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High Paying Careers That Don't Involve Math

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You might think that all of the highest-paying jobs involve math, however, many careers have above-average pay without any math skills needed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly pay for all occupations was $47,230 as of May 2014, and many of these non-math jobs, such as careers in media and communications, law, social sciences and health care, have salaries way above this national average.

Media and Communications Careers

With a mean annual wage of $64,140, editors earn significantly more than the average pay for all occupations. Most editors have bachelor's degrees in English, communications or journalism. Editors check that written content is free from spelling and grammatical errors, and they may rewrite content to improve its quality. Editors also help writers develop stories, and they may fact-check written articles to ensure accuracy. The work requires strong writing and language skills, but math is not a big part of their daily work.

Technical writers, who earn an average of $71,950 per year, may not use math either. They must have a bachelor's degree in English or a related field, and most of them have specialized knowledge in engineering or computer science, because they often produce instruction and product manuals.

Also in the communications field are art directors, who earn an average of $97,850 per year without the need to crunch numbers. Art directors choose pictures, graphics and designs for magazines, newspapers, product packaging and television commercials. They typically have a bachelor's degree in art or a related field, and they need to be creative, skilled communicators.

Legal Jobs

Lawyers earn nearly triple the average national salary, with annual earnings of $133,470. They must attend law school and earn a juris doctor degree. Lawyers represent clients in court, research legal matters, advocate on behalf of clients and interpret laws. They may also produce documents such as wills, contracts and lawsuits. They're work entails knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, and they need strong research and public speaking skills. Lawyers do not typically use mathematical skills in their daily work. Judges and hearing officers, who preside over trials and hearings in both criminal and civil cases, also must have law degrees. Judges earn, on average, $106,420 per year, and they listen to arguments during court hearings and decide if defendants are guilty of crimes. Judges may also impose sentences or penalties for defendants. Judges must be skilled in listening, reading writing and critical thinking.

Careers in the Social Sciences

Industrial-organizational psychologists, who must have a master's degree in psychology, earn an average of $90,070. These psychologists address workplace issues, such as increasing employee productivity, training employees and managers, developing policies and procedures, and improving morale. While they must have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, mathematical skills are not a key requirement.

College-level sociology teachers earn an average of $74,860 per year. Instead of using math in their day-to-day work, sociology teachers instruct students at the college or university level, give lectures, create assignments, lead group activities, and grade papers and exams. They are knowledgeable about how people interact in groups, organizations and institutions. While some sociology professors may complete research and analyze statistics, others teach classes and therefore do not use as much math in their daily work. According to Business Insider, sociology teaching jobs are some of the best paying jobs for those who do not like math.

Health Care Jobs

Occupational health and safety specialists typically have at least a bachelor's degree, and earn $70,470 per year on average. They must be detail-oriented and skilled in problem-solving, and are responsible for identifying and eliminating workplace hazards and ensuring that workplaces comply with health and safety laws. They also train employees on safety laws and design programs to ensure employee safety. Occupational health and safety workers need in-depth knowledge of laws and technology, however, mathematical functions rarely figure in to their day-to-day work.

Occupational therapy assistants earn above average wages and generally on need an associate's degree for the work. The average yearly salary for these professionals is $57,260. Occupational therapy assistants must be compassionate and have strong interpersonal skills. They assist occupational therapists to help people with injuries or disabilities perform day-to-day activities.

Another health care job that requires little math is dental hygienist. A dental hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist to clean teeth, perform oral examinations, take X-rays, educate patients and apply fluoride and sealants to teeth. Dental hygienists earn an average of $71,970 annually.

References
Writer

Jenni Jacobsen has been a writer for six years. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and has experience writing content about careers, higher education, mental health issues, positive psychology and general health and wellness.

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