Surprising Six-Figure Jobs

By Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

You don't have to be a doctor, lawyer or top executive to be in the ranks of people who earn six-figure salaries. Some jobs you might not guess were so lucrative also offer annual compensation of $100,000 or more--and many of these jobs don't even require advanced degrees.

Check out this list of eight surprising jobs that can put you in the six-figure club. Annual salary information is provided by LiveCareer's Salary Calculator:

1. Funeral director: The top 25 percent earn $112,000 or more.

Since death never takes a holiday, some people become funeral directors because they see it as a recession-proof job. Most funeral directors have little to do with body preparation, and mainly work with families of the deceased.

2. Technical writer: In major metropolitan areas, the top 25 percent earn $111,000 or more.

Tech writing is one of the most lucrative and secure writing careers these days. Writing about technical topics so laypeople can understand them may not be as glamorous as writing novels, but for most people it pays a lot better.

3. Air-traffic controller: The top 25 percent earn $184,000 or more.

There's soon to be an acute shortage of air traffic controllers because of a mandatory retirement age of 56, which many are hitting in the next couple of years. A recent study shows that this mandatory retirement may not be so wise, because experience makes up for possible cognitive declines due to aging.

4. Restaurant manager: The top 25 percent of restaurant managers of large restaurants earn $156,000 or more.

Restaurant managers really earn their high salaries. They're often the first to get to work and the last to leave. It's a pressure-cooker kind of job, but at least they get free meals!

5. Principal/headmaster: The top 25 percent earn $113,000 or more.

Headmasters at New York City's top private schools make more than $300,000, live in deluxe digs paid for by their schools, and get super high-end perks, according to an article in the New York Post. Some even get their very own car and driver.

6. Airline pilot: The top 25 percent earn $151,000 or more.

You don't need to have perfect vision to become a pilot. You can wear glasses as thick as soda-bottle bottoms, as long as your vision is correctable to 20/20.

7. Pharmacist: The top 25 percent earn $174,000 or more.

Pharmacists used to invent drugs--and other concoctions--on their own. Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton sought to invent the perfect medicine and the ultimate non-alcoholic drink rolled into one. The result? Coca-Cola.

8. Astronomer: The top 25 percent earn $151,000 or more.

The majority of astronomers spend relatively little time gazing at the heavens through telescopes. Most of their time is spent analyzing data. Being good at math is a top requirement for this job.

It is possible to find a high-paying career that provides you with great job satisfaction.

LiveCareer's Free Career Interest Test can help you find a job you can love.