A former colleague of mine back when I taught at Illinois once described being a law professor as a "loophole on life." Apparently, he was right:
Most high-paying jobs require significantly more hours on the job than the average American puts in. 24/7 Wall St. has identified nine jobs that pay well above the national median income, while requiring less working hours than average. ...
2. Law Teachers, Post-secondary
> Hours worked/year: 1,608
> Median hourly earnings: $82.85
> No. employed: 14,620
> Hours worked/week: 40.3
> Median annual income: $94,260
> Top annual income: $145,990While the entire list could have just been comprised of different types of college professors, we listed only the highest-paying position. Law professors have a median income approaching $100,000, and have a top range of nearly $150,000. Becoming a law professor only requires a law degree, although many today also have a Master of Laws and even a PhD. The time spent seems well worth it. Besides the generous salary, they enjoy unique benefits, “including access to campus facilities, tuition waivers for dependents, housing and travel allowances, and paid leave for sabbaticals,” according to the BLS. Between these sabbaticals and the summer vacation, most professors work nearly 400 hours less than the average U.S. employee.
On the one hand, speaking only for myself, I spend my summers and sabbaticals doing research and writing scholarship, which is part of my job description. On the other hand, Wall St 24/7's estimate of the top pay range is way too low.
All told, however, I do love my job.
Here's the rest of the list:
1. Aircraft Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
> Hours worked/year: 1,090
> Median hourly earnings: $119.12
> No. employed: 68,580
> Hours worked/week: 21
> Median annual income: $103,210
> Top annual income: $139,330
3. Speech-Language Pathologists
> Hours worked/year: 1,638
> Median hourly earnings: $32.74
> No. employed: 112,530
> Hours worked/week: 37.6
> Median annual income: $66,920
> Top annual income: $103,630
4. Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
> Hours worked/year: 1,736
> Median hourly earnings: $32.40
> No. employed: 100,000
> Hours worked/week: 37.4
> Median annual income: $66,810
> Top annual income: $108,670
5. Dental Hygienists
> Hours worked/year: 1,802
> Median hourly earnings: $32.38
> No. employed: 177,520
> Hours worked/week: 34.6
> Median annual income: $68,250
> Top annual income: $93,820
6. Librarians
> Hours worked/year: 1,819
> Median hourly earnings: $27.35
> No. employed: 148,240
> Hours worked/week: 38.3
> Median annual income: $54,500
> Top annual income: $83,510
7. Principals (Education Administrators, elementary and secondary school)
> Hours worked/year: 1,846
> Median hourly earnings: $46.49
> No. employed: 222,270
> Hours worked/week: 39.5
> Median annual income: $86,970
> Top annual income: $129,480
8. Occupational Therapists
> Hours worked/year: 1,902
> Median hourly earnings: $35.18
> No. employed: 100,300
> Hours worked/week: 38.6
> Median annual income: $72,320
> Top annual income: $102,520
9. Judges and Magistrates
> Hours worked/year: 1,935
> Median hourly earnings: $62.08
> No. employed: 25,900
> Hours worked/week: 37.2
> Median annual income: $119,270
> Top annual income: $142,670
