Across the country, some Americans are looking squarely in the eyes of the recession and not blinking. Their secret? A $75,000+ paycheck. Learn how you can use an education to unlock the salary secrets that could mean finally securing your admission into the $75k club.
Career training boosts salaries
You're tired of worrying about the next round of layoffs, or you're looking ahead to big financial commitments in the future. No matter why you're thinking about it, a big boost in salary seems particularly appealing during difficult economic times. Wouldn't it be nice to save a little extra, just in case you need the extra funds down the line?
Believe it or not, salaries over $75,000 are possible, even in this economy. Careers in health care, business and IT are possible. With the proper career training, you can shorten the path between you and a comfortable $75k salary. Check out these top jobs that could mean finally earning the salary you deserve. In some cases, the required training might not be as difficult as you'd think.
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Career #1: Engineering
Tired of a job that doesn't leave any room for creativity? Create the blueprint for your future with a career in engineering. Engineers of all kinds are behind the systems and products we use every day. Your commute to work would be impossible without a civil engineer, and the computer you're sitting at now would vanish without computer hardware and software engineers. As an engineer, you get a chance to play a vital role.
Depending on your specialty, a master's degree in engineering could mean a big salary boost. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers earned mean annual wages of $77,970 in 2008. That same year, wages for electrical engineers clocked in at $85,350, and computer hardware engineers earned a whopping $100,180. For high-level technical careers, a master's degree in engineering might be required.
Career #2: Accounting
A career in accounting goes way beyond tax-time. Accountants work year-round keeping small and large businesses compliant. With a bachelor's degree plus your CPA license, you'll be prepared to analyze and process financial data. Accountants might work internally within a company, publicly, for the government or at the management level.
Salaries for accountants vary widely based on your education, location and specialization. The BLS reports that accountants working at the management level earned mean annual wages of $64,220 in 2008. That same year, accountants working for the federal government earned $84,520. Those working in New York earned $80,420.
Career #3: Marketing
Are you always the first one on the block with a certain gadget? Can you tell what fashion trends will be popular before the season begins? Combine your skills for spotting trends and your leadership ability into a lucrative career in marketing. Workers in this profession interpret research, analyze trends and work with consumers to determine what people really want. You'll find a marketing team in any large company that sells a product. Plenty of researchers and managers also work in government, academia or on their own as consultants.
Enter the profession as a market research analyst with a bachelor's degree; these workers earned mean annual wages of $67,340, according to the BLS. That same year, marketing managers earned mean annual wages of $118,160. An additional degree, such as an M.B.A. with a concentration in marketing, is recommended for management positions in the field.
Career #4: Nursing
You love taking care of others, but with an advanced nursing degree, you can take care of yourself and your family. Nursing is one job that offers the benefits of a health care career without the long med school education. Specialize in a particular field within nursing and earn even more.
Become a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree and you'll earn a healthy mean annual wage of $65,130, the BLS reports. With more education and a master's degree, specialization means more control over your career and a bump up to the $75k club. According to Indeed.com, salaries for neonatal nurse practitioners -- nurses who work with babies -- average $76,000.
Career #5: Programming
Get up close and personal with the inner workings of machines as a computer programmer. The innovator in you will appreciate the chance to create new worlds using the power of advanced programming languages. The BLS notes that nearly half of all programmers hold a bachelor's degree, meaning your advanced education could give you an edge against the competition.
Depending on your location and experience, it's possible to break the $75k salary mark as a programmer. Computer programmers across the industry earned $73,470 in 2008, the BLS reports. Those working for software publishers earned $83,340 that same year, while programmers living in Washington state and California earned $85,800 and $82,820, respectively.
Reveal your true job potential
Looking for a second chance at a better salary? An education offers you the power to control your own career's future. While no degree or certificate program can guarantee a certain job or salary, hiring managers in the job categories above typically prefer or require a formal education among applicants. A degree program helps you rise above the rest as you prepare to enter the $75k club with confidence.
