The 13 highest-paying jobs if you want to work less than 40 hours per week

Some workers put in an average of more than 58 hours per week - but not these workers

Dentists typically work just over 37 hours per week (Getty)

Putting in over 40 hours a week is becoming something of the norm for a number of occupations, with some workers putting in an average of more than 58 hours a week.

As a result, more people are feeling overworked.

To find jobs that allow you to maintain work-life balance but still get paid well, we analysed US Census data for about 478 occupations distilled by the Minnesota Population Center's 2013 American Community Survey Integrated Public Use Microdata Series.

According to this data, the average working American logs about 39 hours a week, and the median earned income — a sum of wage, salary, and business income — across all occupations is $32,000.

While some may work more or less than the average depending on their employer or where they are in their career, people with the following professions report typically working an average of less than 40 hours a week and earning at least $50,000 a year.

13. Postal service clerks

Postal service clerks perform any combination of tasks in a post office (Getty)

Average hours typically worked a week: 39.32

Median earned income: $51,000

What they do: Perform any combination of tasks in a post office like receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail racks or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage.

12. Speech-language pathologists

Average hours typically worked a week: 36.17

Median earned income: $54,000

What they do: Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders.

11. Registered nurses

Registered nurses assess patient health problems and needs

Average hours typically worked a week: 37.59

Median earned income: $56,000

What they do: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing-care plans, and maintain medical records.

10. Psychologists

Average hours typically worked a week: 36.75

Median earned income: $56,000

What they do: Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observations, interviews, and psychological tests and formulate and administer programs of treatment.

9. Chiropractors

Chiropractors treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system

Average hours typically worked a week: 39.75

Median earned income: $60,000

What they do: Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system.

8. Occupational therapists

Average hours typically worked a week: 36.02

Median earned income: $60,000

What they do: Provide rehabilitative treatments and procedures that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills.

7. Technical writers

They write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions.

Average hours typically worked a week: 39.61

Median earned income: $62,000

What they do: Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions.

6. Physical therapists

Average hours typically worked a week: 37.43

Median earned income: $63,000

What they do: Assess, plan, organise, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

5. Audiologists

Audiologists assess and treat people with hearing and related disorders.

Average hours typically worked a week: 37.77

Median earned income: $64,000

What they do: Assess and treat people with hearing and related disorders.

4. Radiation therapists

Average hours typically worked a week: 38.40

Median earned income: $70,000

What they do: Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards.

3. Optometrists

Optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye

Average hours typically worked a week: 39.03

Median earned income: $100,000

What they do: Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.

2. Pharmacists

Average hours typically worked a week: 38.38

Median earned income: $102,000

What they do: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use.

1. Dentists

Dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums

Average hours typically worked a week: 37.83

Median earned income: $130,000

What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.

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