What does a job mean to you? Many people regard work as merely a means-to-an-end and a source of income. For others, however, it’s about more than that – it’s about rewarding and meaningful work.
A meaningful job gives you a sense of purpose that makes you feel fulfilled and that your work matters. A rewarding job, on the other hand, allows you to carry out tasks that benefit others. These two characteristics, unfortunately, go hand-in-hand with being underpaid.
Below are 12 rewarding and meaningful jobs that are chronically underpaid.
1. Nurse
Nurses are considered the “backbone” of the healthcare industry – they are there to support not only patients but their loved ones too. They are a human connection to patients going through an often challenging and scary time. Having said this, they are often undervalued when it comes to remuneration, as an average nurse’s starting salary is in the region of a mere $46,500 a year.
2. Teacher
Teachers are responsible for expanding young minds and shaping the future generation. No big deal, right? You would think that with that huge responsibility, they would be some of the most highly paid individuals around. But they aren’t. On average, teachers earn a measly salary of just shy of $51,000 a year – a small price for a huge task.
3. Medical Professionals
Medical professionals are certified or licensed professionals who provide healthcare services to patients. They include professionals such as physical therapists, chiropractors, dietitians, dentists, and clinical psychologists. While they provide services of the utmost importance, this isn’t reflected in their average annual incomes of around $49,500.
4. Care Worker
Care workers are often tasked with incredibly demanding jobs, both physically and emotionally. They support and supervise patients such as the elderly, sick, vulnerable, or physically handicapped. While their work is essential to the well-being of patients, it is often undervalued, with average annual salaries sitting at a pitiful amount of around $27,000.
5. Midwife
Midwives are some of the most critical individuals when it comes to childbirth. They specialize in women’s reproductive health and assist mothers-to-be who are giving birth. While this is an essential job, the average annual income would suggest otherwise – it sits at just shy of $51,000.
6. Social Worker
The role of a social worker is to assist vulnerable communities, families, or individuals in working through adverse challenges that they may be facing in life. While trained professionals perform a vital role in society, their average annual incomes speak otherwise. They earn in the region of $49,000 a year, which seems to fall short in terms of their vital role and thankless work.
7. IT Professional
Life today is tech-driven, and we all rely on some form of technology in almost every aspect of our daily lives. IT professionals are considered very much useful and meaningful employees, with average annual incomes sitting at around $58,000.
8. Charity Worker
Charity workers are generally responsible for reaching out to local businesses, individuals, or organizations to request funding, as well as organizing fundraising events or activities. It can be tough, thankless work, but it’s a gratifying career. The average annual salary, however, sits at around $53,000.
9. Support Worker
Support workers play a vital role in society, looking after those with physical disabilities, mental health needs, autism, and learning disabilities. This is taxing work and often goes unappreciated – and the average annual income is also reflective of this at a pitiful $35,000.
10. Police Officer
Police officers have a tough task as they are the primary force employed to uphold and enforce the law and maintain public order and safety. Not only is it demanding work, but it can be dangerous, too, as police officers often encounter life-threatening situations. While it is a rewarding and meaningful job, the average annual income of around $55,000 doesn’t necessarily reflect this.
11. Lawyer
Last but not least is the job of a lawyer. Lawyers are professionals who, through their studies and understanding of the law, are qualified to provide legal advice. They are often the middleman between the client and the judge and will represent clients in a court of law. The work can be mentally demanding, especially in high-profile cases, but lawyers consider their work to be both meaningful and rewarding. While some lawyers rake in big bucks, the average annual salary sits at around $60,500.
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Andrew Herrig is a finance expert and money nerd and the founder of Wealthy Nickel, where he writes about personal finance, side hustles, and entrepreneurship. As an avid real estate investor and owner of multiple businesses, he has a passion for helping others build wealth and shares his own family’s journey on his blog.
Andrew holds a Masters of Science in Economics from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He has worked as a financial analyst and accountant in many aspects of the financial world.
Andrew’s expert financial advice has been featured on CNBC, Entrepreneur, Fox News, GOBankingRates, MSN, and more.
