Depending on where you live, whether you have kids, and other factors, $100,000 isn’t as much as you might think. Still, it remains as the unofficial sign that you’re up among the high earners.
A lot of jobs that pay six figures require years of schooling, advanced degrees, or climbing the ladder, so they’re not suitable for people looking to make a career switch. Following are several ways that can get you to that magic number relatively quickly if you work hard, have the skills, and experience at least a little good luck.
Start Your Own Business
It’s really hard work to start your own business, and the first few years can be lean. However, once you’ve established yourself, your earnings potential will be high, and there’s great satisfaction from never having to answer to a boss again.
Work in IT
IT jobs are in high demand, and many of them pay very well. Contrary to common belief, a degree in computer science isn’t required for a lot of those positions.
Work in Finance
Financial advisors can make well into the six figures or even seven by skillfully managing clients’ investments. There’s also good money in accounting and tax preparation.
Plumber/HVAC Technician
These are tough jobs that require a lot of skill. Not many people can do them well, so pay is good for those who can. Many end up starting their own business after attaining years of experience.
Nursing
There is a nationwide shortage of nurses, and many positions pay more than 100K. You do have to go to school and get a nursing degree, but the time and expense are far less than those for medical school.
Sales
If you’re knowledgeable about products and services and have good people skills, you can earn a lot in sales. Commissions provide incentives to work hard and do well, and it’s really up to you how much you work and earn.
Insurance Broker
Being an insurance broker pays well, and it’s a growing field. You need specialized training and licensing, but you don’t need a degree in it, so this can be good as a career switch.
Engineering
If you go into the engineering program at a good college and make it through, you’re virtually guaranteed a high-paying job when you get out. This is not an easy switch to make mid-career, so you do need to commit to this early when you’re still in school.
Government Jobs
Many government jobs pay over 100K if you have the right skills and experience. They also tend to come with good benefits and better job security.
Union Jobs
Overall, unions have been in decline in America for a long time, but they do still exist. If you learn a trade and get a union position with it, pay and benefits can be very nice indeed.
Drive for UPS
You’ll work long days with lots of driving, lifting, and hauling, but if you’re up to all of that, you’ll make good money. That’s especially the case in high-density areas where there are a lot of deliveries needing to be made.
Side Hustles
If there’s something you’re good at and have the time for, try to turn it into a side hustle. You might be amazed at how much extra cash you can make, and it’s frequently off the books.
Lottery
Just one lucky draw or scratch can leave you set. Unfortunately, this is a pretty bad way to try to get rich since the chances of success are extremely small. Most people buying lottery tickets are just throwing money away.
Gambling
Walking into a casino and walking out rich is a popular fantasy, but it persists, and every once in a while, it works. However, there’s a reason they say the house always wins.
Ask!
This came up as a joke when we were researching this topic, but it’s not entirely implausible. If you live in a large city, you could go out every day and ask everyone you meet for a dollar. Some would oblige, and who knows– maybe you’d get there by the end of the year!
18 Jobs You Can Do Without Ever Leaving Your Home (Or Your Pajamas)
When you can’t leave home for work or simply don’t want to, there is a wealth of jobs you can do from home.
Some of them require specific types of experience, while others you can learn as you do them. Here are 18 jobs you can do without leaving home.
18 Jobs You Can Do Without Ever Leaving Your Home (Or Your Pajamas)
19 of the Best Stay-At-Home Job Ideas
Earning money does not have to involve a commute or going to a place of work anymore. Thanks to modern technology, anyone can now work from anywhere as long as they have a strong internet connection. Because of this, there are now alternative ways of having full-time employment without leaving the comforts of your own home.
19 of the Best Stay-At-Home Job Ideas
20 Ways Make Money Really Fast
Maybe you have some unexpected bills to pay. Maybe you want to move out of your parent’s home into a place of your own. Maybe you need to make a down payment on a new car. Whatever it is, you need to make some money fast.
Fortunately, there are a lot of good ways to do that!
20 Ways Make Money Really Fast