5 Career Paths that offer lucrative and stable Independent Consulting Careers

The road to Career Independence can have its bumps and bruises. As a Business Consultant working in an era of murky economic times, I strongly advocate the need for career independence.  Unfortunately, employment in the United States and Worldwide has vastly changed.  As you attain career growth, keep in mind that the only thing that lasts forever are your skills as a valuable asset to a specialized industry.  With that in mind, if you're looking for a source of livelihood that pays well and has ample opportunity for growth, here's compiled a list of jobs that meet both criteria.

Consultant Position #1 Market Research Analyst

MEDIAN
ANNUAL INCOME

$70,500

TOP 10%
OF EARNERS

>$165,000

BOTTOM 10%
OF EARNERS

<$36,500

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these positions have median annual income above the national median for all occupations, which is $35,080. Plus, they have faster growth than the average rate of 11 percent.

With consumerism being essential to our economy, market research analysts are becoming more important every day. In this career, you would monitor and forecast sales trends and gather and analyze data about consumers, competitors, and market conditions, says the U.S. Department of Labor.

And because marketing is such a vital part of modern-day business, it's no surprise that this position could offer more opportunities in the future. The Department of Labor predicts that the field will grow by 32 percent from 2012 to 2022.

Why It's Hot: "Companies today are collecting massive amounts of data in order to analyze it so they can make better business decisions," says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., a global outplacement firm.

The information that analysts gather is called big data, and it's a really big deal. Analyzing it correctly spells large profits, so paying market research analysts well is seen as good investment, says Challenger.

How to Get Started: You'll usually need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field, says the Department. Many analysts have degrees in statistics, math, and computer science, or backgrounds in business administration, social sciences, or communications. You should also have at least 5 to 10 years work experience behind you. 

Consultant Position #2 Registered Nurse

MEDIAN
ANNUAL INCOME

$66,220

TOP 10%
OF EARNERS

>$96,320

BOTTOM 10%
OF EARNERS

<$45,630

Here's a profession with a very healthy prognosis. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow by 20 percent from 2012 to 2022.

As a registered nurse, you'd spend your days giving medicines and treatments to patients, educating them on how to get or stay healthy, and performing diagnostic test results, says the Department of Labor.

Why It's Hot: This is one job that you can't outsource, so nursing is here to stay, says Challenger.

With the big changes in health care, including expanded coverage, and the aging of our population creating more need for medical procedures, he says that it's no wonder that nursing is a growing and well-paying profession that is needed nationwide.

as per Bureau of Labor Statistics

How to Get Started: There are three typical paths you can take to pursue a nursing career, says the Department of Labor: A bachelor's or associate's degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program. You would also need to be licensed.

Consultant Position #3 Professional Freelance Dental Hygienist

MEDIAN
ANNUAL INCOME

$72,000

TOP 10%
OF EARNERS

>$100,000

BOTTOM 10%
OF EARNERS

<$50,000

So far, there's no app that cleans your teeth. It's one thing we have to do up close and personal with a dental hygienist. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there will be more of them in the future: the occupation is expected to grow by a whopping 33 percent from 2012 to 2022.

Of course, dental hygienists do more than clean patients' teeth. In this role, you would check for gum disease, take x-rays, and educate patients on oral hygiene, says the U.S. Department of Labor.

Why It's Hot: "Dentists are hiring more and more dental hygienists to do some of the routine work that they would normally do. This allows them to see more patients and build their practice," says Susan Heathfield, a management consultant and writer of About.com's Guide to Human Resources.

as per Bureau of Labor Statistics

"In addition, people are realizing that dental health is a good indicator of overall health, so that will keep demand high for this profession in the future," she says.

How to Get Started: You typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene to pursue this career, according to the Department. And while state requirements vary, all states require dental hygienists to be licensed.

Consultant Position #4 Computer Systems Analyst

MEDIAN
ANNUAL INCOME

$90,000

TOP 10%
OF EARNERS

>$150,000

BOTTOM 10%
OF EARNERS

<$55,000

Try to name a business that doesn't rely on a computer system in some way. If you're stumped, that's the point. Maybe that's why the U.S. Department of Labor says this profession will grow by 25 percent from 2012 to 2022.

In this profession, you would design computer systems to help an organization operate more efficiently, says the Department of Labor. You would also be responsible for consulting with managers, researching emerging technologies, and conducting tests.

Why It's Hot: With the amount of data collected by companies on everything from buying trends to social media habits, computer systems analysts are at an all-time high in demand. Employment of computer systems analysts is projected to grow 25 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and mobile networks will increase demand for these workers.

The information that's collected by companies, known as "big data," is incredibly valuable to their businesses, and computer systems analysts play an important role in that. They make sure businesses have the proper computers and databases to gather, store, and retrieve big data efficiently.

(as per Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm#tab-6)

How to Get Started: Usually you would need a bachelor's degree in computer or information science for this profession, but it's not always a requirement. Some employers hire analysts with liberal arts or business degrees along with skills in information technology or computer programming.

Consultant Position #5 Personal Financial Advisor

MEDIAN
ANNUAL INCOME

$75,320

TOP 10%
OF EARNERS

>$187,199

BOTTOM 10%
OF EARNERS

<$33,190

When you think about a good future, money is probably a top concern. Perhaps that's why the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the employment of these professionals is expected to increase by 27 percent from 2012 to 2022.

As a personal financial advisor, you would research investments such as stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments in order to recommend the right ones for clients, says the Department of Labor. You'd also help clients plan for big life events like education expenses and retirement.

Why It's Hot: A major driving force behind this job's growth is the baby boomer population, says Nicole Williams, LinkedIn's career expert. Pensions are becoming a thing of the past, leaving people responsible for their own retirement.

as per Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Baby Boomer Generation alone increases demand for personal financial advisors.

How to Get Started: You need a bachelor's degree to pursue this job, says the Department of Labor Statistics. While there is no required major, a degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law is good preparation for this career.