The professional service industry is ever-growing, providing many opportunities for professional services careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the the industry added over 95,000 jobs in February of 2022 alone. Some of the best paying jobs in professional services include dentistry, computer design, technical consulting, and scientific research.
Before stepping into the industry, you’ll need to do some research to know which professional service career best suits you. You may be wondering, what professional service jobs pay. Continue reading this article for all you need to know about the highest professional service salaries, and the education requirements and job outlooks for each career path.
What Do Professional Service Jobs Pay?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the professional services supersector has an average wage rate of $37.97 per hour, or approximately $62,400 per year. Salaries are higher in certain professional service industries, such as healthcare or finance.
Annual salaries typically include other benefits, such as health insurance, paid leave, retirement pensions, and other employee benefits. Entry-level workers earn less, but gradually receive pay raises as they gain more experience and certifications.
Professional Services Job Outlook
There is a high demand for experts in the services industry, and career opportunities are expected to grow exponentially within the decade. The job outlook for professions varies widely, from three percent to 24 percent depending on the specific career, as seen below.
Professional Services Job Satisfaction
Professional services careers are in high demand, and experts are highly respected in the companies and institutions they work for. This typically means that many of these jobs lead to satisfying careers.
The financial benefits are robust and the job positions are secure. Many of these careers, such as project management, come with rewarding opportunities to learn more and move higher up the career ladder.
Professional Service Salaries: Lucrative Professional Service Careers
| Professional Service Careers | Professional Service Salaries (per year) | Job Outlook | Minimum Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians and Surgeons | $208,000 | 3% | Medical, doctorate’s degree |
| Computer and Information System Managers | $151,150 | 11% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Managers | $134,180 | 17% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Airline and Commercial Pilots | $130,440 | 13% | High school diploma, bachelor’s degree (usually), flight training, FAA license |
| Lawyers | $126,930 | 9% | Law degree, bar certification |
| Actuaries | $111,030 | 24% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Software Developers | $110,140 | 22% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Architects | $82,320 | 3% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $80,560 | 12% | Master’s degree |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,560 | 7% | Bachelor’s degree |
Best-Paying Jobs in Professional Services: In Detail
Physicians and Surgeons
Average Salary: $208,000
Physicians and surgeons are highly compensated healthcare professionals that diagnose and treat illnesses and other medical conditions. They work in clinics, hospitals, government agencies, and private companies.
Getting into this profession can take several years. You need to have earned a bachelor’s and a medical degree. You may also spend an extra three to nine years in educational training, depending on the area of specialization.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Average Salary: $151,150
Computer and information systems managers are in charge of the organization, facilitation, and management of all computer-related activities for a company. Consider beginning your career in tech by attending a bootcamp and getting a certification in an IT field. You will need a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience to rise to an IT systems manager position.
Financial Managers
Average Salary: $134,180
Financial managers work with companies in the financial services sector to set and achieve their financial goals by developing reports, investing in the right resources, and developing financial plans. They also offer financial advice for companies.
To become a financial manager, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a finance-related field and have at least five years of related work experience.
Airline and Commercial Pilots
Average Salary: $130,440
Pilots are licensed professionals in charge of operating airplanes or helicopters for airlines, corporations, or governments. Pilots are responsible for the safe departure, journey and arrival of flights.
To become a pilot, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as a license from the Federal Aviation Administration after completing a flight training program. Most airline companies require a bachelor’s degree in addition to certification and training.
Lawyers
Average Salary: $126,930
A lawyer is a professional that practices law, represents clients, and offers legal advice. They work in various legal settings, including law firms, corporations, courts, and government agencies. To become a lawyer, you must first complete law school to get a law degree from an institution accredited by the American Bar Association, and then pass your bar examinations.
Actuaries
Average Salary: $111,030
Actuaries are business professionals that specialize in the mathematical analysis of risk and uncertainty. They use their skills to assess the financial implications of risk and to help businesses and individuals make informed decisions about their money.
Actuaries most commonly work in the insurance industry. You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, actuarial science or another related field to enter this profession.
Software Developers or Engineers
Average Salary: $110,140
Software developers offer technical services by creating, designing, and maintaining software applications. They also perform tests to ensure the applications are functioning properly. The duration of training to become a software developer can vary depending on your learning path, and the best coding bootcamps are a great way to quickly expand your tech skills. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field is typically required to work in this role.
Architects
Average Salary: $82,320
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Architects have the important job of planning, implementing and designing the construction of buildings. Architects also work with drawings, either by hand themselves or computers to design building plans. To become an architect, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in architecture from an accredited school. However, some states do not require a degree, provided you meet specific training requirements and pass the certification exams.
Postsecondary Teachers
Average Salary: $80,560
Postsecondary teachers are educators who instruct students in various academic and technical subjects. They usually work in colleges, universities, or professional schools, such as law or medical schools.
To become a postsecondary teacher, you’ll first have to earn a bachelor’s degree, and then a master’s degree in a specific subject. You’ll then need to complete a teacher preparation training program to gain necessary teaching skills.
Accountants and Auditors
Average Salary: $73,560
Accountants and auditors are professionals in the financial services sector who help businesses and individuals keep track of their finances, taxes, and records. To become an accountant or auditor, you’ll need to complete an accredited bachelor’s degree program and then pass a certification exam. If you don’t have a degree, there are also many high-paying specializations in accounting and auditing fields that you can choose from.
Resources to Find the Best-Paying Jobs in Professional Services
- Indeed: Millions of job seekers worldwide use Indeed to find jobs in tech, healthcare, engineering, and other professional service industries. You’ll need to have an account on Indeed, enabling you to apply for employment and follow-up with prospective employers.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a social media platform for professionals. The website has a job board that you can use to search for jobs. You can also filter your search using several keywords such as company name, location, and experience level.
- Glassdoor: Glassdoor is well-known for providing reliable information about different companies. The website also provides a list of available job openings, and there you can view the job qualifications, requirements, and median salaries.
- Google Careers: Google Careers is a Google search engine specifically designed for job seekers. This search engine can help you find jobs and quickly narrow your search to any preference.
- Monster: Monster is a job board that provides jobs for professional service workers of different experience levels. It is similar to Glassdoor, but it does not give results for salary expectations.
Is Professional Services a Good Career Path?
Yes, professional services is a good career path because it consists of many profitable careers with good job prospects. Professional services solutions are in high-demand because they are relevant in a variety of industries. For example, a technology consultant in an accounting firm can create accounting software needed to boost employees’ productivity and customer service. Likewise, technology consultants are needed in architecture firms to maintain IT systems.
While many professional service careers may not require an advanced degree beyond a bachelor’s, you will need relevant training in order to specialize in your preferred professional service. You may also need advanced certifications and years of work experience to advance quickly from entry-level positions to higher and more rewarding roles.
Best Paying Jobs in Professional Services FAQ
Yes, there are some professional jobs that do not require a degree. While most of the best-paying professional services careers require a bachelor’s degree, there are some jobs that require little to no formal education. Several tech careers, such as software developers, may only require necessary coding bootcamp training, relevant certifications, and experience.
Many entry-level professional service jobs only require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. However, if you have additional skills such as a master’s or doctorate’s degree, licenses, or special certifications, you can increase your chances of securing the job.
Soft skills like effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical skills, and proactive thinking are necessary to secure a job in professional service firms. These skills will enable you to thrive in a highly competitive industry.
Yes, there are many high-paying professions in entertainment and sports, such as producers, directors, composers, and sports athletes. These professionals typically earn more than $50,000 annually. Other professional services career professionals with good salaries in these industries include coaches, referees, actors, dancers, and singers.
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