Are you the type of person who doesn't really care what career you go into, as long as it makes you some do-re-mi?
Well, we've got a list for you! Reddit user ShanChab asked the Redditsphere, "What's an unexpectedly well-paid job?" Here are some helpful responses that might have you reconsidering that college major — or college at all, for that matter:
2. A closed caption broadcaster for the news (up to $72,000).
"I work at home as a closed caption broadcaster for the news. I make my own schedule and make between $35–$65 per hour depending on the job. Large investment to get started but significantly worth the payout."
The highest paid closed caption television specialists make an average of $71,000/year in Washington, DC and New York.
4. An In-N-Out manager (up to $160,000).
"Managers of In-N-Out fast food joints can make up to $160,000 per year."
5. A technical writer ($100,000+).
"If you have the ability to take complex technical information and simplify it according to the reading audience, you can make well over $100K annually."
The median salary for technical writers was $71,850 in 2018.
6. A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority worker ($100,000+).
"I'm not sure if it's the same for other cities, but T and bus operators in Boston make a lot of money. I've rarely met a higher paid, less engaged group of employees in my life, and I work in recruiting."
One in three MBTA workers made over $100,000 in 2017. The highest paid employee that year made more than $270,000 thanks to overtime and other pay.
7. An aircraft dispatcher ($100,000+).
"I met a girl many years ago because she was living in my town training to be an airline dispatcher. There are just a handful of schools that [offer training] — it gives you a lot of options to advance at an airline, like being station chief."
After they gain several years of experience, aircraft dispatchers can make more than $100,000 a year. Dispatch managers can make even higher than that.
8. A court reporter ($100,000+).
"Stenography is a tough skill to learn, but plenty of court reporters earn over $100,000. And no college degree required (although most court reporters will need to be certified)."
9. A mobile crane operator ($200,000+).
"Mobile crane operator. Union guys pull over $200,000."
Apparently crane operators in NYC can make upwards of $500,000 a year.
11. A librarian for the federal government ($100,000+).
Several different federal agencies hire librarians, with many making $100,000 or more. In 2018, the average librarian salary in the federal government was $98,889, while the highest paid librarian made $201,402.
12. A boiler operator ($35+/hour).
"I get paid $35/hour to play Skyrim on Switch while watching Netflix. You just have to find one that's all operator and no maintenance."
The highest-paid 10% of boiler operators make $78,050 a year on average.
13. A funeral director ($75,000+).
"I make $75,000 and did not have much schooling."
The top 10% of funeral directors made more than $97,200/year as of May 2011.
15. A dental hygienist ($48+/hour).
16. A sign language interpreter ($35+/hour).
"We pay our interpreters $35/hr. They get time-and-a-half for assignments after 5 p.m. or on the weekends. If a gig cancels with less than 24 hours notice, the interpreter still gets paid."
The highest average wage for sign language interpreters was in Washington, DC at $92,420 per year.
17. An occupational therapist ($100,000+).
"My friend is studying occupational therapy, and apparently one of the jobs you can get from that is teaching new mothers how to hold their babies. Six-figure income."
Occupational therapists make a median salary of $83,200.
Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
