What are niche occupations that pay well?

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David S. asks:

Every list of potential occupations seems to leave out niche professions that pay well and that may be hiring those willing to move or learn a unique skill set. Where /how do I find out about the hundreds of other professions not broadly advertised? The usual lists of careers I could transfer my skill sets to don't offer much hope, so I'm hoping to gain "secret knowledge" of other fields of suitable work.

Job seekers are all-too-familiar with the listings for jobs that pay well, like engineers and data scientists.

But for those with specialized skills and knowledge, there are niche jobs out there that can pay far above the annual median earnings.

“Most high-paying hidden jobs aren’t actually hidden, they're just more specialized or less popular so individuals aren't aware of or exposed to them,” said Eliana Goldstein, the founder of Eliana Goldstein Coaching. “Generally many jobs, even more popular jobs, don't get posted. People refer to this as the hidden job market and you need to find them through more online research, networking and relationship building.”

But to make things just a bit easier, here’s a list of niche jobs, based on interviews with Vicki Salemi, career expert for Monster, and University of Delaware career expert Jill Panté, along with data and listings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, Indeed and the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Instructional designer

Average pay: $78,000
In this role, you might have to design lesson plans for a variety of audiences, which include K-12 school and colleges, Panté said.

Instructional designers are tasked with creating “learning experiences” for certain groups of people which can include, for example, hourlong workshops on the consequences of smoking or weeklong courses on grant writing. Some people make the transition into this role from education or human resources, but if you want to enter the field directly, you can get a master’s degree or certificate in instructional design

Mobility manager

Median pay: $99,000
These managers help arrange transportation for veterans who need vital medical services, like dialysis, or face emergency situations, like those who are stranded because of a broken down car. They also handle administrative duties, like overseeing travel scheduling and reviewing contracts for wheelchair or ambulance services. A job like this can require at least a full year of specialized experience with the government. If not, a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a field like business administration or industrial management can substitute that experience.

Compensation and benefits managers

Median pay: $140,000
These managers plan and oversee employee-compensation programs, and are present in nearly every industry. Their duties can include researching wages to make sure the company is competitive and managing relationships with third parties like insurance companies. These roles often require a bachelor’s degree along with related experience in the field.

Escalator service mechanic

Median pay: $107,000
Like the role implies, being an escalator service mechanic includes installing and fixing these staircases, and it’s a job that may require being on-call for 24 hours a day. This job typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and many learn the skills needed for the job through an apprenticeship.

Customer success manager

Median pay: $91,000
This role can entail onboarding new clients at a company and ensuring that customers are satisfied with any of the products that they’ve purchased from the company. The job might require at least a couple of years experience in customer service-related roles or in related fields and a bachelor’s degree.

Video game designer

Average pay: $101,000
Video game designers might develop a game’s storyline, characters and map, and their role will vary depending on how large their company is. They might be tasked with designing a few levels if they work at a bigger company, while smaller companies might require them to juggle multiple hats, like serving as the game’s concept artist and art director. Having a college degree in game design, game development or computer science can help your job search, while skills in animation and programming are beneficial.

Train conductors and yardmasters

Median pay: $72,000
Conductors conduct train pre-checks and oversee the activity of their crews, relaying any important safety information or route changes to them. Yardmasters overview train schedules and ensure that every rail car is properly connected. Conductors have to be at least 18 years old and, at minimum, need a high school diploma or GED and must have the proper certification. Yardmasters also typically require high school diplomas, and are often people who are already working in the railroad industry and have been promoted.

Park district events coordinator

Salary: $77,000 in high-demand districts, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas
Park coordinators manage, schedule and promote events at the parks they work for, oversee budgets, and might be in charge of spearheading any volunteer programs. Job listings for the role might ask for proven experience in managing teams and planning and coordinating public events.