America’s Most Surprising Six Figure Careers

by Doug Zanes | Last Updated: October 12, 2015

Thanks to Forbes we get an examined update on what the most surprising six figure jobs are out there and every year, we get more surprised…

And maybe a little more motivated to make that career change?!

Make note that if you are thinking about moving jobs, know that this year’s list does NOT involve a corner office!

Forbes examines data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to find some of the country’s most surprising six-figure jobs, using data from the “Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates released annually for more than 800 occupations, refined by geography and industry.”

Some of these jobs are self explanatory while others are just not… familiar? BLS provided us with a descriptions too…

Get ready to be SURPRISED (and not so surprised)….

Elevator Installers and Repairers

BLS Job Description: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $109,450
Mean annual income: $76,490
Total employed: 20,590
Top-paying state: Oregon

Home Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

BLS Job Description: Teach courses in childcare, family relations, finance, nutrition, and related subjects pertaining to home management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $114,150
Mean annual income: $68,030
Total employed: 3,620
Top-paying state: Michigan

Transportation Inspectors

BLS Job Description: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors; rail inspectors; and other inspectors of transportation vehicles, not elsewhere classified.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $114,360
Mean annual income: $70,820
Total employed: 24,350
Top-paying state: Washington, D.C.

Writers and Authors

BLS Job Description: Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $114,820
Mean annual income: $67,870
Total employed: 43,500
Top-paying state: Washington, D.C.

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

BLS Job Description: Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $115,030
Mean annual income: $60,830
Total employed: 2,610
Top-paying state: New York

Hydrologists

BLS Job Description: Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $117,190
Mean annual income: $81,930
Total employed: 6,580
Top-paying state: California

Gaming Managers

BLS Job Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate gaming operations in a casino. May formulate house rules.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $119,950
Mean annual income: $75,590
Total employed: 3,870
Top-paying state: Nevada

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

BLS Job Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $121,690
Mean annual income: $72,570
Total employed: 4,300
Top-paying state: California

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

BLS Job Description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of Federal, State, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $127,400
Mean annual income: $80,540
Total employed: 108,720
Top-paying state: Washington, D.C.

Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

BLS Job Description: Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $128,330
Mean annual income: $79,180
Total employed: 30,690
Top-paying state: Texas

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

BLS Job Description: Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $128,330
Mean annual income: $75,350
Total employed: 97,500
Top-paying state: New York

Funeral Service Managers

BLS Job Description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $137,410
Mean annual income: $81,080
Total employed: 8,330
Top-paying state: New York

Mathematicians

BLS Job Description: Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $157,090
Mean annual income: $104,350
Total employed: 3,130
Top-paying state: New Jersey

Astronomers

BLS Job Description: Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $162,630
Mean annual income: $107,140
Total employed: 1,660
Top-paying state: California

Broadcast News Analysts

BLS Job Description: Analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.

Top 10% annual income, on average: $182,470
Mean annual income: $84,380
Total employed: 4,310
Top-paying state: Oklahoma

Doug Zanes: Founding Attorney Raised in Douglas, Arizona, and went to college at Arizona State University and graduated from law school at St. Mary’s University School of Law in Texas. Doug began practicing law in Phoenix Arizona in 1997.