These Are the Highest-Paying Jobs With The Most Time Off

The vast majority of high-paying jobs require a significant commitment in the form of education, training and tuition, and then several hours of hard work while on the job.

However, after reviewing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 24/7 Wall St. has identified nine jobs that pay well above the national median income, while requiring less-than-average working hours.

Most of these positions still require a great deal of training, but once completed the amount of work drops significantly.

Psychologists, for example, must obtain a specialist degree or doctorate in their field, which requires three to six years of schooling. However, because they usually set their own schedules after that, they work nearly 600 hours a year less than, for example, the average real estate broker. Psychologists, however, make more than the average broker makes, and have the equivalent of several additional months of leisure time.

Psychologists, airline pilots, and a few other lucky occupations, are the rare jobs that are paid the most and work the least amount of hours.

Of course, doctors are examples of the opposite. They must spend eight years in school and an average of five years in residency before they begin to earn their maximum salary. Moreover, even though doctors are paid better than most, the salary comes with one of the heaviest schedules. Surgeons, for instance, work an average of 2,835 hours per year — the equivalent of five more months above 2,006 hours the average American works.

Here are some of the highest paying jobs with the most time off as researched and compiled by24/7 Wall St.:

9. Judges and Magistrates

Hours worked/year: 1,935

Median hourly earnings: $62.08

No. employed: 25,900

Hours worked/week: 37.2

Median annual income: $119,270

Top annual income: $142,670

Most Judges were once lawyers, meaning they already have a bachelor’s degree, a law degree, a Bar certificate, and frequently a successful career as an attorney before they gained the position. This explains the judges’ extremely high salary. The median annual income for the position is $119,270, well above than the national average, with some high-ranking judges earning more than $140,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many judges and magistrates work 40-hour workweeks. However, those with limited jurisdictions in small courts work substantially less than full-time, and many even take second jobs. Yet, even they make a very respectable $59,000 annually.

8. Occupational Therapists

Hours worked/year: 1,902

Median hourly earnings: $35.18

No. employed: 100,300

Hours worked/week: 38.6

Median annual income: $72,320

Top annual income: $102,520

Becoming an occupational therapist is not easy. According to the BLS, therapists need a master’s degree or higher. In addition, they must attend an academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) before taking the national certifying exam. Occupational therapists devote themselves to helping individuals cope with physical and learning disabilities. Because therapists usually work by appointment, many work less than the standard 40-hour workweek. Yet, their median salary is impressive, standing at $70,000 per year. U.S. News and World Report ranked the position as one of the 50 best careers of 2011.

7. Principals (Education Administrators, elementary and secondary school)

Hours worked/year: 1,846

Median hourly earnings: $46.49

No. employed: 222,270

Hours worked/week: 39.5

Median annual income: $86,970

Top annual income: $129,480

In order to be eligible to be a principal, applicants must have a teaching certificate and possess sufficient experience in school administration. Principals are responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of faculty and students. According to the BLS, the workload can be stressful and demanding at times. However, while some principals work year-round, the vast majority at the elementary and middle school level work full-days during the school-year, but do not work summers. This means principals have nearly three months to themselves. With a median salary in excess of $85,000, and the high end making nearly $130,000, being a principal is a pretty good deal for all who are fortunate enough to earn the position.

6. Librarians

Hours worked/year: 1,819

Median hourly earnings: $27.35

No. employed: 148,240

Hours worked/week: 38.3

Median annual income: $54,500

Top annual income: $83,510

There are several different types of librarians, and depending on the position, workloads can be either demanding or much lighter than the national average. According to the BLS, those working at colleges can work full-time and even weekends and some holidays. However, nearly half of librarians (63,000 out of the 148,000 positions) work in elementary, middle, and high schools. This means that their schedule is limited to the morning to mid-afternoon on school days, and rarely in the summers. U.S. News and World Report listed the job in its Best Careers of 2009 report.

5. Dental Hygienists

Hours worked/year: 1,802

Median hourly earnings: $32.38

No. employed: 177,520

Hours worked/week: 34.6

Median annual income: $68,250

Top annual income: $93,820

Dental hygienists work alongside dentists, cleaning teeth and assisting in surgeries. The position pays well, nearly $35 per hour. This salary is quite substantial for the low stress, light hours and relatively easy certification. The most appealing part of the position is the fact that dental hygienists earn full-time wages while working more than five hours less per week than the national average. According to the BLS, “Flexible scheduling is a distinctive feature of this job. Full-time, part-time, evening, and weekend schedules are common.” It was listed by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best Careers of 2011, and it is one of the fastest-growing positions in the country.

4. Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists

Hours worked/year: 1,736

Median hourly earnings: $32.40

No. employed: 100,000

Hours worked/week: 37.4

Median annual income: $66,810

Top annual income: $108,670

Psychologists are responsible for assessing the emotional well-being of their patients. Most psychologists have doctorates, which, according to the BLS, “generally requires about 5 years of full-time graduate study, culminating in a dissertation based on original research.” However, unlike medical doctors, the vast majority of psychologists set their own hours and appointments, and while many work nine to five, this is not a requirement. In addition, more than 40 percent of people in this position work in schools, meaning they are afforded the same summer vacation to boot.

Read The Top 3 Best Paying Jobs With the Most Time Off Here.

(Michael B. Sauter/Becket Adams — 24/7 Wall St./The Blaze)