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Many students start college not knowing exactly what career they want to pursue.  If a high salary is one of your priorities in choosing a career this blog could help you.  Here is a list of the most profitable career paths for the average person from statistics taken directly from the U.S. Labor Department.

1. Doctors and Surgeons
Formal education and training requirements for Surgeons are among the most demanding of any occupation, but earnings are among the highest. After training for at least 10 to 15 years (additional schooling for specializations), a surgeon has the ability to earn at least $206,770. Anesthesiologists, Gynecologists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Internists, Prosthodontists and Orthodontists are also among the best paid health care professionals.

2. Business & Management Career Path
Top Executives are among the highest paid professional, however, this career also involves long hours, considerable travel, and might be highly stressful. Often it takes years of experience to reach management level.

3. Education Career Path
Post Secondary Health Specialties Teachers earn the highest salary in education. Health Specialty Teachers for example can earn around $102,000. Ph.D. recipients should experience the best job prospects. Many faculty members apart from their base salary have significant earnings from consulting and writing for publication. They also receive many benefits like access to campus facilities and housing and travel allowances.

4. Computer & Mathematical Science Career Paths
Job prospects seem to be excellent for computer and mathematical scientists and they may earn as much as $151,250.  Computer and mathematical science researchers and scientists earn the top salaries.

5.  Architecture & Engineering Career Paths
Starting salaries for Engineers are among the highest of all college graduates. But in order to keep up with improvements in technology, continuing education is critical. Petroleum Engineers have the highest salaries in the architecture and engineering occupations.

6. Legal Career Path
Remember that competition for admission to most law schools is intense. Salaries of experienced attorneys vary widely according to the type, size, and location. Median annual wages in the management of companies and enterprises is $145,770.  But as a Judge you can earn above $162,140 a year.

7. Social and Political Sciences Career Path
Employment opportunities for Sociologists and Political Scientists are projected to grow much faster. Median annual wages of political scientists is $104,130. As an Economist you can earn as much as $113,590 annually, but only candidates who hold a master’s or Ph.D. degree in economics reach top salaries.

8. Biological Science Career Path
Biotechnological research and development should continue to grow at fast rates. Microbiologists earn an average annual salary of $97,264; Ecologists, $84,283; Physiologists, $109,323; and Zoologists, $116,908.

9. Physical Sciences Career Path
With their skills in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, Computer Programming, and organizing and interpreting scientific data, Physics grads are in great demand in a wide range of industries.  Such industries include telecommunications, industrial physics, hospital physics, electronics, computing and quality control testing. Potential earnings are around $106,440 a year.

10. Recreation and Fitness and Wellness Studies Career Path
As increasing numbers of people spend more time and money on Leisure and Fitness Services, job opportunities in fitness, wellness and recreation are expected to grow rapidly.  Recreation and fitness employees plan, organize, and direct sport activities in recreation areas, fitness centers and tourist attractions.

Reference: USA Bureau of Labor Statistics 2009

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