Easy, High-Paying Jobs That Require a Degree or Advanced Training

Easy, High-Paying Jobs That Require a Degree or Advanced Training

Radiologic technologist

Systems software developer

There's really no getting around it: Most of the best-paying easy jobs can only be attained with a college or vocational degree. They require skills and expertise that must be developed through formal education and mastered through practical experience. As a result, they aren't necessarily easy jobs to get. And because they often require advanced knowledge, some people might not consider these jobs easy at all.
But these occupations prove that getting an education and mastering a subject or set of skills is often the best way to position yourself for easy jobs that pay a lot. The path to such opportunities might be more challenging than you would like, but once you've achieved mastery over a particular domain, everything starts to feel effortless and fun. The following examples are frequently considered to be among the least stressful occupations that come with good salaries.
1. Librarian—Administering a library, in most cases, is low-stress work that is immune from many of the challenges that people in other professions face. Cataloging library materials is relaxing, and the actual work environment tends to be calm and quiet, which makes other tasks like research and reader assistance pleasant. Plus, job opportunities aren't limited to public or school libraries. Other potential employers include law firms, corporations, museums, healthcare facilities, government institutions, and non-profit organizations. Becoming a librarian generally requires at least a master's degree in library science.

• Average salary—$59,870
• Highest salary—$90,140 or more

2. Sales representative for technical or scientific products—If you're outgoing and like to travel, this high-paying job might be the easiest one you can get. It mostly involves maintaining professional relationships with people in other companies. Those people often become your friends, and you get to take them out for drinks or nice meals, which your own employer pays for. The selling is usually low-pressure and involves friendly conversations about the needs of existing or potential customers. And it often involves plenty of downtime and little or no cold-calling. The catch is that you generally need at least a bachelor's degree in an area related to science, technology, or engineering. For instance, a biology degree could help you qualify for sales jobs in the biotech industry.

• Average salary—$92,910
• Highest salary—$160,940 or more
• Possible extra compensation—Commissions and bonuses

3. Radiologic technologist—A lot of professionals in the healthcare industry would disagree that easy medical jobs exist. But it's all relative. Certainly, people who take diagnostic x-rays or CAT scans experience day-to-day challenges since they work with a variety of patients and other healthcare pros. But even though this occupation usually requires an associate's degree, advanced knowledge, and a lot of interpersonal interaction, many radiologic technologists find that their jobs have an enjoyable rhythm to them, which makes their days feel easy.

• Average salary—$59,260
• Highest salary—$82,590 or more

4. Non-clinical registered nurse (RN)—Like other medical jobs, it's debatable whether easy nursing jobs truly exist. After all, every nurse has to go through extensive training and gain experience in clinical work settings where direct patient care is the main focus. But some experienced RNs eventually get jobs that don't involve direct care in clinical environments. For example, some RNs enjoy relatively low-stress work within research settings. And others get to work from home as telephone nurses.

• Average salary—$72,180
• Highest salary—$102,990 or more

5. Theoretical physicist—Yes, this occupation requires a lot of smarts. But if you're a deep thinker, enjoy math, and love exploring the mysteries of the universe, then you might not find a more pleasing vocation. Imagine spending each day reading, developing theories, or writing about new breakthroughs in the science of time, space, matter, and energy. If you can master the mathematics and gain an expert understanding of the scientific fundamentals, then this job could feel easier than you might expect. In general, you'll need a Ph.D. for the best opportunities.

• Average salary—$121,770
• Highest salary—$189,560 or more

6. Astronomer—Like becoming a physicist, becoming an astronomer requires mastering advanced mathematics and attaining expert knowledge about the universe, usually at the Ph.D. level. But reaching that level of expertise means you can find jobs that enable you to spend mostly relaxed and stress-free days observing and researching celestial bodies like stars, planets, comets, solar systems, galaxies, nebulae, and black holes.

• Average salary—$110,380
• Highest salary—$165,140 or more

7. Systems software developer—A lot of people with this occupation enjoy day-to-day responsibilities that involve little or no stress. It's true that you need a strong grasp of computer science and a capacity for problem solving and innovative thinking. But, as with so many other skill sets, having software-development talents at this level can qualify you for jobs that are easy in many ways that might be important to you. It's often a low-pressure occupation that provides the chance to work at home or in a relatively relaxed environment.

• Average salary—$110,590
• Highest salary—$163,220 or more

8. Optometrist—Diagnosing and treating eye problems such as visual impairment is something that often comes with very little stress. You'll need a Doctor of Optometry degree and a state license to practice, but once you've mastered the required skills and body of knowledge, you may be surprised at how easy the job feels.

• Average salary—$117,580
• Highest salary—$192,050 or more

9. Compensation and benefits manager—In this occupation, the focus is mainly on developing and overseeing an organization's employee pay structure as well as policies related to benefits such as health insurance, time off, and retirement plans. You need general business knowledge as well as some expertise in human resources and employment law. But people in this profession frequently experience little stress and an undemanding work atmosphere.