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Regardless of culture or upbringing, all humans share many of the same
basic needs and desires. Jobs across the world tend to look the same in
purpose and practice for this reason. There are doctors, police
officers, nurses, religious leaders, waiters collecting paychecks in
every corner of the earth. But some occupations are a curious twist on
the traditional or are wholly in their own league, reflecting the unique
customs or geography of the countries that created them. With the help
of a Quora thread on this very topic, AOL Jobs rounded up a few of the most distinct ones below.
Australia: Royal Flying Doctor Service
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While it's not the only aeromedical service in the world, it's certainly
the first and largest of its kind. The Royal Flying Doctor Service, or
simply The Flying Doctor, was conceived by Reverend John Flynn in 1928.
The minister started the air ambulance to service people in the remote
and rural Outback. The nonprofit organization continues to operate
today.
"Here in Australia we have the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Our country is so large, and our population so small, that we have
people living in far flung locations who are more than a full day's
drive from any idea of a township. So in 1928 The Reverend John Flynn
pioneered the idea of an aerial doctors service who could attend to
patients in far flung locations."
India: Dabbawala
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These deliverymen pick up hot packed lunches from workers' homes and
bring them to their workplaces around lunchtime. Dabbawalas make a
second round to collect the empty boxes and bags and return them to
their customers' homes. They typically collect the meals on boards,
which they balance on their heads, and ride bicycles or trains to
deliver the meals. The name "dabbawala" literally translates to "one who
carries a box."
"They transport your lunch box made at your home to your office. After your having food, they return it to your home too."
Japan: Professional Cuddlers
These salaried spooners offer lonely strangers nothing more than a simple cuddle after a stressful day. No, really – nothing more. Some of the customers are young men that only want simple companionship, reported CNN.
"For as little as 6,000 Yen p/hr ($60 USD), you can go to one of a
number of cute,cosy cafés in Japan & cuddle with and sleep next to a
woman (usually aged 18-30). Yup, just sleeping NEXT to someone with
perhaps the occasional cuddle and head rub.
This niche enterprise came about in response to the crippling loneliness
('hikikomori') that dominates Japan's modern day society, as young
people refrain from getting into relationships due to strict societal
conventions that are imposed upon young people once they become
married."
China: Paid Internet Commenters
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The Chinese government pays Internet commenters to write positive posts
that advance the Communist party line on websites, bulletin board
systems and chatrooms. Commenters are believed to be paid fifty Chinese
cents for each submission, which is why they are sometimes referred to
as the "50-Cent Party."
"I'm a Chinese and it is the first answer I add in quora.The job o exist
only in my country called "wu mao". That is such a group of people who
hired by governments to beautify our government, each time some
unharmony things occured in our coutry, they will occur in the Internet.
Each people government will pay him 0.5 yuan, so we call them "wumao"
However, that's not a serious problem in our country, most of people talk about this just for fun~"
Taiwan: Betel Nut Girls
Flickr
Betel nut beauties are young women who sell betel nuts,
cigarettes and drinks along city and country roadsides in Taiwan. The
women typically wear revealing clothing and their storefronts are often
brightly lit and neon colored to attract customers. Their revealing
dress has led critics to question whether they are being exploited, although others argue that they are self-empowering.
It's natural to think that all work-from-home jobs would pay significantly less than their office counterparts, but a new joint study from online job resources FlexJobs and PayScale shows that it's a common misconception.
While the majority of American workers still go in to the office every
day, telecommuting is on the rise. The number of people who work from
home at least one day per week rose from 9.5 million in 1999 to 13.4
million in 2010, according to the U.S. Census. What's more, Global Analytics reports that over 75% of employees who work from home earn more than $65,000 per year.
From FlexJobs' database of work-from-home job listings, PayScale
examined the average salaries the positions command at small and midsize
businesses (those with fewer than 1,000 employees). These are the
executive-level at-home jobs that pay the most:
"The increased importance of email, video conferencing, and other forms
of virtual communication means that once a worker has gained the
experience and skill levels required for the jobs on this list, their
location often becomes less important," said Katie Bardaro, director of
analytics for PayScale, in the report.
Getty ImagesConstruction manager with two workers.
By Jada A. Graves
In some professions, making ends meet will be easier. From our list of the 100 Best Jobs, here are occupations that offer an average salary of $90,000 or more.
Not all M.D.s are rolling in dough, but most aren't strapped for cash,
either. Pay varies by specialty, experience, location and even
personality, and the seesaw stretches from orthopedic surgeons (at the
high end with a median salary of $428,361 in 2012, according to
salary.com), down to pediatricians (who the BLS reports earned a median
salary of $154,650 in 2012). Internists, doctors who diagnose and
provide nonsurgical treatment for internal organs, earned an average
salary of $191,520, according to the BLS.
Dentist consistently ranks well among our Best Jobs. Partly due to a low
unemployment rate. Partly due to projected growth this decade. And
definitely due to an impressive salary. The BLS reports those who
diagnose and treat oral problems earned an average salary of $163,240 in
2012, but pay fluctuates based on experience, location, specialty and
hours worked. The highest-paid work in Nashua, N.H., and Tyler, Texas.
As kids we simplify our career aspirations into generic terms: doctor,
fireman, policewoman, lawyer. We're socialized to respect those
professions for their assumed security, for how they serve the greater
good and also, for the cushy salaries they provide. This is certainly
the case for lawyers, who made an average salary of $130,880 in 2012.
Specializations affect compensation, as can experience.
On television, "Mad Men" shows focus groups convened to determine how
women use cold cream or how pet owners would feel feeding their dogs
horse meat. In the real world, marketing managers conduct research of
this nature – though hopefully less grotesque – for the purpose of
formulating successful advertising campaigns. In 2012, they earned an
average salary of $129,870.
Technology influences how we work and what we work on, and if it fails,
so do we. So it's understandable that the person who triages an
organization's technical and network problems would be well-paid. In
2012, IT managers earned an average salary that was not only above
$90,000, but above $120,000.
It's fitting that those who supervise the financial health of a company
would be flush themselves. To do their job, which includes preparing
financial statements and forecasts, studying market trends and approving
budgets, financial managers must have exceptional organizational and
analytical skills. A knack for numbers also helps. In 2012, managers
earned an average salary of $123,260.
Sales managers don't usually sell products, but they become qualified
for their positions after taking their lumps meeting a quota in the
field. The BLS reports employers often look for applicants who have
spent up to five years working in a related occupation, such as sales
representative or purchasing agent, and rising to a managerial position
usually means less time on the road and more money in the bank: Average
salaries eclipsed $119,000 in 2012.
Understanding how medicines mingle and affect a patient is a tall task
that's tuned through technical study and experience. However, a lot of
being a pharmacist is about the interpersonal. Strong communication
skills are a plus, and leadership and conflict resolution chops ensure
longevity. In 2012, the average salary for pharmacists was nearly
$115,000. Cities in California pay particularly well, with Pharm. D.s in
El Centro and Chico earning more than $140,000.
Working as a business operations manager means supervising both projects
and people, and the best are super-organized. Being super-educated also
helps, as the BLS reports operations managers often have a master's
degree in business administration. Being super-patient is also
necessary: Most ascended to this position from a lower-level job. In
2012, the average salary for an operations manager was $114,850, with
the highest-paid working in finance.
Those responsible for conceptualizing and actualizing the style and
image of a publication and product made nearly $94,260 in 2012,
according to the BLS. The job's assorted duties include spearheading the
overall look of a publication, advertising campaign or theatrical
production, determining a budget and project plan, communicating with
clients and hiring and supervising design teams.
Our No. 1 job isn't just well-paying; it's also fast-growing: The BLS
predicts employment should sprout 22.8 percent by 2022 to meet
burgeoning demand for more computer systems and applications across
various industries. The field is competitive and requires specialized
training, but the reward is a salary that escalates well into six
figures. In 2012, software developers made an average salary of $93,280.
Perhaps you have more of an affinity for animals than people and would
rather pursue a D.V.M. than an M.D. or D.D.S.? Veterinarians, or Doctors
of Veterinary Medicine, don't usually earn as much as physicians or
dentists, but they're still well compensated. In 2012, the average
salary was $93,250, with the highest-earners working in Cape Coral,
Fla., and Visalia, Calif.
It's a boon for a great-paying job to grow at a furious clip: Physician
assistants work under the supervision of doctors, reviewing patient
histories, conducting exams, ordering tests and making diagnoses, and
employment could swell 38.4 percent for this job by 2022. The BLS
reports physician assistants earned $92,460 in 2012.
This is a great time to be a nurse practitioner, with the increased
number of insured persons who might seek medical care. And the salary
isn't half bad, either. In 2012, nurse practitioners earned an average
salary of $91,450. For the best pay potential, go west – to San Jose,
Calif., specifically, where the practitioners made an average salary of
$125,450.
So-called "blue-collar professions" don't equate to the bill-paying
blues. For example, the managers who coordinate, budget and supervise a
construction project earn between $49,680 and $144,520, according to the
BLS. The average salary for a construction manager was $90,960 in 2012.
One would hope that the person who advises on how to invest, save and
spend your money would be in good fiscal shape, right? In 2012,
financial advisors earned nearly $91,000. Surprisingly, the highest-paid
don't work in the big cities, but in the metropolitan areas of
Fayetteville, Ark., and Bridgeport, Conn.
Startup culture and the Internet Age have inspired dozens of cool new corporate perks. We've picked out 13 of the most exciting:
A budget for taking actions to overcome your fears.
It may sound vague, but customer experience company Medallia in Palo
Alto actually does this. Employees get cash to do something that helps
them overcome a fear or weak spot. For example, someone who's afraid of
public speaking can take a class on stand-up comedy and performing.
A decorating allowance.
To brighten up office spaces and help people feel at home, Google gives
its employees a small budget to decorate and personalize their cubes.
People buy everything from colorful lights to stuffed animals with the
funds.
Prestigious law firm Quinn Emanuel recently announced the launch of a
new perk it's calling "QE Work Away Week." Above The Law reports that
the firm will give associates $2,000 to go work anywhere in the world
they want for one week, provided they stay connected 24/7.
No late-night or weekend email.
What if you could really, truly unplug? At health-care consulting firm
Vynamic, they can. In an effort to reduce stress, the company's CEO
discourages employees from sending what he calls "Zmail" - any emails
sent between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the DailyWorth.
Time to explore the outdoors.
Well, not quite. But employees at World Wildlife Fund do get every other
Friday off to spend time with their families and do outdoors
activities.
Friday fun day.
At Justin.tv, the office allocates $300 every Friday for the staff to
buy whatever they want at the liquor store. They call it "Fine Liquor
Friday."
An on-site masseuse.
Wouldn't it be great to stroll upstairs at the end of your day and get a free massage? Health-related perks are big at Hyland Software, a developer and professional services company. Employees have access to a gym, fitness classes, and a masseuse.
At Cisco Systems, the LifeConnections Health Center offers primary care
options such as physical therapy and acupuncture to help support healthy
employee lifestyles.
Dance classes, chocolate-making lessons, and improv seminars.
Discovery wants its employees to stay creative, so it offers a whole
host of wacky and interesting classes to them. Other options include
watercoloring and fly-fishing.
A bike-buying stipend.
As a way of contributing to healthier commutes, organic food maker Clif
Bar gives its workers a $500 stipend for buying a bicycle after their
first year on the job. Clif Bar also reimburses up to $350 in race fees,
in case people want to get competitive with their exercise, and has a
rock climbing wall, gym, and yoga room.
Household products company SC Johnson offers employees access to a
private concierge service that helps with anything from returning
overdue library books to picking up dry cleaning.
Free laundry service.
JibJab Media gives its employees access to a free laundry service if
they arrive by 10 a.m. on Mondays. Each person gets a laundry bag that
they can stuff with clothing to be washed and folded by the next day,
the DailyWorth reports.
Unlimited vacation policies.
Netflix, Best Buy, and Evernote are among the big-name companies that
are tossing out traditional vacation policies for unlimited ones. Fans
of unlimited vacation say it helps employees take long breaks to
recharge and gives them added trust and flexibility.
AP
Last week, we rounded up the ten coolest jobs now hiring. And while there's still time to apply for that elephant vet internship,
we've compiled another set of job openings that will make you the envy
of your friends and scourge of your enemies. Assuming that professional birthday party hosts
have enemies, of course. At any rate, take a gander at the ten coolest,
weirdest, and, um, explosive ordnance disposal-est jobs now hiring.
AP
1. Music Therapist
What it is: No, not like that scene in Zero Dark Thirty
where they blast death metal until a POW reveals mission-critical
information. Your mission here, rather, is to use music to help patients
improve their health. This could mean simply discussing music, or
initiating free improvisation sessions to improve motor skills. Or, you
know, blasting death metal, if your patient is into that kind of thing.
What it is: Like Disney World and other themed resorts,
one of the touchstones of the Six Flags experience is the hoard of
costumed characters who walk the park posing for pictures and dispensing
hugs and high-fives. Sure, there's that creepy shrunken guy from the commercials,
but the franchise is also home to the Looney Toons gang and myriad
other icons. In addition to competitive pay, you'll also receive
unlimited free admission for yourself and a friend.
What it is: As long as we're doling out movie references, we might as well also mention The Hurt Locker,
that other great modern war film. That one dealt with the deactivation
of IEDs, and as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) instructor, you'll
be training U.S. military personnel for similar high-risk positions. The
job will require travel to Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, and involves
"humanitarian and commercial mine action and ordnance disposal, security
assistance, and canine detection services." So, fun with dogs!
Who it's for: Um, explosive ordnance disposal experts. That's pretty much it.
What it is: Kansas's Hutchinson Zoo hosts approximately
65,000 visitors a year and features over 200 animals, including
mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. As Zoo Director, you'll
preside over this eclectic kingdom, and take charge of the zoo's
planning, direction, and operation. You'll also ensure the proper care
of all animals, so make sure you have a good grasp of what makes a
black-footed ferret feel comfortable.
What it is: The title "birthday party host" might bring
to mind one of the creepy clowns your parents hired when you turned
four, but this is actually a demanding, logistics-heavy job that
requires strong customer services skills and an ability to defuse tense
situations. Okay, it might not be as stressful as the bomb disposal job
above, but it's close. That's why the team hiring is known as "special
birthday operations."
What it is: When you were a kid and went to the pool,
the life guards were like the kings and queens of the court. They
presided over us, ready to swoop into action at a moment's notice. They
also got to sit in those cool high-up chairs. Well, now's your chance to
take the chair for yourself. Working as a life guard can be great for
high school grads looking to pick up a few extra bucks, and serves as a
point of entry for anyone interested in exploring a career in
healthcare.
What it is: There are plenty of jobs out there suited
to Alpha-type figures, but only a few that require it in the literal,
canine sense. If you're comfortable working with (and cleaning up after)
large packs of dogs, this may be the job for you. They might be silly,
they might be messy, they might treat your ankle as their personal chew
toy. Whatever the case, as a doggy day camp counselor you'll be tasked
with handling them with care, attention, and superhuman patience.
What it is: And now for something completely different.
There are no puppies or rainbows in the world of the coroner, but it's
truly necessary work (however grim) for those who vi it as a calling.
Coroners confirm and certify the death of an individual, and can also
order an investigation into the cause. As a deputy, you'll have room to
grow; if you have the forensic experience requested here, you should
already have a good sense of whether this is a job and life for you.
What it is: While we're on the subject of callings: for
the gourmands of the world, working as a cheese maker is one of the
most noble professions there is. But working here takes more than just
really, really liking cheese (although it can't hurt). You'll need to
know how to prep a blue cheese vat as opposed to one that's scheduled
for cheese curd, and oversee vat recipe functions using a specialized
software interface. Yes, there is a dedicated computer program for
monitoring cheese vats. If that's not cool, then I don't know what is.
What it is: With decades of films, books, and
television romanticizing the life of the private eye, it's easy to
forget that it's a real job held by normal, non-fedora wearing people.
You don't even have to be an expert in tailing suspects and
sweet-talking femme fatales; you simply need to be an honest,
self-motivated individual with experience tracking people down. And you
can still wear a fedora if you really want to.
Who it's for: Modern-day Marlowes who know how to Google
Valentine’s
Day is a very polarizing holiday. For some, they can’t wait to send
valentines and celebrate with loved ones. For others, they want to get
as far away as possible from anything red, love-themed or heart-shaped.
If you fall into the former category, you may very well be a romantic
at heart. If you’re in love with love 365 days a year, why not consider
working a job that allows you to be around romance all day long? Here
are six jobs for all of you romantics out there (and apologies in
advance to the Valentine’s Day haters).
Chocolate has long been said to be an aphrodisiac. Whether or not that’s
scientifically true, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular
gifts given to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. As a chocolatier, you get
to work with the delicious dessert, molding and sculpting it into
various confections for lovebirds to enjoy.
Pay: According to the Chicago Tribune, the average starting salary for a chocolatier is $25,000.
What’s more romantic than being surrounded by the intoxicating smell of
fresh flowers all day? And flowers are often purchased for love-related
reasons, such as Valentine’s Day, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries,
so you get to work with customers to design beautiful bouquets for
their loved ones or for special events.
Pay: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, florists earn a median hourly pay of $11.45.
While the word “matchmaker” might evoke memories of watching “Fiddler on the Roof,”
the job of matchmaker has actually become a thriving, modern-day
business. Just look at the success of Patti Stanger from the hit Bravo
show “The Millionaire Matchmaker.”
While not everyone will rise to the heights that Patti has, if you
possess the skills, network and intuition needed to make love matches,
you could create a lucrative business as a matchmaker.
Pay: According to an article in the New York Post, a matchmaker in New York City can make more than $100,000 a year.
Portrait photographers are often hired to take pictures documenting life
events, such as births and weddings. Snapping photos of new parents
holding their newborn, or a newlywed couple gazing into each other’s
eyes after just saying “I do,” is sure to bring out the romantic in
anyone.
Pay: Photographers make a median hourly wage of $13.70, according to the BLS.
A romantic dinner at a restaurant usually involves a bottle of wine. And
while a man might try to impress his date by taking charge of the wine
order, he may be better off leaving it to the expertise of the
restaurant’s sommelier. Sommeliers are wine aficionados, who are skilled
in the art of pairing wine with food to enhance the food’s flavor, according to the BLS.
Sommeliers know their stuff, because they often go through training
that leads to wine-related certification. These programs involve courses
in grape varieties and characteristics, wine production sensory
evaluation, food and wine pairings and service techniques.
Pay: According to the Court of Master Sommeliers,
earnings can vary widely — from about $28,000 for a sommelier with
limited experience to $80,000 to $160,000 for a Master Sommelier.
J. Lo played one in “The Wedding Planner,”
and she ended up finding love (albeit with the fiancé of the person’s
wedding she was planning). While this hopefully isn’t the goal of
real-life wedding planners, it’s easy to fall in love with the idea of
planning a wedding for a living. It can be a stressful, high-pressure
job, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling when you turn your
client’s ideas into reality, creating a beautiful, romantic event.
Pay: Event planners can earn an average annual salary of $49,830, according to the BLS.
While companies like Google, Microsoft and Facebook are pretty much synonymous with the term “cool employee perks” (bocce ball, anyone? How about a stress-relieving massage at the on-campus spa?), they’re not the only technology companies where workers enjoy unique — and enviable — benefits on a daily basis.
From letting employees bring their dogs to work to offering unlimited
paid vacation, tech companies of all sizes are finding cool new ways to
lure top technology candidates. Check out some of the innovative
recruiting tactics that make these companies an employer of choice for
both current employees and job seekers.
1. Q2 hosts “arcade nights” for current and potential employees. Every quarter, interested candidates come to a local arcade to
trade résumés and mingle with current employees. At the end of the day,
it’s the culture that really sells candidates: For the past three
years, the virtual banking solutions provider has been ranked as a Top
Workplace in Austin, Texas.
2. MoneyDesktop keeps recruiting casual with “drink ups.” Like
Q2′s arcade nights, MoneyDesktop’s drink ups enable current employees
and prospects to learn about the culture in a relaxed environment —
here, however, the meeting place is a local brewery.
3. RJMetrics lets workers design their dream job environments. ”One
of the major draws of working at RJMetrics was the opportunity to
design my ideal workspace, including my desired chair, desk and
computer,” writes one employee on the company blog.
4. Autodesk welcomes employees’ dogs. The California-based business, a Fortune “Best Company to Work For,” also lets employees take six-week sabbaticals every four years.
5. Evernote offers unlimited paid vacation. The California-based company joins a growing list of companies — including Netflix, Best Buy and Akamai – offering employees unlimited paid vacation as a way to lower stress, minimize turnover and attract new workers.
6. Rackspace gives employees a “fun budget.” Over in its U.K. offices, every Rackspace employee enjoys a monthly “fun budget” of
£25 per month. Employees in the U.S. get a pretty good deal, too. With
60-hour workweeks as the norm, management wants employees to play just
as hard as they work, so “Rackers” (as employees are called) have access
to an on-site gym, video games and pool tables – in addition to break rooms stocked with free food and drinks.
7. Enova’s “hackathons” lure innovative candidates. The
Chicago-based tech firm invites local college students to compete in
“hackathons” to get to know them, introduce them to the company and get
them excited about the opportunity to work there. (No doubt, one of the
selling points is Enova’s “chill hub,” where employees can get free
haircuts, manicures and massages.) To top it off, Enova also offers new
employees signing bonuses.
AP
Remember when you were a kid, and somebody asked you what you wanted to
be when you grew up? You probably said an astronaut, or the president,
or something similarly ambitious and highly selective. But what if, now
that you're an adult, someone asked you the same question? Would you say
the same thing, or would you simply point to the dog sitting quietly at
your feet and say, "I want to work with him."
Animal jobs--vets, trainers, technicians--may have a high cute factor,
but the reality is that they're as demanding as any job behind a desk.
Nevertheless, they're incredibly rewarding for the true animal
lover--the kind that doesn't mind staring down a crazed chihuahua every
now and then. Let's take a look at some of the finest, fluffiest animal
jobs you can get.
1. Animal Behavior Trainer
Being a behavior trainer is one of those seemingly cuddly jobs that goes
to show that simply loving animals isn't enough. It requires long and
atypical hours, since people usually have time for pet issues on nights
or weekends, and a session spent dealing with frayed human-pet dynamics
can verge on group therapy. Still, it's one of the most rewarding jobs
in the world--including the ones that don't involve border collies named
Flossy.
2. Marine Mammal Program
Using dolphins to hunt underwater bombs might sound like something out
of science fiction, but it's actually a real thing--and you can get
college credit training them to do it! In the Navy's Marine Mammal
Program, you'll work with dolphins, orcas, and pilot whales as they're
prepared for a life of service. It's a great opportunity for veterinary
students or budding marine biologists, but be prepared: at 16 weeks, 40
hours a week, it's rigorous.
3. Amateur Animal Trainer
Actually, make that amateur animal trainer...to the stars. While most on-set trainers in the film industry supply their own animals (the ones you see "acting" in movies like Cats and Dogs), house pets are still occasionally used in commercials, TV shows, and independent films. Just be ready to find Fido an agent.
4. Veterinary Nurse
With more people seeking specialized care for their pets, the demand for
veterinary nurses is expected to grow by more than 38 percent through
2018. In addition to working with animals, you'll receive great benefits
and opportunities for advancement. That's nothing to bark at, even if
the starting salary can be low.
5. Pet Industry
Whether you're a dog lover or fish fan, the pet industry, which grosses
more than $45 billion annually, is rife with opportunity for creative
job hunters. It's a business that welcomes innovation--groomers who set
up in your driveway are the latest craze--and the earning opportunities
are almost infinite. All you need is a love of animals and a bit of
entrepreneurial spirit. Retail experience doesn't hurt, either.
6. Duck Master
Orlando's Peabody Hotel began its tradition of having ducks march
through the lobby in 1932. Today they're still going strong with the
help of the hotel's in-house duck master, who trains them to walk the
red carpet in style. What, you thought they just did that on their own?
The duck master is a showman who knows how to hook an audience, and
develops a tight bond with his animals. "The ducks really love their
master," says managing director Alan Villaverde. "You feed and care for
them. They look at you as a parent." The hotel occasionally hires new
duck masters, so get quackin'!
7. Dog Detective
If you live in New York City, hiring a dog-walker is risky business.
What if they short you on time, or fob your pooch off on one of their
friends? Enter the dog detective, who checks up on shady activity via
surveillance camera (or simply trailing the walker under suspicion). So
far, it's an industry of one--New Yorker Brock Schwartz serves as the
city's sole pooch P.I.--but it serves as an intriguing sidebar of animal issues, a fast-growing legal specialty concerning pet custody and estate planning.
The American workforce is diverse -- made up of occupations that
require varying levels of education, experience and hard and soft
skills. However, one thing workers in all occupations have in common:
their love for pay day.
A paycheck is one of the most rewarding parts of holding a job, and
what you earn directly impacts your life. The more information you have
about your pay and what other workers in the field and across the
country are earning, the more empowered you are to make smart decisions
about what paycheck is best for you.
That being said, it's rarely appropriate to ask your friends and
colleagues how much money they make. But you can still get insider
information into what workers earn across the country.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls in
December 2013 was $24.17. The following 31 jobs all pay about the
national average hourly wage, according to earnings data from Economic
Modeling Specialists International. While pay for these jobs will always
vary based on any number of factors, including location, job level and
company size, this list gives you a glimpse into the occupations that
will get you a paycheck close to what the average U.S. worker earns.
APSolarCity employees install a solar panel on a home in south Denver.
By Susan Ricker
Although it's the shortest month of the year, February manages to pack
in a lot. Groundhog Day brings news of spring approaching. Valentine's
Day is a source of anxiety no matter your relationship status. Black
History Month is a time to remember an important part of our nation's
culture. And the Super Bowl and award shows dominate our Sunday night plans.
But what will you make this February known for? We may be in the second month of the year already, but if finding a new job
is part of your plans for the year, you can make serious progress this
month by checking out these 20 companies hiring right now.
1. Acceptance Auto Insurance Industry: Insurance, retail Sample job titles: Insurance agent, customer service representative Location: Nationwide
3. Appen Industry: Computer software, translation services Sample job titles: Web search evaluator, crowd sourcing, translator Location: Work from home
5. Benihana Industry: Restaurant Sample job titles: General manager, restaurant manager, facilities manager, head sushi chef Location: Tucson, Ariz.; Arcadia and Encino, Calif.; Orlando and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Chicago; Bloomington, Minn.
10. Lacoste Industry: Retail Sample job titles: Regional visual manager, senior manager of training, sales supervisor, sales manager, district manager, director of buying Location: Carl Fisher and Estero, Fla.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Chicago; Greenwich and New York, N.Y.
14. Power Home Remodeling Group Industry: Home improvement Sample job titles: Sales representative, entry-level sales representative Location: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia
20. TitleMax Industry: Financial services Sample job titles: Call center representative, store
manager, district manager, general manager, customer service
representative, bilingual customer service representative Location: Nationwide
