When you dream of a future filled with success and financial freedom, choosing the right career path is the first step.
In this post, we’ll look at 12 jobs that make you rich fast, what you need to know to get started, and how much you can earn.
Whether you’re just starting to plan your career or thinking about making a change, this guide will help you find the jobs that could lead to a big payday.
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Investment Banker
Average Salary: $157k – $225k per year
An investment banker helps companies and governments facilitate large financial deals, such as mergers, buying other companies, and selling stocks or bonds.
To break into investment banking, you need a strong foundation in finance, economics, or business.
Most start with a bachelor’s degree in these fields, but getting a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) can significantly boost your chances.
Investment bankers earn a lot, ranging from high six figures to even millions, including bonuses and commissions for successful deals. In addition, investment banking jobs are expected to grow by 7% by 2031.
However, the job comes with high pressure, long hours, and the expectation to be available around the clock. The early years are especially tough as you’ll work hard to build a name for yourself and gain clients.
Entrepreneur
Average Salary – $0 to Billions
An entrepreneur starts and runs their own business, taking financial risks with the hope of making a profit.
You can start a restaurant, ecommerce store, consulting firm, tech startup, or any other business.
Income for entrepreneurs can significantly vary, with the potential to earn a modest amount to billions of dollars.
Success stories like those of Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Sara Blakely highlight the unlimited financial potential of entrepreneurship.
The path to becoming an entrepreneur involves identifying a market need, developing a business plan, securing funding or bootstrapping, and launching and managing the business.
While you don’t need formal education to become an entrepreneur, knowledge in business management, marketing, and finance are beneficial.
SEO Specialist
Average Salary: $50k – $100k per year
An SEO specialist is a digital marketing expert who optimizes websites to rank higher in search engine results to improve online visibility and drive organic traffic.
As an SEO specialist, you dive deep into keyword research, SEO audits, link building, and content creation strategies.
The goal is to generate traffic, improve brand exposure, and ultimately increase the earnings of the website.
The salary range for SEO Specialists is broad, largely influenced by experience and geographical location. On average, you could earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually.
However, if you have entrepreneurial skills, you can start your own SEO agency to earn seven figures, which is why it’s on my list of jobs that make you rich.
Like blogging, you don’t need a formal education to be an SEO specialist. In addition to the high demand for SEO expertise, the option to freelance or work remotely is a significant draw for many in this field.
However, the landscape of SEO is always changing, which requires you to stay updated with the latest algorithms and strategies. Moreover, the technical aspects and constant updates can be overwhelming for newcomers.
Doctor
Average Salary: $180k – $500k per year
A doctor is a medical professional dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses to improve people’s health and quality of life.
Doctors are among the highest-paid professionals, with salaries starting from $180,000 to over $500,000 annually, depending on their specialty and experience.
The demand for skilled medical professionals remains consistently high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the job market for physicians and surgeons to grow by 3% from 2019 to 2029.
However, becoming a doctor requires a substantial commitment. You need to complete an undergraduate degree, attend medical school, undergo several years of residency training, and pass rigorous licensing exams.
But the opportunity to make a significant impact on individuals’ lives and the community, coupled with the high earning potential, makes it a highly fulfilling career choice for many.
Lawyer
Average Salary: $60k – $200k per year
A Lawyer is a legal professional who helps clients understand the law and represents them in court. They work on various cases, offer legal advice, and make sure their clients’ rights are protected.
There are many types of lawyers since the law covers many issues and specialties. Here are some of them:
- Bankruptcy lawyer
- Civil rights lawyers
- Divorce attorneys
- Family attorneys
- Criminal defense attorneys
- Corporate lawyers
Typically, salaries can start from $60,000 and go up to $200,000 or more annually. Top lawyers or those who own successful law firms can make millions, making law a lucrative career choice.
In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% growth in the legal field by 2031.
But the path to becoming a lawyer is demanding. You need a bachelor’s degree, a Juris Doctor (JD) from law school, and pass the state bar exam.
Despite this, the benefits of assisting others and the potential for high earnings can make it worth the effort.
Pro Athlete
Average Salary: $77k – $50M per year
A pro athlete is a professional sports player who competes in various sports at the highest level.
These athletes dedicate their lives to excelling in their chosen sport, whether it’s basketball, football, tennis, or any other competitive field.
They train hard, eat right, and stay in top shape to perform their best.
However, becoming a pro athlete is tough, with less than 2% of NCAA student-athletes making it professionally.
On top of that, an athlete’s journey is full of challenges, including the risk of injuries, the stress of constant travel, and maintaining mental and physical health.
Despite these challenges, the rewards can be significant. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that athletes and sports competitors earn a median salary of $77,300 a year, with a projected growth of 36% by 2031.
Top athletes also make extra millions from endorsements and sponsorships, making it a lucrative career for the few who reach the top.
Software Developer
Average Salary: $124k per year
A software developer designs and builds computer programs that let users perform specific tasks on computers or other devices.
They might work on developing apps for consumers, such as games or productivity tools, or create systems that keep businesses running smoothly.
Starting a career in software development usually means you need a strong background in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
Many developers have bachelor’s degrees, but learning on your own or going to coding bootcamps are also good ways to get into this field.
One of the biggest draws to becoming a software developer is the attractive salary and high demand for coding skills across industries.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers make an average of $124,200 a year, and the number of jobs for them is expected to grow by 25% by 2032.
But sometimes, the job can mean working extra hours to meet deadlines or solving complex problems. Since technology changes quickly, you need to keep learning new things, which can be both good and bad, depending on your perspective.
Actuary
Average Salary: $60k – $250k per year
An actuary is someone who works with numbers and data to predict the financial future of a company , especially those related to insurance and pension programs.
Actuaries primarily work in the insurance industry but are also found in consulting, government, healthcare, and investment sectors.
Their work involves creating models to predict the likelihood of events such as sickness, death, injury, or natural disasters, and advising companies on how to reduce costs associated with these risks.
The salary for actuaries is competitive, reflecting the high level of expertise required in the role. Entry-level positions start around $60,000, but experienced actuaries can earn well over $100,000 annually.
Senior actuaries or those in high-level positions such as Chief Risk Officer can command several hundred thousand dollars per year, making actuarial science one of the top jobs that make you rich.
To become an actuary, you need a strong background in mathematics, statistics, and business.
Most actuaries hold a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. The demand for actuaries is growing quickly, with an expected growth rate of 21%, which is much faster than the average for other jobs.
Manager
Average Salary: $100k – $500k per year
A manager oversees a team or department, guiding them towards achieving their goals and ensuring the smooth operation of their area of the business.
A managerial job can be anything from being in charge of human resources to being a top boss like a COO or CEO.
Many managers have degrees in business, management, or related fields, but what’s equally important is hands-on experience in their industry.
Working your way up from entry-level jobs by showing you’re a good leader, can communicate well, and solve problems can lead to opportunities in management.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that top executive managers earn a median salary of around $100,000 per year.
But being a manager can be demanding. It often involves long hours and a significant workload. You might have to deal with difficult situations, such as resolving conflicts within the team or making tough decisions that may not please everyone.
Even with these challenges, this role gives you the freedom to make decisions and control over what you do, and it pays well.
Real Estate Agent
Average Salary: $30k – $100k per year
A real estate agent helps homeowners list properties for sale, show homes to potential buyers, and negotiate deals. They also help those looking to rent apartments or houses find the right place for their needs.
To become a real estate agent, you usually need to take a pre-licensing course and pass a licensing exam in your state.
Some agents have degrees in business or sales, but what’s really important is knowing the local real estate market and having good sales and negotiation skills.
According to industry sources, many agents earn between $30,000 and $100,000 per year, but this can vary greatly depending on location and how much work they put in. If you work in luxury real estate, you stand to earn upwards of six figures.
However, being a real estate agent often involves working evenings and weekends since that’s when clients are available to look at homes.
But, for those who enjoy meeting new people, have a knack for sales, and like the idea of helping others find their perfect home or investment, being a real estate agent can be very rewarding.
Blogger
Average Salary: $0 – $1M per year
A blogger writes reviews, tutorials, stories, and other types of content on various topics in an informal and engaging style.
If you have a knack for writing or deep knowledge in a niche, you could earn a few thousand to millions of dollars yearly.
You can monetize your blog through display ads, digital product sales, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.
However, the biggest disadvantage is that a blog typically doesn’t turn profitable until the second or third year.
But despite the slow path to income generation, there are plenty of upsides to blogging. You don’t need formal education to start, and the barrier to entry is low.
Most bloggers treat their website as a side project and then transition to full-time once the blog starts generating income.
The key to running my seven-figure blog, MyWifeQuitHerJob.com, is consistently posting high-quality, engaging content that meets my audience’s needs.
When you publish content regularly, you will eventually become an authority in your niche.
Interested in starting your own blog? Sign up for my free six-day mini-course on creating a profitable blog.
YouTube Partner
Average Salary: $0 – $1M per year
A YouTube Partner is a YouTuber that has at least 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 public watch hours over the past 12 months. You can also become a YouTube Partner with 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
Starting a channel on YouTube is like starting a blog. You need to pick a topic you know about and like, and then make videos regularly.
You don’t need any formal education but knowing how to create engaging content and understanding video editing can help a lot.
Earnings for YouTube Partners can vary widely. Some make a few hundred dollars a month, while others earn thousands or even millions. It all depends on how many viewers and subscribers you have and how engaged they are with your content.
YouTube pays partners through ad revenue, but you can also make money through sponsorships and selling your own merchandise or services.
However, when you’re just starting, there’s no guaranteed income. And with millions of channels all trying to get noticed, YouTube is a very competitive space.
As a result, you should treat YouTube as a side project at first.
This way, you can gradually grow your channel by focusing on unique content, without the pressure of needing it to immediately support you financially.
Final Thoughts On Jobs That Can Make You Rich
Finding a job that can make you rich starts with understanding yourself—your skills, interests, and the kind of lifestyle you desire.
Many of the highest-paying jobs demand a degree or years of dedication at a young age, such as becoming a professional athlete or an investment banker.
These paths often require not just academic qualifications but also a significant investment of time and effort to reach the top of the field.
However, not having a bachelor’s degree doesn’t close all doors to wealth. You could start blogging, become a YouTube Partner, sell real estate, or start your own business.
These options might not need a traditional college degree, but they require you to be creative, keep going even when things get tough, and be open to learning new things.
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Steve Chou is a highly recognized influencer in the ecommerce space and has taught thousands of students how to effectively sell physical products online over at ProfitableOnlineStore.com.
His blog, MyWifeQuitHerJob.com, has been featured in Forbes, Inc, The New York Times, Entrepreneur and MSNBC.
He's also a contributing author for BigCommerce, Klaviyo, ManyChat, Printful, Privy, CXL, Ecommerce Fuel, GlockApps, Privy, Social Media Examiner, Web Designer Depot, Sumo and other leading business publications.
In addition, he runs a popular ecommerce podcast, My Wife Quit Her Job, which is a top 25 marketing show on all of Apple Podcasts.
To stay up to date with all of the latest ecommerce trends, Steve runs a 7 figure ecommerce store, BumblebeeLinens.com, with his wife and puts on an annual ecommerce conference called The Sellers Summit.
Steve carries both a bachelors and a masters degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Despite majoring in electrical engineering, he spent a good portion of his graduate education studying entrepreneurship and the mechanics of running small businesses.