Most Rewarding Careers with Salaries
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For many people, their place of work is the center of their social group and provides a sense of community. A career provides for our basic needs as well as providing a means for having enriching experiences leading to a more fulfilling life. For these reasons, it is vital that your career is rewarding. In this article, you can learn more about what defines a satisfying career and explore some of the most rewarding careers.
What is a rewarding career?
What someone considers to be a rewarding career depends on their individual goals and values. What each person finds satisfying or rewarding is highly subjective. For example, one person may find working 60 hours a week in a high-paying job rewarding, while another person would prefer a career that pays less but provides them with a flexible schedule. Whatever your preferences, a rewarding career is one that you do well, that helps others and offers value to your personal life.
What defines a rewarding career?
Many factors can influence what you find value in such as your personal tastes or the ability to care for yourself and your family. Individuals who find a satisfying career typically live healthier lives as a result.
Here are some aspects that people look for in rewarding careers:
- Engaging work
- Supports basic needs
- Provides work/life balance
- Supportive work environment and colleagues
- Challenging but realistic daily tasks
- Work that fits skill sets or personal strengths
- Garners the respect of your peers
What are the most rewarding careers?
Careers that add joy and satisfaction to a person’s life are usually the ones that are most helpful to others. People typically like to be a part of the community by adding value and helping it grow. Any career can offer a sense of community depending on the individual. Some jobs, however, are universally reported to be more fulfilling than others.
Here are some of the most rewarding careers:
Teacher
National Average Salary: $39,874 per year
Teachers function at every level of education grooming the academic or artistic talents of students. Elementary school teachers are typically reported as the most rewarding teaching position. Teachers can earn a higher salary by gaining more experience, working for the government or through private tutoring.
Why people love it:
- Teachers get to help children and adults grow their skills, knowledge and talents.
- Teachers engage with students as a fundamental rule which makes each day dynamic.
- Teachers receive a long break from school while students are out, allowing them to pursue exciting experiences and spend more time with family.
Firefighter
National Average Salary: $44,751 per year
Firefighters work to keep buildings safe in case of emergencies, perform rescue services and extinguish fires. They go through extensive training and receive EMT certifications.
Why people love it:
- Firefighters perform an invaluable service to their surrounding communities.
- This career is challenging but offers a salary that provides for a family’s needs.
- Firehouses are typically supportive environments full of camaraderie with peers.
Clergyperson
National Average Salary: $53,505 per year
A person of the clergy is a teacher of religious principles. They lead worship services, spiritual functions and organize community events.
Why people love it:
- Members of the clergy help people lead more fulfilling spiritual lives.
- This position offers a large enough salary to cover basic needs.
- Each member of the organization or congregation is different, leading to diverse and engaging challenges daily.
Conservation Scientist and Forester
National Average Salary: $67,529 per year
A conservation scientist is an individual who works with federal, state and local governments to develop ways to conserve natural resources. They monitor these resources and develop new and sustainable ways to use them. Another job that goes by the same title is an individual who works in a museum preserving the cultural heritage of societies including buildings, artifacts and art using scientific means.
Why people love it:
- Both conservationist careers offer a valuable service of preserving history and land.
- A forester works to preserve the earth for future generations.
- A museum conservationist works to preserve cultural history for future generations.
Nurse
National Average Salary: $70,574 per year
Nurses are medical professionals who work alongside physicians to treat and care for patients. Nurses work in hospitals, private offices, schools and many more places. Nurses receive associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and also diplomas from nursing programs. Nurses may also receive doctorates.
Why people love it:
- A nurse’s primary duty is caring for others. Watching patients thrive under care can be very fulfilling.
- Hospitals and doctor’s offices can be very dynamic and exciting while offering a new experience every day.
- Nurses gain the respect of community members because they provide a valuable service.
Human Resources Manager
National Average Salary: $72,117 per year
A human resources manager is in charge of the recruiting, interviewing and hiring duties for an organization. They resolve workplace conflicts, ensure the work environment is supportive for everyone and manage salaries and benefits.
Why people love it:
- This HR position can set the cultural tone for an entire organization, creating an environment where everyone thrives.
- HR managers are an integral part of the success of every organization because they are responsible for recruiting talent.
- This position is ideal for those who love working with people as a factor of daily life.
Physical Therapist
National Average Salary: $85,032 per year
Physical therapists work directly with patients to help them recover from surgery, debilitating illness or injury. Physical therapists work in hospitals, clinics or private offices. They may specialize in treatment for senior citizens, athletes or children. For example, it can be very fulfilling to see an athlete play sports again after a debilitating injury.
Why people love it:
- Physical therapists get to watch their patients thrive under their care.
- Physical therapists see different patients which leads to an ever-changing environment.
- Physical therapists provide a great service to the surrounding community.
Psychologist
National Average Salary: $86,275 per year
Psychologists provide ‘talk’ therapy to patients to help with behavioral and emotional issues. Some perform research studies on cognitive behavior and brain function.
Why people love it:
- Psychologists help people live healthier, more balanced inner lives.
- Studies performed by psychologists inform society on how to treat cognitive behaviors like autism, narcissism or depression.
- Psychology is a profession that is gaining more respect as society learns more about the significance of thought and brain function.
Chief Executive Officer
National Average Salary: $112,942 per year
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are present in every industry. The CEO is the head of an organization that functions as the face of the company and liaison between the business and its shareholders. Some industries may be more fulfilling than others.
Why people love it:
- Working as a CEO is dynamic, engaging and garners the respect of other members of the organization.
- Some CEOs function in a mentor/coach relationship with employees and get to help them develop their strengths.
- While CEOs may be busy, the position offers control over the direction of the business and their personal lives.
Pediatrician
National Average Salary: $179,863 per year
A pediatrician is a physician specializing in the care of children and adolescents. They must complete up to 10 years of training to practice medicine. Pediatricians treat sick children and also teach them how to stay healthy.
Why people love it:
- Children can create a dynamic and engaging work environment that is different with every patient.
- Treating children also helps parents to provide for their children’s needs and also benefits the larger community when the youth are healthy and strong.
- Working as a pediatrician is challenging and is viewed as a respectable position.
- Personal expertise helps more people and gains the respect of peers and patients.
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