10 Best Jobs for Over-Forty Women - MORE Magazine

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Community Service Coordinator/Manager

(volunteer coordinator, program director)

Salary: Most earn $42,110 to $73,470

Top 10% Make: $96,000+

Why Now: The field is expected to grow 48% by 2016

What You’ll Need: BA, passion for a cause

Entrepreneur Opportunities: Most in the field work for nonprofits or the government

For more on what it’s like to be a community service coordinator, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Personal Financial Advisor

(financial planner)

Salary: Most earn $46,390 to $119,290

Top 10% Make: $166,000

Why Now: One of the 10 fastest growing occupations, it’s projected to boom 41% by 2016

What You’ll Need: A solid business background plus education in the field. You’ll probably also need Series 7 and Series 63 or 66 licenses

Entrepreneur Opportunities: 30% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be a personal financial adviser, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Environmental Scientist

(hydrologist, environmental ecologist, environmental chemist, ecological modeler)

Salary: Most earn $45,340 to $78,980

Top 10% Make: $103,000+

Why Now: The field is expected to grow 25% by 2016

What You’ll Need: Most positions require a master’s degree in environmental science, hydrology or a related natural science

Entrepreneur Opportunities: About 2% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be an environmental scientist, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Registered Nurse

(critical care, emergency, oncology, clinical)

Salary: Most earn $51,640 to $76,570

Top 10% Make: $92,000+

Why Now: A projected 587,000 new nursing jobs will be created by 2016

What You’ll Need: A BS in nursing (four years), an associate’s degree in nursing (two to three years) or a diploma from an approved nursing program

Entrepreneur Opportunities: Although some nurses provide care as independent contractors or wellness coaches, most are employees

For more on what it’s like to be a registered nurse, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Computer and Information Systems Manager

(chief technology officer, management information systems (MIS) director, information technology (IT) director)

Salary: Most earn $88,240 to $141,890

Top 10% Make: $166,000+

Why Now: This field will add 43,000 jobs by 2016

What You’ll Need: A bachelor’s degree and sometimes a master’s degree—consider an MBA with a focus on technology

Entrepreneur Opportunities: These tend to be leadership positions within a company

For more on what it’s like to be a computer and information systems manager, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Education Administrator

(principal, assistant principal, provost, dean of students, school district administrator, director of student services)

Salary: Most earn $68,360 to $102,830 (elementary and secondary school)

Top 10% Make: $125,000+

Why Now: Many will retire in the next decade

What You’ll Need: Experience as a teacher or in a field such as recruiting. Some positions require a master’s degree

Entrepreneur Opportunities: Most work for school districts or universities

For more on what it’s like to be an education administrator, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Strategic/Crisis Communication Professional

(crisis manager, strategic communication specialist)

Salary: Most earn $38,400 to $71,670

Top 10% make: $98,000+

Why Now: The field is expected to create 43,000 new jobs by 2016

What You’ll Need: Public relations experience

Entrepreneur Opportunities: With the right expertise, it’s possible to provide this service as an independent contractor

For more on what it’s like to be a strategic / crisis communications professional, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Accountant

(public accountant, management accountant, government accountant, internal auditor)

Salary: Most earn $45,900 to $78,210

Top 10% Make: $102,000+

Why Now: The field will grow 18% by 2016, adding 226,000 jobs, and these positions are available in every industry

What You’ll Need: A degree in accounting or a related field. You have to pass an exam to become a CPA

Entrepreneur Opportunities: 10% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be an accountant, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Human Resources Specialist

(job analyst, compensation manager, employee benefits manager, training and development manager, recruiter)

Salary: Most earn $35,020 to $67,730

Top 10% Make: $84,000+

Why Now: There will be 147,000 new specialist jobs created by 2016

What You’ll Need: Depends. To specialize, you may need an MBA with a focus in HR management

Entrepreneur Opportunities: About 2 percent are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be a human resources specialist, click here.

Illustration By: Lorenzo Petrantoni

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In a nationwide survey, we asked midlife women to define the most important elements of a great job. In addition to a good salary and benefits, you told us you want a profession with a bright future, a high level of control and a flexible schedule.

We grilled the experts to find careers that deliver. Ready, set, reinvent!

Small-Scale Niche Farmer

Salary: Most earn $26,800 to $76,230

Top 10% Make: $97,000+

Why Now: Small farms are growing at a rate of 10,000 a year

What You’ll Need: Nothing—training is done on the job

Entrepreneur Opportunities: 80% are self-employed

For more on what it’s like to be a small-scale niche farmer, click here.