The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2006 women's average salaries were only 77 percent of men's, at $32,515 and $42,261 respectively. There is still a sizeable wage gap between men and women. According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, part of this gap can be explained by the careers chosen by many women. Retail sales, clerical and service work account for over half of all positions held by women, and these jobs tend to be relatively low-paying. If you're a women stuck in a job that pays less than you'd like, it's not too late to return to school and find a new career. Today's online on-campus degree programs are more flexible than ever, making them ideal for non-traditional learners juggling family time, work and school. The following well-paying jobs are all accessible to women looking for a mid-career change.
Education Administrator
If you are already working in education, perhaps as a teacher or teacher's aide, a master's degree or PhD in education administration can help you make the move into management. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for education administrators should be excellent because many experienced administrators are expected to retire within the next 10 years. Careers in education administration include daycare managers, principals at K-12 schools, college administrators or deans, and managers in school district offices who might focus on subjects like math, music or special education. BLS data indicates that in 2007 the median annual income for elementary and secondary school administrators was $80,580.
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Human Resources Manager
Women tend to excel in human resources thanks to their excellent interpersonal skills. Human resources managers generally need a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field like business administration or communications. Especially if you have a bachelor's degree already, a master's degree in human resources management can help you to climb to upper management at top companies. In a human resources management degree program you will study topics like compensation and benefits, negotiation and mediation, recruitment, and staff development. According to a May 2007 BLS report, human resources managers' median annual wages were $54,280 per year.
Entrepreneur
The Center for Women's Business Research reports that women own 10.4 million firms in the United States, which is over half of all businesses. Entrepreneurship is beginning to be a female-dominated sector. Even if you already have experience in business, studying entrepreneurship can give you valuable training before you make the financial, emotional and time commitment required to start your own business. Many master's degree programs in business administration offer an entrepreneurship concentration. Look for courses that give you a solid grounding in business basics, such as accounting, bookkeeping, management principles and business law. There is no such thing as an average salary for entrepreneurs if you have a great idea and the skills to execute it, there is no limit to the success you might have.
Personal Financial Advisor
If you have a head for numbers and good communication skills, you might excel as a personal financial advisor. Advisors help clients define and achieve their investment and money management goals. To get started, you need at least a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field. Typical coursework includes economics, finance, statistics, accounting and business administration. According to the BLS, one-third of personal financial advisors are self-employed, so it is a great career choice for women who would like to set their own working hours. The BLS reports that the 2007 median income for personal financial advisors was $89,220.
Psychologist/Therapist
Psychologist is another career with a high rate of self-employment -- 34 percent. To begin a practice as a family therapist, you must earn at least your master's degree in psychology; a doctorate is required for most other specialties including school psychologists. A master's degree can be earned in two years, and a doctorate requires five to seven years of graduate study. If you have children, you might find that a career as a school psychologist is a great fit for your schedule. Most school psychologists work only during school hours and have time off during the summer. According to the BLS, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists earned a median annual income of $62,210 per year in 2007.
Making a mid-career change is a huge step, but many women find that the potential benefits of a higher salary and a more engaging job are worth the risks. New technologies such as online degree programs help to reduce the upheaval by allowing women to keep their current jobs and schedules while they earn their degrees. If you've wanted to try something new but hesitated to take the first steps, now might be the perfect time to begin your journey.
