13 Easy Jobs That Actually Pay Big Bucks

Maybe your current job is too stressful, or maybe you’re just ready to move beyond living from paycheck to paycheck .

In either case, there are plenty of low-stress jobs that pay a decent living. Here are a few options worth considering.

1. HVAC Sales

These people don’t have to crawl through the tight spaces that HVAC technicians do.

They give quotes to customers for HVAC repairs and design HVAC systems for customer’s homes and businesses.

According to data from ZipRecruiter, HVAC salespeople can make up to $109,500 per year.

Do you owe the IRS over $10K? Ask this company to help you eliminate your late tax debt.

2. Food critic

Fancy eating out at nice restaurants for your job?

Being a food critic may be a cushy job, but it can take a few years of building a reputation to get there. Most people become qualified through experience in journalism, culinary arts, or both.

The national average salary for food critics is about $54,768 per year.

3. X-ray technician

According to Indeed, these healthcare professionals typically make around $124,418 per year — not bad for a position that only requires a certificate or associate’s degree.

X-ray techs can operate equipment for mammograms, MRIs, and cancer radiation equipment in addition to X-rays.

Enjoying our content? Click the Follow button above to see more from us.

4. Cargo pilot

Cargo pilots don’t have the same stresses of carrying human passengers as commercial airline pilots.

They transport things like mail, food, or supplies. Cargo pilots make about $130,000 per year.

To become one, plan on attending flight school and clocking at least 250 hours of in-flight training.

5. Claims adjuster

When a car or property is damaged, and the owner files an insurance claim, an insurance adjuster comes out to assess the value of the damage and estimate repair costs.

Many states require adjusters to be licensed, and most jobs require some industry-related experience.

Claims adjusters make around $72,000 per year.

6. Executive chauffeur

These high-end drivers convey executives and other important people to their destinations.

Executive chauffeurs may need a commercial driver’s license, and they should have excellent customer service and driving skills.

They make an average of $139,561 per year, including tips and other bonuses.

7. Security guard

This job may not pay as much as some of the others on this list; the average salary is around $50,000 per year.

However, in between short bouts of confronting suspicious trespassers, there is a whole lot of doing nothing. States’ requirements for licensure vary, but most require an exam.

8. Drawbridge operator

If you have a high school diploma and some experience or training with heavy equipment, you could become a drawbridge operator.

This simple job pays about $40 per hour or $50,869 annually. It involves raising or lowering bridges to allow ships and vehicles to pass through waterways.

9. System administrator

These people maintain computer networks and fix problems when they arise.

Due to the nature of the job, good sysadmins spend a small amount of time automating processes so they work correctly and a whole lot of nothing for the rest of the time.

These roles typically pay around $100,000 per year and require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field.

10. Wastewater plant operator

You can land this job with just a high school diploma and a trade-specific license or certificate.

If you have a good, safety-oriented team to work with, running a wastewater plant isn’t stressful — it just involves testing the water and applying the correct chemicals to break down contaminants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay is around $54,890 per year.

11. Master locksmith

Locksmiths repair and replace locks or allow you to get into something you’ve locked yourself out of.

The mean annual wage for a locksmith is around $79,000 per year. A locksmithing license or training courses may be required in your state, but there are no other educational requirements.

12. Tree care sales

This position requires some training and experience as an arborist, but as a commission sales position, it has a strong possibility for salary growth.

Tree care salespeople meet with customers to assess the problems with their trees and craft a plan to fix them.

The median salary is about $72,000 per year, though this can be higher for those who excel at sales.

13. Insurance sales

These sales agents consult with customers to find them the best insurance products to meet their needs.

These positions require licensure and a fair amount of on-the-job training and mentorship.

The median pay is about $61,764, but the upward potential is very high as many pay commission incentives.

Bottom line

Whether you’re looking to make more money from home with a side hustle or investigating a true career pivot, there’s no need to settle on a job that’s low-paying or stressful.

Several of these jobs don’t require extensive education or experience to make a decent living, and all of them are fairly simple once you get the hang of them.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).