3. Landman
- Median Pay: $93,600
- Top Pay: $161,000
- 10-year job growth: 7%
Imagine knocking on someone's door and offering them a brand new stream of income that will last decades into the future. That's one of the perks of the job for landmen, who serve as a liaison between energy companies, people who own mineral rights to the properties the companies would like to access, and government agencies.
Landmen research the titles of the properties and negotiate deals with landowners. When oil prices are down, they also spend a lot of time working on acquisition and divestiture work, helping energy companies sell and buy properties and rights from each other.
Why it's great: There's a feeling of patriotism among landmen, who consider themselves on the frontline as America moves toward energy independence. "There's a sense of pride that a lot of people don't get in their job on a day-to-day basis," says landman Jance Floyd.
Quality of life ratings:
Personal satisfaction: A | Benefit to society: B | Telecommuting: B | Low stress: B
