Exciting Careers: 10 Unique Options That Pay Well

Everyone wants to live a good life and enjoy their job as well.

In many cases, this is only possible if you learn a trade.

Some vocations pay more than others, and you’re probably here to learn about a least 10 unique options that pay well.

Read on if that’s the case!

Dental Hygienist

Everyone is scared of going to the dentist more than any other doctor, but everyone also wants to have a nice smile.

Dental hygienists work supervised by a licensed dentist and provide a series of services, such as:

• Teeth cleaning
• Performing Xrays
• Examine patients’ mouths
• Teach patients good oral hygiene strategies
• Make appointments for patients

The demand for such professionals is high and the average salary across the USA is around $76,000 per year.

The majority of those who become dental hygienists study for around 3 years and earn an associate degree.

They also need a license from the state’s dental board.

The degree can be earned through colleges, universities, and vocational schools across the country.

Students will have to attend classes in person, lab hours, and clinical practice hours.

Electrician

Being an electrician is not the easiest, and it’s also a dangerous job.

These professionals usually offer this kind of services:

• Installing wiring
• Repairing wiring
• Planing electrical systems
• Reading diagrams and blueprints

To become an electrician, you’ll usually need a high school diploma or GED, then to train as an apprentice, and then to earn a license.

There are many online programs for electricians, so you can become certified almost fully online.

Each jurisdiction has its own rules and requirements for this job, so make sure you get well-informed ahead of time.

There will be some electricians who earned at least an associate degree, but they still need to go through an apprenticeship.

This occupation allows you to work on your own.

You could make between $50,000 and $64,000 a year, depending on your experience and other credentials.

Luckily, there will always be a need for electricians.

Plumber

Knowing a good plumber when the sink leaks or there’s a problem in the bathroom, is important.

If you choose to become one, then you can fix the issue by yourself and you can even get paid by others to repair their plumbing.

There are a few other things you’ll have to do as a plumber, such as:

• Install and repair pipes (water, gas)
• Inspect and test plumbing systems for leaks and other problems
• Read and interpret blueprints

This profession requires a high school diploma or GED and training through an apprenticeship, trade school, or community college.

You’ll also need to earn a license, according to the regulations in your area, here are the best online plumbing programs to get your certification.

The median salary for this occupation is $55,000 per year, and the demand is going strong.

Sommelier

This could be the dream job of a wine lover, though it takes a few years of training to become one.

Sommeliers are people who take care of the wine, but in reality, they’re experts when it comes to:

• Wine history
• Wine regions
• Types of grapes
• Wine serving etiquette

You’ll need a certification that has more levels, that you can obtain after at least 2 years of experience working in a restaurant.

With a certification, you could be earning at least $62,000 per year.

The higher your certification and thus expertise, the more you can earn.

There are at least 3 educational bodies for sommeliers, with the most prestigious being the Court of Master Sommeliers.

HVAC Technician

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and related equipment.

These professionals usually perform these types of services:

• Installing and maintaining equipment
• Upgrading equipment
• Changing old filters

Those interested in becoming HVAC techs will need to ensure they have a high school diploma first or its GED equivalent.

Then, they must undergo some training that usually takes the form of an apprenticeship along with some HVAC theory classes, which can also be taken online.

You’re expected to earn a certification as well.

Depending on how much experience you have, and the level of your certification, you could be earning some $65,000 per year.

Deciding to become specialized in just one type of service, such as installations, or a single type of system, such as air-conditioning, your salary can only go higher.

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

The medical field has a high demand for all sorts of professionals, and sonographers.

These professionals get trained to help doctors with diagnosing illnesses.

Medical sonographers have the role of creating images of specific parts of the body using various specific tools.

They also have to ensure the images are accurate as far as the body part goes, and that it is high quality.

To become a sonographer you can enroll in various programs with a variety of time-frames.

No program lasts for less than a year and upon graduation, students qualify to earn a certificate.

For this profession, you can earn an Associates’ or a Bachelors’ degree as well, though these programs have a longer duration.

As far as salary goes, you can earn an average $79,000 per year.

Pipefitter or Steamfitter

Pipefitters or steamfitters are craftsmen who read blueprints and turn them into actual piping systems.

These professionals have more duties to complete, such as:

• Installation and maintenance of piping systems
• Inspect, examine, or test installed systems
• Use a variety of tools
• Prepare cost estimates for clients

Like most trade jobs, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED to have a chance at becoming a pipe or steamfitter.

Additionally, you’ll also have to train for up to 5 years as an apprentice along with attending some classes.

These professionals have an annual salary of around $58,000.

The main difference between pipe and steamfitters lies in what the pipes will be used for:

• Pipefitters install pipes for low and high-pressure systems for heating and cooling, manufacturing, and electricity generation
• Steamfitters install pipes for liquids or gases at high-pressure

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are super skilled and creative professionals.

Luckily, for an entry-level position you can earn only a certification, though if you want more career options, you’ll need to consider earning a degree.

You’ll need to learn various computer programs like:

• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Photoshop
• QuarkXPress

However, you’ll also need to be able to use pencils and paper, along with additional tools.

As a graphic designer, you’ll:

• Design and populate graphs, charts, or infographics
• Decide on the best style, typeface, and atmosphere needed for the job
• Arrange presentations to pitch new ideas
• Ensure the layout is perfect and ready for printing

The average salary for such professionals is about $70,000 per year.

This occupation is one where practice makes it better.

Paralegal

Paralegals are usually lawyer’s assistants and complete duties such as:

• Conducting interviews with clients
• Locating witnesses
• Conducting investigations
• Doing legal research
• Summarizing depositions

To become one, you’ll need to earn an Associates’ degree at the very least, there are online certification programs for paralegals available as well.

After that, you’ll need to start working earn experience, and then consider becoming certified.

This occupation is both satisfying and stressful at times.

As far as salaries are concerned, the average is $55,000 per year, though with more experience and in larger law firms, this can go as high as $80,000 a year.

Heavy Machine Operator

This occupation usually requires just graduating from high school or having a GED.

The employers will prefer candidates who attended some heavy machinery courses that are available at colleges, vocational schools, and not only.

You’ll usually have to complete these types of tasks:

• Paving and surfacing
• Pile driving,
• Moving materials,
• Forklift operating

Heavy machine operators usually make around $63,000 per year.

This occupation may be full of responsibilities and have longer hours than other jobs.

The advantage is that you won’t have to work in an office, which is something many prefer.

Conclusion

As you can see, many opportunities allow you to make a living while using the creativity of your hands.

With some of these occupations, you can work on your own or for a company, and in some instances, remote work is also possible.