Retail Salesperson Ranking 1
Median Salary	$22,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.
Living the Dream	Most retail sales workers work in clean, comfortable, well-lit stores. Many sales workers work evenings and weekends. About 1 in 3 retail salespersons worked part time in 2012.
Reaching the Dream	Typically, retail sales workers do not need formal education. However, some employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Cashier Ranking 2
Median Salary	$19,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Cashiers handle payments from customers purchasing goods and services.
Living the Dream	Most cashiers work indoors, usually in retail establishments such as supermarkets, department stores, movie theaters, and restaurants.
Reaching the Dream	Cashiers are usually trained on the job. There are usually no formal educational requirements.

Office clerks Ranking 3
Median Salary	$29,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	General office clerks perform a variety of administrative tasks, including answering telephones, typing or word processing, making copies of documents, and maintaining records.
Living the Dream	Although general office clerks are employed in nearly every industry, most work in schools, healthcare facilities, and government. About 1 in 4 worked part time in 2012.
Reaching the Dream	General office clerks typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Most learn their skills on the job.

Food Preparation worker Ranking 4
Median Salary	$19,300 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Food preparation workers perform many routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers. Food preparation workers prepare cold foods, slice meat, peel and cut vegetables, brew coffee or tea, and perform many other food service tasks.
Living the Dream	Food preparation workers are employed in restaurants, hotels, and other places where food is served, such as cafeterias, grocery stores, hospitals, and schools. They often work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or holidays. Nearly half worked part
Reaching the Dream	Food preparation workers learn their skills through short-term on-the-job training. No formal education or previous work experience is required.

Registered nurses Ranking 5
Median Salary	$70,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Associates
Exploring the Dream	Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
Living the Dream	Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in correctional facilities, schools, or serve in the military.
Reaching the Dream	Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must also be licensed.

Waiters and Waitresses Ranking 6
Median Salary	$18,540 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
Living the Dream	erve customers quickly and efficiently. About half worked part time in 2012. This often includes early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Reaching the Dream	Most waiter and waitress jobs are at the entry level, and workers learn their skills through short-term on-the-job training. No formal education is required.

Customer service reps Ranking 7
Median Salary	$30,580 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Customer service representatives handle customer complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services.
Living the Dream	Although customer service representatives are employed in nearly every industry, many work in telephone call centers, credit and insurance agencies, banks, and retail stores. About 1 in 5 worked part time in 2012.
Reaching the Dream	Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma and are trained on the job. They should be good at communicating with people and have basic computer skills.

Janitors and cleaners Ranking 8
Median Salary	$22,320 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.
Living the Dream	Most janitors and building cleaners work indoors. However, some work outdoors part of the time, sweeping walkways, mowing lawns, and shoveling snow. Since office buildings are often cleaned while they are empty, many cleaners work evening hours. The work
Reaching the Dream	Most janitors and building cleaners learn on the job. Formal education is not required.

Freight, stock and hand material mover laborers Ranking 9
Median Salary	$22,970 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Hand laborers and material movers transport objects without using machines. Some workers move freight, stock, or other materials around in storage facilities; others clean vehicles; some pick up unwanted household goods; and still others pack materials for moving.
Living the Dream	Most people in these occupations work full time. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some workers, especially those in warehousing, work overnight shifts.
Reaching the Dream	Generally, hand laborers and material movers need no work experience or minimum level of education. Employers require only that applicants be physically able to do the work.

Secretaries and administrative assistants Ranking 10
Median Salary	$35,330 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Diploma
Exploring the Dream	Secretaries and administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments, and support other staff.
Living the Dream	Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, many are employed in schools, hospitals, governments, and legal and medical offices. Most work full time in office settings. Virtual assistants typically work from a home of
Reaching the Dream	High school graduates with basic office and computer skills usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although most secretaries learn their job in several weeks, many legal and medical secretaries require several months of training to learn industry-spec