10 Jobs That Can Make You Rich Before You Are 30

How much money would you have to make to consider yourself “rich” in a financial sense? Would your goal be to earn your first million dollars? Would you want a certain net worth or a specific amount of money in the bank that you could easily access?

Most of us aren’t born into money. We have to earn it. If you’re still in the earliest stages of your career (such as in your early 20s), or are choosing one to pursue, here are ten jobs that can make you rich by the time you’re 30 — with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work.

1. Software Development

Software development is one of the hottest job opportunities around these days. And it pays very well. Large corporations need developers to create internal software and processes that help the companies make, or save, money. Consumers and business owners also always need software solutions for various problems. If you’re technically inclined, this might be the most lucrative job for you.

2. Web Development

This is similar to software development but you focus on websites and software for the Web. Hey. Who’s to say you can’t be the next Mark Zuckerberg? Sure, your chances of scoring those kinds of big bucks aren’t great. But plenty of Web developers are making more than enough money to keep them happy these days, from app developers to social media tool developers who ultimately sell their companies to the highest bidder.

3. Investment Banker

I know. “Investment bankers” are a dirty word in some parts of the world these days. But you can still make great money if you know what you’re doing (with a median salary of just under $100,000 in the U.S.). The same goes for personal investors, assuming you have some money to invest in the first place.

4. Orthodontist

If you have an interest in the medical field but you don’t want to be a surgeon or other common medical specialist, why not be a dentist or orthodontist? They make just as much, and often more (especially orthodontists, who earn almost $30,000 more than a family doctor).

5. Engineer

Engineering is a field where you can find high salaries even right out of college (though salaries can vary a lot depending on where you live). If you love to design things and solve problems, and you’re not too shabby at math, this might be the job to help you build your wealth. And there are plenty of options — mechanical engineers, aerospace engineers, and electrical engineers to name a few.

6. Business Consultant

There are countless types of business consultants out there. And there’s one common theme — they all help business owners (or their executives) solve problems. More importantly, they solve problems that can’t be solved with the company’s existing staff. That expertise comes at a premium. Self-employed business consultants set their own rates, which can be upwards of $100 an hour.

7. Sales

I’m not talking about simple retail sales here. But if you’re a great seller who can adapt to different markets, you’ll always have a way to make good money. For example, some people get rich selling real estate. Others build their fortunes selling cars or other high-ticket items. You could sell equipment or enterprise software solutions to big corporate clients. According to Forbes, you can make over $100k per year selling financial services as another example.

8. Speaker

Are you an expert in some industry or topic that people want to learn about? If so, you could get rich as a public speaker. This can include anything from being a motivational speaker to business experts who give seminars. According to PaidPublicSpeaking.com, “individual profits of over $800,000 a year are not uncommon” for “non celebrity professional speakers.”

9. Author

Being an author is no guarantee that you’ll strike it rich. Most authors never do. But with the rise of self publishing and millionaire success stories like that of Amanda Hocking, more and more authors are figuring out new ways to make a living doing what they love.

10. Entrepreneur

Last but not least is one of the best, and probably riskiest, ways to get rich before you’re 30. Start your own business. You can do that with any of the careers listed above. Or maybe you have a unique idea of your own or you want launch a completely new product. It’s always a risk to invest in your business ideas, but when it comes to self-made millionaires, this is often the way to go.

Leave a comment and tell us how much money you would need to earn to feel “rich” by the time you’re 30, and let me know what you’re doing now to work towards your financial goals (no matter how old you are).