List of Salaries for Careers (that stand the test of time)

While I often focus on "hot" jobs, like software developer, MSN Careers recently produced a list of stable careers that they claim will always be there. These jobs are not always glamorous, or even a dream job description, but they are consistent over the decades, and in some cases, centuries. For those looking to play it safe from trends, here is a list of salaries for careers that stand the test of time.

As long as there are germs, diseases and fatty foods, doctors will always be in demand. According to the PayScale Research Center, the median medical doctor salary varies according to specialty and locale. For instance, pediatricians' salaries in Georgia average out to a median salary of $117, 250. Not bad pay for a job that has been around since the ancient Greeks and before.

How does your salary compare with Hippocrates's profession? Find out with our salary survey.

Teacher Salaries by State

No matter how hard the doctors try, they will not put morticians out of business anytime soon. Morticians in Minneapolis do well, with a median salary of $48,476. In Atlanta, your friendly neighborhood mortician earns a median salary of $38,780.

Back in the land of the living, we'll always need teachers. If we take a look at K-12 teacher salaries by state, we find that elementary school teacher salaries are the highest in California and New York State; both have a median salary of $44,954. On the lower end of K-12 teacher salaries by state, elementary school teacher salaries take a dip in Texas, where the median salary is $38,311. Elementary school teacher salaries are even lower in Florida, with a median of $34,964, but those jobs will always be there.

Average Job Salary: Scientists and Barbers

We'll always need scientists to find cures for diseases, or at least discover a new low calorie chocolate. A research scientist in biotechnology, with less than a year of experience, earns a median salary of $56,522; not bad for just starting out. For those braniacs with more experience, say 5-9 years, the median salary is $65,942. This profession definitely pays to stick around; with 10-19 years of experience, the median salary is $75,363, and 20+ years will net you a median salary of $83,841.

It's not rocket science, but we'll always need barbers. Barbers earn median salaries of $26,500 to $33,100, depending on work setting and employer (e.g., hotel, barbershop, etc.). These salaries do not include tips, a known big plus for the hair care trades. People will always need a barber, unless they are foolhardy enough to try to cut their own hair.

Heavy Equipment Operators Salaries Public Works

Civilization will always rely on construction workers. There is a lot of variation in annual income, depending on contract type, commercial vs. civil (road) vs. residential construction, union or not, etc. Median salaries of $40,250 to $70,500 or more are possible.

I've saved the most glamorous career for last. A waste disposal manager gets rid of everything we don't want. Annual salaries vary from $28,000 to $62,000 or more, depending of the scope of the work and location.

How does your salary compare to a waste disposal manager in Texas? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. When you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full salary survey. 

Cheers,

Dr. Al Lee

• Curious about salaries? Email Dr. Salary
• Compare your salary: Get a free Salary Report
• 12 Indestructible Careers - MSN Careers

Comments

[Vr]

Can somebody give me info about average salary for a physician (Internist) in OMAN(country).

Thank you

[Mike]

How many out there can read this bunk and be convinced that a $40K a year job will suffice today. It's a joke. Buzz happily along worker bees...

[lana woodson]

Hi,
Do you think that $33,000/year salary for a research assistant position at Westat in Rockville, MD is too low?

[Liz]

How can I tell what the salary is for a given position with specific employer in my city before I apply for the job?

[Grishnakh]

Those salaries are terrible, with the current housing market. You'll only be able to afford living in the ghetto on less than $80k.

That's especially funny (in a dark way) about the scientists' salaries. Why bother getting all that education (which requires huge student loans) to become a research scientist when you can make more working in construction? Obviously, our society simply does not value scientists.

[Dr. Al Lee, PhD]

Dear all,

Thanks for the great comments!

For Lana, Liz and Vr:

The best way to see what a job pays, either your own or one you are curious about, is to complete our short survey at http://www.payscale.com/. At the end, you will get a free report comparing the job you describe to what others doing similar jobs, for similar employers, in similar locations, are paid.

Unfortunately, we don't have much data for non-English speaking countries. Our Oman data is pretty thin. I don't know of a better source.

We also do not report on specific employers, for privacy reasons. However, if you describe an employer accurately in the survey, you will see what employers like that one, and likely including the one you are interested in, pay.

For Mike and Grishnakh:

Please see my latest post: http://blogs.payscale.com/ask_dr_salary/2007/08/employee-wages-.html

It turns out even $40,000 a year is not "typical" in the US. A lot of people are earning a lot less; whether that is fair is another question...

Cheers,

Al Lee (Dr. Salary)

[Sara]

My husband is an immigrant who knows English but despite intensive study still struggles as English is not as good as a native speaker. He can communicate however, and read and write well enough that he passed his citizenship tests. He is good at memorizing, very good with his hands, and is interested in a career in a tech or science related field. He's like to make at least 40k, preferably more. Ideally, he'd like a career where he only needs to go to school for 1-2 yrs. Suggestions?

[Danielle]

I am in 5th grade working on a project where I have to compare and contrast the salaries of Pediatricians in 5 different states.

I wonder if Pediatricians in which area of the U.S. have the highest salary. Is this in private practice or a hospital setting? Who would make more money, a ped. in a rural area or a large city?

[Muhammad]

HI,..........ITS PREETY COOL MAN.................THAT IT IS WONDERFUL