- For those who love reading, there are plenty of jobs that require a lot of research and writing.
- Luckily, many of these positions are also high-paying – ranging from unsurprising jobs such as English professors to perhaps more unexpected careers, such as physicians.
- Using data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a US Department of Labor database, we looked at positions with a median annual salary of over $65,000 where reading comprehension is very important to the job.
- Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.
Are you a self-proclaimed bookworm? Can you read quickly and comprehend every sentence you consume?
Good news: your passion for books and excellent reading skills may help land you a lucrative job. Turns out there are a lot of high-paying professions out there that require strong reading comprehension skills.
Business Insider recently combed through the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a US Department of Labor database that compiles detailed information on hundreds of jobs, and looked at salary data on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website to find positions with a median annual salary of over $65,000 where reading comprehension is very important to the job.
Read more: I’m a neurosurgeon, and the habit that completely changed my life can help improve anyone’s mind
O*NET ranks how important "understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents" is in any job, assigning each a reading comprehension importance score between 1 and 100.
Here are 27 high-paying positions with a score of 80 or higher, in order of lowest to highest pay:
English language and literature professors
They research, analyze, interpret, and present the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Reading comprehension importance score: 94 Median salary: $78,150
Labor Relations Specialists
According to O*NET, labor relations specialists may have to "resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints."
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $67,790
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
Social work professors instruct college students in the subject matter. Many also conduct research in addition to teaching classes.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $68,300
Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists study patterns and preventions of diseases.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $69,660
Climate Change Analysts
These analysts are charged with researching and analyzing policies and legislations, along with campaigning and fundraising relative to climate change.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $71,130
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
These professors instruct college students in philosophy and religion courses.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $71,890
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
According to O*NET, these instructors "teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group" in addition to researching.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $74,440
History Teachers, Postsecondary
These professors instruct college students in history courses.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $74,590
Logistics Engineers
According to O*NET, these engineers are charged with designing and analyzing operational solutions for projects ranging from transportation to shipment optimization.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $74,600
School Psychologists
School psychologists work in educational environments and help maintain student records as apart of their job. They also interpret test results and report pertinent information.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $76,990
Molecular and cellular biologists
Molecular and cellular biologists research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.
Reading comprehension importance score: 85 Median salary: $79,590
Geneticists
Geneticists research inherited traits (ranging from molecular to population level).
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $79,590
Financial Examiners
Financial examiners investigate institutions to ensure legal transactions.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $80,180
Intelligence Analysts
These analysts gather intelligence from sources such as law enforcement databases or surveillance.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $81,920
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
These professors instruct college students in anthropological and archeological studies.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $83,940
Environmental Engineers
According to O*Net, "Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology." Additionally, research and designing fall under environmental engineering duties.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $87,620
Informatics Nurse Specialists
Informatics nurse specialists assist with the ongoing development of computerized health care systems." According to O*NET, "[Informatics nurse specialists] may educate staff and assist in problem-solving to promote the implementation of the health care system."
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $88,740
Education administrators (elementary and secondary school)
Education administrators plan, direct, or coordinate the academic or administrative activities of public or private elementary or secondary level schools.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $95,310
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
According to O*NET, these psychologists "apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems." Additionally, they often help devise training programs.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $97,260
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
These positions deal with nearly all governmental matters, claims, settlements, and trial activities, along with researching and analyzing laws.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $99,850
Neuropsychologists and clinical neuropsychologists
Neuropsychologists apply theories and principles of neuropsychology to diagnose and treat disorders of higher cerebral functioning.
Reading comprehension importance score: 91 Median salary: $100,770
Law professors
Law professors teach courses in law and engage in research.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $111,140
Lawyers
Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. They may specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
Reading comprehension importance score: 85 Median salary: $120,910
Preventive medicine physicians
These physicians apply knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, and aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of disease, injury, disability, or death.
Reading comprehension importance score: 85 Median salary: $200,890
Allergists and immunologists
Allergists and immunologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
Reading comprehension importance score: 88 Median salary: $200,890
Sports medicine physicians
Sports medicine physicians diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
Reading comprehension importance score: 88 Median salary: $200,890
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Urologists
These doctors treat patients with genitourinary system disorders.
Reading comprehension importance score: 81 Median salary: $200,890