By CareerBuilder.com
It was a few hundred years ago that Benjamin Franklin made the observation that time is money. The same is still true today, and workers are constantly trying to strike the right work/life balance to get as much as they can of both.
By CareerBuilder.com
It was a few hundred years ago that Benjamin Franklin made the observation that time is money. The same is still true today, and workers are constantly trying to strike the right work/life balance to get as much as they can of both.
According to the 2008 American Time Use Survey (conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics), we're still working an average of eight hours a day. And the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that the median annual income per household member is $26,036 per year.
There are some jobs, however, where you can work less and make more than the averages. The hours may not be significantly less -- generally between 35 and 38 hours a week -- but these jobs offer more value in both time and money. They all pay salaries that exceed that $26,036 median income.
Here are 20 jobs we found that let you work less and earn more. These jobs require less than 40 hours of labor in a work week, but exceed the median annual income level in pay.*
1. Aircraft pilots, copilots and flight engineers
Hours/week: 23.5
Hours/year: 1,215
Annual earnings: $119,658
2. Biological scientist
Hours/week: 38.4
Hours/year: 1,992
Annual earnings: $65,329
3. Biochemist and biophysicist
Hours/week: 37.5
Hours/year: 1,947
Annual earnings: $69,681
4. Bus driver
Hours/week: 35.9
Hours/year: 1,613
Annual earnings: $26,107
5. Clinical, counseling and school psychologists
Hours/week: 38.1
Hours/year: 1,693
Annual earnings: $59,595
6. Dental assistant
Hours/week: 35.6
Hours/year: 1,849
Annual earnings: $30,895
7. Desktop publisher
Hours/week: 38.7
Hours/year: 2,007
Annual earnings: $36,858
8. Directors, religious activities and education
Hours/week: 38.1
Hours/year: 1,978
Annual earnings: $48,243
9. Educational, vocational and school counselors
Hours/week: 37.9
Hours/year: 1,712
Annual earnings: $50,075
10. Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
Hours/week: 38.0
Hours/year: 1,976
Annual earnings: $35,262
11. Insurance underwriter
Hours/week:38.6
Hours/year: 2,005
Annual earnings: $63,157
12. Interpreters and translators
Hours/week:34.1
Hours/year: 1,687
Annual earnings: $35,853
13. Law clerk
Hours/week: 38.4
Hours/year: 1,961
Annual earnings: $46,539
14. Law teacher, postsecondary
Hours/week: 35.2
Hours/year: 1644
Annual earnings:$158,353
15. Miscellaneous media and communications workers
Hours/week: 36.7
Hours/year: 1,852
Annual earnings: $38,698
16. Optometrist
Hours/week: 37.7
Hours/year: 1,959
Annual earnings: $103,375
17. Psychologist
Hours/week: 38.2
Hours/year: 1,722
Annual earnings: $59,543
18. Speech-language pathologist
Hours/week: 37.5
Hours/year: 1,611
Annual earnings: $53,499
19. Telephone operator
Hours/week: 38.7
Hours/year: 2,009
Annual earnings: $29,877
20. Tree trimmers and pruners<
Hours/week: 37.2
Hours/year: 1,898
Annual earnings: $35,644
By the numbers
All of these jobs allow you to work less and earn more, but some of these careers clearly give you more bang for your buck.
At the top of the list: Pilots, copilots and flight engineers, who average $98.48 an hour. Law teachers are close behind, averaging $96.32 an hour, followed by optometrists, who average $52.77 an hour.
Make it work
Obviously these jobs are not for everyone, but if you're looking to strike a better balance between work and home, you may be able to approach your employer and negotiate alternatives to your current schedule.
Among the possibilities:
- You may be able to arrange to work from home on a recurring basis, or on days where you may have an appointment or personal commitment.
- Your manager or supervisor may also be willing to create a flexible scheduling arrangement, where you work four days a week to and have the fifth workday free.
- Companies may be willing to negotiate with workers who want extra vacation time, particularly unpaid time.
Discuss your ideas with your company. If time is more important to you than money, your employer may be very receptive to providing more time off for you versus financial compensation.
Next: Jobs That Pay $60/Hour >>
Find a Job
Search by Company | Search by Industry*All job descriptions are as defined in the National Compensation Survey, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2006 -- January 2008. Data taken from the survey are the mean hours and annual earnings. Actual earnings can vary based on a number of factors, including regional job market demands.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 1:07PM Bob
If only it were true. Airline pilots work many more hours than their "flight time." Pre-flight preparation, "dead" time at airports in between flights, travel to and spending 16 hours every 6 months on flight training, and a medical twice a year lengthens the average work week. And, oh yes, when the flights are delayed, the pilot is sitting around not getting paid just like you are.
Reply
Jan 6th 2009 @ 7:55AM Duane
CLASS A TRUCK DRIVER - 60 Hrs/wk, 82,000/yr
Home every night, head on my own pillow, full benefits; medical, dental, vision; 5 wks vacation, 5 days/yr sick leave, 6 floating holidays, weekends off, $5/hr into pension, 401k, lifetime pd medical after retirement. Now, what was that story about a Bus Diver?
Reply
Jan 6th 2009 @ 8:19AM Glenn
To Duane' I need a Job, are they Hiring.WHO,WHERE ???
Jan 6th 2009 @ 8:56AM wyatt
I have a class A and can't find anything like that, always wanting me to be gone a month at a time, so where do I find this job at.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 9:35AM Tony
Duane,
My son is looking for a job as a truck driver ,he has his CDL -do you know anyone who is hiring?
Jan 6th 2009 @ 9:39AM Will
Jan 6th 2009 @ 7:55AM
Duane
CLASS A TRUCK DRIVER - 60 Hrs/wk, 82,000/yr
Home every night, head on my own pillow, full benefits; medical, dental, vision; 5 wks vacation, 5 days/yr sick leave, 6 floating holidays, weekends off, $5/hr into pension, 401k, lifetime pd medical after retirement. Now, what was that story about a Bus Diver?
Duane, I would seriously like to know what company you are driving. B/c I have been trying to get in2 the trucking industry for a few months now, and never have I come across a company where your home nightly and still make over 40k/yr. I'm guessing you must have some type of dedicated run with over 15 yrs. experience. B/c even with companies telling me I would make the 40k, I would've been on the road for at least 6 weeks.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 9:59AM MB
Wow - what carrier do you work for?
Jan 6th 2009 @ 10:09AM dan
I have ben a CLASS a tank HAZMAT DRIVER FOR 30 YRS
I MAKE BETWEEN 50,000 & 60,OOO A YR
WHERE DO YOU WORK
Jan 6th 2009 @ 10:09AM jerry
hello - i'm a truck driver and after having our 5th child need to make a move to be a bit more financially secure -- if you don't mind sharing, what company do you work for? thank you!
Jan 6th 2009 @ 11:02AM Bec
Wow :D Company??? Hubby's a trk driver too.
Jan 9th 2009 @ 3:35AM leo dhauw
where can i get a job like yours? ldhau41@aol.com
Jan 6th 2009 @ 11:46AM Wayneswoorrld
What Planet Do work on?? You own your truck. You don't include the hours your daily/ monthly mileage reports take to prepare. Log book records, truck servicing and records. You sound like a new owner operator that has not experienced a major repair not covered by warranty. Your 60 hr week is more like 80-85 hrs/wk. I did the math. You really make $19.71/hr, + the $5.00/hr pension contribution. Get Real.
Jan 7th 2009 @ 2:21PM Ray Jarvis
Duane,
What company do you work for? I hold a cdl and definately do not have the benefits you have. Contact me please.
Ray
Jan 6th 2009 @ 1:07PM The FBI
And that folks, is why the goods you buy are so over inflated in price. This maggot, like those putting your cars together in Detroit, is getting paid waaaaaay too much for the piss poor job he does.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 1:18PM Christy
Curious what company you work for? My fiance ia a class A truck driver and I would love it if he could be home every night.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 3:13PM dan
No what you got. Just got layed off from DHL after 20 years. 705 teamsters. It was a great run.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 1:32PM Christy
Duane,
Curious what company you work for? My fiance ia a class A truck driver and I would love it if he could be home every night. :)
Jan 6th 2009 @ 2:06PM Roy
Hey sign me up I have never heard of a truck driving job that was that great. What is the name of the company and how much experince do you need? Where is it located and what kind of times and days do you work?
Jan 6th 2009 @ 5:15PM Denise
What kind of truck? What company do you work for? My husband drives a straight job and he is looking to make more money.
Jan 6th 2009 @ 2:32PM Jennifer
@ Duane
lol, ok where and how did u get ur class A. Where do i go to sign up and get started? lol