11 Jobs That Pay $80K or More Per Year

What are some jobs that pay $80K or more per year?

To help you identify jobs with salaries of $80,000 or more per year, we asked business leaders and recruiters for their best insights. From Human Resources Manager to Physical Therapist, there are several jobs that pay $80K per year that you may consider applying to.

Here are 11 jobs that pay $80K or more per year:

1. Human Resources Manager

Want to make a huge impact on a company and earn a good salary while doing it? Consider a career as a Human Resources Manager. HR managers can help set the direction for a business with their hires, but they also are responsible for cultivating the company’s culture, managing the employer brand, driving the DEI program, coaching and counseling employers and employees, and in some cases overseeing payroll and benefits. Average annual salaries for HR managers range from $80K to $90K, and their policies are felt across the entirety of an organization. It’s a career with enormous growth potential.

Denise Gredler, BestCompaniesAZ

2. Project Management Specialist

If you’re looking for a lucrative career, check out the salaries of Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists. They make an average salary upwards of $84K per year. With a focus on optimizing daily tasks and improving workflow, such specialists are an important cog in the machine. This is an industry in which there is much room for growth, so steer yourself in that direction.

Jon Schneider, Recruiterie

3. Nurse

Consider a career in nursing. It doesn’t require an advanced degree or a business-related education. According to Brookline College, a research nurse makes around $88K per year, and a nurse educator makes around $94K. As a physician, I know how essential nurses are, and they can make a great salary when they pursue the right specialty.

Jae Pak, Jae Pak MD Medical

4. Certified Public Accountant

If you’re looking for a white-collar job that pays well, but doesn’t require a professional degree (like a law degree), you should think about becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Once you’re a CPA, you’re a lock to earn $80K or more per year. According to 2021 data collected by a well-known job board site, the average base salary for CPAs is $81.5K — and that’s just the base salary. According to AICPA, the profession’s main trade organization, experienced CPAs can easily make over $150K per year. Plus, the industry is poised to grow through 2028 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Making the transition from an accountant (which most anyone can do, even without a degree) to CPA is tough. You will need to take some extra college classes and pass a tough exam, but it’s well worth it. On average, CPAs earn 22 percent more than their accountant counterparts.

John Ross, Test Prep Insight

5. Recruiter

There is a great need for Recruiters during the “Great Resignation.” There are rarely any degree requirements for a Recruiter. A person considering a career in recruiting must enjoy speaking with people, have great listening skills, a high comfort level with software and computers, and have an attention to detail. Most careers in recruiting start as a Sourcer, who is responsible for helping to identify and source qualified candidates. A talented Sourcer can quickly move to a full-time Recruiter, which often provides an attractive base salary with an incentive. For those seeking remote work, a Recruiter is a perfect position to consider.

Scott Baker, Stage 3 Leadership

6. Copywriter

Copywriting is one great and in-demand job that can certainly pay $80K per year or more with a bit of experience and expertise. Whether executed via freelance or in a full-time, salaried position, copywriting is not only very lucrative, but also rather easy to learn and gain experience in. Copywriters can execute a variety of tasks, but primarily they research and write content for marketing and advertising purposes, helping brands to communicate their value to their intended audiences. $80K per year can be achieved with a few great clients or with a corporate job, both of which come with their own perks and challenges. This is a great career path for folks who love to write, appreciate the intersection of business and psychology, and want to make great money.

Gigi Ji, KOKOLU

7. Home Painting Company Owner

There are a number of home services jobs that provide upwards of $80K per year, and running a home painting company is one that offers low overhead and steady labor, while requiring little formal training. Running your own business is far easier than many assume — particularly when the business is based on labor you can provide yourself. Home painting is a service that’s always in high demand, as it’s an essential task for homeowners. And because of its low overhead costs, many small businesses can turn solid profits relatively quickly.

John Jacob, Hoist

8. Real Estate Agent

One job that makes roughly $80K per year is a Real Estate Agent. A Real Estate Agent earns commission, which can be high depending on the property they are selling. Becoming a Real Estate Agent is comparatively easy to other jobs at this pay level, which often require an advanced degree. Primary duties include showing houses, serving as a liaison between the buyers and sellers, and a whole lot of paperwork.

Kevin Callahan, Flatline Van Co.

9. SEO Specialist

Becoming a good SEO Specialist can easily pay you $80K per year. Many professionals work as freelancers. What’s more, there are SEO Specialists who have started their own companies and are now making millions every year. There are different routes you could take in the dynamic field of SEO, such as becoming an Off-Page or a Technical SEO Specialist.

Georgi Todorov, ThriveMyWay

10. Communications Manager

A Communications Manager is in charge of supervising a company’s public image. It’s all about developing and nurturing relationships with clients, vendors and stakeholders. You’ll also be expected to manage media relations in the editorial, social, advertising and marketing fields. So you should be able to confidently and effortlessly create social media posts and write press releases. You need to be communicative, business savvy and have the ability to multitask, as you may have to work on multiple projects simultaneously. The median annual salary for this position is around $80K, but it can even reach upwards of $95K per year.

Nicole Ostrowska, Zety

11. Physical Therapist

Becoming a physical therapist pays off — not just in financial terms. $80K per year is on the lower end of the earning scale, and it is a profession that is constantly in demand in the market. People need professionals to help them with body disorders and injuries and reduce pain. This job provides many employment opportunities. How so? You don’t have to work for someone. You can run a one-person business. Not only that, but you can also combine both options. Research Physical Therapist jobs and see if it’s a good fit for you.

Agata Szczepanek, MyPerfectResume

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