The desire to retire early and spend your time doing whatever you please is a rather common one. Unfortunately, it isn’t always an achievable goal. You need to work hard to build financial security, and if you haven’t got a high enough paying job, you can pretty much forget about the whole concept. That’s why we’ve put together this list of lucrative careers to help you reach your goal.

Real Estate Agent
Because working in real estate is based mostly around commissions, there’s essentially no limit to your earning potential in this profession as long as you’re good at what you do. You don’t even have to be particularly interested in selling real estate.
There are plenty of other avenues within the industry – such as commercial property management – which can earn you a pretty penny when done right. Also, with your industry connections and deep knowledge of the real estate market, when it comes time for you to invest in your own property, you’re sure to do well.
Accountant
If you’re managing money for a business, there’s a good chance that they’re paying you the big bucks. Think about it – they want the best of the best handling their finances so that they can ensure their balance sheet always ends up in the green, and they’re certainly willing to pay for it.
You also score bonus points with this one as all the skills you’re using to look after your clients can be translated across to your personal finances.
Traffic Control
You can make surprisingly good money directing traffic if you land the right employer. Though the hours are generally long, and you may find yourself literally left out in the cold, you’ll be well compensated.
The average annual pay for traffic controllers is easily in the six-figure bracket. Traffic control is one of the easiest professions to get into – all it requires are a few quick and easy-to-obtain qualifications. However, be aware that it is also generally the most unstable.
Engineer
Although engineering is the profession on our list that takes the longest to get into in most cases, it’s also an incredibly lucrative occupation that allows you to express your creativity. There are many aspects to engineering, and the potential career pathways are almost limitless. So, you’re sure to find something that interests you and aligns well with your skillset. You will generally need to complete a traineeship in addition to a college degree, but it’s certainly worth it.
Sales
Finally, if you’re a people person, love a challenge, and like the idea of an uncapped earning potential, sales could be for you. The easiest profession on our list by far to get into, sales can see you raking in cash left, right, and center. Although, this is only true if you have a good commission structure.
A crucial thing to point out here is that this role isn’t for everyone. If you’re not highly resilient, you may start to feel the stress of such a high-pressure environment. If this doesn’t bother you, however, or you’re one of those people who thrives under pressure, sales could be the perfect career to help you retire early.

While there are plenty of high-paying professions that can assist you in achieving your goal of retiring early, these five are definitely some of our favorites. All that’s left for you to do now is have a look into each option and decide if any are right for you.