Getting out into the workforce as soon as possible is an excellent goal. You won’t make it very far with a low-level service industry, though, and that means you need to find a foot in the door where it matters most. But finding entry-level jobs that pay well? That can feel like an impossible task. By the time you  get to the end of this post, you just might not feel that way anymore.
Earning a high-paying job takes time, but some career paths are easier than others. Certain technical and STEM fields are both in high demand and high-paying, which is the perfect combination for anyone approaching 30 (or even people just out of high school). Chase these accessible, future-proof, luxed-out careers to pad your wallet with some serious cash.
Big Money Starts Here With These Accessible Jobs.
Accountant
The title of accountant doesn’t have the same flair that “project manager” or “network architect” has. Nevertheless, accountants are essential to any business, making it one of the most secure jobs in the market. They utilize their in-depth knowledge of organizational practices and local financial legislation to keep accurate records of company activity.
An accountant’s median salary is around $67,000 with an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent. Higher paying positions require a bachelor’s degree, especially at high-profile businesses. Plenty of entry-level positions are available with an associate’s degree or less, so it doesn’t take long to jump into this career.
Mechanical Engineer
Are you interested in designing, installing and maintaining various tools and machines? Mechanical engineers are in demand because of the incredible increase in tech advancement and increased manufacturing efficiency. As an engineer, you’ll play a crucial role in the future when labor automation goes into full swing. Get on the ground floor now and you’re sure to be almost guaranteed reliable work later on.
Mechanical engineer unemployment rates are at 1.6 percent. Their median salary is $83,000 with the potential to rise with experience and tenure. While you can’t just step in without training, the level of training needed is surprisingly low. Start with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and you should have enough to jump in.
Financial Advisor
Accountants do much of the actual bookkeeping for a company, while financial advisors operate with higher-level concepts. They work with clients in more strategic, long-term ways to assess their clients’ assets, cash flow and tax status to help them achieve their financial goals. Financial advisors help companies of all sizes to stay afloat and prosper.
Unemployment rates are at only two percent for financial advisors. The median salary is $89,000 with the potential to break six figures depending on your experience and your client list. It’s difficult to get into this field without a bachelor’s degree or higher, but it’s rewarding and well-paying – and you won’t need a master’s, either.
Actuary
Statistical analysis is an actuary’s best friend. They’re experts at assessing risk and uncertainty with a company’s assets and liabilities. Actuarys provide business forecasts that C-level management uses to decide the future of their company.
Actuarys enjoy an unemployment rate of 0.8 percent which makes them the most stable profession in this list. Median salaries are at $97,000 and easily break the six-figure mark. Most job openings require at least a bachelor’s degree, but further education is recommended to get the most out of this career field.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists do precisely what their title suggests. They operate machinery to give patients controlled doses of radiation to combat cancer. Additional responsibilities include working with a patient’s physicians, preparing equipment for use and keeping patient records.
Unemployment is super low (just 1.7 percent) for radiation therapists, and the median salary sits at just $80,000. Jumping into radiation therapy is actually surprisingly easy, too, because all you need is an associate’s degree, vocational schooling or direct job experience.
Computer Systems Analyst
Tech-savvy individuals fit right into the role of a computer systems analyst. They use various scientific and business data processing techniques to install or refine computer networks. Automating workflow, determining system limitations and tailoring business software to their employer’s needs are a few of the most key responsibilities.
Computer system analysis is a secure field; the unemployment rate is only a little bit higher than average, at just 2.4 percent. It pays great, too, with a median of $85,000, but plenty of people go on to make much, much more. It’s feasible to land one of these jobs with an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree is recommended.
