Computer specialists top the list of the 25 highest-paying occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate's degree, while technicians of various kinds dominate the list, according to a report by the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.acinet.org).
Eleven of the 25 highest-paying occupations have "technicians" or "technologists," in their titles, with nuclear technicians (3rd on the list) the highest paid among these. Most of the occupations on the list require technical skills related to engineering, electronics, mechanics, or science.
The balance of the list--with a few notable exceptions--consists of occupations in the health care and medical industries, such as dental hygienists (4th on the list), registered nurses (8), diagnostic medical sonographers (9), and respiratory therapists (19).
The few highest-paying occupations that don't fall into the above categories include fashion designers (6), insurance appraisers (auto damage) (15), funeral directors (17) and fish and game wardens (24).
The chart below reflects the median hourly and annual wages in 2007 for the highest-paid occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate's degree.
# |
Occupation |
Median Wages, 2007 |
Hourly |
Annual |
| 1 |
Computer Specialists, All Other |
$34.38 |
$71,500 |
| 2 |
Radiation Therapists |
$33.66 |
$70,000 |
| 3 |
Nuclear Technicians |
$31.80 |
$66,100 |
| 4 |
Dental Hygienists |
$31.12 |
$64,700 |
| 5 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
$31.09 |
$64,700 |
| 6 |
Fashion Designers |
$30.20 |
$62,800 |
| 7 |
Commercial Pilots |
N/A |
$57,500 |
| 8 |
Registered Nurses |
$27.54 |
$61,600 |
| 9 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers |
$28.85 |
$60,000 |
| 10 |
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay |
$28.35 |
$59,000 |
| 11 |
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
$26.95 |
$56,100 |
| 12 |
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians |
$26.41 |
$54,900 |
| 13 |
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers |
$25.99 |
$54,100 |
| 14 |
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians |
$25.07 |
$52,100 |
| 15 |
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage |
$24.76 |
$51,500 |
| 16 |
Geological and Petroleum Technicians |
$24.50 |
$51,500 |
| 17 |
Funeral Directors |
$24.21 |
$50,400 |
| 18 |
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians |
$24.16 |
$50,300 |
| 19 |
Respiratory Therapists |
$24.07 |
$50,100 |
| 20 |
Electrical and Electronics Drafters |
$23.68 |
$49,300 |
| 21 |
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians |
$23.56 |
$49,000 |
| 22 |
Avionics Technicians |
$23.13 |
$48,100 |
| 23 |
Fish and Game Wardens |
$23.00 |
$47,800 |
| 24 |
Industrial Engineering Technicians |
$22.83 |
$47,500 |
| 25 |
Mechanical Engineering Technicians |
$22.73 |
$47,300 |
For a Limited Time receive a
FREE Compensation Market Analysis Report! Find out how much you should be paying to attract and retain the best applicants and employees, with
customized information for your industry, location, and job.
Get Your Report Now!