18 meaningful jobs that pay very well
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It seems like there are only two options when it comes to choosing a career: We can either pursue a meaningful job and make next to nothing, or we can pull in a pretty penny working insanely long hours in an uninspiring, high-pressure role.
But we've got some good news for you: There's a third option.
According to a report from PayScale, there are plenty of jobs out there that offer both a fat paycheck and satisfying work.
PayScale, the creator of the world's largest database of individual compensation profiles, containing more than 40 million today, asked 374,000 workers: "Does your job make the world a better place?"
After analyzing job meaning for 454 jobs from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), PayScale then examined median pay, job satisfaction, job stress, and typical education level for each occupation, and compiled its list of the Most and Least Meaningful Jobs in America.
Katie Bardaro, PayScale's vice president of data analytics, says workers in these meaningful jobs are "typically driven by an interest to better society and by philanthropic initiatives, rather than purely money or subject matter interest."
We sifted through PayScale's list and found the highest-paying jobs (median pay of $65,000 or more) in which at least 85% of employees called the profession "meaningful."
The following 18 jobs are ranked by median pay, from lowest to highest:
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18. First-line supervisor/manager of fire fighting and prevention workers
Median pay: $65,600
85% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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17. Speech-language pathologist
Median pay: $65,700
90% of employees say this job is meaningful.
16. Epidemiologist
Median pay: $69,000
91% of employees say this job is meaningful.
15. Manager of police and detectives
Median pay: $69,200
90% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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14. Audiologist
Median pay: $69,500
88% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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13. Radiation therapist
Median pay: $70,200
93% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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12. Veterinarian
Median pay: $70,600
85% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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11. Physical therapist
Median pay: $73,400
90% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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10. Elementary/secondary education administrator
Median pay: $76,700
98% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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9. Health diagnosing and treating practitioners (all other)
Median pay: $91,200
87% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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8. Optometrist
Median pay: $102,000
86% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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7. Dentist
Median pay: $129,000
86% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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6. Pediatrician
Median pay: $149,000
88% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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5. Family and general practitioner
Median pay: $165,000
90% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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4. Psychiatrist
Median pay: $197,000
92% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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3. All other physicians and surgeons
Median pay: $225,000
89% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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2. Anesthesiologist
Median pay: $273,000
91% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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1. Surgeon
Median pay: $304,000
96% of employees say this job is meaningful.
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