13 Well-Paying Jobs Where Being Overqualified Is an Advantage (Not a Problem)

Have you ever been told that you're overqualified for a job? Some employers don't want to hire applicants they believe are "overqualified" because they worry that the employee will ask for too much money, struggle to follow instructions from someone less experienced, or leave for a better job opportunity when it comes along.

Fortunately, being overqualified can actually help you move beyond living paycheck to paycheck, as it can be an advantage in certain positions.

Does the following list include a position you'd like to pursue?

Median pay: $65,850 per year

Companies need highly experienced people who understand how to design training and development programs that prepare employees for their roles. If you have in-depth knowledge of an industry, this is an excellent opportunity for you to share your expertise.

Median pay: $66,700 per year

Property managers do much more than collect rent and listen to tenants' complaints. A good manager should understand the systems that make buildings function, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Most of that knowledge comes from on-the-job experience that will impress serious real estate companies.

Median pay: $70,310 per year

Executive administrative assistants often work closely with members of the C-suite to ensure they have the necessary information and tools to run companies effectively. To qualify, you may need skills related to event planning, business management, technology, human resources, and more.

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Median pay: $75,260 per year

Editors often have stressful jobs with tight deadlines and high expectations. As you move into a niche area, it's essential to grow your skills beyond finding spelling and grammatical mistakes. A seasoned editor needs to be well-versed in myriad topics so they can pinpoint potential inaccuracies and guide a story's vision.

Median pay: $78,420

Compliance officers must understand how federal, state, and industry regulations apply to specific companies. Regulations can change frequently, so they have to stay up-to-date with new rules.

Failing to comply with regulations can cost companies millions of dollars in fines and lawsuits. For example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can charge call centers $2,500 for every illegal robocall they make. That adds up quickly.

Median pay: $80,050 per year

Technical writers must document processes in meticulous detail. They need exceptional experience in a field to identify and describe each step in a process.

The type of experience needed to work as a technical writer depends on the employer and position. For example, a technical writer working for a software developer might need to be familiar with several programming languages and workflow frameworks.

Median pay: $95,380 per year

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers make digital tools more intuitive for users. To reach that goal, you'll need a background in design, psychology, statistics, coding, and analytics.

Additionally, you should be aware of accessibility guidelines that make tools useful for a broader audience, including those with low vision and cognitive impairments.

Median pay: $99,580 per year

Who would you trust to manage your personal finances? Someone who just earned a degree or someone with years of real-world experience? Obviously, you want the more experienced person.

Employers in the financial industry agree, which is why they're eager to add highly qualified members to their teams.

Median pay: $100,750 per year

Project management specialists need to create and track every aspect of a project, including its budget, schedule, and milestones. That means they need experience in all of those areas.

The best project managers also possess in-depth knowledge of their respective industries. Developing an app is different from constructing a building. That's why the person managing a project needs a highly specialized background.

Median pay: $101,190 per year

Successful organizations are always looking for ways to streamline processes and improve efficiency. That's where management analysts can help. Meeting those goals, however, requires expertise in several fields, including data analytics, organizational management, and finance.

Additionally, management analysts must stay current with recent developments within their industries. That way, they can recommend new tools or strategies as they become available.

Median pay: $105,350 per year

Nonprofit directors are responsible for executing an organization's mission, raising funds, managing budgets, communicating with the media, and partnering with other organizations. While they might have help from employees, the responsibility ultimately falls on them.

The combination of technical and interpersonal skills needed for this job can take decades to master. It's nearly impossible to "overqualify" for the job.

Median pay: $124,910 per year

Cybercrime costs the world economy more than $20 trillion per year. Not surprisingly, organizations are willing to pay top dollar for highly qualified security analysts who can help prevent attacks.

Criminals discover new cybersecurity vulnerabilities every day, so security specialists must prepare for inevitable attacks. It's a demanding job that requires in-depth knowledge, real-world experience, and a learning mindset.

Median pay: $132,870 per year

Why do public relations managers get paid such high salaries? Because they're responsible for creating and maintaining an organization's brand.

Yes, that means answering hard questions when their employers make mistakes. It also means reviewing marketing and advertising assets to ensure they line up with the brand identity.

There's a lot of potential stress associated with this high-stakes job, so employers want qualified professionals.

Too much experience could make you a poor fit for some positions, but many organizations around the world also struggle to find qualified candidates.

Maybe the problem isn't that you're too qualified. Perhaps what you really need to do to get ahead financially is to start pursuing the right job that leverages your unique skill set.