PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT JOBS

Considering the amount of schooling and training it takes to become an engineer or lawyer, it’s no surprise that these jobs are in the top echelon when it comes to pay.

But as a new report from job site, there are plenty of other high-skill, high-paying jobs that don’t involve litigating or blood.

With nearly half the list comprised of jobs in the tech and healthcare industries, report reinforces that higher salaries are found in America’s fastest job-creating sectors, which require higher education and in-demand skill sets,

Best Jobs are as follow:

Attorney

Median base salary: $94,695

Number of job openings: 1,010

An attorney represents and advises people, businesses, and government agencies in criminal and civil litigation.

Nuclear engineer

Median base salary: $94,852

Number of job openings: 155

A nuclear engineer conducts research on nuclear engineering projects or applies principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

Financial planning and analysis manager

Median base salary: $94,862

Number of job openings: 501

A financial planning and analysis manager performs business and financial analysis to help the company measure its success and predict its needs.

Scrum master

Median base salary: $95,167

Number of job openings: 2,072

A scrum master helps facilitate an agile development team

Plant manager

Median base salary: $97,189

Number of job openings: 1,286

A plant manager heads the daily operations of a manufacturing plant.

Systems architect

Median base salary: $97,873

Number of job openings: 1,167

A systems architect is an IT professional who creates networking and computer systems. A systems architect is responsible for provisioning, configuring, and operating the network systems that form the backbone to a business. This involves offering technical support, or even research for a long-term improvement plan.

User experience manager

Median base salary: $98,353

Number of job openings: 263

A UX manager heads a team of designers who improve the usability of a product

Information-technology-solutions manager

Median base salary: $98,883

Number of job openings: 250

An IT solutions manager runs a company’s technology infrastructure.

Actuary

Median base salary: $99,507

Number of job openings: 463

An actuary analyzes the financial consequences of risk and uncertainty. Actuaries look at uncertain future events, especially those related to insurance and pension programs. Many actuaries work for insurance companies, but are also needed at consulting firms, government, employee benefits departments of large corporations, hospitals, banks, and investment firms.

Data architect

Median base salary: $102,091

Number of job openings: 1,438

A data architect integrates and maintains data relevant to the business. They understand how the data relates to business operations and the effects any future changes will have on the use of their data in the organization.

Solutions architect

Median base salary: $102,678

Number of job openings: 4,174

A solutions architect collaborates on projects with colleagues and is responsible for the overall design of the company’s application or product. They also meet with clients, turning requests into designs and recommending best practices.

Nurse practitioner

Median base salary: $104,144

Number of job openings: 12,566

A nurse practitioner diagnoses and treats acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team

Software architect

Median base salary: $104,754

Number of job openings: 1,147

A software architect provides a software development team with all of the tools they need to put together a great system and communicates the vision to stakeholders. They don’t have to be expert programmers — they must understand what their systems are meant to provide solutions for.

Information-technology architect

Median base salary: $105,303

Number of job openings: 250

An IT architect designs ways to upgrade an organization’s computer systems

Software engineering manager

Median base salary: $109,350

Number of job openings: 1,011

A software engineering manager heads a team of engineers that maintain and develop software.

Corporate controller

Median base salary: $110,855

Number of job openings: 259

A corporate controller oversees an organization’s accounting department.

Research and development manager

Median base salary: $111,905

Number of job openings: 185

A research and development manager directs all research and company development programs and initiatives, which involves introducing new products into the business framework, and providing recommendations to update and improve existing infrastructure and products.

Applications development manager

Median base salary: $112,045

Number of job openings: 516

An application development manager maintains business operations by planning, coordinating, and supervising all activities related to an organization’s software applications. They also maintain support and upgrade existing systems and applications essential to the business.

Physician assistant

Median base salary: $112,529

Number of job openings: 13,547

A physician assistant provides healthcare services typically performed by a physician including conduct complete physicals, providing treatment, and counseling patients.

Enterprise architect

Median base salary: $112,560

Number of job openings: 1,320

An enterprise architect conceptualizes the structure and operation of an organization.

Patent attorney

Median base salary: $139,272

Number of job openings: 525

A patent attorney advises inventors, investors, and manufacturers about the laws related to patents.

Pharmacy manager

Median base salary: $149,064

Number of job openings: 2,370

A pharmacy manager oversees and manages pharmacy operations.

Physician

Median base salary: $187,876

Number of job openings: 7,770

A physician examines patients and treats injuries and illnesses.

Tips to choose the right career:

Evaluate Your Work Style

The right career for you will be suited to your work style. Are you a self-starter who accomplishes goals on your own, or do you need the discipline of a structured work environment to do your best? An honest evaluation of your work style will help you decide whether a career where you work independently is right for you. If you’re naturally a daydreamer or a procrastinator, you may do well in a career where a supervisor help you stay on task.

Know Your Talents

Do you have a hobby or a talent that you love and are good at? Think of ways to transform activities that come naturally to you into a career. Working with wood, playing an instrument or trying different hair styles can lead to careers as a custom furniture marker, a musician or a hair stylist. Doing what you love can lead to a rewarding career.

Set Financial Goals

One of your goals should be to choose a career where you can earn enough money to meet your financial goals. If you want to own a vacation home on every continent and fly to these homes on your private jet, a career as a retail clerk will probably not help you achieve your goals. You may have to make some compromises along the way, but generally speaking, the career you choose should allow you to meet your financial goals.

Do the Math Before Going Back to School

Before you pay or, worse, borrow money for college or graduate school, make sure the career you choose is worth the expense. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost of an undergraduate college education rose 25 to 37 percent between 2000 and 2010. If you need to go back to school to qualify for your dream job, look into programs that repay your student loans if you work in a public service position for a few years after graduation.

Assess Your Social Needs

You’ll spend one-third of your life with the people you work with, so choose a career that’s a good social fit. If you’re a loner who doesn’t enjoy social interaction, you may be well-suited to a career where you work independently or work from home. If you love to meet new people, you may find a career in sales fulfilling, where you work with the public.