Money. It’s a topic that’s inspired countless songs about its correlation to happiness and health, from the Beatles classic “Can’t Buy Me Love” to the ‘90s hit “Mo Money, Mo Problems” by Notorious B.I.G.
While the universal message of these songs is that making tons of money won’t solve all of your problems, most people would be content with earning a decent salary so they can pay their bills, support their family and live comfortably.
Since every worker has his own idea of what his target income would be, we like to highlight jobs at different pay levels and across different industries. Here we’re looking at jobs that pay a median of $45,000 a year, which is approximately $20,000 more than the 2010 median annual pay for U.S. workers of $26,364. Median means half of workers made more and half made less.
Here are nine jobs that pay around $45,000*:
1. Advertising sales agents sell ad space to businesses and individuals. These agents pursue potential clients, make sales presentations and manage client accounts.
Median annual pay: $45,350
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
2. Archivists appraise, edit and maintain permanent records and historically valuable documents. Archivists may also perform research on archival material.
Median annual pay: $45,200
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
3. Brick masons, block masons and stonemasons use bricks, concrete blocks and natural stones to build fences, walkways, walls and other structures.
Median annual pay: $45,410
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
4. Film and video editors and camera operators record images that entertain or educate an audience. Camera operators capture material for TV shows, movies, music videos, documentaries or news and sporting events. Editors construct the final productions from the images that camera operators capture and work with producers and directors on production.
Median annual pay: $45,490
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
5. Firefighters protect the public by responding to fires and other emergencies. They are often the first emergency responders on the scene of an accident.
Median annual pay: $45,250
Typical education level: Postsecondary non-degree award
6. Health educators instruct people on behaviors promoting health and wellness. These educators develop programs and materials to encourage making healthy decisions.
Median annual pay: $45,830
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
7. Meeting, convention and event planners coordinate professional meetings and events, including choosing meeting locations, arranging transportation and coordinating other details.
Median annual pay: $45,260
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
8. Music directors and composers lead orchestras and other musical groups during performances and recording sessions or write and arrange original music.
Median annual pay: $45,970
Typical education level: Bachelor’s degree
9. Occupational health and safety technicians collect data on workplace safety and health conditions. Technicians work with occupational health and safety specialists in conducting tests and measuring hazards to help prevent harm to workers, property, the environment and the public.
Median annual pay: $45,330
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
*All median annual pay figures, job descriptions and education levels are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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