18 high-paying jobs for people who hate people
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Your support makes all the difference.Not everybody is a people person.
If this sounds like you, then your best approach for finding a job could be searching for work where people skills aren't all that necessary.
To find these jobs, we averaged data from the Occupational Information Network, or O*NET, a US Department of Labor database full of detailed information on 974 occupations.
O*NET rates each occupation on a scale from zero to 100 on how much a job requires workers to be in contact with others and how much a job requires workers to be pleasant with others. We averaged these ratings to find which jobs had the highest overall score.
While we're not suggesting that people who hold these positions are all standoffish, the following jobs pay on average more than $55,000 a year according to O*NET, have an average required sociability score of less than 66, and therefore require minimal good-natured interaction with others:
Mine shuttle car operator
Average salary: $55,320
Required sociability score: 64
They operate diesel- or electric-powered shuttle cars in underground mines to transport materials from a working face to mine cars or a conveyor.
Geological sample-test technician
Average salary: $55,610
Required sociability score: 56
They test or analyze geological samples, crude oil, or minerals to the detect the presence of petroleum, gas, or mineral deposits.
Aircraft mechanic or service technician
Average salary: $58,370
Required sociability score: 64
They diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft-engine specialists.
Judicial law clerks
Average salary: $59,910
Required sociability score: 65.5
They assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.
Poet, lyricist, or creative writer
Average salary: $60,250
Required sociability score: 52
They create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry, or song lyrics for publication or performance.
Photonics technician
Average salary: $61,260
Required sociability score: 64
They build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber-optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
Sociologist
Average salary: $73,760
Required sociability score: 65
They study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organisations.
Statistician
Average salary: $80,110
Required sociability score: 64
They develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organise, interpret, and summarise numerical data to provide usable information.
Biochemists and biophysicists
Average salary: $82,150
Required sociability score: 65.5
They study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes, such as cell development, growth, heredity, and disease.
Web administrator
Average salary: $85,240
Required sociability score: 64.5
They manage web environment design, deployment, development, and maintenance activities and perform testing and quality assurance of websites and web applications.
Geoscientists — other than hydrologists or geographers
Average salary: $89,700
Required sociability score: 64.5
They study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the earth.
Remote sensing scientist or technologist
Average salary: $97,130
Required sociability score: 62
They apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyse data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security.
Environmental economist
Average salary: $99,180
Required sociability score: 58.5
They conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable-energy resources.
Political scientist
Average salary: $99,730
Required sociability score: 64
They study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
Astronomer
Average salary: $104,100
Required sociability score: 60.5
They observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems.
Economist
Average salary: $109,230
Required sociability score: 57.5
They conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy.
Computer hardware engineer
Average salary: $111,730
Required sociability score: 64.5
They research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Mathematician
Average salary: $112,560
Required sociability score: 58
They research fundamental mathematics or the application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields and solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.
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