The question of how much money women make continues to be a significant issue in the job seeking world. Although the focus around women's paychecks tend to be centered on how they match up to those of men, there are also discrepancies between what women in different careers make compared to one another. According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there is a varied range of careers that bring in high salaries for women: health occupations, law and management jobs are among the top money-making positions.
Read on for the Department of Labor's ranking of the highest earning occupations for women, based on median weekly wages.
1. Pharmacist
Pharmacists manage and dispense medications to patients who have received a prescription from their doctors. Pharmacists also offer advice on medication usage. While most pharmacists work in grocery and drug store pharmacies, others are employed in hospitals or in clinical settings. Pharmacists must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and also must be licensed. Pharmacists can obtain licensure by passing two professional exams.
Female pharmacists make a median amount of $1,898 per week, or $98,696 per year.
2. Lawyer
Lawyers counsel and represent individual clients, businesses, non-profits or government organizations on legal issues or in legal disputes. Becoming a lawyer requires a four-year bachelor's degree and three years of law school training. In order to work professionally in the United States, lawyers must take and pass their state's bar examination.
Female lawyers earn a median income of $1,631 per week, or $84,812 per year.
3. Computer and Information Systems Manager
Computer and Information Systems Managers - also known as Information Technology Managers - devise, coordinate, implement and analyze computer-related projects. Their responsibilities may involve direct work in both software and hardware, web design database development, as well as the overarching job of designing a company's IT approaches and strategies. Most IT managers possess a bachelor's degree in a related field, although many possess more specific graduate degrees.
Female IT managers earn a median of $1,543 per week, or $80,236.
4. Physician
Physicians and surgeons are medical professionals involved in the care of patients. There are many types of doctors, from general-care, family practitioners to high-earning specialists like anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons. Becoming a doctor involves many years of training, from undergraduate education to medical school and residency.
Female physicians earn a median of $1,527 per week, or $79,404.
5. CEO
Chief executives plan, coordinate and oversee a company's operations. They work to ensure that their companies meet their goals. Chief executives work in a variety of public and private-sector industries. Although they earn, on average, the highest salary of all management positions, they also work extremely long hours and are essentially responsible for the success of their companies.
Female chief executives bring in a median of $1,464 per week, or $76,128.
6. Registered Nurse
Nurses are health care professionals who provide patient care in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, schools and prisons. They are also involved in patient education, providing both physical and emotional support to patients and their families. There are several ways to become a nurse. Many nurses pursue a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing, others an associate's degree and some attend an accredited nursing program.
Female nurses bring in a median of $1,034 per week, or $53,768.Either way, nurses then must pass a national licensing exam.
7. Accountant
Accountants are responsible for the organization and management of financial records. They are often involved in taking care of an individual or business's tax payments, and may also have a role in ensuring that a company is running as financially efficiently as possible. Most accountants have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field, and many are CPAs (Certified Public Accountants).
Female accountants can expect to earn a median income of $956 per week, or $49,712.
8. Elementary/Middle School Teacher
Elementary and middle school teachers are responsible for educating children in many different subject fields. In most cases, elementary school teachers will be required to teach an entire, well-rounded curriculum of mathematics, language arts, sciences and practical motor skills, whereas middle school teachers are more likely to specialize in teaching a single subject area, such as history or English.
Female teachers earn a median of $933 per week, or $48,516.Teachers must have a four-year bachelor's degree and also must be licensed within their state to teach at public schools.
9. Human Resources Professional
Human resources professionals are responsible for recruiting, interviewing and hiring new members of a company's employee team. In addition, they may be involved in other aspects of employee relations, including payroll, benefits and training. Human resources workers must also be equipped to handle workplace conflict and be ready to resolve disputes.
Female human resources employees earn a median of $912 per week, or $47,424.
10. Designer
People who work in a creative industry such as design might be interior decorators, graphic designers, stylists, fashion or jewelry designers, or artists.
Women working in the design industry earn a median of $816 per week, or $42,432.
<Sourced by jobsearch.about.com>
