All professions are different, and each impacts theworldin different ways. No matter how small or big, every job is valuable and should be treated as such. But the truth is that some of the most looked-up-to jobs are often undervalued.There are so many reasons why this happens. As society keeps evolving, you might notice that some of thejobsyou previously thought were prestigious just don’t pay people enough any more. To prove that point, we’ve compiled this list of high-end jobs with shockingly low salaries.More info:RedditThis post may includeaffiliate links.
All professions are different, and each impacts theworldin different ways. No matter how small or big, every job is valuable and should be treated as such. But the truth is that some of the most looked-up-to jobs are often undervalued.There are so many reasons why this happens. As society keeps evolving, you might notice that some of thejobsyou previously thought were prestigious just don’t pay people enough any more. To prove that point, we’ve compiled this list of high-end jobs with shockingly low salaries.More info:Reddit
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Teachers.
Librarians. I couldn’t believe the position required a Masters degree for what they get paid.
Paramedic.
When kids are young, they’re often forced into careers for the sake of money, prestige, or sometimes both. But certain renowned careers of old no longer pay enough. To understand this phenomenon,Bored Pandainterviewed Kristin Hiemstra, the Founder and CEO ofAlightSuccess, an empowerment coaching platform focused on career and personal development. Hiemstra is also an Adjunct Lecturer in management, innovation, and entrepreneurship at NCSU Poole College of Management, with expertise in creating organizational culture, employee engagement, and emotional intelligence.Kristin told us, “unfortunately, several highly regarded professions in the US, particularly in the service sector, don’t pay very well. This includes roles like ministers, nurses, police officers, architects, and untenured college professors. Even some lawyers face financial struggles despite the common perception that they all earn highsalaries.”
When kids are young, they’re often forced into careers for the sake of money, prestige, or sometimes both. But certain renowned careers of old no longer pay enough. To understand this phenomenon,Bored Pandainterviewed Kristin Hiemstra, the Founder and CEO ofAlightSuccess, an empowerment coaching platform focused on career and personal development. Hiemstra is also an Adjunct Lecturer in management, innovation, and entrepreneurship at NCSU Poole College of Management, with expertise in creating organizational culture, employee engagement, and emotional intelligence.
Kristin told us, “unfortunately, several highly regarded professions in the US, particularly in the service sector, don’t pay very well. This includes roles like ministers, nurses, police officers, architects, and untenured college professors. Even some lawyers face financial struggles despite the common perception that they all earn highsalaries.”
EMTs (emergency medical technician)!!! Wtf? We call em in because we don’t want to die. [They] make barely enough for a loaf of bread.
Most of the crew in film & tv production sets.
It’s heartbreaking to note that people working in some of the most demanding professions are often paid peanuts. Kristin stated, “nurses, for instance, are vital to ourhealthcaresystem and often work long, demanding hours. Despite this, their compensation doesn’t always match the critical nature of their work. Similarly, police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line daily to protect and serve the community. Yet, their salaries often do not reflect their risks and responsibilities.”On the other hand, some of the jobs you’d expect to compensate well may not live up to your expectations. “For example, I recently met a nurse who chose this career because it offered more stability and better pay than his previous job as a criminal lawyer. It’s surprising to many, but even in the legal profession, not everyone makes a substantial income, especially those starting or working in certain areas of law,”Kristinadded.
It’s heartbreaking to note that people working in some of the most demanding professions are often paid peanuts. Kristin stated, “nurses, for instance, are vital to ourhealthcaresystem and often work long, demanding hours. Despite this, their compensation doesn’t always match the critical nature of their work. Similarly, police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line daily to protect and serve the community. Yet, their salaries often do not reflect their risks and responsibilities.”
On the other hand, some of the jobs you’d expect to compensate well may not live up to your expectations. “For example, I recently met a nurse who chose this career because it offered more stability and better pay than his previous job as a criminal lawyer. It’s surprising to many, but even in the legal profession, not everyone makes a substantial income, especially those starting or working in certain areas of law,”Kristinadded.
Paraprofessional… If you think teachers have it rough, we’re the ones who help those teachers manage the kids with behavior issues, Mal-adaptive personalities, autism, severe ADHD, learning disorders… A generation before, these kids would have been sent away to mental asylums and forgotten about if they couldn’t adapt to “normal” schooling, but we’re trying to give them an equal shot at an education.
Any field relating to veterinary work or animal work in general….very low pay.
College Professor.
Another profession that’s always been highly valued yet doesn’t seem to pay a livable wage is architecture. Research shows that there has been a downshift inarchitects’ earningsover the years. In 1992, the hourly rates of male architects were almost 70% above the average for full-time male employees. However, this steady decline in salary has significantly impacted the industry.Kristin mentioned that “while the profession is highly respected and requires significant education and training, many architects struggle financially, especially those just starting their careers. The same goes for college professors who haven’t yet secured tenure; they often work long hours for relatively low pay while contributing significantly to the education and development of students.”
Another profession that’s always been highly valued yet doesn’t seem to pay a livable wage is architecture. Research shows that there has been a downshift inarchitects’ earningsover the years. In 1992, the hourly rates of male architects were almost 70% above the average for full-time male employees. However, this steady decline in salary has significantly impacted the industry.
Kristin mentioned that “while the profession is highly respected and requires significant education and training, many architects struggle financially, especially those just starting their careers. The same goes for college professors who haven’t yet secured tenure; they often work long hours for relatively low pay while contributing significantly to the education and development of students.”
Certified Nursing Assistant.
Any position in academic research.
This may be niche but being a professional opera singer sounds very prestigious and cool but even singers at top houses are barely surviving financially, and big stars often still have to do things like teach master classes or teach lessons/coachings whatever .
Even lifesaving jobs like emergency service providers are no exception to this pay disparity. We asked Kristin why such important jobs weren’t compensated as well. She said, “there are a few reasons why vital jobs likeEMTs, firefighters, and teachers are sought after but don’t pay a livable wage. First, it often comes down to education requirements. Even though they are crucial, jobs that don’t require a college degree tend to pay less.”“Additionally, many people find emotional rewards in these roles, which can be seen as compensation. For example, everyone remembers their favorite teacher, and that emotional connection is incredibly valuable,” she added. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, EMTs make30% lessthan other working Americans, with most making less than $37,000 annually. This is truly shocking to consider!
Even lifesaving jobs like emergency service providers are no exception to this pay disparity. We asked Kristin why such important jobs weren’t compensated as well. She said, “there are a few reasons why vital jobs likeEMTs, firefighters, and teachers are sought after but don’t pay a livable wage. First, it often comes down to education requirements. Even though they are crucial, jobs that don’t require a college degree tend to pay less.”
“Additionally, many people find emotional rewards in these roles, which can be seen as compensation. For example, everyone remembers their favorite teacher, and that emotional connection is incredibly valuable,” she added. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, EMTs make30% lessthan other working Americans, with most making less than $37,000 annually. This is truly shocking to consider!
My sibling has a PhD in Audiology. And there’s not much money in it at all. I barely have a high school degree and make 3x what they do in my tech sys admin role. .
Pretty much anything at a museum, even famous ones.
Architecture. Ridiculously competitive AND low pay.
“So, while these jobs are respected and vital, the compensation doesn’t always reflect that importance. Teaching, for instance, was highly sought after despite lower pay because of its societal value and benefits like summers off. But today, we’re seeing a significant teacher shortage in the US, partly because of inadequate pay. This contrasts with other countries where teachers receive a living wage, and the profession is more stable,” she added.
I get this all the time. Theoretical particle physicist for the Department of Energy Office of Science. I live, I survive, I have savings, I can cover emergencies but if I were private, I would almost be making double. However I will take the stability of this position with its amazing benefits and pension plan.
Most science jobs like Biologist.
I thought Administrative Assistant sounded cool until I became one. Feels like I’m a one-man department for menial tasks.
A lot of political jobs. I worked in politics for a bit for a state rep and the pay was criminally low. Everyone thought it was such a fancy exclusive job but nope. I was making like $24k a year.
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Im a Millwright for a medium-large sewer system and they pay is pretty good but as a critically essential service that gets literally no recognition, and trust me we go through some s**t to ensure you dont have to worry about flushing.
Criminal prosecutors.
News anchors and Journalists.
Paralegals.
Every “Account Executive” is a post-college grad making like 45k… Hopefully they can double it with a bonus.
Most healthcare IT jobs that are not hospitals.
Mental health therapist.
Graphic Designer.You can make bank if you are good at selling yourself in freelance to people who will pay, but they’re <1% of any possible options. That’s why you see so many pivoting to UX and development. Starting around me is sub $40k and doesn’t scale well at all until 10yrs+, and even the, it still sucks for what gets asked of you. Definitely not the field for people/students with debt that want to start.
NASA Astronaut. I think the average pay is like $100K a year which is crazy low for such a dangerous job.
Business Operations, sounds like some kind of GM if you don’t know full Finance hierarchies but really it’s largely entry level AR, I made less per hour than I did at a restaurant, but benefits and building the resume for future jobs made it well worth it. How I got my start and if you word it right can really help to jump to the next step (typically AR has a low ceiling so have to pivot to staff Accounting or FP&A to keep moving up).Also, any Non-Profit roles (I see CFO and Directors making pretty measly money in NP, but another good opportunity to build the resume) as well as lots in Education/Healthcare. Anything publicly funded/reliant on grants will not pay great and may artificially inflate titles to attract talent.
Jeweler. Right now in AZ they make about $15-20 an hour, and that’s after going to school and with previous professional experience.
Sandwich artist.
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