With the benefits and allowances that come with military service, some veterans will find it difficult to adjust to their current lifestyle once separated. This is especially true for those enlisted for a mandate who will start from the bottom of the civilian world.

But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t opportunities for veterans to make a lot of money as civilians, even though they have yet to improve. With a little training or education, excellent salaries are available for those looking.

Here are a few that are well above the median national income of $ 31,133 as of May 2020.

1. Air traffic controllers

It’s a job the military will pay you to learn and do, with all the certifications and education needed to work at the world’s busiest airfields. Even if this is not your military specialty, it is a career area worth considering, as the median salary is around $ 134,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Be advised, however, that ATC is not a career for the faint of heart or for those who cannot work under pressure. Air traffic controllers make every penny of that six-figure salary, but it’s a job you can get with just an associate’s degree and the right certifications.

2. Civil Engineers – Military Maritime Transport Command

The engineers of Military Sealift Command are civil service sailors. As the name suggests, they are responsible for the maintenance and operation of equipment on board military and civilian ships, sometimes working alongside military personnel. They are also responsible for monitoring the dry dock workers and others who work on the ships.

The average annual salary of a third assistant engineer only work in Military Sealift Command is $ 96,341. However, applicants must be engineers. They must also have all the credentials of an international sailor, but Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Navy credentials are accepted.

3. Secondary school teachers

The days of the underpaid teacher are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Although the requirements for secondary school education vary from state to state, as does the median salary by locality, the national median income of secondary school teachers was $ 62,870, in May 2020.

State-wide average annual salaries for high school teachers vary widely, with a gap of over $ 40,000 between the highest-paid and lowest-paid states. The highest average wage is found in Alaska; the lowest is in Oklahoma. All are well above the median national income.

4. Golf ball divers

Laugh as much as you want, these guys laugh all the way to the bank. Every time someone throws a golf ball in a water hazard, someone has to go fishing for it – and these fishermen are killing it. Golfers lose around 300 million bales per year, and a group of trained dive entrepreneurs have built an industry around their recovery and recycling.

Divers face all kinds of dangers in this field of activity, even though many of these bodies of water are man-made. Alligators, snakes and other dangerous animals always call them home. Those who are willing to risk the dangers can earn anywhere from $ 50,000 to $ 100,000 each year.

5. Transmission tower climbers

Whether it’s making repairs or just turning on a light bulb, someone has to eventually climb those tall towers that make our modern communications so much easier and faster. These skilled climbers have a dangerous job, but their risks are rewarded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for one of these daredevils is over $ 62,000.

The best news for this kind of work is that the basic entry requirement for the job is a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most employers requiring the services of a climber will take the time to train their climbers in their roles.

– Blake Stilwell can be contacted at [email protected] It can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

Want to learn more about veteran jobs?

Make sure you get the latest news on post-military careers as well as essential information on veteran jobs and all the benefits of the service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive personalized updates straight to your inbox.

View full article