Jobs over 40k

Here are 13 careers with attractive progression potential that may help you make over $500k if you plan and succeed in your career.

1. Actor in a film

The national average hourly wage is $11.66.

A film actor's primary responsibilities include portraying a character in a film via the use of their voice or physical presence. They investigate every facet of the character, remember the lines supplied by the scriptwriter, and construct their own emotional life in order to seem real on film. Many performers go on media tours and promotional events, and they are continuously auditioning for new roles.

Top film actors may earn millions of dollars every film, and they can earn much more by deferring some or all of their compensation against a percentage of the film's income, a practice known in the business as a "profit participation" agreement.

2. Writer

The national average hourly wage is $18.41.

Primary responsibilities: An author creates plays, essays, novels, or any other kind of written material. They consider the best method to tell a narrative or explain their ideas, and they use precise terminology to delight their audience. A published author typically writes a book and submits it to publishers, who subsequently offer a contract and prepare the book for publication. Other writers opt to self-publish their book, which entails creating a work and handling the publication procedure entirely on their own.

While the process of writing and publishing a book might be difficult, there is a lot of money to be made when an author gets a book contract. Because there are less costs involved, self-published writers may make greater royalties on a single book sale. However, traditionally published writers get lesser royalties on single book sales, but with a publishing house's vast marketing and distribution, they may earn more royalties on more book sales. If a book is really successful and sells well, writers may make more than $500,000 in royalties.

3. Business owner

The national average annual pay is $43,930.

Primary responsibilities: An entrepreneur creates, designs, manufactures, promotes, and finally sells firms in order to profit from the concept. They own and run anything from tiny apparel boutiques to technology enterprises. They may also create their own unique goods and services. Entrepreneurs often develop a business strategy, get money and resources, employ personnel, and manage and lead the company.

Working as an entrepreneur is one of the finest ways to make more than $500,000 per year since a profitable firm founded in the appropriate market at the right moment may develop into a multi-million-dollar success.

4. Attorney

The national average annual wage is $54,180.

A lawyer's primary responsibilities include assisting businesses and people in navigating the legal system. They often specialize in certain areas of law, such as tax, family, or criminal law. Their responsibilities vary according to their specialty, but they frequently interpret rulings, regulations, and laws for clients, prepare legal documents, and attend trials, hearings, and other legal meetings, as well as collaborate with investigators, paralegals, police, and clients to prepare comprehensive cases for trials.

A roster of large clients and a consistent success rate in court are two of the most crucial variables in earning more than $500,000 per year as a lawyer.

5.Accountant 

The national average annual wage is $54,881.

An accountant's primary responsibilities include ensuring that organizations and businesses operate effectively and economically responsibly by assessing financial records and reviewing data, accounting records, tax returns, budgets, and financial reports. Accountants' specific duties vary depending on the company and industry, but they typically include overseeing taxes, improving systems and procedures, and performing annual, quarterly, or monthly accounting activities such as credit card and bank account reconciliations and completion and coordination of annual audits.

Accountants' salaries vary based on the organization. Some major corporations may pay more than $500,000 per year, and individual accountants with a huge customer base may also earn more.

6. Insurance broker

The average annual wage in the United States is $57,844.

An insurance agent's primary responsibility is to sell insurance policies. They are in charge of designing strategies to sell various forms of insurance, analyzing an individual's or company's requirements, proposing insurance products that match those needs, and cultivating partnerships to expand their customer base. Most insurance brokers focus on one form of insurance, such as long-term care, casualty care, disability, property, or health. An insurance agent's other responsibilities include assisting customers with claim settlements, administering all policy renewals, assessing client policies and needs, and recommending additions or adjustments to existing policies.

In addition to their pay, insurance brokers often receive a commission. This implies that the more sales they create, the more money they will be able to earn. They also earn a lot of money from large customers and corporations with huge policies. Selling life insurance plans is also a profitable business for insurance agents.

7.Engineer 

The average annual wage in the United States is $69,894.

Primary responsibilities: An engineer designs products or solves technological difficulties for a variety of businesses using their understanding of mathematics and scientific concepts. They are concerned with recognizing issues, finding solutions, and designing and testing procedures and products. They may specialize and work in sectors such as aerospace, biomedical, nuclear, electrical, chemical, and petroleum, which can all pay well over $500,000 per year.

Engineers who invent new technology or products may benefit considerably from their ideas and patents. Engineers with advanced degrees may earn better pay and have greater prospects for growth.

8.Investment banker

The national average annual pay is $72,278.

Primary responsibilities: An investment banker assists in capital raising by investing in firms or government agencies. They provide financial guidance and assistance to these organizations on what types of securities, such as bonds and stocks, to issue, how and when to issue them, and what price to establish for each instrument. They often work on privately and publicly listed corporations and typically offer municipal bond underwriting services.

Investment bankers are compensated with a basic salary and one or more extra kinds of remuneration, such as bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing. It is normal for an investment banker's bonus to exceed their basic compensation, and in prosperous times, they may make more than $500,000.

9.Professional sportsperson

The national average annual wage is $81,107.

A professional athlete participates in organized sports such as baseball, figure skating, gymnastics, rugby, hockey, skiing, running, golf, tennis, soccer, and basketball as part of a team or individually. They practice and train on a regular basis in order to enhance their performance and talents.

Top-tier athletes may earn a lot of money because of their high wages, championship prize money, and sponsorship agreements.

10. property developer

The national average annual wage is $86,488.

Primary responsibilities: A real estate developer oversees the process of creating and selling real estate to customers. They may buy land, aid with real estate finance, collaborate with builders to build or design a structure on a site, and promote the land or structure to customers. During the development process, real estate developers often collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, including attorneys, surveyors, leasing agents, inspectors, city planners, contractors, architects, and engineers.

Most real estate developers operate on commission, which means they are paid depending on the transactions they complete. This implies that if they sell a $6 million house with a 9% commission rate, they will make more than $500,000.

11.Manager of hedge funds

The national average annual wage is $100,123.

Primary responsibilities: A hedge fund manager, also known as a portfolio manager, is in charge of supervising their clients' investment and financial strategy. They are in responsible of making investment choices for a pool of funds often given by investors who fulfill certain investing sophistication or net worth standards. They define fund objectives and execute a plan to attain them using superior financial knowledge and analytical abilities. A hedge fund manager's other responsibilities include staying current on government laws and regulations, keeping hedge fund members informed of developments, monitoring investment performance, and making investment suggestions to customers.

Hedge fund managers charge their investors or customers a management fee as well as a performance fee, making hedge fund managers among of the highest-paid jobs in finance.

12. President and CEO

The national average annual wage is $115,216.

Primary responsibilities: A chief executive officer (CEO) is the leader of a corporation or organization and reports to the board of directors. They are in charge of formulating and executing corporate plans, adopting policies, and ensuring that the organization meets its objectives. A CEO's other responsibilities may include managing the company's operations, overseeing the organization's budget, collaborating with department managers and other executives, approving contracts, staying informed about industry developments or changes, and determining how to improve performance, grow the business, and save money.

CEOs often receive relatively high salaries due to their responsibility for the success of a firm. Those who work for large corporations may earn more. Furthermore, CEOs often get bonuses and stock options, which may add to their wealth.

13.Anesthesiologist 

Annual salary in the United States is $376,492.

Anesthesiologists are medical specialists who sedate patients or numb areas of the body to remove or diminish pain feelings during surgery or other medical procedures. An anesthesiologist collaborates with surgeons or physicians to establish the appropriate amount of anesthetic based on a patient's medical history. An anesthesiologist's other responsibilities include monitoring patients before, during, and after anesthetic administration, recognizing adverse responses, managing difficulties, and adhering to hospital and medical procedure policies.

As a critical component of a surgical or medical team, this high-paying professional starts with a six-figure income and may make more than $500,000 per year with experience and specialization.