I’ve always been intrigued by jobs that make a million a month. After all, who doesn’t want to be financially independent? So I did some research and found two fascinating communities where people share sneaky strategies and secrets about jobs that make 1 million a month and other careers that pay really well.
Do you want to know the jobs that make a million a month? We all do. Perhaps we can discover something we can use in our lives. What if I told you there are jobs out there that makes 1 million dollars a month. That sounds pretty sweet, right?
Actor
Yes, this is such a long shot that you should forget about it altogether. First, you would probably have to move to the U.S. Second, SAG and AFTRA represent over 240,000 actors in the U.S. Their average annual income is below $5,000, and fewer than 100 of them are “stars.” (source: The documentary, That Guy…Who Was in That Thing) But at the top, Robert Downey Jr. raked in an estimated $80 million last year.
Physician/surgeon
No surprises here, right? It’s no secret that doctors make decent money. According to a January, 2013 report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, “The average gross clinical payment in 2010–2011 was more than $307,000 per physician.” We’re not going to list every single medical profession that pays well here. Suffice to say that specialty physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists and dentists all do pretty well. This is, however, one area that requires a huge investment of time and money. And you have to pay back all those student loans before you can get that million.
Investment banker
Bankers make a lot of money, but they work crazy hours. Commonly between 80-120 hours a week. A large portion of their wages come from the bonus portion of the compensation which partly explains why people in these roles work such long hours. Third-year analyst’s compensation is roughly $120,000 -$350,000, a third-year associate’s as $250,000 – $500,000, a vice president’s as $350,000 – $1.5 million and a managing director or partner’s compensation at $500,000-$20+ million.
Engineering manager
According to Wisegeek.com, an engineering manager has “four areas of responsibility: supervising engineers or engineering technologists, project management, working with clients, and providing advice and acting as a resource.” This job has been listed as one of the highest paying by The Richest and one of Canada’s highest paying by CNN Money. Listed average salaries range from $113,000-$140,000.
Professional Athlete
Average Hourly Salary: $27.76
Average Yearly Salary: $57,732
Professional Athletes get paid to compete in a variety of sports, from basketball to golf. Keep in mind, though, that even with the necessary talent, these individuals need to rigorously maintain their bodies. Performance is everything, and it can be easy to fall short in this field.
However, when athletes do succeed in a sport, they can succeed big time. For example, football star Tom Brady has an estimated net worth of roughly $200 million, and famous golfer Tiger Woods has an estimated worth of at least $800 million!
Additionally, as a professional athlete, you can easily earn a free ride to the college by playing for the institution’s sports team. Then, if you continue with your sport after college, you could easily be on your way to making a million dollars.
Software Developer
Average Hourly Salary: $40.73
Average Yearly Salary: $84,723
Software Developers are responsible for creating computer programs, networks, and other important applications. This job typically requires a related degree and significant-tech skills but pays extremely well. On top of that, the field has been growing rapidly, currently at a rate of 21% per year.
With that in mind, Software Developer jobs are readily available for anyone with the qualifications needed. Therefore, instead of trying to compete with a sea of other “starving artists,” you could land a high-paying job from the start and get to work making a million.
Product management director
The description for this one varies, but it’s pretty much what it sounds like. A product management director oversees the development of products for an organization, guiding whatever it is – websites, software, tangible product – from strategy to execution. Payscale.com lists the salary of a product management director in Canada as ranging from $85,496 – $158,558.
Director of information security
National average salary: $151,246 per year
Primary duties: Information security directors manage the security of a company’s computer systems and technology. They are responsible for implementing programs and updates, identifying security threats, creating contingency plans and IT budgeting, staffing and training. Because skilled computer science experts with cybersecurity experience are in high demand, directors of information security can earn significant salaries. As management staff, they might also earn bonuses and have stock options in their company.
Airline pilot, copilot, or flight engineer
Pilots transport people and cargo via aircraft (planes, helicopters, etc.).
- Median pay with 15 years’ experience: $127,000
- Typical degree level: Bachelor’s
- Years to $1 million: 12
Clinical trial manager
These managers create and execute clinical trials in accordance with current regulations and standards. They also analyze data on the trial results and present their findings in a report.
- Median pay with 15 years’ experience: $112,000
- Typical degree level: Bachelor’s
- Years to $1 million: 11
Data scientist
Data scientists take information (data) and organize, analyze, and interpret it.
- Median pay with 15 years’ experience: $112,000
- Typical degree level: Master’s
- Years to $1 million: 11
Network architect
Network architects design and build data communication networks that meet the needs of a company, whether it’s for a few people in an office or thousands of people across the planet.
- Median pay with 15 years’ experience: $116,000
- Typical degree level: Bachelor’s
- Years to $1 million: 12
Corporate lawyer
Not all lawyer salaries are created equal – public interest lawyers, for example, fall at the lower end of the earning scale. And there is apparently a growing discrepancy between expected lawyer salaries and actual lawyer salaries. But corporate lawyers tend to do pretty well in general. Payscale lists Canadian salaries for a corporate lawyer at $51,428 – $208,541. Getting a job as a lawyer in Canada usually requires an undergrad degree, a law degree and an articling position.
Management consultant
Sometimes is seems like if you just throw “consultant” in front of a business-y sounding word, you can command whatever salary you want. A management consultant, according to The Canadian Association of Management Consultants, is an independent professional who helps organizations by “solving management and business problems, identifying and seizing new opportunities, enhancing learning, and implementing changes.” Consultants starting out with an MBA start in the $100,000 range, but with advancement these salaries can rise to over $800,000.
Real Estate Agent
Average Hourly Salary: $47.90
Average Yearly Salary: $99,628
Real Estate Agents help clients purchase, rent, or sell properties. This typically involves research, availability for appointments, and writing up contracts. While pay can vary based on the cost of the properties being sold, the average Real Estate Agent can easily reach a million dollars through the sale of expensive homes or other properties.
While many Real Estate Agents have college degrees, it’s actually possible to become one with only a high school diploma or GED. Therefore, relative ease of entry can make this job a good option for those who’d like to stay busy and make a million dollars in the process.
Conclusion:
Jobs that make a million a month, or jobs that pay an annual salary of $1 million are some of the careers that will allow you to live the good life. While achieving this amount of income will certainly be no easy feat it can be done if you follow the right direction.