Paychecks can
vary based on factors including industry, location and company, though
there's generally a standard pay range for every job function. Yet, many
people have a preconception of what workers in certain fields earn,
such as the assumption that all doctors and lawyers have high incomes.
However, not every job earns the high -- or low -- pay you may expect.
Here are eight professions with annual wages that may surprise you.
2010 median pay: $108,040
What they do: Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that planes stay safe distances apart.
Why the surprise: While
the excitement may be on the planes with the pilots and flight
attendants, the big salaries are in the air traffic control towers.
Airline and commercial pilots get paid $92,060 annually, and flight
attendants make $37,740, though the coordination, organization and
attention to detail needed by air traffic controllers give them a major
pay bump.
2. Announcer
2010 median pay: $27,010
What they do: Announcers
present music, news and sports and may provide commentary or interview
guests about these topics or other important events. Some act as a
master of ceremonies or DJs at weddings, parties or clubs.
Why the surprise: Celebrity
announcers and emcees may have the coveted paychecks, but theirs are
usually due in part to their celebrity status. Events and parties often
require announcers, no matter the size, and the paycheck tends to get
bigger as your talent and notoriety grow.
3. Legislator
2010 median pay: $19,260
What they do: Legislators are elected officials who develop laws for the federal government or for local or state governments.
Why the surprise: Legislators
and politicians often have a reputation for being wealthy, though this
median pay would suggest otherwise. While each state has its own
standard for paying its legislators, many lower salaries are supplemented with a per diem, meaning they are given an allowance for daily expenses.
4. Model
2010 median pay: $32,920
What they do: Models
pose for artists, photographers or customers to help advertise a
variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food and appliances.
Why the surprise: TV
and magazines would have us believe otherwise, but working as a model
doesn't necessarily come with free travel opportunities and six-figure
paychecks per photo shoot. Many models work part time and most
experience periods of unemployment. This role requires spending a
considerable amount of time on self-promotion by putting together and
maintaining portfolios, printing composite cards and traveling to meet
potential clients.
2010 median pay: $58,510
What they do: Multimedia
artists and animators create animation and visual effects for
television, movies, video games and other media. They create two- and
three-dimensional models and animation.
Why the surprise: Multimedia
artists are most often hired by the motion picture and video
industries, followed by software publishers, computer systems design and
related services and advertising, public relations and related services
industries. While these industries may be known for big budgets, the
Hollywood-worthy salaries usually go to on-camera stars. Also, the pay
may be a surprise considering that 59 percent of multimedia artists and
animators are self-employed.
6. Pharmacist
2010 median pay: $111,570
What they do: Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer advice on their safe use.
Why the surprise: Education
levels often make a big difference in job responsibilities and
paychecks. Pharmacists require a doctoral degree and can make
six-figures, while pharmacy technicians, who help licensed pharmacists
dispense prescription medication, require a high school diploma or
equivalent and make $28,400.
2010 median pay: $107,420
What they do: Political
scientists study the origin, development and operation of political
systems. They research political ideas and analyze the structure and
operation of governments, policies, political trends and related issues.
Many people with a political science background become professors and
teachers.
Why the surprise: While the subject matter may
differ, sociologists, who study society and social behavior by examining
the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions and processes
that people develop, also often become professors and teachers. Yet they
don't see the six-figure paycheck of political scientists, making a
notably lower $72,360 a year.
2010 median pay: $63,280
What they do: Technical
writers, also called technical communicators, produce instruction
manuals and other supporting documents to communicate complex and
technical information more easily. They also develop, gather and
disseminate technical information among customers, designers and
manufacturers.
Why the surprise: When it comes to salaries for
writing jobs, technical writers are at the top of the food chain,
earning almost $10,000 more than other writers and almost twice as much
as reporters. Editors earn a median pay of $51,470, writers and authors
make $55,420, and reporters, correspondents and broadcast news analysts
make $36,000.
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Source careerbuilder
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