Reputable Careers that Don't Pay Well

Some careers immediately conjure up images of money. It's safe to assume that if you choose to work in a profession like law or medicine, you're positioning yourself to make a respectable life. Then there are occupations whose prestige, high level of education requirement, or demanding on-the-job conditions lead us to believe they will pay well.

Here are some careers that pay considerably less than you might anticipate

Federal air marshal

These highly skilled law enforcement officers learn how to fly an aircraft and shoot lethally and accurately in confined spaces. When there are security threats on commercial airline flights, they are in charge of ensuring the safety of the crew and passengers. A Transportation Security Administration division employs them under the direction of the US Department of Homeland Security.

This type of work, which Hollywood frequently popularised through films like Liam Neeson's "Non-Stop," can be mentally and physically taxing. The TSA estimates that sky marshals spend roughly 900 hours a year in the air and fly for nearly half of each month, or about 181 days total. The TSA's SV grading system governs compensation, with the Career Level 1 Pay Band G yearly wage starting at $39,358 and going as high as $60,982.

An applicant must have a bachelor's degree or three years of experience indicating a progression of responsibility in addition to being between the ages of 21 and 36. Additionally, background checks, writing and logic tests, psychiatric evaluations, and panel interviews are required of candidates.

Astronaut

Although this area of work could propel you to the skies, its pay is firmly grounded in the real world. According to NASA, a civilian astronaut's annual income is based on the federal government's General Schedule pay scale for grade GS-12 and GS-13 personnel, whose starting yearly salaries are $71,099 and $84,546, respectively. Civilian astronauts, as opposed to military astronauts, are paid per year. Pay is determined by experience and academic success.

The level of competitiveness is still high. For the class of 2017, NASA's Astronaut Selection Board reported receiving a record-breaking 18,300 applications in 2016, making admission there at least 74 times more difficult than at Harvard.

Candidates must be US residents, hold an advanced degree in a STEM subject from an approved university, and have at least two years of practical experience in their field of study. Several strict conditions must be met, including passing the NASA long-duration astronaut physical.

Rehabilitation Specialist

Counsellors in this sector assist people with disabilities—physical, intellectual, developmental, or emotional—to build on their strengths and learn to live and work independently by helping them accept their limits. Through various assessments, treatment plans, career training, and services to support their clients throughout their lives, rehab counsellors collaborate with several experts to monitor and support their clients' development.

Counsellors frequently work with various populations, including older people, those struggling with substance abuse or learning difficulties, veterans, and young people in danger. For a position like this, most firms want a master's degree. Yet, the typical annual wage for rehab counsellors is only $46,020, or $22.13 per hour.

Retail Sales Associates

While retail jobs can provide valuable customer service experience, they may offer lower pay, especially for part-time or seasonal workers.

Teaching Assistants

Although teaching assistants contribute to the education system, they typically earn lower wages compared to certified teachers.

Therapist

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wages Handbook, these professionals identify and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether they are cognitive, affective, or behavioural, in the context of both marital and familial systems.

Common qualifications for this post include a master's degree in marriage, psychology and family therapy or a related mental health discipline. Additionally, every state mandates that therapists hold a licence, which can be obtained after completing a residency or internship and earning a master's degree. Candidates must also pass a state exam and complete yearly continuing education requirements. The median annual wage for such a job is $63,300 as of 2022, totaling $30.44 per hour.