About 2.2 million workers earned wages at or below the minimum wage in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Whether you're part of that staggering statistic or not too far from it, the prospect of a $40-an-hour career might seem more like fantasy than reality. Believe it or not, a world of careers await for those with the right career training.
Career training for a salary boost
Imagine what you could do with a $40/hr salary; pay off bills, buy a few new toys or maybe take that vacation you've been considering. Instead of living paycheck to paycheck, you could put money away for your future. When you invest in a degree or certificate program, you give yourself the skills you need to earn what you deserve with a career you love and a salary you love even more.
Offer: Search for Schools
Make the $40/hr paycheck a reality with just a few years of career training. Lucrative careers in finance, IT, education, business and more potentially await those with the right education. Check out a few popular careers that pay over $40 an hour, with 2008 salary statistics by the BLS.
$40+ career #1: information systems manager
Mean hourly wage: $57.07
Combine your love for technology with top-notch management skills as an information systems manager. You'll oversee a team of people and machines as you work to create an efficient workplace. These high-tech managers rise through the ranks as project managers, systems analysts and related professions.
Recommended training: A bachelor's degree in management information systems is recommended; some managers also hold an M.B.A. with a specialization in technology.
$40+ career #2: marketing manager
Mean hourly wage: $56.81
Tap into the mind of the average consumer and earn a handsome reward for your knowledge as a marketing manager. You'll need to have a strong grasp of statistics and psychology along with the ability to manage a team working through stressful deadlines. Work your way up the ladder by starting out as a market research manager, another lucrative career.
Recommended training: Marketing managers often hold a bachelor's degree in marketing; some also earn a marketing M.B.A. degree.
$40+ career #3: air traffic controller
Mean hourly wage: $51.97
Take charge of the friendly skies as an air traffic controller. If you can handle the stress and excitement of the control tower, a healthy salary awaits. Controllers enjoy flexible hours and big benefits. High transfer and signing bonuses have been reported in areas of exceptional need.
Recommended training: A full four years of college are required for any potential air traffic controller without full-time work experience in the field.
$40+ career #4: personal financial advisor
Mean hourly wage: $44.69
Managing other people's money is a lucrative pursuit for personal financial advisors. Even in tough economic times, skilled financial advisors help their clients navigate taxes and investments and earn a bundle while they're at it. Looking for a bonus beyond salary? The field is projected to grow 41 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations. Personal financial advisors typically hold a bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, finance, mathematics, business or law.
Recommended training: Look for programs with coursework in taxes, investments, estate planning and risk management.
$40+ career #5: education administrator
Mean hourly wage: $44.67 (postsecondary)
Ever wonder why your elementary school principal was always in a good mood? Maybe the salary had something to do with it. Working in administration requires a lot of organization and management skill, because you'll oversee everything from hiring to student discipline. Education administrators earn healthy pay at all levels, and those at the college level easily break the $40/hr barrier.
Recommended training: Administrators often start their careers as teachers and typically hold a master's or doctoral degree in education administration.
$40+ career #6: construction manager
Mean hourly wage: $43.16
Looking for a lucrative job that gives you a chance to step out of the office? This lucrative blue-collar career might surprise you. Construction managers work closely on high-rises and houses, often visiting the site to manage multiple aspects of the project. Workers usually have a background in construction and experience on job sites in addition to formal education.
Recommended training: The career typically requires a bachelor's degree in construction management, construction science or civil engineering.
$40+ career #7: computer software engineer
Mean hourly wage: $42.26
Tired of worrying about your job's staying power? Go for an option with strong growth potential. Computer software engineers enjoy one of the fastest growing IT jobs available, with a 38 percent projected growth through 2016. As a computer software engineer, you'll design and develop the software that individuals and businesses rely upon.
Recommended training: Workers typically hold a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science.
Degrees and certificates boost your resume
Though the careers above are very different, they each have one thing in common; hiring managers typically prefer or require training among applicants. While no degree or certificate can guarantee a job, educating yourself is one of the smartest ways to prepare your skills and your resume for a lucrative career. A few years in school could prepare you for a career that earns you more money for the rest of your working life. What's not to love?
