Jobs That Pay $60,000 a Year

By Rachel Zupek,

So, you want more money? Welcome to the club. We've been waiting for you.

These days, it seems no one is satisfied with the amount of zeros at the end of his or her paycheck.  According to a new CareerBuilder.com survey, 83 percent of employees are living paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they would need to earn an extra $251 to $500 more per paycheck to live comfortably, while 12 percent said they need to earn $501 to $750. Twenty percent of workers say they would need to earn more than an additional $1,000 more per check to live comfortably.

With the current national median salary at $40,690, these statistics are as surprising as they are expected. If you're looking to earn a few more dollars per paycheck, here are 15 jobs that earn between $60,000 and $69,999 annually, which are also expected to experience growth through 2016.

1.   Appraiser

Annual mean income: $60,689*

Projected employment in 2016: 118,000**

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 17 percent

2.   Architect

Annual mean income: $62,246

Projected employment in 2016: 155,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 18 percent

3.   Communications editor

Annual mean income: $68,267

Projected employment in 2016: 124,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 9 percent

4.   Computer Programmer Analyst

Annual mean income: $65,911

Projected employment in 2016: 650,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 29 percent

5.   Counseling psychologist

Annual mean income: $64,851

Projected employment in 2016: 176,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 16 percent

6.   Pediatric nurse

Annual mean income: $61,467

Projected employment in 2016: 3,092,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 23 percent

7.   Physician assistant

Annual mean income: $63,655

Projected employment in 2016: 83,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 27 percent

8.   Property leasing manager

Annual mean income: $65,320

Projected employment in 2016: 379,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 15 percent

9.   Seismologist

Annual mean income: $66,749

Projected employment in 2016: 38,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 22 percent

Web developer

Annual mean income: $66,864

Projected employment in 2016: 157,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 15 percent

10.  Media manager

Annual mean income: $66,931

Projected employment in 2016: 651,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 12 percent

11.  Meteorologist

Annual mean income: $68,594

Projected employment in 2016: 9,700

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 11 percent

12.  Purchasing manager

Annual mean income: $69,373

Projected employment in 2016: 72,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 3 percent

13.  Vascular technologist

Annual mean income: $69,036

Projected employment in 2016: 57,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016: 27 percent

14.  Video producer

Annual mean income: $62,476

Projected employment in 2016: 103,000

Increase between 2006 and 2016:11 percent

Jobs 2011 - Six Figure Jobs

(No M.D., No J.D., No Problem!)

As we each search for our personal pot of gold, many of us wonder whether the rainbow leading us to a six-figure paycheck has to be so long. We want financially rewarding jobs, but not everyone is eager to commit the time and money necessary to complete a medical or law degree. 

The good news is that, even though statistics have shown that more education translates to higher earnings, there are still plenty of six-figure salary jobs for those of us who have decided not to take the seven-years-and-a-stethoscope route. The following is a list of seven lucrative fields in which the top-earning 25 percent of workers take home more than $100,000 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That percentage proves there is real potential for sizeable salaries within these fields, even if your résumé doesn't boast a lengthy list of alma maters. 

Though some of these positions are filled by people with graduate degrees, a bachelor's degree and a little initiative could get you well on your way to a six-figure salary. 

Sales Managers 

Salary of top 25 percent: $127,820* 

Median salary: $87,580 What they do: Sales managers establish company or team sales goals and coordinate training programs for sales representatives. They monitor sales statistics and customer satisfaction, and make adjustments to sales strategies as needed. 

How to get the job: The educational background of sales managers varies. Managers frequently work their way up the ranks of a company -- often starting as sales representatives -- and many companies have established management training programs. 

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents 

Salary of top 25 percent: $123,910 

Median salary: $67,130 What they do: Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents buy and sell stocks, bonds and other financial products. They may also inform clients about financial markets and counsel them regarding their financial portfolios. 

How to get the job: The majority of financial sales agents have college educations, and have taken courses in business, economics and finance. Securities and commodities agents must pass state licensing examinations, and many firms require agents to complete in-house training programs. 

Financial Managers 

Salary of top 25 percent: $118,150 

Median salary: $86,280 

What they do: Financial managers' responsibilities vary, but they generally oversee the preparation of financial reports involved with accounting, investing, banking, insurance and securities. They can also develop financial strategies for their organizations. 

How to get the job: Employers expect financial managers to have a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics or business administration, and increasingly expect a master's degree in one of these fields as well. Depending on the company and the specific position, professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation may also be required. 

Computer and Information Scientists, Research 

Salary of top 25 percent: $113,830 

Median salary: $91,230 

What they do: Computer and information scientists act as theorists, designers or inventors while developing solutions to computer hardware and software problems and researching computer technology. 

How to get the job: A bachelor's degree is usually a prerequisite for filling these positions, with most of the more technically complex jobs reserved for workers with graduate degrees. 

Actuaries 

Salary of top 25 percent: $112,360 

Median salary: $81,640 

What they do: Actuaries are often employed in the insurance industry. They assess the potential for various types of risks and design insurance policies and other financial strategies in order to reduce the potential cost of those risks. 

How to get the job: In addition to a bachelor's degree, there are a series of examinations that actuaries must complete to gain full professional status. 

Personal Financial Advisers 

Salary of top 25 percent: $107,470 

Median salary: $63,500 

What they do: Personal financial advisers provide guidance to clients regarding financial decisions. Many financial advisers specialize in a particular field, such as retirement planning or risk management. 

How to get the job: Most financial advisers hold a bachelor's degree in finance, economics or accounting. Certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation can strengthen an adviser's professional standing. 

Public Relations Managers 

Salary of top 25 percent: $106,440 

Median salary: $76,450 

How to Start a New Job on the Right Foot

Whether you're a recent graduate who recently accepted your first "real" job or a seasoned professional, walking into a new workplace for the first time can be very stressful. Keeping track of new people, processes, policies, and priorities is taxing.

These tips can help you make a positive impression during your first weeks on the job:

Don't be a stranger. You could get off on the wrong foot with others if you sit back and wait for them to reach out to you. Shyness can come across as unfriendliness or even snobbery.

Be sure to make the rounds in your first week on the job and introduce yourself to new colleagues, even those you may be working with only in a limited capacity. The more affable and outgoing you are, the quicker you'll be able to build rapport and gain access to valuable information and resources.

Get a read on the company. Company handbooks aren't necessarily page-turners, but you can't afford to ignore the content within. Making incorrect assumptions about personal web usage, electronic security, the social media policy, or the dress code can cause problems.

While many of these issues will likely have been touched upon during your orientation, taking the time to read up on all protocols and procedures will keep you from accidentally running afoul of rules.

Pay attention to the unwritten rules, too. The nuances of the prevailing corporate culture aren't always spelled out in black and white. Does the boss like to receive updates via email or in-person chats? Are laptops typically brought to meetings? Do people actually observe "casual Friday"? Astutely observing people's behaviors, work styles, and communication preferences--and adjusting yours accordingly--will make your adjustment smoother.

Practice proper diplomacy. Your manager will expect you to offer fresh perspectives and solutions. But be cautious about how and when you present your ideas and feedback.

It's wise to give your thoughts when asked or to occasionally share some initial impressions, but do so in a tactful and respectful manner. There's no better way to alienate yourself than to come across as a brash know-it-all. In addition, avoid overt criticism and comparisons to your previous workplace.

Pace yourself. It's admirable to want to immediately establish yourself as a capable go-getter. But you won't impress anyone if you over-promise and under-deliver.

Give yourself some time to get a firm handle on your core duties and responsibilities before volunteering to tackle every side project you hear about. By biting off more than you can chew, you could burn out or set an unsustainable precedent when it comes to your workload.

Finally, cut yourself some slack. Don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake or have to ask lots of questions during your first weeks on the job. And when you encounter those inevitable moments of self-doubt, remember that your new manager and colleagues know it's difficult to be the new kid on the block. Chances are, they're granting you a grace period to get up to speed.

by Doug White,