Women have always worked—sometimes at home, other times in paid jobs, and often in both. Back in the day, women lacked education, so they either toiled as domestic workers or as piece workers in factories. These jobs were dirty and often unsafe.
Women today are highly educated. In fact, they have overtaken men. They account for 50.7% of the college-educated labor force in the U.S. An analysis by the Pew Research Center disclosed this. They are shattering glass ceilings and stepping into roles that were once male-dominated. Their degrees are helping them earn thousands of dollars a year.
Have you been searching for careers that pay well to women? This guide is for you, then. Here, we’ll explore some of the high-paying careers for women.
#1 Physician
Annual Salary: $102,905 to $346,921
A career in the healthcare sector is lucrative, and physicians stand at the forefront of this rewarding profession. If you hold a medical degree, consider pursuing a career as a physician. Healthcare Dive, in its recent publication, states that more women are entering the physician workforce.
The roles and responsibilities of physicians are multi-faceted. These medical professionals diagnose acute and chronic conditions in patients through physical examinations. Physicians provide patients with continuous care in the hospital or ambulatory setting. They also help them manage and treat a range of medical conditions, from minor cuts to circulatory and respiratory issues.
The role of a physician is also demanding. That means there will be a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. But, know that physicians are compensated well. You’ll be rewarded with a handsome salary. Statista’s recent survey revealed that female primary care physicians in the U.S. earned an annual compensation of $307,000.
To practice as a physician, you must obtain a medical degree, pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), and complete residency training. Before you begin practicing, obtaining a medical license in the state where you want to practice is essential. Thus, do that.
#2 Registered Nurse
Annual Salary: $62,148 to $140,379
Working as a registered nurse is also lucrative. Registered nurses (RNs) provide compassionate care and support to patients across diverse settings.
As a frontline healthcare worker, you will be responsible for administering treatments, monitoring patient progress, and advocating for their well-being.
One of the duties of RNs includes collecting lab samples and performing a variety of diagnostic tests. In some states, registered nurses are also required to operate intravenous infusion pumps, ventilator equipment, and other advanced medical equipment.
A hospital isn’t the only setting where you can work as an RN. Nursing homes, long-term care facilities, homes, and rehabilitation centers are other settings where you can serve as a nurse.
The best-paid 25% of RNs made $101,100 in 2022. You can earn an additional $12,000/year if you work overtime.
An associate degree in Nursing or a bachelor’s degree in Nursing is a prerequisite for working as a registered nurse. If you don’t have a degree in nursing and want to switch your career to nursing, consider obtaining an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). This program allows people to earn bachelor’s in nursing and start working as RNs.
Unlike traditional BSN programs, ABSN isn’t four years long. You can complete it in as little as 18 months. Many universities also offer online ABSNs for individuals who are passionate about becoming RNs. You can enroll in an online accelerated BSN program if you’re a working professional.
Online ABSN programs allow students to complete their courses from anywhere. Though online, this program will equip you with the knowledge, clinical skills, and NCLEX exam prep required to become an RN.
In regard to eligibility, Marymount University states that you must have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college or university in the U.S. You must also complete prerequisite courses to be eligible for an online ABSN program.
#3 Attorney
Annual Salary: $54,076 to $179,960
The law field has been historically dominated by men. But times are changing, and women are pursuing degrees in law. Recent statistics suggest that 39.51% of lawyers in the U.S. are women. Demand for attorneys is anticipated to rise by 8% from 2022 to 2032. Securing a job as a lawyer in a law firm won’t be much of a challenge.
The role of attorneys isn’t limited to providing legal advice and representation to people. Lawyers are also responsible for drafting legal documents such as wills, deeds, contracts, and trusts. Gathering evidence, developing strategies to resolve cases favorably and cost-effectively, and negotiating settlements are other responsibilities of lawyers.
The legal profession is demanding and highly stressful. But what makes it attractive is the compensation. The highest-paid 25% of lawyers made about $208,980 in 2022. That’s a handsome sum.
To become a lawyer, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, followed by a law degree. You must also pass the Bar Exam in the jurisdiction you want to practice.
#4 Editor
Annual Salary: $39,213 to $116,623
Editors are in demand in various industries, such as marketing, journalism, publishing, and online content creation. Women with an eye for detail thrive as editors. If you’re among them, consider applying for the role of an editor.
Of all editors, those in the finance sector are paid well. Financial editors, on average, earn about $108,446 yearly. The legal sector is another high-paying field for editors. A bachelor’s degree in finance, communications, journalism, science, or economics will help you land a job as a financial editor.
Editors of legal pieces earn an average of $60,297/year. A bachelor’s degree in law will make you a good candidate for the role of legal editor. However, a degree in other fields, such as journalism, English, or science, will also do.
To wrap things up, there is no shortage of options when it comes to high-paying careers for women. However, this list isn’t an exhaustive one. There are many more career options where women are paid fairly well. Some of those include physical therapists, public relations managers, education administrators, marketing managers, and occupational therapists.
These careers provide substantial earning potential and empower women to break through barriers, challenge stereotypes, and confidently pursue their passions.
