10 High-Paying Jobs Where You Can Work Fewer Than 40 Hours

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Updated April 19, 2024

When deciding which job is best to pursue, it's important for professionals to consider the number of hours they want to work along with their desired salary. Many professionals seek increased salaries with a low number of hours involved and research specific fields or job sites to help them narrow their options. Knowing which jobs offer high salaries and grant you increased leisure time may be useful when pursuing your career path.In this article, we discuss some benefits of high-paying jobs with low hours and provide a list of 10 of these positions with their national average salaries and primary duties.Related: Low-Stress Jobs

Benefits of high-paying jobs with low hours

Here are a few of the benefits associated with a high-paying, low-hour occupation:

Improved mental and physical well-being

Occupations that expect employees to work comparatively fewer hours than other positions can result in a less stressful work-life balance for employees. Earning a livable wage can allow you to pay for basic living expenses while having the freedom to prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can also lead to a stronger sense of joy and fulfillment in your work.Related: Ultimate Guide to Work-Life Balance

Increased leisure time

High-paying jobs with low hours may allow you to spend an increased amount of time with family members and friends. This is often essential for those who provide care for family members, are expecting a child in the near future or live a far distance from family members. These positions also often entail having more time to focus on self-development, as well as the ability to focus on household chores, hobbies or side projects.

Education and training opportunities

With more free time, professionals also typically have more opportunities to further their education or training. For example, you can work a high-paying job with low hours temporarily while you pay for and attend medical school. You may also wish to pursue specific programs or certifications that enable you to apply for advanced occupations later in your career.

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10 high-paying jobs that expect employees to work fewer than 40 hours per week

Here are 10 jobs that pay well but typically don't require you to work 40 hours or more per week:

1. Personal trainer

National average salary: $49,966 per yearPrimary duties: Personal trainers work closely with clients to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. They often develop nutrition plans, evaluate a client's fitness regimen or create personalized workout strategies. Personal trainers typically work individually with clients in gyms, athletic centers, educational institutions or, sometimes, in a client's home.Read more: Learn About Being a Personal Trainer

2. Photographer

National average salary: $43,335 per yearPrimary duties: A photographer takes high-quality photographs of people, places, food or products. They may photograph weddings, graduations and networking events, among many other events, for newspapers, online news outlets or individual clients. Their photos may appear in promotional marketing material or remain with clients for personal use. Photographers combine creativity with technical skills to satisfy a client's or employer's requirements.

3. Nutritionist

National average salary: $52,929 per yearPrimary duties: A nutritionist, also known as a food scientist, specializes in educating individuals about the nutritional content of food to promote healthier lifestyles. They may work at educational institutions, athletic centers, food manufacturers or medical facilities to develop meal plans, manage food programs or provide guidance for an individual's nutrition goals.Read more: Learn About Being a Nutritionist

4. Librarian

National average salary: $56,415 per yearPrimary duties: A librarian is a professional who works in a library to assist patrons in accessing information for academic, scientific and professional research purposes. Their other responsibilities may include helping individuals use computers to search their collection, assisting other staff members and developing educational programs for the public. In addition to help visitors find books, they may also help patrons find information through a variety of films, albums, video games and other forms of media.Read more: Learn About Being a Librarian

5. Artist

National average salary: $62,268 per yearPrimary duties: These trained professionals draw, paint, build sculptures or create other artistic works. Local governments may commission an artist's work for a public installation, or a museum may contact an artist to include their work in an exhibit. As professionals, artists may draw or render art for a variety of companies, including video game developers, animation studios, advertising agencies, architecture firms or print publications. Artists can work using pencils, paints, canvases or modern digital software.

6. Writer

National average salary: $57,379 per yearPrimary duties: Writers use their understanding of language to research, write and edit a variety of written content. This may include scripts, books, articles and poems. Their work may include fiction or nonfiction genres and can apply to industries such as health care, technology and fine arts. Writers can work for agencies, governments or media outlets or may choose to work in a freelance or self-employed capacity.

7. Chiropractor

National average salary: $81,846 per yearPrimary duties: A chiropractor is a licensed health care professional who treats conditions related to a patient's musculoskeletal system using solely their hands or medical instruments. They typically treat patients who experience lower back pain, neck pain and conditions that affect other joints or muscles in the body. They often perform adjustments or alignments to help reduce pain or improve overall physical mobility.Read more: Learn About Being a Chiropractor

8. Real estate agent

National average salary: $96,972 per yearPrimary duties: A real estate agent may organize the purchase, sale and rental of property, such as residential and commercial property or vacant land. Real estate agents collaborate with buyers, sellers and other agents, usually through a brokerage firm, to complete a contract that suits all parties involved. These professionals may also advertise properties for sale, guide tours for prospective clients, manage expenses and delegate tasks to team members.Read more: Learn About Being a Real Estate Agent

9. Psychologist

National average salary: $101,530 per yearPrimary duties: A psychologist studies individuals' mental processes and behaviors to promote healthy mental well-being and treat mental health conditions. They may also provide psychotherapy services for couples, groups, families or individuals with conditions such as PTSD or substance abuse. Psychologists assist clients through approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or personal assessments.Read more: Learn About Being a Psychologist

10. Dentist

National average salary: $223,864 per yearPrimary duties: These medically trained professionals focus on patients' oral health. They typically educate their patients on preventive care or medical treatments necessary for overall oral hygiene and may treat oral diseases by conducting teeth extractions, cavity fillings or oral surgery. Dentists may also converse with patients for their checkups, evaluate and diagnose common oral diseases and work with or refer patients to other dental professionals, particularly when they recommend surgery as the best course of action for a patient.Read more: Learn About Being a Dentist

Video: Why the U.S. has a 40-Hour Workweek (and How It Could Change)

In this video, we will explore the history of the 40-hour workweek, specifically in the U.S. and how employers and employees are looking to the 4-day working week as an alternative.

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