require higher degrees).
Here’s what it takes: You need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field; experience working on multiple projects at once; strong communication skills; good time management skills, excellent problem-solving abilities, and creativity.
Nurse practitioner
Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is an excellent choice if you want to earn a good living but don’t have the time or money to return to school for more training. To become an NP, you need to be a registered nurse and have a master’s degree in nursing. You also need two years of experience as an RN and pass one of the national certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Each state licenses NPS they practice in and must demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology through licensure exams.
Personal finance adviser
You must have a bachelor’s degree and a Certified Financial Planner® designation. The CFP® is the gold standard for financial planners; it takes real work to earn this title.
You must also demonstrate that you have at least three years of experience advising clients on management or investment strategies and can set up comprehensive financial plans for them.
In addition, you’ll need excellent communication skills, good math skills (you’ll be calculating tax consequences), strong computer skills (to pull up your client’s balance sheet at any time), solid financial knowledge (so that you know what advice is appropriate for each situation) and good time management abilities to offer all clients their meetings by appointment only.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon or oral surgeon
Becoming an oral surgeon may be one of your best options to get rich and make a difference in people’s lives. According to Payscale, oral surgeons earn $187,100 annually— that’s just the beginning.
As an orthodontic specialist or pediatric dentist, you’ll see patients who need braces or retainers. As an oral surgeon, you’ll work with patients suffering from cancerous tumors or other diseases affecting their mouths or jaws. It’s not glamorous work (some patients come in with missing teeth), but it is rewarding and lucrative!
To become an oral surgeon:
- Earn a medical degree from an accredited university.
- Complete three years of general surgery residency training at hospitals approved by the American Dental Association (ADA)
- Complete one year of specialized surgical residency training at hospitals approved by ADA or documented evidence of completion of equivalent training.
- Pass Part 1 (written) and Part 2 (clinical skills) examinations administered by ADA within five years from completion date; pass Part 3 examination within five years after passing Parts I & II tests; complete necessary continuing education requirements for license renewal if applicable.
Physician (medical doctor)
You may have heard that becoming a doctor is one of the best ways to get rich. The average physician earns around $208,000 annually, well above the median income for all jobs in America. And this figure doesn’t include additional benefits like bonuses and profit-sharing plans.
But before you go rushing off to medical school (which usually takes four years), consider that becoming a physician requires significant time and effort: you’ll need to complete college, then graduate from med school (four more years), pass licensing exams, complete three years of residency training (where you’ll be paid less than $40k/year) before finally being able to enter private practice as an independent contractor with your own office and staff. In other words: it’s not going to be easy!
You’ll also face fierce competition for top spots in medical schools and highly competitive residencies once you’ve graduated—and there are no guarantees that those who do make it through will ever see their dreams come true anyway. According to Forbes magazine: “Only 7 percent of physicians reach the level where they earn more than $500K annually.”
Orthodontist (dentist)
Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in correcting misaligned teeth. They’re trained in dentistry but undergo additional training to become orthodontists.
The pay is high, and the job outlook is good. In addition, if you like working with people, you’ll be able to help them improve their smiles.
The pay is excellent because orthodontists typically charge more than other dentists because they specialize. They have a technical procedure that often takes longer than traditional dental care procedures (such as filling cavities).
They also tend to spend less time on each patient visit since there’s no need for deep cleaning or root canals in nearly all cases; an orthodontist would be used instead of a regular dentist.
Marriage and family therapist
You’ll need a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy to get this job. You can find work in hospitals and mental health clinics or run your private practice.
Pharmacist (hospital)
As the name suggests, hospital pharmacists are responsible for the safe and effective use of medications.
Pharmacists must have a doctorate from an accredited university. They must also pass the Pharmacy Council of Canada licensing exam, demonstrate two years of pharmacy experience, and submit a criminal background check.
Once you’ve made it through all these hoops, you can start your career as one of these professionals who earn more than $100K annually.
Market research analyst, marketing specialist, or marketing manager.
This job is perfect for you if you’re interested in the business side of a company and not so much about the products themselves.
You’ll need a strong interest in how companies function and make money and a knack for statistics, research methods, and problem-solving skills.
The position can be found in all sorts of industries, including technology, healthcare, retail, and finance, to name just a few.
- Marketing manager. If you love managing people more than products (or vice versa), this career path could be right up your alley. A marketing manager oversees all aspects of advertising campaigns—from developing creative concepts to implementing strategic plans—which means they’re usually responsible for developing new ways to make their brand stand out from competitors.
Jobs that make you rich fast
Many people want to make money fast but don’t know where to start. Fortunately, there are plenty of jobs out there that can help you earn a good living without much experience. Here are a few of them:
The world of freelance work is always available for those who want to earn extra cash. Designers and writers are two popular freelancers, but if you have a unique talent in any field, you can always find someone to pay you to use it.
For example, if you’re good at fixing cars, you might have a hard time getting a regular job because there’s no room for growth in that industry—but if you offer to do it as a freelance service, you could end up with dozens of clients and be able to set your rates.
Creating your own business is an excellent way to make money quickly. Starting your blog or online store is just two ways to make money.
The internet makes it easy to run an online business. Another great idea is creating a food truck.
Jobs that make you rich fast without a degree
Several jobs can make you rich fast. These jobs don’t require a college degree. They also don’t need a lot of experience or training. Jobs that make you rich fast are typically jobs that pay very well.
Some examples of jobs that make you rich fast are personal trainers, hair stylists, and freelance writers.
If you like to write and have an entrepreneurial spirit, freelance writing may be for you. Of course, you will have to research and find clients, but the good thing about freelance writing is that there is always a demand for articles on various topics from expert sources.
You can choose the area of expertise you want to focus on to attract the right clients. Once you get regular clients, making $100 per article or more is easy, depending on the length and complexity.
The downside is that there is no steady paycheck and no benefits such as insurance or retirement plan.
Good read: 6 steps to get rich and legitimate
Frequently Asked Questions
Which job is best to become rich?
In a friendly tone: It’s not easy to get rich. A few lucky people get incredibly wealthy and famous early in their lives, but they’re the exception rather than the rule.
I decided to research which jobs offer the best chances of getting rich. I looked at the top ten wealthiest people in each field, then averaged their net worths to determine a number for each job. Here are my results:
1. Doctor – $23.2 million
2. Lawyer – $16 million
3. CEO – $13 million
4. Engineer – $11 million
5. Architect – $10 million
6. Real estate agent/broker – $8 million
How can a teenager become a billionaire?
There are two ways to become a billionaire: you’re born into money and keep it or you make your own. So how can a teen start make their own money?
The easiest way is through an established company, but teens could get jobs as tutors, babysitters, or office assistants if these positions aren’t available. They could also sell things they make themselves: homemade crafts, baked goods, clothing, etc.
In addition to finding work for pay, teens can try different businesses and see what sticks. In addition, they can ask friends and family to invest in their products.
Even if they don’t have the money to offer up front, they can always give shares of the profits in exchange for using the capital.
A teen willing to take on riskier ventures has an opportunity to strike it rich—all they need is a great idea. Some of the youngest billionaires got rich by creating websites like Facebook and Instagram.
Another way is to invent: someone has made billions off of toys, medical supplies, and even candy. And if it’s not a product but instead a service that brings in the big bucks (like Google or Uber),
How can a kid be a billionaire?
How is it possible for a young person to become a billionaire? Here are some of the significant points to consider:
1. He started very early
2. He had an idea that was ahead of its time
3. He built his company from the ground up rather than joining an already well-established company
4. He had good timing, and his company took off when technology made it possible
5. He used advertising in creative ways to increase sales and profits.
What jobs do the top 1% have?
The top 1% of earners in the US are often called the “working rich” people who don’t necessarily have inherited wealth and have earned their money through hard work.
As it turns out, hard work comes in all different forms. But, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution, no one type of job encompasses the most common position among the highest income bracket.
It’s a wide range of careers and industries. Some are surprising, like dental hygienists and doctors, who earn an annual median income of $161,000 and $208,000, respectively.
And others fall more in line with what many would expect, like CEOs at $245,000 a year. The graphic below shows just how far-reaching these working rich jobs are:
How can I be a billionaire?
The first step to becoming a billionaire is to start saving. Of course, it will take time to become a billionaire if you don’t have much money, but it’s not impossible.
You’ll have to start small. Start by asking your parents for an allowance or perhaps getting a job. Then, when you get your salary, put half of it into savings and the other half into spending.
What is considered rich?
What is considered rich? This question has been asked by many people and has sparked lots of debate. I have sometimes wondered what constitutes rich because we all want to be rich, but it’s hard to justify what the point of that is.
Many say anyone making $75,000 a year or more can be considered rich. However, others say you can’t be regarded as rich unless you make well over $1 million a year.
And, of course, everyone else says you’re only wealthy when living off of passive income or your investments in the stock market.
A survey conducted by Goldman Sachs shows that $250,000 is the magic number for being “rich.” The data from the survey showed that only 1/3 of respondents felt they were “rich” until they made $250,000 a year.
Why do people care? Does it matter? If you are happy with your life, should it matter to anyone else if you consider yourself rich? Once people make more than $250,000 annually feel the need to flaunt their wealth.
They think they aren’t genuinely successful if others don’t know how much money they make.
Summary
If you’re thinking about a career in one of these fields, it’s essential to consider whether you have the right skills.
In many cases, even if you have the education or training necessary for one of these jobs, you still need to be good at math, science, technology, and communication. You might also need the ability to solve problems independently or manage others.
Below we offer some tips on how to improve these skills so that they’re ready for high-paying careers in these areas:
It’s important to know that many other factors can affect how much you make at a job. For example, some companies pay more because they’re more competitive or need skilled workers in specific fields.
These numbers also reflect the cost of living in different places worldwide, so if someone makes over $100k per year but still can only afford an apartment with two bedrooms and one bathroom? Their salary might not be enough to live comfortably and save for retirement.
