Careers that pay less than you think
May 4, 2012
Many people pursuing a college degree dream about the opportunities having an education will provide them with. Whether they know exactly what they want to do when they graduate or not, odds are they have thought about their "dream" job.
While some jobs are more lucrative than others, those with a college education can expect to make more money than those without a degree. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, individuals whose highest level of education is high school made an average of $31,000 per year in 2010. For those whose highest degree is a bachelor's degree, the average was $58,000.
Still, according to Investopedia.com, many jobs that seem glamorous or exciting actually don't pay very well. The website recently named several careers that many aspire to, but may end up disappointing in the long run.
One such job is a television news reporter. Although this job gives people the chance to appear on TV and sometimes cover interesting and exciting events, the reality is that many news reporters don't make a lot of money. The website reveals that most reporters earn about $33,000 per year. In addition, they are often forced to work long, unusual hours and to adhere to strict deadlines.
The same is true for a TV or film producer.
"The sad truth is that the majority of people working in this field are not earning the big bucks, especially when they're just starting out," Investopedia.com reported. "Many film and television producers work long hours in order to ensure that their productions run according to plan and budget. The median income for individuals in this field is about $48,000 per year, though some producers have had to sacrifice their own salaries in order to inject more funds into the projects they're working on."
Other jobs that experts say are not as glamorous - and well-paying - as one may believe include emergency medical technician (EMT), event coordinator, probation officer, family therapist, addictions counselor and architect.
While potential earnings shouldn't be the only deciding factor when choosing a career path, salary is important for many people. After all, it is important to be happy and fulfilled in your job, but it's also important that you feel like you're being fairly compensated for your time and effort.
Those who have college loans to repay must consider whether a job will allow them to live comfortably and pay their debt. Luckily, many moms can avoid college loans by applying for various grants for parents and college scholarships.
