In a declining market people are losing their jobs, companies are freezing open positions and employee raises. But there are still some industries where companies are profiting and employees are getting increases in their annual salaries. Per a certified payroll report from Money Magazine, Salary.com and CNN here are six top paying positions with opportunity growth in 2008.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
A pharmaceutical sales representative position tops the 2008 payroll with the median salary being $93,700. The top 10% of employees in this field can earn anywhere from $98,700 to $121,900. This position is responsible for creating relationships and selling pharmaceutical medicine and equipment to healthcare providers. To work in this industry one must occupy at a minimum an Associate's degree or four years of experience in the field.
Product/Brand Manager
The average product or brand manager makes a payroll of $90,100 and the top 10% in this field make $108,600 to $119,600. This position may require a Bachelor's degree and at least four years of experience and is responsible for creating, implementing and managing marketing promotions for a specific product line. Most product and brand managers manage a staff and report to a marketing director.
Property Manager
The average payroll for a property manager is $81,400 with the top 10% in the field making $114,900 to $130,000. To be a property manager you'll need a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of related experience. As a property manager you'll be responsible for a group of real estate properties and manage the renting, maintenance, buying and selling of the properties. Your daily responsibilities can range from scheduling trash pick up to leasing units. It's big job that requires creativity and multitasking on the highest level.
Investment Specialist
The average Investment specialist is making $72,000 with the top 10% in the field bringing home $93,000 to $110,300. It seems in any type of market an investment specialist would be valuable. In a growing market a specialist is needed to help you make the right real estate, college fund and retirement investment choices. In a declining market they're needed to help with reducing debt and salvaging a retirement fund based on a crashing stock market. To become an investment specialist you'll need a Bachelor's degree, at least two years of related experience and sometimes a series of licenses to practice.
Recruiter
The average payroll for a recruiter is $60,800 with the top 10% making $81,100 to $83,200. A recruiter is responsible for interviewing, reference checking, hiring and exit interviewing for employees that range from all different industries and specialties. To become a recruiter you may need a Bachelor's degree and 5-8 years of related experience in the field where you're recruiting employees.
Staff Nurse (RN)
An RN's average payroll is$59,800 with the top 10% in the field making $68,400 to $68,500. This occupation tops the list of being a fulfilling and challenging job. RN's are required to have an Associate's degree and need to be certified as registered nurses. The job requires patient care, documentation of care and progress, the delivery of medicine and assisting Physicians during examinations and procedures.
The 2008 market is a declining market with businesses closing down, employees losing their jobs and a challenging stock market. But despite the declining market there's still a silver lining to know that opportunities exist to work in a position that pays competitive wages and has growth potential.
