Night Owl Jobs

Night Owl Jobs

You can make $30... $40... even $50K doing your work by the light of the moon.

By Lawrence Ross

Are you attracted to the darkness? Think daylight is overrated? Are you... a night owl?

If your day doesn't really start until the sky begins to darken, check out these 7 jobs for night owls. Some even pay $40K and up!

1. Nurse

Nurses are the engines of America's health care facilities. They assist doctors, administer medications and treatments, and educate patients about their medical conditions.

Consider the fact that hospitals never close, and you have another night shift career with some distinct advantages. For one, the pace of work in hospitals and clinics tends to slow down in the darker hours. Another benefit is that there are fewer administrators on staff, which leads many night shift nurses to cross train in a variety of areas, allowing them a sense of autonomy and responsibility that daytime nurses may not have.

The Pay: Registered nurses (RNs) make an average of $57,280, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics from 2006. For night shift nurses, the pay can go up significantly. Salarylist.com notes that a night shift nurse can earn from $58,000 to $64,000, depending on the region.

2. Correctional Officer

Correctional officers maintain order within the prison system. Not easy to do when you consider the fact that nearly 12 million people are admitted and processed into correctional facilities each year, according to the Department of Labor.

Yet for night owls, this may be the perfect position. Because prisons never close, correctional officers are needed to work eight hours a day, five days a week, on rotating shifts.

The Pay: The Department of Labor notes that a correctional officer earns around $35,000 per year. This could greatly increase for night owls who take on weekend and overnight shifts.

3. Photojournalist

You wake up in the morning, fill your favorite cup with coffee, and open your newspaper. On the front page, you'll likely find a photo, perhaps of something that happened in the night while you slept. Forget about who wrote the story, who took that picture? The answer: a photojournalist.

Newspapers and news services assign photojournalists to photograph news events - many of which occur at night or in the wee hours of the morning. Think sporting events, crimes, and fires. With the Internet offering greater opportunities for photographers, this field could keep you up at night getting paid (bring your flash!).

The Pay: As a photojournalist, you can make upwards of $38,000 per year, according to the Department of Labor.

4. Adult School Teacher

Adult schools need teachers who don't mind working beyond the standard classroom hours, which is where you would come in. As a night school teacher, you might teach topics like remedial reading, math, or English as a second language.

The Pay: Adult school teachers earn a median of over $40,000 according to the Department of Labor numbers from 2006. Night school teachers, depending on the region, can earn more.

5. Chef

Chefs prepare the food we enjoy outside our homes, whether it's at a buffet, restaurant, or café. Late night diners, hospitals, and restaurant cafés all need chefs, too - which means plenty of opportunity for culinary night owls like you.

In addition to cooking, night shift chefs are often responsible for early morning deliveries and prepping for daytime service. For chefs who'd like to work independently, you can work through the night to prepare healthy breakfasts and gourmet lunches for private clients.

The Pay: Chefs can earn from $25,910 to $46,040, depending on the industry, according to the Department of Labor.

6. Computer Support Personnel

Computer support personnel provide technical support to customers and clients with computer issues. All computer users know that pesky problems can arise at any time of the day ? from 12 p.m. to midnight - and when you're pulling an all-nighter for work or school, waiting for help is just not an option? making this a great option for computer savvy individuals with night owl tendencies.

The Pay: The Department of Labor estimates a $40,000 salary range for most computer support personnel.

7. Police Officer

Someone has to keep the dark streets safe from harm, and the police officer working the night shift is that person. Whether patrolling neighborhoods or responding to calls, the night shift police officer must be observant of criminals who use the cover of night to commit their crimes.

The Pay: According to the Department of Labor, a police officer can earn an average of $47,000. However, most police departments have a night shift differential that pays a night shift officer extra. The amount is dependent on the specific department and the pay will vary.