Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

Highest-Paying Jobs with the Most Time Off

Hours worked/year: 1,736
Median hourly earnings: $32.40
No. employed: 100,000
Hours worked/week: 37.4
Median annual income: $66,810
Top annual income: $108,670

Psychologists are responsible for assessing the emotional well-being of their patients. Most psychologists have doctorates, which, according to the BLS, “generally requires about 5 years of full-time graduate study, culminating in a dissertation based on original research.” However, unlike medical doctors, the vast majority of psychologists set their own hours and appointments, and while many work nine to five, this is not a requirement. Also, more than 40% of people in this position work in schools, meaning they are afforded the same summer vacation to boot.

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Highest-Paying J... The vast majority of high-paying jobs require a significant initial commitment in the form of education, training and tuition, and then hard work while on the job. Most high-paying jobs require significantly more hours on the job than the average American puts in.

24/7 Wall St. has identified nine jobs that pay well above the national median income, while requiring less working hours than average.

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Judges and Magis... Hours worked/year: 1,935
Median hourly earnings: $62.08
No. employed: 25,900
Hours worked/week: 37.2
Median annual income: $119,270
Top annual income: $142,670

Most Judges were once lawyers, meaning they already have a bachelor’s degree, a law degree, a Bar certificate, and frequenlty a successful career as an attorney before they gained the position. This explains the judges’ extremely high salary. The median annual income for the position is $119,270, well above than the national average, with some high-ranking judges earning more than $140,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many judges and magistrates work 40-hour workweeks. But those with limited jurisdictions in small courts work substantially less than full-time, and many even take second jobs. Yet, even they make a very respectable $59,000 annually.

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Occupational The... Hours worked/year: 1,902
Median hourly earnings: $35.18
No. employed: 100,300
Hours worked/week: 38.6
Median annual income: $72,320
Top annual income: $102,520
Becoming an occupational therapist is not easy. According to the BLS, therapists need a master’s degree or higher. In addition, they must attend an academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) before taking the national certifying exam. Occupational therapists devote themselves to helping individuals cope with physical and learning disabilities. Because therapists usually work by appointment, many work less than the standard 40-hour workweek. Yet, their median salary is impressive, standing at $70,000 per year. U.S. News and World Report ranked the position as one of the 50 best careers of 2011.

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Principals (Educ... Hours worked/year: 1,846
Median hourly earnings: $46.49
No. employed: 222,270
Hours worked/week: 39.5
Median annual income: $86,970
Top annual income: $129,480

In order to be eligible to be a principal, applicants mush have a teaching certificate and also possess sufficient experience in school administration. Principals are responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of faculty and students. According to the BLS, the workload can be stressful and demanding at times. However, while some principals work year-round, the vast majority at the elementary and middle school level work full-days during the school-year, but do not work summers. This means principals have nearly three months to themselves. That, combined with a median salary in excess of $85,000, and the high end making nearly $130,000, principal is a great deal for all who are fortunate enough to earn the position.

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Librarians Hours worked/year: 1,819
Median hourly earnings: $27.35
No. employed: 148,240
Hours worked/week: 38.3
Median annual income: $54,500
Top annual income: $83,510

There are several different types of librarians, and depending on the position, workloads can either be demanding or much lighter than the national average. According to the BLS, those working at colleges can work full-time, and even weekends and some holidays. However, nearly half of librarians (63,000 out of the 148,000 positions) work in elementary, middle, and high schools. This means that their schedule is limited to the morning to mid-afternoon on school days, and rarely in the summers. U.S. News and World Report listed the job in its Best Careers of 2009 report.

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Dental Hygienist... Hours worked/year: 1,802
Median hourly earnings: $32.38
No. employed: 177,520
Hours worked/week: 34.6
Median annual income: $68,250
Top annual income: $93,820

Dental hygienists work alongside dentists, cleaning teeth and assisting in surgeries. The position pays well, nearly $35 per hour. This salary is quite substantial for the low stress, light hours and relatively easy certification. The most appealing part of the position is the fact that dental hygienists earn full-time wages while working more than five hours less per week than the national average. According to the BLS, “Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are common.” It was listed by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best Careers of 2011, and it is also one of the fastest-growing positions in the country.

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Clinical, Counse... Hours worked/year: 1,736
Median hourly earnings: $32.40
No. employed: 100,000
Hours worked/week: 37.4
Median annual income: $66,810
Top annual income: $108,670

Psychologists are responsible for assessing the emotional well-being of their patients. Most psychologists have doctorates, which, according to the BLS, “generally requires about 5 years of full-time graduate study, culminating in a dissertation based on original research.” However, unlike medical doctors, the vast majority of psychologists set their own hours and appointments, and while many work nine to five, this is not a requirement. Also, more than 40% of people in this position work in schools, meaning they are afforded the same summer vacation to boot.

(iStock Photo)

More From 24/7 Wall Street:
Seven Jobs That Will Make You Sick
The Best Paying Jobs of the Future
Labor Day Laborers

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Speech-Language ... Hours worked/year: 1,638
Median hourly earnings: $32.74
No. employed: 112,530
Hours worked/week: 37.6
Median annual income: $66,920
Top annual income: $103,630

Speech-language pathologists work on correcting stutters, lisps, and other speech impediments. According to the BLS ,“Typical licensing requirements are a master’s degree from an accredited college or university; a passing score on the national examination on speech-language pathology … 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience; and 9 months of postgraduate professional clinical experience.” Like psychologists, the lion’s share of speech-language pathologists work in schools, with young students. Roughly 56,000 of the 112,000 work in elementary or secondary schools. Also like psychologists, speech pathologists are able to set their own appointments and schedules. The average speech-language pathologist works 37 hours per week, and because of the summer vacation many enjoy, the average number of hours worked each year is 1,638, nearly 300 hours less than the average U.S. worker.

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Law Teachers, Po... Hours worked/year: 1,608
Median hourly earnings: $82.85
No. employed: 14,620
Hours worked/week: 40.3
Median annual income: $94,260
Top annual income: $145,990

While the entire list could have just been comprised of different types of college professors, we listed only the highest-paying position. Law professors have a median income approaching $100,000, and have a top range of nearly $150,000. Becoming a law professor only requires a law degree, although many today also have a Master of Laws and even a PhD. The time spent seems well worth it. Besides the generous salary, the enjoy unique benefits, “including access to campus facilities, tuition waivers for dependents, housing and travel allowances, and paid leave for sabbaticals,” according to the BLS. Between these sabbaticals and the summer vacation, most professors work nearly 400 hours less than the average U.S. employee. Money Magazine and Salary.com rated college professors at No.2 in their 2006 Best Jobs in America annual report.

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Aircraft Pilots,... Hours worked/year: 1,090
Median hourly earnings: $119.12
No. employed: 68,580
Hours worked/week: 21
Median annual income: $103,210
Top annual income: $139,330

According to the BLS, “FAA regulations limit flying time of airline pilots of large aircraft to a maximum of 100 hours a month and 1,000 hours a year. Most airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours a month and work an additional 140 hours a month, performing nonflying duties, which includes waiting for delays to clear and their aircraft to arrive.” According to the BLS’s national compensation survey, only two jobs have shorter annual hours worked — flight instructors and lifeguards. Pilots work almost 50% fewer hours than the average America, but make the 21st highest median annual salary among the 819 positions listed on the BLS list of occupations.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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