30 Jobs That Pay $80,000

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Let's be honest: Sometimes you don't care about the job -- you just care about the salary.

But it's awfully hard to look for a job that fits both your salary requirements and your skill set. Not to mention that we always tell you that your work and career should be something you love. Ideally, money is just an added benefit.

That being said, we're also realists. We know that times are tough and at this point, some people just need to get paid. Fortunately, there's a new salary tool available that can help you do just that.

Jobs by Salary, a new salary tool from CBSalary.com, allows you to search for jobs by salary based on where you live or work in the United States. Do you live in Phoenix and want to make $50,000? No problem. Plug in your data, and you'll get a list of jobs that pay that much in your area, plus the necessary requirements.

Because our readers live all over, we thought it unfair to provide a list of jobs that pay a certain dollar amount in one place or another. Plus, we all know that different markets pay different salaries based on a variety of things such as cost of living.

Instead, we went to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to look at the latest (May 2008) salary information for the United States. From there, we found out which occupations pay in the $80,000 range based on national averages.

Here are 30 jobs that pay at least $80,000:

1. Administrative law judges, adjudicators and hearing officers

Do this: Conduct hearings to rule on government-related claims; determine penalties and liability; and help to craft settlements.

Get paid: $80,870

2. Biomedical engineers

Do this: Design and develop devices and procedures to help solve health-related problems. Projects might include information systems, artificial organs or artificial limbs.

Get paid: $81,120

3. Chiropractors

Do this: Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions of the spinal column to prevent disease and alleviate imbalance, pain and pressure believed to be caused by interference with nervous system.

Get paid: $81,340

4. Atmospheric, earth, marine and space sciences teachers, post-secondary

Do this: Teach courses and research topics in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics.

Get paid: $81,470

5. Agents and business managers of artists, performers and athletes

Do this: Represent and promote their client's business while handling business matters and contract negotiations.

Get paid: $81,550

6. Materials scientists

Do this: Study the chemical composition of various materials and figure out ways to develop new materials and improve existing ones; also determine ways to use materials in products.

Get paid: $81,600

7. Physician assistants

Do this: Perform health-care services and provide treatment plans under a physician's supervision.

Get paid: $81,610

8. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

Do this: Research and investigate human diseases and how to improve human health.

Get paid: $81,870

9. Physics teachers, post-secondary

Do this: Teach courses and research topics pertaining to the laws of matter and energy.

Get paid: $81,880

10. Atmospheric and space scientists

Do this: Study the effects the atmosphere has on the environment, most commonly through weather forecasting.

Get paid: $82,080

11. Management analysts

Do this: Figure out best practices of management by conducting studies and procedures to help companies figure out how to operate more effectively.

Get paid: $82,920

12. Producers and directors

Do this: Produce or direct, and make all creative decisions for stage, television, radio, video or motion picture productions.

Get paid: $83,030

13. Biological science teachers, post-secondary

Do this: Teach courses and research topics in biological sciences.

Get paid: $83,270

14. Materials engineers

Do this: Develop new uses for recognized materials, and develop new machinery and processes to make materials for use in specialized products.

Get paid: $84,200

15. Transportation, storage and distribution managers

Do this: Oversee transportation, storage or distribution activities in accordance with governmental policies and regulations.

Get paid: $84,520

16. Financial analysts

Do this: Assess the financial situations of an individual or organization.

Get paid: $84,780

17. Electrical engineers

Do this: Design, develop and test the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment.

Get paid: $85,350

18. Education administrators, elementary and secondary school

Do this: Oversee all activities of public or private elementary or secondary schools.

Get paid: $86,060

19. Industrial-organizational psychologists

Do this: Work with companies to solve problems within the company. You may help with policy planning; employee screening, training and development; and organizational development and analysis.

Get paid: $86,460

20. Computer software engineers, applications

Do this: Build computer applications software and code; ensure that all software projects adhere to a company's technology and business standards.

Get paid: $87,900

21. Economics teachers, post-secondary

Do this: Teach courses and research topics in economics.

Get paid: $88,330

22. Biochemists and biophysicists

Do this: Study the chemical composition and physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena.

Get paid: $88,450

23. Art directors

Do this: Create design concepts and presentation in artwork, layout design and copywriting for visual communications media.

Get paid: $88,510

24. Electronics engineers except computer

Do this: Design, develop and test a wide range of electronic equipment, from CD players to global positioning systems.

Get paid: $88,670

25. Medical and health services managers

Do this: Supervise medical and health services in hospitals, clinics and similar organizations.

Get paid: $88,750

26. Chemical engineers

Do this: Design chemical plant equipment and create processes for manufacturing chemicals and products.

Get paid: $88,760

27. Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers

Do this: Study the composition, structure and other physical aspects of the Earth.

Get paid: $89,300

28. Veterinarians

Do this: Provide health care for family pets, livestock and zoo animals. Provide check-ups, treat diseases and advise caretakers on how to best raise their animals.

Get paid: $89,450

29. Construction managers

Do this:Oversee all activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities and systems.

Get paid: $89,770

30. Sales engineers

Do this: Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Get paid: $89,770

Next: Top 10 Companies Hiring This Week >>

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.