100k jobs

In the pursuit of the American dream many people feel that when they reach the six figures or $100,000 salary they have made it.  But the iconic figure of 100k may not be as easy to reach or as important as many job seekers feel that it is.  In an examination of jobs that make 100k it is important to understand what jobs pay that kind of money, what do you have to do to get there and the non-traditional jobs where there is big money to be made.  Here is what you need to know about 100k jobs-

What kinds of jobs make 100k?
Traditionally the most 100k jobs belong to doctors, lawyers, dentists and senior executives' at large corporations.  Successful traders (especially those right on Wall Street), many sales jobs (think medical or large equipment) and some higher level teaching positions (generally college level or administration) also make at least 100k.  Joining these ranks in the past years have been many Information Technology positions and specialty health care workers.  The health care workers who bring in this type of money are in the ranks of: occupational and physical therapists, audiologists and optometrists. Nursing has also become another high paying profession with nurses who are willing to specialize or travel being able to make money into the six figures.

How do you get a 100k job?
Looking over the listing of 100k jobs one thing becomes apparent.  All of these jobs require post-high school training to one degree or another.  While doctors and lawyers will hold the record for the most schooling required, senior executives, information technology positions and most health care workers also possess advanced degrees.  Teaching is another profession that requires advanced degrees to move into the higher earning brackets.  There are always a few exceptions many high paying sales positions can be earned without having advanced degrees (and sometimes no degree at all) but it should be stated that those who work themselves up in the ranks of sales often must do so over a period of extended years of experience.  The bottom line is that any job seeker looking to determine if a 100k job is for him or her must be prepared to seek the training no matter how extensive that will prepare them for having one of these jobs. Knowing that post-high school training is necessary (and how long the training will be) is a key component in any job seekers overall career plan.

Non-traditional jobs that make 100k
While it is no secret that doctors, lawyers, and senior executives at large corporations will typically earn six figures or more. But many job seekers may be asking are there $100,000 jobs for the rest of us. Meaning that the other 140 million American workers who lack the inclination, the aptitude or the tolerance for student debt to go for the classic big-money careers? The good news is that there are quite a number of six-figure occupations. Here are just a few that should be considered:

• Technology-While developing nations may graduate more engineers than the United States, there are still enough jobs to keep salaries generous, at least in some specialties. Electrical engineers earned an average of $112,000 in 2005, according to the Employment Policy Foundation. Engineering managers throughout the country earned a median salary of $97,000 in 2004. Labor experts state that many of these positions need to be filled by engineers with only three to five years of experience and possessing only an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. Also Senior Web producers have the potential to earn $85,000 to $110,000. These figures are good for people just out of college. And not surprisingly car production workers can approach six figures but there is a catch. These workers can bring home the big money if they are in the right high tech specialty. Studies show that some semiconductor fab technicians can make up to $90,000 with overtime.
• Financial Services-Professionals who are involved in the provision of bread-and-butter financial services (not just those ensconced on Wall Street) can often earn six figures. Producers (salespeople) in insurance and branch managers can average $120,000 to $125,000. While real estate may be suffering from an overabundance of new entrants, long-term prospects for high earnings in pricey markets are still good. Real estate agent is one of those quiet jobs where you can make a lot of money. Any agent who participates in the sale of 12 or 14 half-million-dollar homes per year (easy to do in big-money markets) is likely to hit $100,000 in commissions.
• Entertainment and Hospitality-It may be unlikely that a burger flipper can ascend to a six-figure income but stranger things have happened. Restaurant managers are reported to earn $100,000 at high-end restaurants and resorts. For those who live near a casino, big earnings can be within reach, even without a college education. Labor board statistics show that the top 25 percent of casino pit managers earn over $100,000, with just high school and five years experience.
• ecurity and Hazard Duty-For those run of the mill security guards the pay is pretty low but well-placed security professionals can do much better. Security guards for celebrities often earn six figures. While most of these jobs are concentrated in New York and Los Angeles, there are high priced security jobs almost everywhere. In addition if the work conditions are considered hazard or dangerous than the security may warrant a premium. Oil rig workers who must cope with hazardous and remote work sites, so high-ranking crew members earn up to $100,000.
• Government-If you are dreaming of a six-figure job, the federal government may be one of the last employers to come to mind. But the government is actually looking for thousands of professionals at this level each year. Trends show that the retirement rates for midlevel managers are high and the government is hiring people from the outside directly into management. Within the government middle-management jobs may be better compensated than their private-sector counterparts. In addition with the mid-range professional salaries being much higher, the flexibility and benefits are also much better. Keep in mind that these jobs generally fall into the GS-14 and GS-15 grade levels. Some of the federal jobs that can pay $100,000 or more are: Air traffic controller, Budget analyst, Human resource specialist, Nurse Consultant and Department of Agriculture district ranger.

The hazards of making 100k
It is important to understand that while making 100k can be a great thing there are downsides to these types of jobs. While there are always an exceptions to every rule the savvy job seeker will understand the potential benefits and pitfalls for every career choice they make. Here are some of the hazards of making 100k-

• Long hours-With very few exceptions in both the traditional and non-traditional 100k jobs they require long hours. Most of the workers in these industries can not even imagine a 40-hour work week. One of the few exceptions may be government workers who are regulated by yes-the government! In addition those who work in entertainment or security may find themselves working very odd and long hours. For job seekers who are looking to work traditional hours or work fewer hours these may not be the jobs to pursue.

• The same pay may mean something different-For the struggling college student 100k may seem like a million dollars but it should be noted that 100k does not mean the same thing everywhere. A 100k job in San Francisco or Boston has a much different purchasing power than a 100k job in Des Moines, Iowa or Raleigh, North Carolina. When considering a job offer prospective employees must determine based on the geography of their job how much money they are really getting. Housing costs, benefits, and general expenses should all be factored in to a job offer.
• Layoffs and company reductions-It is a known fact that many organizations routinely take a look at managerial structure to determine if they are top heavy or not. And generally when the layoff time comes it is not top management (with exorbitant salaries and expense accounts) or the workers on the bottom who are laid off but it is middle management with salaries around the 100k mark. While this is not meant to discourage job seekers from this jobs those within these positions would do well to cross-train and prepare themselves should the worst happen.

How to get that 100k job
If you are faced with the delightful dilemma of considering a job offer in the 100k range here are some tips to negotiating that salary:

• Know the salary you can reasonably accept and expect for the type of position you seek in comparison with your experience, education, and the industry wage standards. You can do an online search to give you the information beforehand. You will want to try and find out the salary range for the position before the interview. Contacting the interviewer's secretary, the personnel office, or a networking contact that works in the company may be helpful in gaining the salary information.
• Experts recommend not to accept an offer on the spot. Just be sure to express your appreciation and strong interest in the job. You can request at least 24 hours to consider it, even when saying "Yes." Be sure to also ask any questions you need clarified.
• In addition you should assess the job offer in terms of your needs, benefits, and long-term career and life goals. Try talking it over with someone you respect. You can also make a list of the pros and cons of the job offer.