How Much Are You Worth?

Want to know how your salary compares to the national average? Below is a list of salaries of more than one hundred careers, courtesy of Salary.com. Keep in mind that salaries can differ based on an individual's geographic location and work experience.

(Note: A "II" after the job title indicates a salary based on two to four years of experience.)

SALARIES (as of December 2006)

Accounting
Accountant II: $47,768

Advertising
Account executive: $69,089
Copywriter II: $49,157
Creative director: $96,949

Engineering
Aerospace II: $62,273
Mechanical II: $65,848
Chemical II: $61,744
Civil II: $61,158
Electrical II: $63,673
Environmental (no levels given): $64,945
Industrial II: $59,670
Nuclear II: $69,048

Architecture
Architect II: $40,438
Interior designer II: $40,247

Arts and Entertainment
Actor/performer: $49,559
Director: $29,864
Producer: $45,921
Set designer: $44,126
Talent director: $59,470

Aviation and Airlines
Pilot: $101,402
Flight attendant: $53,796

Banking
Branch manager II: $90,183
Lending officer II: $60,306
Biotechnology
Biologist II: $48,581
Clinical research associate II: $65,250

Construction
Building inspector: $44,827
Carpenter: $38,900
Electrician: $39,924
Consulting
Business development associate: $69,614

Education
Athletic coach: $48,844
School principal: $86,119
College professor: $78,390
Grade school teacher: $49,007
Financial aid counselor: $34,929
Environment
Botanist: $60,524
Geologist II: $49,281
Forester: $59,747
Financial Services
Financial analyst II: $55,589
Stock Broker: $48,205

Law Enforcement, Security, Fire
Fire fighter: $40,463
Police officer: $47,729
Correction officer: $35,000
Sheriff/police chief: $85,772

Healthcare
Staff nurse - RN: $57,366
Chiropractor: $84,556
Dentist: $135,043
Dietician: $47,397
Optometrist: $103,302
Paramedic: $37,916
Pharmacist: $94,677
Physical therapist: $61,162
Physician: $155,041
Physician assistant: $77,392
Psychologist: $78,885
Social Worker: $41,622
Surgeon: $268,277

Human Resources
Human resources generalist II: $52,940
Insurance
Claims adjuster: $41,461

New Media/IT
Web designer: $65,175
Programmer II: $59,826
Applications systems analyst II: $63,554

Legal Services
Attorney II: $112,066
Paralegal II: $50,748
Judge/magistrate: $145,300

Library Services
Librarian: $49,235

Marketing
Account executive: $65,308
Media (Broadcast)
Director: $29,864
Producer: $45,921
Production assistant: $26,325
Reporter: $28,592

Media (Print)
Photographer: $54,789
Reporter: $28,592

Military
E1 - Recruit: $13,511
E3 - Private first class: $16,443
E5 - Sergeant: $19,538
Non-Profit
Fundraising director: $85,346

Printing and Publishing
Editor: $53,800
Technical writer II: $51,944

Public Relations
Company/agency director: $124,686
Speech Writer (under Printing/Publishing): $65,834

Real Estate
Appraiser: $39,968
Mortgage credit analyst: $42,379
Sales agent: $26,358
Restaurant and Food Services
Chef, executive: $87,808
Catering manager: $47,037
Hotel manager: $41,411
Retail/Wholesale
Buyer II: $50,717
Jeweler: $36,302
Visual merchandising director: $111,490

Sales
Account executive: $65,308
Science and Research
Astronomer: $99,259
Biochemist II: $52,682
Biologist II: $48,581
Chemist II: $52,380
Geologist II: $49,281
Physicist II: $68,365
Zoologist: $64,696

Looking for something different? Check out the salaries of these unusual careers.
Motor racer: $25,628
Cartoonist/animator: $57,043
Floral designer: $43,845
Landscape architect: $37,041
Bartender: $19,430
Pastry chef: $56,754
Professional athlete: $28,744
Food scientist: $61,012
Fashion designer: $45,452
Animal groomer: $30,833
Silversmith: $36,073
Private investigator: $40,028

A Monster.com article

by Carrie Greenberg