So far, we have held the line on the market pricing in three rate cuts, but today was a clear break from that. Earlier in the year, the market got well ahead of itself with saying we would have six rate cuts, but I believe, just like last year, the bond market was too bearish on the economy to price in six rate cuts. We have a lot of time left in 2024, and as you can see in the chart below, the 2-year yield has been on a roller coaster since last November.
From BLS: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.
One note: this report isn’t 100% a result of shelter inflation being hotter than estimates; car insurance and energy have picked up recently, too. However, the giant monster in the CPI world is shelter, as it’s 44.4% of the index.
Shelter inflation
In this report, shelter inflation damaged the month-to-month inflation growth because the owner’s equivalent rent of residences (OER) was the primary driver of monthly inflation.
Regarding shelter inflation, as we can see below, the slow-moving monster is just not dropping fast enough to lower the core inflation data. With CPI inflation, rents are the biggest deal for core inflation. If we have stronger month-to-month inflation, it will slow down the year-over-year data enough to keep CPI elevated.
Rent data
The OER is becoming a more significant issue for the CPI data this year. We must also be mindful that while we see disinflation in apartments, single-family rents are holding up well. However, the slowdown on this index keeps the data elevated. A more real-time shelter model would change the story very quickly, but that’s not going to happen.
Core CPI
We have made some progress on Core CPI, but remember; the Fed doesn’t track CPI inflation for their 2% target; it’s PCE inflation, and the gap between CPI and PCE inflation is massive. Historically, we would see a gap of 0.47%. Currently, it’s double that. However, with shelter inflation slowly moving lower year over year, core CPI is stalling out until this data line breaks it much lower.
Today, the 0.1% miss on estimates on CPI has taken one Fed rate cut off the table, and mortgage rates have gone higher today. I don’t believe the Fed will pivot until the labor market breaks, something I talked about on this HousingWire Daily podcast. We do see some wage-growth trends that the Fed will find suitable to get more dovish, but the labor data isn’t breaking until jobless claims break.
Next up, we will get the PPI inflation data, which filters into the all-important PCE inflation data. Stay tuned!
Are you looking for the best jobs in nature? If you really enjoy being outside and care about nature, you might want to find a job in the great outdoors. Nature careers let you work outside instead of in an office and let you be part of nature. Whether you’re helping people go fishing, studying…
Are you looking for the best jobs in nature?
If you really enjoy being outside and care about nature, you might want to find a job in the great outdoors.
Nature careers let you work outside instead of in an office and let you be part of nature.
Whether you’re helping people go fishing, studying animals as a wildlife scientist, or coming up with new ways to help the environment as an engineer, jobs in nature can be really satisfying and make a big difference.
Best Jobs in Nature
Below are the best jobs in nature.
Recommended reading: 15 Outdoor Jobs For People Who Love Being Outside
1. Park ranger
Being a park ranger could be your dream come true if you love the outdoors and nature.
A park ranger works in places like national parks. They take care of the forests, mountains, and lakes, and their days are spent outdoors, helping animals and keeping nature beautiful for visitors.
This job is more than just a walk in the park. You may guide people on tours, answer questions, and sometimes help find lost hikers. You need to know a lot about the park and care deeply for nature.
Park ranger pay starts at about $30,000 and can go higher.
2. Conservation scientist
If you love nature and want to protect it, think about being a conservation scientist. They get to work outdoors, study wildlife, and help keep the planet green.
Conservation scientists play a big role in looking after our world, and their job is to study plants, animals, and habitats to understand how they all work together. Then, they come up with plans to protect these natural resources.
3. Nature photographer
One of the most popular jobs that involve nature and travel is a nature photographer.
When I was growing up, becoming an outdoors photographer was actually one of my dreams.
Nature photographers take photos of the outdoors. You could work for magazines (like “National Geographic”), websites, conservation groups, or even stock photo sites (like Getty Images). Some nature photographers sell their photos to make money. You might work in far-off forests, mountains, or even your local park.
Nature photography is a competitive field, so you will need very high-quality unique photos to stand out. You’ll need to understand how to use different lenses and equipment like tripods. And, you’ll want to have lots of practice taking photos of wildlife and natural scenes.
Recommended reading: How To Get Paid To Travel The World (18 Realistic Ideas!)
4. Marine biologist
If you love the ocean and its creatures, being a marine biologist might be just the thing for you.
Marine biologists do important work like studying the tiny life forms in water, such as bacteria and tiny plants. They also investigate how the ocean is changing and what that might mean for our planet’s future.
When you’re in school, it’s important to concentrate on science classes. When you get to college, you’ll have the chance to learn even more about marine life. Plus, being a marine biologist can pay well. On average, you could make about $66,350 per year or more.
5. Fly-fishing guide
If you love the idea of working outside and are passionate about fishing, consider becoming a fly-fishing guide. They spend their days on the river, helping others catch fish and enjoy nature.
A fly-fishing guide’s main job is to teach people how to fly fish and/or bring them to areas where they can catch fish.
Popular fly-fishing areas all over are in constant need of fly-fishing guides. So, you may be able to find guiding jobs in amazing places like Alaska, Montana, and Colorado.
6. Wildlife biologist
Wildlife biologists study animals and how they interact with their environment. They also may track animal numbers to see how many there are, write reports on wildlife findings, and help make sure animals are safe when new buildings or roads are made.
They work outside in forests or parks, or inside at a lab.
7. Environmental engineer
Environmental engineers use science and math to figure out how to tackle pollution and other problems (such as climate change) that hurt nature.
They get to be creative and use tools and technology to come up with solutions that make sure the water we drink is clean, the air we breathe is fresh, and the places where plants and animals live are safe.
8. Landscape architect
Landscape architects plan and create parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces that make towns and cities nicer places to live and visit.
Landscape architects typically need a degree in landscape architecture to start this career.
On average, landscape architects make around $50,000 a year, but they can earn over $100,000 each year.
9. Geologist
Geologists study the Earth and understand its history. This job can take you to many different places, from deep sea explorations to high mountain treks.
A geologist’s work involves looking at rocks, fossils, and other natural materials to learn about the planet’s past and chemistry, as this helps predict future changes and find resources like oil and minerals.
To become a geologist, you usually need a bachelor’s degree in geology or environmental science. Some geologists have a master’s degree, which can lead to more job possibilities and higher pay.
Recommended reading: 46 Fun Jobs That Pay Well
10. Environmental scientist
Environmental scientists spend their days figuring out how to fix environmental problems, such as by testing air and water to make sure it’s clean, or coming up with plans to protect animals and their homes.
11. Hydrologist
Hydrologists research how water moves across and under the earth, and they even predict floods.
To become a hydrologist, you typically need a degree in a field like environmental science to get started. Hydrologists earn around $85,000 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
12. Wildland firefighter
Wildland firefighters fight fires in places like forests, grasslands, and parks. They save trees, animals, and even people’s homes.
Firefighters have a challenging yet important job. Every day brings something different. Sometimes, they’re using tools to cut down trees and prevent fires from spreading. Other times, they might work with helicopters to reach fires in difficult locations.
There are more and more wildfires that are happening these days, so there is a big need for more firefighters. This is a very tough job, though, where you need to be in good physical health.
13. Forester
Foresters work with trees and help keep forests healthy and beautiful.
Foresters take care of both public and private forests to benefit the economy, recreation, and conservation. They keep track of the kind, amount, and where trees are, and figure out how much they’re worth. They negotiate buying trees and make contracts for getting them.
They also decide how to protect wildlife homes, rivers, water quality, and soil, and follow environmental rules. They make plans for planting new trees, watch over trees to make sure they’re growing well, and decide when it’s best to cut them down.
14. Botanist
Botanists, also known as plant scientists, study different aspects of plants and crops to improve their growth and health. They research breeding, how plants grow, how to make them produce more, and how to manage them.
They also look into the soil to understand its chemical, physical, and biological makeup and how it affects plant growth. Some botanists classify and map soils and check how different farming methods affect soil and crop health.
Botanists can work for a government agency, nature conservancy, nonprofit, and more.
15. Wind turbine technician
Wind turbine technicians work on the giant fans you see in fields or on hills (I’m sure you’ve seen these before; they are massive!). Their job is to make sure they’re in good shape to turn wind into power for people’s homes and businesses.
The number of jobs for wind turbine technicians is expected to increase by 45% from 2022 to 2032, which is a lot faster than the average for all jobs.
16. Solar energy specialist
Solar energy specialists work with solar technology to create electricity from the sun’s power.
Solar energy specialists know a lot about how solar panels work and help plan big solar power projects, choose the right equipment, and figure out the best place to put solar panels.
They may sell solar panel setups to homeowners and businesses, or even try to convert a whole community to solar power.
17. Arborist
Arborists take care of trees to help them live long and healthy lives.
Arborists climb trees, use power tools, and make sure trees are growing well. If a tree is sick, they figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
18. Organic farmer
If you love working outside and care about where food comes from, think about becoming an organic farmer. As an organic farmer, you get to grow food without using chemicals.
19. Camp counselor
If you enjoy spending time outdoors and love nature, being a camp counselor might be one of the best summer jobs for you. This is also one of the easier entry-level jobs in nature to start with.
A camp counselor’s days can be filled with fun activities like hiking, swimming, and crafting.
20. Zoologist
If you are looking for careers in nature and animals, then a zoologist may be a top choice.
I know for many kids such as myself, becoming a zoologist and working at the zoo was a nature career that I really wanted.
Zoologists study animals and wildlife to understand where they come from, how they behave, their diseases, genetics, and life functions. Some focus on researching and managing wildlife. They collect and analyze data on living things to see how land and water habitats are affected by human use.
You may get to work at a zoo, in an office, a laboratory, or for government agencies.
21. Field researcher
A field researcher explores and studies the environment.
Their main task is to learn about plants, animals, and the places they live. They take notes, take photos, and sometimes collect samples during their fieldwork. They may also use tools to measure things like temperature and water quality.
22. Surveyor
Surveyors get to work outside and play an important part in construction and mapping projects. They use tools like GPS, lasers, and robots to take precise measurements of the land.
Their main job is to find out where property lines are and to help create maps that builders and architects use to make sure everything fits and is in the right place.
I recently met someone who said they were a surveyor their entire life and had just recently retired. They were talking about all of the places that they had traveled to, and it sounded like a great nature career to be in.
Recommended reading: 40 Best Jobs Where You Work Alone
23. Adventure guide
As a guide, you may lead trips on many different kinds of adventures. You could specialize in hiking trips, camping trips, canyoneering, rock climbing, rafting, and more.
You may work for a local guiding company, or you may open your own guiding company.
This can be a great way to be in nature, have fun, and meet new people, all while making an income.
24. Tour guide
If you love nature and enjoy showing others the beauty of the outdoors, becoming a tour guide could be the perfect job for you. As a tour guide, you get to lead tours and share knowledge about your area with visitors from all around the world.
25. Ski instructor
Ski instructors get paid to spend their days on the slopes by teaching people how to ski. And, you don’t need to be a professional skier to get started with this job either – this is something you can get trained to do with on-the-job training.
26. Outdoor educator
An outdoor educator is someone who shows people how to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.
Outdoor educators can work in different places like forests, parks, and even remote areas. Their office might be a trail in the mountains or a campsite near a beautiful lake.
27. Environmental health officer
An environmental health officer’s main job is to make sure that the places where people work are safe and don’t harm the environment.
They check out different locations, from offices to factories, and look for anything that might be dangerous.
28. Wildlife manager
A wildlife manager takes care of animals and makes sure they have a safe place to live.
Their job includes looking after animal homes called habitats and keeping track of the animals, making sure they are healthy.
They work in lots of different places like parks, forests, or even wildlife preserves.
29. Public health advocate
A public health advocate makes sure everyone has a healthy environment to live in. They work with all sorts of people to help protect the places they love, like parks and rivers, from pollution and other harm.
For example, they may work with community leaders to find the best ways to keep air and water clean, share important health info with the public, and help make laws that protect nature.
These types of jobs can typically be found in nonprofits or in the private sector, such as in environmental protection or in the private conservation sector, solving environmental issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to find the best jobs in nature.
Which job is best for nature lovers?
For nature lovers, being a park ranger tends to be the dream job. They get to spend their days outdoors, maintain the beauty of natural parks, and educate visitors about conserving these precious areas. There are many other amazing jobs in nature as well, such as becoming a nature photographer, a marine biologist, a guide, or a geologist.
What is the highest paying job in nature?
If you are able to run your own business in a nature field, then that may be the best way to make the most money in nature, such as by starting a nature photography business or an outdoors guiding company. If you are looking for the highest paying job in nature, then becoming a scientist may be the best way to make the most money.
What are the best jobs in nature without a degree?
You don’t need to be a scientist to get a nature job. The best jobs in nature without a degree may include nature photographer, outdoors guide, surveyor, and ski instructor.
Are there any careers focusing on animals and nature?
Yes, there are careers that let you work with both animals and nature, such as wildlife rehabilitation specialists who care for injured animals, or environmental educators who teach about wildlife conservation.
What wildlife job pays the most?
Jobs like wildlife biologist and zoologist typically pay the most in the wildlife sector. Salary can depend on experience and location, but the average yearly salary is usually around $60,000 and up.
What jobs involve nature and travel?
If you’re interested in traveling and working in nature, then you may want to become a field biologist or ecotourism guide. These jobs tend to need travel to different natural habitats and allow for hands-on work with the environment. Another option is to become a nature photographer and travel to take photos.
Best Jobs in Nature — Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article about the best jobs in nature.
There are many different jobs you can do in natural places, and there is something for all sorts of interests and abilities. Many of the jobs above have a competitive salary where you actually get to enjoy or believe in the work that you do.
Because I have traveled full-time for around a decade, I have met people who work in all sorts of different nature jobs over the years. From outdoors photography (I made a few friends who were National Geographic photographers, actually!) to surveyors, guides, scientists, and more, there are so many amazing people working in nature.
If you love nature, I hope you are able to find the best job in nature for you and your interests so that you can have the highest job satisfaction.
The 10-year yield has had a wild ride today, but now is an excellent time to look at my macro take on the labor market and explain what the Fed is looking for with the jobs data. The Fed recently said that the labor market getting weaker would force them to act more dovish on rate cuts, and that seeing vigorous job creation wasn’t a big concern. So, let’s look at where we are today with all the labor data and why mortgage rates are still high while the labor market is getting softer.
Since 2022, I haven’t believed the Fed would pivot until the labor market breaks. I believe too many people put too much weight on the inflation growth rate slowing as the primary driver for lower mortgage rates. Instead, I have focused on jobless claims data. My target has always been the same: jobless claims breaking above 323,000 on the four-week moving average is recessionary. We are far from that, and as you can see below, the growth rate of inflation has fallen, but bond yields and mortgage rates are still elevated because the labor market hasn’t broken yet.
Below, CPI inflation’s growth rate is at 3.2%, while the 10-year yield is at 4.36%. I know it’s wild to think, but we had lower rates with hotter inflation data.
The one data line that has been improving, which Chairmen Powell mentioned at the last press meeting, is jobless claims, which have been falling for months. If this data line ran above 300,000, we would have a different mortgage rate discussion today. Remember, the labor market is getting softer, but it’s not breaking. Once it breaks, that will force the Fed to move,and bond yields will have already gone lower.
How did we get here with the labor market? Here’s my explanation, which all started during COVID-19.
1. I wrote the COVID-19 recovery model on April 7, 2020, and retired it on Dec. 9, 2020. By that time, the upfront recovery phase was done, and I needed to model out when we would get the jobs lost back.
2. Early in the labor market recovery, when we saw weaker job reports, I doubled and tripled down on my assertion that job openings would get to 10 million in this recovery. Job openings rose all the way to 12 million and are currently over 9 million. Even with the massive miss on a job report in May 2021, I didn’t waver.
Currently, the job openings, quit percentage, and hires data are below pre-COVID-19 levels, which means the labor market isn’t as tight as it once was. The employment cost index has slowed recently as well. Today’s jobs report showed slower wage growth than earlier in the cycle.
3. I wrote that we should get back all the jobs lost to COVID-19 by September 2022. This would be a speedy labor market recovery at the time, and it happened on schedule, too.
4. This is the key one right now: If COVID-19 hadn’t happened, we would have between 157 million and 159 million jobs today, which is in line with the job growth rate in February 2020. Today, we are at 158,133,000.This is important because job growth should be cooling down now. We are more in line with where the labor market should be when the average is 140,000 to 165,000monthly.So, for now, the fact that we aren’t trending between 140,000-165,000 means we still have a bit more recovery kick left before we get down to those levels.
From BLS:Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 303,000 in March, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, government, and construction.
Here are the jobs that were created and lost in the previous month:
In this jobs report, the unemployment rate for education levels looks like this:
Less than a high school diploma: 4.9%
High school graduate and no college: 4.1%
Some college or associate degree: 3.4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 2.1%
A positive trend for the Fed with a softer labor market is that wage growth is cooling down. The Fed can live with 3% wage growth and 1% productivity growth, and now that wage growth is slowly moving under 4%, they will feel more like pilots who can land the plane.
Productivity data has indeed been more robust recently. Still, the Fed doesn’t believe in the more robust productivity numbers, so wage growth closer to 3%- 3.5% is more in their comfort zone.
On a side note, a positive story in housing this year is that the mortgage spreads are improving, and we haven’t had a stress market event like last year to push them higher. This is a huge plus because if the spreads can get back to normal with lower yields, we have a sub-6% mortgage rate market and we can certainly work with that.
All in all, the labor report is showing the same trend I have been seeing for some time now: the labor market is getting softer, but we are still creating more jobs than I was expecting at this point of the cycle. If we are still growing jobs over 165K once we break over 159,000,000 then my forecast model was incorrect, and the labor dynamics are more robust than I anticipated, so less than 1,000,000 jobs left before we cross that bridge.
However, after considering all the drama we had to deal with this week, we came out okay on this jobs report. It does provide a path for the Federal Reserve to see the softer wage growth data and land the plane.
The average cost of a dozen eggs in the U.S. is $3, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Though higher than in previous years, it’s still lower than the $4.82 consumers paid on average in January of 2023, when concerns about egg shortages sent the cost of eggs skyrocketing.
Why does knowing the cost of a dozen eggs today matter? If you’re trying to manage your household budget, then keeping food costs as low as possible might be a priority. Where you live can play a part in determining how much you’ll pay for a dozen eggs.
Table of Contents
What Is the Average Cost of a Dozen Eggs Today?
On average, Americans are paying $3 for a dozen Grade A large eggs, based on the BLS data. That price reflects the most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) data available as of February 2024. The CPI Consumer Price Index tracks prices for a basket of consumer goods and services over time.
In tracking egg price data, the CPI looks at average numbers by city, rather than state. Prices are based on the cost of a dozen eggs only and don’t take into account pricing for smaller or larger quantities of eggs sold, or pricing for different sizes of eggs. The CPI’s egg price data offers a snapshot of how egg prices have moved up or down over time. While prices increased sharply in the beginning of 2023, the average cost of a dozen eggs has since declined. Whether you live alone or are supporting a family, these types of fluctuations can impact your grocery budget.
It’s important to keep in mind that average reflects all prices from high to low, while median reflects the middle price. Median prices for eggs or other consumer goods and services may be higher than the average price. 💡 Quick Tip: Online tools make tracking your spending a breeze: You can easily set up budgets, then get instant updates on your progress, spot upcoming bills, analyze your spending habits, and more.
Average Cost of Eggs by State for 2023
If you’re interested in what is the average cost of a dozen eggs by state, you might be surprised at just how much prices can vary from one location to the next. The following table breaks down the average cost of a dozen eggs in all 50 states, according to pricing data from Instacart collected in December 2022. Note that the figures below were captured during the egg shortage, when prices were high, and may not reflect the latest CPI price data.
State
Cost
Alabama
$6.12
Alaska
$4.61
Arizona
$6.03
Arkansa
$4.95
California
$6.05
Colorado
$5.77
Connecticut
$5.54
Delaware
$4.79
District of Columbia
$4.58
Florida
$6.36
Georgia
$5.96
Hawaii
$9.73
Idaho
$5.09
Illinois
$4.82
Indiana
$4.33
Iowa
$4.44
Kansas
$4.41
Kentucky
$4.51
Louisiana
$5.59
Maine
$5.84
Maryland
$4.78
Massachusetts
$5.20
Michigan
$4.82
Minnesota
$5.10
Mississippi
$5.04
Missouri
$4.24
Montana
$5.46
Nebraska
$4.25
Nevada
$6.07
New Hampshire
$4.91
New Jersey
$5.05
New Mexico
$5.65
New York
$5.37
North Carolina
$5.60
North Dakota
$4.83
Ohio
$4.39
Oklahoma
$4.92
Oregon
$4.81
Pennsylvania
$4.52
Rhode Island
$5.10
South Carolina
$5.76
South Dakota
$5.00
Tennessee
$5.61
Texas
$5.43
Utah
$5.67
Vermont
$5.70
Virginia
$4.96
Washington
$4.91
West Virginia
$4.64
Wisconsin
$4.78
Wyoming
$5.84
Source: Instacart
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Where the Cost of Eggs Is Highest
As evidenced by the price data, some states are more expensive than others when it comes to what you’ll pay for a dozen eggs on average. In descending order, here are the 10 states that had the highest cost overall for a dozen eggs:
• Hawaii
• Florida
• Alabama
• Nevada
• California
• Arizona
• Georgia
• Wyoming
• Maine
• Colorado
In each of those states, shoppers paid $5.70 or more on average for a dozen eggs. Hawaii is the most expensive state to buy eggs, with the average cost of a dozen eggs nearing $10.
Where the Cost of Eggs Is Lowest
Where is the average cost of a dozen eggs the cheapest? Shoppers paid the least for a dozen eggs in these states:
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Kansas
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Pennsylvania
• Alaska
• West Virginia
In these states, the average cost of eggs was below $5 per dozen. As you can see, most of these states are located in the central, southern, and eastern U.S., though Alaska is the outlier. Assuming food costs are lower overall in these states, the average grocery budget for a family of 5 is likely to be less compared to the states where eggs are more expensive.
Why Did the Cost of Eggs Increase
The spike in egg prices that peaked in 2022 was largely fueled by scarcity. An outbreak of avian flu sent egg production into decline as more than 43 million laying hens were lost to the disease or depopulation efforts. With fewer eggs in supply but demand not easing, egg prices began to rise. Prices began to decline as egg inventory increased following the end of the outbreak.
Prices began to decline as egg inventory increased. However, the ongoing outbreak and strong demand have helped keep prices high. Inflation can also be pointed to as a contributing factor to rising egg prices. In simple terms, inflation is a rise in prices for things consumers buy, like eggs and other household items. Knowing how to find the inflation rate and what’s considered to be a normal range matters for making the most of your money.
When inflation is higher, everything costs more and your money doesn’t go as far. A difference of a few cents in the price of a dozen eggs might not seem like much. But when everything else is going up in price too, and inflation doesn’t appear to be easing any time soon, it can take a serious toll on your wallet.
When Will the Cost of Eggs Go Down?
According to the CPI data, egg prices have declined from the peak they reached in January 2023. While eggs are more expensive than they were a couple of years ago, relief might be on the horizon. In its food price outlook, the USDA predicted that egg prices would drop 2.8% in 2024.
Monitoring prices for different goods and services can help you stay on top of your budget. Making and sticking to a spending and savings plan is one of the most basic steps for building wealth and increasing your net worth. Being able to measure your liquid net worth can give you an idea of how well you’re doing financially when it comes to accumulating assets and paying down debt.
Tips on How to Shop for Cheap Eggs
Shopping for eggs on the cheap can save you money and make it easier to live below your means. Living below your means benefits you in a few ways. For one thing, you may be less reliant on credit cards to cover expenses if you always have extra cash in your budget. And for another, it can make it easier to adapt to economic changes that can affect your budget and spending.
With that in mind, here are a few quick tips to help you pay less for eggs.
• Shop the farmer’s market. Buying eggs locally from a farmer’s market vs. a supermarket could save you money if you’re able to find lower prices. You may even be able to work out a barter or trade with a local farmer or neighbor who has a backyard flock, which could allow you to get eggs for free.
• Choose store brands. Store-brand products, including eggs, typically cost less than name-brand ones. If you’re not partial to any one egg brand, you may save a little money by choosing your local store’s brand.
• Buy eggs in bulk. Buying in bulk could save you money if you’re paying a lower unit price per egg. But the catch is that you have to be sure you’re actually going to use them all; otherwise, you could be wasting money.
• Use fewer eggs. A simple way to save money on eggs is to not consume as many. For instance, you might opt to get your daily protein from other sources or swap out your favorite baking recipes for ones that don’t incorporate eggs.
• Shop with coupons and cash back apps. Couponing may seem tedious but supermarkets make it easier by allowing you to load digital coupons to your store loyalty card. You can pair coupons with a cash back app that pays you a percentage back when you shop at partner grocery stores, which can add to your savings.
💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.
The Takeaway
The average cost of a dozen eggs might not be something you think about on a day-to-day basis. But knowing how much you’ll pay for eggs matters when it’s time to go to the grocery store and do your weekly shopping. Keeping an eye on egg prices and implementing some different hacks for finding cheap eggs can help you keep your food budget in check.
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FAQ
How much did a dozen eggs cost in 2023?
As of July 2023, the average cost of a dozen eggs was $2.09, according to Consumer Price Index data. Overall, egg prices were on the decline by mid-2023 after peaking at $4.82 on average per dozen at the beginning of the year.
What state has the most expensive eggs?
According to December 2022 pricing data from Instacart, Hawaii residents pay the most for a dozen eggs. On average, a dozen eggs there costs just under $10.
Do eggs last longer than sell by date?
Eggs can stay fresh past the sell by date, but there are limits on how long you’ll be able to use them. A simple way to tell if an egg is fresh is to place it in a glass or bowl of water. Eggs that float to the surface are no longer fresh, while ones that lie flat on their side are the freshest.
Photo credit: iStock/nd3000
SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
In anticipation of Tuesday’s inflation reading, mortgage rates eased compared to last week.
HousingWire’s Mortgage Rate Center showed the average 30-year fixed rate for conventional loans at 7.08% on Tuesday, down from 7.17% one week earlier. At the same time one year ago, the 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.83%. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate averaged 6.46% on Tuesday, down from 6.5% one week earlier.
The relief in borrowing costs, however, may be short-lived as Tuesday’s strong inflation data is likely to reverse this trend. Consumer prices in February were up 3.2% from a year earlier, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“The growth rate of inflation has fallen a lot, and the Fed is going to cut rates three times this year,” HousingWire lead analyst Logan Mohtashami said. “This makes bearish American citizens mad because people who don’t want rate cuts or want the Fed to hike rates want to see the Fed create a recession. You can understand their anger with the economy still in expansion mode.”
As long as the economy is expanding, rates will stay elevated. Only a pivot by the Fed or a softening of labor data could change the status quo, Mohtashami added.
Housing inventory
For-sale inventory has been rising for two years despite elevated mortgage rates. Inventory is now 21% higher than the same time last year. Mike Simonsen, founder and president of Altos Research, wrote on Monday that the available inventory of homes on the market will continue to climb until mortgage rates start to decline.
According to Simonsen, the Fed’s eventual commitment to cut rates, along with cooling inflation and job markets, are giving homeowners reasons to sell.
In the week ending March 8, there were just over 500,000 single-family homes on the market in the U.S, up 0.5% from the previous week and up 21% from one year ago. Additionally, there were 100,000 more single-family homes on the market than there were in March 2023.
“Unless mortgage rates fall from here, then by July, we could have 40% more homes on the market than a year ago,” Simonsen wrote.
Disparities in inventory levels have surfaced at a regional level, with Gulf Coast markets witnessing a resurgence in supply levels that have surpassed pre-pandemic benchmarks. Northeastern and Midwestern markets, meanwhile, have been slower to emerge from pandemic-induced troughs.
The available inventory of unsold homes on the market was slightly more than 500,000 last week, 21% higher than it was a year earlier.
The median annual wage for speech pathologists in the U.S. is $84,140, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But salaries can vary significantly, ranging from less than $56,370 to more than $126,680.
How much money you can make as a speech-language pathologist may depend on several factors, including the industry in which you work, the level of education you attain, and where you live.
Here’s a look at what speech pathologists do and how they are paid.
What Is a Speech Pathologist?
Speech pathologists are health care providers who evaluate, diagnose, and treat children and adults who are experiencing communication difficulties because of speech, language, or voice problems. They also may treat clients who are struggling with developmental delays, memory issues, or who have trouble swallowing.
Speech pathologists typically work in a school, hospital, or rehabilitation/nursing home setting, or they may open their own practice. They often work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that also provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other types of care.
All speech pathologists must be licensed. While the qualifications can vary by state, a master’s degree from an accredited university is often required, along with several hours of supervised clinical experience, a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and a passing grade on a state exam.
Depending on the work you plan to do, other certifications may be required by your employer, including a teaching certificate if you practice in an educational setting. 💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.
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How Much Do Starting Speech Pathologists Make a Year?
Speech-language pathologists with one to three years of experience earned a median salary of $74,000 in 2023, according to the ASHA’s SLP Health Care Survey Salary Report. The job site ZipRecruiter lists Massachusetts, Washington, Colorado, Delaware, and Illinois as the states where speech pathologists currently earn the highest entry-level salaries.
Recommended: High-Paying Vocational Jobs for 2024
What Is the Average Salary for a Speech Pathologist?
So how much can you expect to make per year if you stay with a career as a speech pathologist?
The 2023 SLP Health Care Survey Salary Report found that several factors can have an impact on speech pathologists’ earnings, including job duties, the type of facility where they’re employed, if they work full- or part-time, if they’re paid a salary vs. hourly wage or on a per-visit basis, and whether they work in a region with a higher cost of living.
Here are the average annual salaries for speech pathologists by state.
Average Speech Pathologist Salary by State
State
Average Annual Salary
Alabama
$81,140
Alaska
$90,279
Arizona
$83,423
Arkansas
$68,644
California
$94,592
Colorado
$87,186
Connecticut
$80,836
Delaware
$82,742
Florida
$66,895
Georgia
$75,588
Hawaii
$87,406
Idaho
$90,774
Illinois
$80,442
Indiana
$85,185
Iowa
$80,542
Kansas
$75,362
Kentucky
$72,228
Louisiana
$73,799
Maine
$91,996
Maryland
$80,211
Massachusetts
$90,970
Michigan
$72,246
Minnesota
$84,527
Mississippi
$80,048
Missouri
$77,637
Montana
$82,167
Nebraska
$78,728
Nevada
$85,362
New Hampshire
$88,375
New Jersey
$89,146
New Mexico
$84,483
New York
$98,990
North Carolina
$75,258
North Dakota
$89,084
Ohio
$82,280
Oklahoma
$76,241
Oregon
$89,146
Pennsylvania
$90,666
Rhode Island
$82,571
South Carolina
$76,844
South Dakota
$84,193
Tennessee
$78,555
Texas
$90,424
Utah
$78,424
Vermont
$97,120
Virginia
$81,864
Washington
$110,930
West Virginia
$70,022
Wisconsin
$87,933
Wyoming
$86,602
Source: ZipRecruiter
Recommended: Cost of Living by State
Speech Pathologists Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
If you decide speech pathology is the right fit for you, you may not need to worry about job security. The BLS is projecting that employment of speech pathologists will grow by 19% over the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations combined.
Therapists are needed more than ever to assist aging baby boomers and others who’ve experienced a stroke, hearing loss, dementia, or other health-related issues. And there is an increasing need for those who wish to work with kids and adults on the autism spectrum. Therapists are also needed to help children overcome speech impediments and other communication issues.
A career as a speech pathologist also can offer a competitive paycheck. While the BLS reported the median weekly earnings for all full-time workers was $1,145 in the fourth quarter of 2023, the average weekly paycheck for a speech pathologist was $1,652, according to ZipRecruiter.
Of course, the pay and benefits you receive will likely be tied to the job you choose. If you’re employed by a public school district in a rural community, for example, you may not earn as much as a department head at a large health facility in a major city. Still, you can expect to receive benefits similar to other workers in the health-care field, including health insurance, a retirement plan, vacation pay, etc.
As you weigh your career decisions, consider using online tools to ensure you’re staying on track with your personal and financial goals. A money tracker app, for example, can help you create a budget and keep an eye on your spending and your credit score.
Pros and Cons of a Speech Pathologist’s Salary
Probably the biggest downside of choosing a career as a speech pathologist is the amount of time and money it can take just to get started. After getting your bachelor’s degree, it may take two or more years to complete your master’s degree and clinical training. Depending on the career path you choose, you also may need to earn certain certifications along with your state license to practice. And it may take some time to pay off your student debt.
On the plus side, you’ll be helping others in a career that can be extremely fulfilling, and you can earn a comfortable living while doing so.
Here are some more pros and cons to keep in mind.
Pros:
• As a speech pathologist, you will be helping others and, in many cases, changing lives.
• You’ll be working and networking with other professionals who will help you keep learning.
• You may be able to design a schedule that fits your needs (especially if you have your own practice).
Cons:
• You may have an overwhelming caseload, and the work could be frustrating and stressful at times.
• You may have to work nights and weekends (even with a job in education or in private practice).
• The paperwork can be daunting and may require working overtime or taking work home to keep up. 💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
The Takeaway
Working as a speech pathologist can be professionally rewarding. Not only is the field growing, it tends to pay well, too. However, you can expect to make a substantial investment in time and money before you get the job you want. And how much you earn — especially when starting out — can depend on several factors, including the specialty you choose, who your employer is, and where you’re located.
Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.
SoFi helps you stay on top of your finances.
FAQ
Can you make $100,000 a year as a speech pathologist?
Yes. While the median annual wage for speech-language pathologists in the U.S. is $84,140, the highest 10% of earners in this category make six-figure salaries.
Do most speech pathologists enjoy their work?
Speech-language pathologists came in at No. 3 on U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of “Best HealthCare Jobs” for 2024 and No. 10 on the news site’s list of “100 Best Jobs.” While the career was rated above average for stress, it received high ratings for both flexibility and opportunities for upward mobility.
Is it hard to get hired as a speech pathologist?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for speech pathologists is good, and should be solid for the next decade. If you get the proper education and training, and you have a passion for helping others, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find work in this profession.
Photo credit: iStock/akinbostanci
SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
The median annual wage for psychologists in the U.S. is $85,330, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But salaries can vary significantly, ranging from less than $50,000 to more than $140,000.
How much money you can make as a psychologist may depend on several factors, including the industry you choose to work in, the level of education you attain, and where your job is located. Here’s a look at what psychologists do and how they are paid.
What Are Psychologists?
Psychologists are mental health professionals who are trained to help individuals and groups understand and address various behavioral, emotional, and organizational challenges. There are several different types of psychologists, including:
• Clinical and counseling psychologists, who evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety, grief, anger, and addiction.
• Industrial/organizational psychologists, who help organizations solve workplace issues and improve work-life balance.
• School psychologists, who specialize in dealing with problems that can affect students’ behaviors and learning.
• Neuropsychologists, who study how damage to a person’s brain or body can impact behavior and cognition.
• Forensic psychologists, who may collaborate with various law enforcement agencies, attorneys, judges, and others on certain aspects of a legal case.
It’s important to note that a psychologist is not the same thing as a psychiatrist, though they are often confused. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medications. A psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree in psychology, which is a social science. 💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.
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What Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?
Do you have good observational skills? Are you a problem solver? Do you pride yourself on your ability to build a rapport with others? Do you have empathy for those who are experiencing emotional or behavioral issues?
If so, you may find you’re well-suited for a career as a psychologist. But you’ll also have to get the education and training necessary for the job.
Psychologists usually must have at least a master’s degree to get into the field, and depending on what type of work you hope to do, you may need a doctoral degree as well. Clinical and counseling psychologists, for example, typically need a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree.
Industrial-organizational psychologists usually earn at least a master’s degree, with coursework that focuses on understanding how people behave in the workplace. School psychologists also may need at least a master’s degree with a focus on student development and other educational issues. And most degree programs can also require an internship and clinical experience.
Most states also require psychologists to obtain a license. And there are several certifications available that specific employers may require.
Recommended: High-Paying Vocational Jobs for 2024
How Much Do Starting Psychologists Make a Year?
The average salary for a starting psychologist in 2024 is $89,326, according to the job site Salary.com, but entry-level salaries currently can range from $75,493 to $101,117.
Of course, the work you do, your education level, certifications, and even your work location can impact how much you might earn as a beginning psychologist. The job site ZipRecruiter lists Washington, New York, Vermont, California, and Maine as the states where starting clinical psychologists currently earn the most money.
What Is the Average Salary for a Psychologist?
So, how much can you make per year if you choose a career as a psychologist?
You can expect your specialty to have a big influence on how much you earn. According to BLS statistics, industrial-organizational psychologists currently earn the highest salaries, while school psychologists earn the least.
Staying up to date by continuing your education and training may help boost your salary as well. And building a reputation through research and publishing can also make a psychologist more valuable to employers and clients.
If you’re hoping to negotiate for a more competitive paycheck, it’s important to remember that salaries — or how much a psychologist makes an hour — may be affected by the cost of living or demand in a particular region. Here’s how psychologists’ average annual salaries break down by state based on ZipRecruiter data.
Average Psychologist Salary by State
State
Average Annual Salary
Alabama
$129,310
Alaska
$176,920
Arizona
$132,948
Arkansas
$130,467
California
$145,770
Colorado
$165,086
Connecticut
$132,272
Delaware
$155,187
Florida
$106,610
Georgia
$120,463
Hawaii
$173,156
Idaho
$139,446
Illinois
$152,897
Indiana
$135,754
Iowa
$131,180
Kansas
$123,671
Kentucky
$138,059
Louisiana
$119,804
Maine
$142,367
Maryland
$150,294
Massachusetts
$174,781
Michigan
$136,667
Minnesota
$137,219
Mississippi
$131,343
Missouri
$146,175
Montana
$130,944
Nebraska
$147,086
Nevada
$167,279
New Hampshire
$139,791
New Jersey
$143,454
New Mexico
$136,445
New York
$156,917
North Carolina
$141,923
North Dakota
$176,893
Ohio
$133,380
Oklahoma
$142,442
Oregon
$177,795
Pennsylvania
$143,748
Rhode Island
$164,679
South Carolina
$144,913
South Dakota
$167,182
Tennessee
$127,338
Texas
$138,507
Utah
$127,431
Vermont
$153,232
Virginia
$152,942
Washington
$169,179
West Virginia
$111,019
Wisconsin
$142,067
Wyoming
$137,573
Source: ZipRecruiter
Recommended: Cost of Living by State
Psychologist Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
Besides a pretty good paycheck, another plus to becoming a psychologist is that you may not have to worry about job security. The BLS is projecting overall employment of psychologists will grow by 6% over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations combined. And job growth for those who specialize in clinical and counseling psychology is projected to grow by 11%.
Of course, the pay and perks you’ll receive as a psychologist will likely be tied to the specialty you choose and the salary negotiation tactics you use. Whether you’re a school psychologist or work for a major corporation, you can expect to be offered benefits such as health insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and opportunities for continuing education.
Depending on the type of work you do, you may also be able to participate in profit-sharing, receive regular bonuses, work a flexible schedule, or earn income from consulting or writing books. 💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Pros and Cons of a Psychologist’s Salary
Probably the biggest downside of choosing a career as a psychologist is the amount of time and money it can take just to get started. After getting your bachelor’s degree, it may take two or more years to complete your master’s degree, and then another four to seven years to earn your doctorate degree. Add on even more time for training — and to study for your license — and it could be several years before you can pursue the job you want. And by that time, you may have some substantial student debt to pay down.
On the plus side, you’ll be in a career that can be both personally and financially rewarding.
Here are some more pros and cons to consider:
Pros
• You’ll be helping people. As a psychologist, you can have a meaningful impact on others, whether you’re working with children or adults.
• The demand (and respect) for psychological services is increasing, as mental health is now considered an important part of our overall well-being.
• Whether you’re drawn to research, counseling, or clinical practice, a career in psychology can offer a wide array of job options. You may even be able to design a job and flexible schedule that suits your needs.
• You may benefit personally from skills like empathy, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving that you gain as a psychologist.
Cons
• Trying to help people who have behavioral and emotional issues can be stressful. It may be difficult to leave work at work.
• You may run into ethical dilemmas that make dealing with a client and/or employer a challenge.
• If you decide to open your own practice, you’ll have to deal with the business side of things as well as the work you’re doing with clients.
• Depending on the type of work you do, your job may be dangerous at times. You may have to counsel a person with anger issues, for example, or someone who has committed a violent crime, which could put you at risk.
As you consider this important career decision, keep in mind that online tools that can help you succeed. A money tracker app, for example, can help you create a budget, keep an eye on your spending, and monitor your credit score as you work toward your personal and financial goals.
The Takeaway
Working as a psychologist can be a fulfilling career, and finding and keeping a job in this growing field shouldn’t be too difficult. But you can expect to make a substantial investment in time and money before you finally get the job you want. And how much money you make as a psychologist can depend on several factors, especially when you’re starting out. The specialty you choose, who your employer is, and where your job is located can all affect your earning potential.
Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.
SoFi helps you stay on top of your finances.
FAQ
Can you make $100,000 a year as a psychologist?
Yes. According to the latest ZipRecruiter data, psychologists in every state make an average annual salary that’s more than $100,000.
Do people like being a psychologist?
Psychologists who responded to the website CareerExplorer’s ongoing survey on job satisfaction rated their career happiness a 3.5 out of 5 stars. And U.S. News & World Report, which ranks jobs based on salary, upward mobility, work-life balance, among other factors — gave “psychologist” the No. 5 spot on its list of “Best Science Jobs.”
Is it hard to get hired as a psychologist?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for psychologists is expected to be strong through the next decade. If you get the proper education and training, and have a passion for helping others, it shouldn’t be too hard to find work in this profession.
Photo credit: iStock/Dean Mitchell
SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.
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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Lawyers are highly educated and command high salaries to match. How much a lawyer earns a year depends on what type of law they practice, what school they attended, as well as their competence and experience.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a lawyer in May 2022 (the latest data available) was $135,740 per year, or $65.26 per hour.
Corporate lawyers who work in the private sector tend to earn more than those in the public sector (such as district attorneys or public defenders), and sole practitioners typically earn less money than lawyers at large firms.
Read on to learn more about how much a lawyer makes, where you can find top-paying jobs for lawyers, and the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a lawyer.
What Does a Lawyer Do?
Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal proceedings or transactions. They typically conduct in-depth research into law, regulations, and past rulings. They also prepare legal documents, including lawsuits, wills, and contracts.
Not an ideal job for people with social anxiety, lawyers will often appear in court in support of their clients and present evidence in hearings and trials, including arbitration and plea bargaining. Lawyers also counsel their clients in legal matters and suggest courses of action.
A lawyer’s exact duties will vary depending on the type of law they practice. For example, criminal defense attorneys advocate on behalf of those accused of criminal activity; family lawyers handle family-related legal issues like divorce, adoption, and child welfare; and corporate lawyers handle legal matters for businesses. Some lawyers work for the government or in the public’s interest, and are known as public interest lawyers. Public defense attorneys, for example, represent criminal defendants who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Public interest lawyers also work for nonprofit organizations to support civil rights and social justice causes.
Other types of lawyers include:
• Environmental lawyers
• Bankruptcy lawyers
• Immigration lawyers
• Intellectual property lawyers
• Entertainment lawyers
• Tax lawyers
• Personal injury lawyers
• Estate planning lawyers 💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.
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How Much Do Starting Lawyers Make a Year?
Lawyers tend to be well paid even at the entry level because they are highly educated. And, the more experience a lawyer gains, generally the more they will earn. According to ZipRecruiter, entry-level lawyers make $100,626 a year, on average, with a range from $47,000 to $138,000.
Those who choose to invest the time, money, and work into becoming a lawyer can feel relatively confident about being able to get a job when they graduate: The BLS projects an increase of 62,400 attorney jobs between 2022 and 2032, representing an 8% growth (which is faster than the average for other occupations).
Recommended: What Trade Job Makes the Most Money?
How Much Money Does a Lawyer Make a Year on Average?
According to the BLS’s most recent data, the average salary for a lawyer in 2022 was $135,740. The best-paid 25% made $208,980 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $94,440.
A lawyer working for a law firm or as in-house counsel will typically be paid with an annual salary versus an hourly wage, but the average hourly pay for a lawyer works out to be $65.26 an hour.
How much a lawyer makes, however, can vary widely depending on their experience, specialty, and location.
The highest paying legal specialties include:
• Patent attorney
• Intellectual property attorney
• Trial lawyer
• Tax attorney
• Corporate lawyer
The cities that pay the highest lawyer salaries are:
• San Jose, California ($267,840)
• San Francisco, California ($239,330)
• Washington, District of Columbia ($211,850)
• Bridgeport, Connecticut ($209,770)
• Oxnard, California ($207,970)
Recommended: 11 Work-From-Home Jobs Great for Retirees
How Much Money Does a Lawyer Make by State?
As mentioned above, how much money a lawyer makes can vary by location. What follows is a breakdown of how much a lawyer makes per year, on average, by state.
State
Average Annual Lawyer Salary
Alabama
$138,250
Alaska
$120,590
Arizona
$144,890
Arkansas
$116,730
California
$201,530
Colorado
$168,680
Connecticut
$174,520
Delaware
N/A
District of Columbia
$226,510
Florida
$135,840
Georgia
$165,560
Hawaii
$106,520
Idaho
$96,810
Illinois
$158,030
Indiana
$143,060
Iowa
$117,500
Kansas
$115,860
Kentucky
$99,840
Louisiana
$127,150
Maine
$102,060
Maryland
$158,150
Massachusetts
$196,230
Michigan
$127,030
Minnesota
$163,480
Mississippi
$101,240
Missouri
$138,680
Montana
$98,170
Nebraska
$119,310
New Hampshire
$130,130
New Jersey
$163,690
New Mexico
$110,970
New York
$188,900
North Carolina
$146,890
North Dakota
$120,780
Ohio
$130,320
Oklahoma
$114,470
Oregon
$144,610
Pennsylvania
$144,570
Rhode Island
$156,300
South Carolina
$115,230
South Dakota
$109,190
Tennessee
$149,050
Texas
$166,620
Utah
$133,920
Vermont
$101,610
Virginia
$162,640
Washington
$162,200
West Virginia
$122,070
Wisconsin
$147,530
Wyoming
$88,570
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Lawyer Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits
To get a job as a lawyer, you must complete a four-year undergraduate degree and then attend law school to earn a juris Doctor degree, or J.D. This can mean four years pursuing a bachelor’s degree, followed by three years of law school (or four years if you go to law school part time).
After graduating from law school, you’ll need to pass the multi-day bar exam for the state in which you want to practice. In addition, most states also require lawyers to keep up to date with law and take training courses throughout their career.
The hard work and financial investment can pay off, however. In addition to competitive pay, lawyers who work full time for a specific company or organization typically get a wide variety of benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible scheduling, and more. They may also get bonuses for cases won, costs of bar association fees covered, and training and development opportunities. 💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Pros and Cons of a Lawyer’s Salary
Becoming a lawyer can be a clear path to making more than $100,000 but, as with any profession, working as a lawyer comes with both benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the pros and cons of this role will help you determine if you’re well-suited for this career path.
Pros of Becoming a Lawyer
• Multiple job opportunities: As a lawyer, you have a variety of career paths, giving you the opportunity to work in an area you feel passionate about, whether that is corporate law, family law, real estate law, criminal law, or immigration law.
• Option to start your own practice: With a law degree and significant experience, you may be able to start your own business and determine the types of clients you want to represent and how many cases you want to take on at any one given time.
• Earn a high salary: Lawyers have the potential to earn well over six figures a year. Though you may not earn this salary right out of the gate, there is ample opportunity for career advancement and salary increases over time.
• Stimulating and challenging work: As a lawyer, your daily duties will likely be intellectually challenging. Lawyers typically need to understand complex legal theories, form a hypothesis and create a legal strategy to benefit their clients, and argue and debate in a courtroom.
Cons of Becoming a Lawyer
• Work can be stressful: Lawyers must meet deadlines as well as the demands of their clients. You may also come across stressful and emotionally difficult cases, which can take a psychological toll.
• Long hours: This professional is notorious for its long hours, particular for those who are just starting out in a prestigious law practice. It’s not unusual for an associate lawyer to put in 60 to 90 hours a week each week, depending on the demands of the case they’re working on.
• High level of student debt: In addition to a bachelor’s degree, lawyers need to pay for law school, which often comes with a high price tag. Generally, the more prestigious the school, the higher the price. Even with a high salary, new lawyers may not be able to pay off their debt for many years.
• Today’s clients have more options: The opportunity to get clients has gotten more competitive with the rise of self-help legal websites, legal document technicians, and virtual law offices. If a client seeks legal advice or counsel, they don’t always have to go to a lawyer for help.
The Takeaway
A law degree is a valuable credential that takes around seven years of study to achieve (including a bachelor’s degree). Lawyers can choose where they want to work and what type of law they would like to specialize in, whether it be criminal law, corporate law, environmental law, or immigration law.
The amount a lawyer makes will vary depending on the school they attended, experience, type of law they practice, and where in the country they practice. According to the BLS, the highest paid lawyers earn over $230,000, and the lowest paid lawyers earn around $66,500.
Whatever type of job you pursue, you’ll want to make sure your earnings can cover your everyday living expenses. To help ensure your monthly outflows don’t exceed your monthly inflows, you may want to set up a basic budget and check out financial tools that can help track your income and spending.
With SoFi, you can keep tabs on how your money comes and goes.
FAQ
Can you make $100k a year as a lawyer?
Yes. Most lawyers earn over $100k a year. The average salary for a lawyer, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $135,740 per year. The best-paid lawyers, however, can earn more than $200,000 a year.
Do people like being a lawyer?
Being a lawyer can be a great career choice if you enjoy working in a fast-paced and challenging environment and have an interest in upholding laws and defending an individual’s rights. According to a recent survey by Law360 Pulse, 83% of surveyed attorneys report they are stressed at least some of the time, nonetheless 68% percent say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their overall job.
Is it hard to get hired as a lawyer?
It’s generally not hard to find a job as a lawyer after you pass the bar exam, especially if you attended a top-rated law school, graduated in the top third of your class, and/or had strong internships and clerkships. Jobs for lawyers are expected to grow 8% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average for other occupations (3%).
Photo credit: iStock/shapecharge
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Nutritionists advise others on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal, such as losing weight or reducing blood pressure. Some nutritionists work directly with clients and patients in clinical settings, while others work in community settings like schools or health centers developing food plans and strategies for certain groups or demographics.
How much a nutritionist makes will depend on their qualifications, experience, and where they work, but the average nutritionist’s salary in the U.S. is $54,137 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.
Read on to learn more about how much a nutritionist can make a year and an hour, which cities and states pay the highest salaries, and other compensation and occupational benefits nutritionists enjoy.
What Are Nutritionists?
A nutritionist is an expert in using food to improve health and to prevent and manage disease. Nutritionists often advise people on what to eat to address a particular medical issue, such as hypertension, diabetes, or obesity. They may also be called upon to come up with a plan of action in situations where a treatment protocol, such as chemotherapy, impacts an individual’s overall diet or creates particular food sensitivities. Their exact role will depend on their specialization.
Being a nutritionist is not an ideal job for antisocial people, since you generally don’t work alone. Nutritionists can work in a variety of work settings, including:
• Hospitals and doctors’ offices
• Nursing homes
• Gyms and recreation centers
• Foodservice organizations
• Food and beverage companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Government organizations
While the terms “nutritionist” and “dietician” are often used interchangeably, there are some key distinctions between them. A registered dietitian (R.D.) is qualified to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions. Nutritionists, on the other hand, tend to focus on general nutritional aims and behaviors.
Dietitians also tend to have more education and credentials, though that’s not always the case. Depending on the state they practice in, a nutritionist may be required to have specific qualifications, certifications, or a license. However, in some states, there are no such mandates — meaning anyone can use the title if they want to.
While every dietitian can be called a nutritionist, not every nutritionist is a dietitian.
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How Much Do Starting Nutritionists Make a Year?
While the average nutritionist’s salary is $54,137 a year, someone just starting out in the field may not be able to earn that figure as an entry-level salary. That said, a nutritionist coming into the profession with an advanced degree, such as a master’s or doctorate, and a license or other credentials, may be able to command a higher-than-average salary even when they are just starting out. 💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.
What is the Average Salary for a Nutritionist?
While salaries for a nutritionist can range anywhere from $32,500 to $90,000, the average annual pay for a nutritionist in the U.S. is $54,137 a year, according to February 2024 data from ZipRecruiter.
Nutritionist’s typically get paid an annual salary but some may make money by the hour, which can range from $15.62 to $43.27.
How much a nutritionist makes, however, can vary significantly by education, credentials, experience, industry, and location. Advanced education, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, can generally help you qualify for a higher-than-average nutritionist’s salary.
Certain metropolitan areas also pay more than others. The top paying cities for nutritionists include: Berkeley, CA,; Renton, WA; Newark, CA; Woburn, MA; and Santa Monica, CA.
Recommended: Is a $100,000 Salary Good?
The Average Nutritionist Salary by State for 2024
As mentioned above, how much money a nutritionist makes can vary by location. What follows is a breakdown of how much a dietician makes per year, on average, by state (listed from highest to lowest).
State
Average Annual Salary
Wisconsin
$83,731
Alaska
$81,044
Massachusetts
$80,824
Oregon
$80,772
New Mexico
$80,529
North Dakota
$80,527
Washington
$80,268
Minnesota
$79,381
Hawaii
$78,914
Ohio
$77,594
Colorado
$76,879
Nevada
$76,629
South Dakota
$76,107
New York
$75,623
Iowa
$74,908
Rhode Island
$74,814
Connecticut
$74,143
Tennessee
$74,087
Vermont
$73,710
Utah
$73,446
Mississippi
$72,808
Delaware
$72,604
Virginia
$71,688
Illinois
$71,072
Maryland
$70,347
New Jersey
$69,540
California
$69,458
Louisiana
$69,304
Pennsylvania
$69,281
Nebraska
$68,943
Kansas
$68,520
Missouri
$68,260
Maine
$67,953
South Carolina
$67,618
New Hampshire
$67,312
Oklahoma
$66,767
Idaho
$66,358
Wyoming
$66,356
North Carolina
$66,222
Texas
$65,834
Indiana
$65,561
Arizona
$64,205
Kentucky
$64,000
Michigan
$63,673
Montana
$63,238
Alabama
$62,448
Arkansas
$60,647
Georgia
$58,176
West Virginia
$53,507
Florida
$51,486
Source: ZipRecruiter
Nutritionist Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits
To get a job as a nutritionist or dietician, you may need:
• A bachelor’s degree, ideally in dietetics, nutrition, food service systems management, clinical nutrition, or a related area.
• Advanced degree (such as a master’s or doctoral degree)
• Supervised training through an internship
• A license (many, though not all, states require licenses for dietitians and nutritionists to practice)
• Certification (many dietitians earn the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential, which requires a bachelor’s degree and completed a dietetic internship program).
Nutritionists who work on staff typically receive not only competitive pay but also a suite of benefits, which may include:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance 💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Nutritionist?
As with any profession, becoming a nutritionist comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a closer look at the job’s pros and cons.
Pros of Becoming a Nutritionist
• Opportunity to help people: Nutritionists help people by guiding them in their food choices and assisting them in reaching their health and nutritional goals, which can be highly rewarding.
• Varied tasks and responsibilities: A nutritionist can enjoy meeting a variety of people in different contexts. No client or situation will be the same, and each will bring new challenges.
• Can work in a variety of settings: Nutritionists can choose where they want to work, such as a hospital, nursing home, school, or gym. With extensive experience, a registered dietitian might open a private consulting practice and offer specialized services to their patients.
• Strong job outlook: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of dietitians and nutritionists to grow 7% between 2022 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Cons of Becoming a Nutritionist?
• May need an advanced degree and certification: Depending on where you want to work, you may need to obtain a master’s and/or certain certifications (on top of a bachelor’s degree).
• Can be emotionally draining: Though generally a low-stress job, nutritionists may need to have frequent interactions with seriously ill patients, which can be emotionally challenging.
• You constantly have to stay up to date: Nutrition is an evolving science, which means you’ll need to stay current on the latest nutritional guidelines, regulations, and research, and adjust your practice based on new developments.
• Competition for top-paying jobs: While the job outlook is strong for nutritionists, jobs with competitive pay may receive a lot of applicants. Obtaining more than the minimum education and training required by the state, however, can set you apart from other job competitors.
Recommended: How Much Does a Nurse Make a Year?
The Takeaway
Working as a nutritionist can be a rewarding career for people who want to help others improve their health and lifestyle. Nutritionists can choose where they want to work and who they want to work with. A nutritionist’s salary can range from $32,500 to $90,000 or more depending on their certification, experience, and employer.
Whatever type of job you pursue, you’ll want to make sure your earnings can cover your everyday living expenses. To help ensure your monthly outflows don’t exceed your monthly inflows, you may want to set up a basic budget and check out financial tools that can help track your income and spending.
SoFi helps you stay on top of your finances.
FAQ
Can you make $100k a year as a nutritionist?
Earning $100K as a nutritionist is possible but isn’t typical. Nutritionist salaries range anywhere from $32,500 to $90,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter. That said, getting an advanced degree and extra certifications and/or starting your own private practice could lead to a six figure income.
Do people like being a nutritionist?
People who want to help others and who have an interest in the science of food will enjoy being a nutritionist. There are plenty of opportunities for nutritionists in a variety of contexts.
Is it hard to get hired as a nutritionist?
Nutritionists and dieticians are currently in demand and job opportunities are expected to grow 7% between 2022 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Photo credit: iStock/Candle Photo
SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.
*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Ahead of Friday’s national jobs report, mortgage rates have found stability after increasing for multiple weeks.
Polly’s average 30-year fixed rate for conventional loans was 7.17% on Tuesday, down from 7.24% one week earlier, according to HousingWire’s Mortgage Rates Center. At the same time one year ago, Polly’s 30-year fixed rate averaged 6.82%. Meanwhile, the 15-year fixed rate averaged 6.49% on Tuesday, down from 6.5% one week earlier.
The spread between the 30-year fixed rate and the 10-year Treasury rate has increased. According to Mike Simonsen, founder and president of Altos Research, the spread will narrow once inflation is fully under control. It will also take some competition in the mortgage markets to bring the spread down, he said.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has registered three straight weeks of purchase loan application declines as interest rates have risen. On average, it takes 30 to 90 days for higher mortgage rates to impact demand, according to HousingWire lead analyst Logan Mohtashami.
“For rates to come down, the labor data needs to get softer,” Mohtashami said.
The forthcoming jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will provide further clarity for mortgage rate trends.
“My primary data line for rates is jobless claims; if jobless claims rise faster, mortgage rates will go lower, regardless of what the Fed does,” Mohtashami said.
Meanwhile, inventory levels have shown year-over-year growth despite the prevailing high mortgage rates. As of March 1, the available inventory of unsold homes on the market was 19% higher than it was a year earlier, according to data from Altos Reserach.
“Most home sellers are buyers of homes, so the action we are seeing this year is a healthy step in the right direction to get more balance in the housing market,” Mohtashami wrote on Saturday.
Between Feb. 23 and March 1, inventory rose from 497,608 to 498,339 (up 0.15%), according to Altos Research. Meanwhile, inventory rose year over year by nearly 19%. The most recent inventory bottom was in 2022 at 240,194 units, while the inventory peak in 2023 was 569,898. For context, active listings during the same time frame in 2015 were substantially higher at 958,304.
Investors’ focus will turn to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s biannual monetary policy update scheduled for Thursday. Powell’s address is anticipated to be his final public statement before the Federal Open Market Committee’s next meeting on March 19-20.