8 high-paying jobs, including Trader Joe’s role with $100k+ annual salary
8 high-paying jobs, including Trader Joe's role with $100k+ annual salary
Surprising Job Salaries: When Paychecks Exceed Expectations
In 2021, the average salary in the United States was $60,575, according to the Social Security Administration. While many well-respected jobs come with competitive paychecks, there are some fields where the salaries may surprise you.
Insider has compiled a list of eight jobs that offer much higher salaries than one might expect. Let’s delve into these roles and uncover some of the fascinating details behind them.
1. Court reporter/simultaneous captioners
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners are professionals who capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings. With approximately 14,200 individuals employed in this field, the mean annual salary is $70,290, averaging $33.79 per hour.
To enter this field, you’ll need an associate’s degree or complete a two-to-three-year court reporting program to become certified. During this program, students learn grammar, phonetics, legal terminology, transcription preparation, and how to use equipment like a stenomask and a stenotype machine. Many community colleges and technical schools offer certification programs, which include licensing exams and typing tests. Additionally, on-the-job training is crucial and varies across employers.
2. Captain at Trader Joe’s
Ranked among Forbes’ 2019 America’s Best Employers, Trader Joe’s offers substantial remuneration to its captains. With a six-figure base salary of $104,756 and additional pay of approximately $16,351, captains earn a grand total of $121,107 per year.
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The role of a captain at Trader Joe’s involves directing store strategy and developing the crew. Captains are always promoted from within the ranks, starting as assistant store leaders, known as mates. Preferred qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, retail, or a related field, along with a minimum of two years’ managerial experience in a retail setting.
3. Elevator and escalator installer/repairer
Elevator and escalator technicians play a vital role in assembling, installing, repairing, and maintaining commercial freight and passenger elevators, as well as escalators. With 24,380 technicians employed in this field, the mean annual salary is $93,960 (equivalent to $45.17 per hour), more than twice the hourly rate of an emergency medical technician.
To become an elevator and escalator technician, a high-school diploma or equivalent is typically required. Most technicians learn their trade skills through apprenticeship programs. Additionally, most states mandate licensure for technicians providing services in the field.
4. Car-wash manager at Buc-ee’s
Buc-ee’s, famous for being the largest gas station worldwide, takes pride in offering substantial compensation to its employees. A car-wash manager at Buc-ee’s earns an impressive $125,000 annual base salary. The perks include a 401(k) with a match of up to 6%, mental, dental, and vision insurance, as well as three weeks of paid time off.
Candidates applying for this position must have a minimum of three years of car-wash-management experience and proficiency with hand and electric tools. Though not mandatory, a bachelor’s degree in business or management is preferred.
5. Technical writer
Technical writers play a vital role in simplifying complex technical information and transforming it into user-friendly documents, including instruction manuals, how-to guides, and FAQ pages. Employed primarily in the computer, science, and technology sectors, technical writers earn a mean annual salary of $86,760 ($41.71 per hour).
While a bachelor’s degree is not always a requirement, it is generally preferred. Having a technical background can also be advantageous in this field.
6. Bingo manager
Bingo managers oversee and manage bingo games in casinos, game halls, or parlors. They are responsible for approving jackpots and payouts to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. According to recent salary data, bingo managers can earn between $51,965 and $112,599 annually, with a mean salary of $70,241.
To qualify for this position, a high-school diploma or equivalent is usually required, along with three to five years of experience in the field.
7. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods, often across multiple states, in trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds. While the mean annual salary for truck drivers is $53,090 ($25.52 per hour), some employers offer significantly higher pay to meet growing demand. Walmart, for instance, increased its starting salary for first-year long-haul drivers to between $95,000 and $110,000.
Candidates interested in becoming truck drivers must possess a high-school diploma and a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which requires completing a driver-training course lasting up to six months. New truck drivers often receive on-the-job training and work alongside experienced drivers until they gain sufficient expertise.
8. MRI technologist/radiologist
MRI technologists play a crucial role in monitoring the safety and comfort of patients undergoing magnetic-resonance imaging. Their responsibilities include preparing patients for scans, operating scanner equipment, reviewing and evaluating images, and entering patient data into computer systems. The mean annual salary for this role is $81,530 ($39.20 per hour), with approximately 38,380 individuals employed in this field.
To become an MRI technologist, you’ll typically need an associate’s degree, and certification is often required by employers. Training in an accredited program can take up to two years.
These job roles showcase that lucrative salaries can often be found in unexpected places. Whether it’s a court reporter capturing legal proceedings or a bingo manager overseeing games, there are plenty of opportunities for well-paid positions across diverse industries. So, keep exploring, and you might just find your dream job with a surprisingly high paycheck. “`
