For Teen Vogue, by Emma Sarran Webster.
When you’re picking what you want to do for your career, there are lots of things to factor in. Whether it brings you joy, or fulfillment, is a big one. Another: your natural abilities, or your drive to learn the ins and outs of the profession. And then, there’s the money.
Last year, the average American worker made $48,320. Of course, that number, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, factors in some super high salaries, as well as some pretty low ones. But, which jobs brought that average up, and which pulled it down? Glassdoor took a look at its own salary data (based on information shared by employees), and found some surprising results, which it shared in a new report released today. It shows the surprising median annual base salaries of 11 different jobs, established from at least 30 salary reports each. Take a look ahead at some jobs with eye-opening salaries, in no particular order.
Anesthesiologist
Median Base Salary: $294,811
When high-paying jobs come up in conversation, people often default to doctors as one of the usual suspects. But, did you know anesthesiologists are some of the highest-paid specialists in the field? These doctors make an average of nearly $300,000 per year — more than $100k higher than physicians, who earn an average of $175,929.
Related: 11 Jobs That Pay $100K or More
Paramedics
Median Base Salary: $36,000
On the other end of the health care spectrum, though, are paramedics, who make an average of $36,000 a year. First responders are crucial in the medical field when it comes to emergencies, but unlike anesthesiologists and other doctors, paramedics don’t need a medical degree — or any type of college degree, for that matter — to do the job.
Software Engineer Intern
Median Monthly Pay: $5,275
Most people seek out internships based on career experience and opportunities that can be gained, rather than money. That said, it’s still interesting to know what interns in various fields make. With the constant evolution of technology, software engineers, or developers, are seriously in-demand — so much so that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs available in the field are expected to grow 17% by 2024, significantly more than all jobs. So, when you think of it that way, it’s actually not super surprising that software engineer interns are paid so well: If they worked year round, that $5,275 salary would equate to a solid median base salary of $68,576.
News Reporter
Median Base Salary: $34,746
The career of a news reporter may seem glamorous and seriously lucrative, and sure, for people like the hosts of Good Morning America or E! News, it is. But, most of those people informing you of the latest local and world updates actually earn 28% less than the average American worker, at $34,746.
Railroad Conductor
Median Base Salary: $66,238
Railroad conductors do a lot more than you may see on TV (where they wear an official-looking hat and stand in front of the train) — according to Glassdoor, they’re responsible for the train itself, its freight, as well as all the passengers and crew. It’s a big job, and one that pays 37% more than what the average American worker makes, requiring special training, but not a college degree.
Median Base Salary: $58,085
While average scientists earn just over $86k per year, food scientists — who also need college degrees at minimum, and ideally master’s degrees as well — make significantly lower than that, at $58,085 per year. But, these specialized scientists, who research, analyze, and enhance foods, do make more than the average American worker.
School Principal
Median Base Salary: $100,438
As for the professionals tasked with educating America’s children, some might be surprised that school principals on average, make $100k per year. Though most schools require that the principals have master’s degrees, many people take on that role after being teachers themselves. And once they do become the heads of schools, their average salary is more than double that of elementary school teachers.
Elementary School Teacher
Median Base Salary: $46,967
Elementary schools teachers pull in an average salary that’s far less than what principals make, at $47,967. (Middle school teachers earn slightly more, with an average salary of $54,978.) Though principal roles do typically require a master’s degree, many believe teachers (many of whom also obtain post-graduate degrees), and public schools, should receive more financial support than they currently do.
Chief Executive Officer
Median Base Salary: $177,800
Contrary to what it may seem, not every CEO is Mark Zuckerberg-style wealthy. Rather, the average CEO nets $177,800 per year. Of course, that’s still a hefty payout, but it just probably won’t afford you the private jets and multi-million dollar vacation homes.
Actor
Median Base Salary: $35,310
Before you sign up for acting classes in hopes of raking in millions, keep in mind that the obscenely wealthy Scarlett Johanssons of the world are the exceptions, not the rules. The reality is that actors average just over $35k per year, about enough to cover three months’ mortgage in Ashley Benson’s recently sold manse.
President of the United States
Base Salary: $400,000
There’s a job that comes with a pretty great paycheck but also a tonof responsibility, though we hear there’s only an opening every four years: the President of the United States makes a salary of $400,000, plus more than $150,000 for travel, entertainment, and other expenses.
Check out further insights from Glassdoor’s list of 11 shocking salaries, here.
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