Career: Top 10 jobs that pay $30 per Hour

What degree did you finished? And how much did you earn? There are careers that pay $30 per hour. Base on this hourly rate you can buy already lots of things, such as a tank of gas or you can pay your cable bill and so much more.

Salary really matters on the profession you take. And in reality, the higher salary you earn the better and comfortable life you can get.

The latest U.S. Census Bureau figures put the median household income in the U.S. at $50,233. A $30-per-hour job brings in $62,400 before taxes, or 20% more than the national median. For many people, this extra margin is just one promotion or one credential away. To boost your economic security, consider these 10 careers with salary data as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Database Administrator

Mean Hourly Wage: $33.78
Salary: $70,260

• Registered Nurse

Mean Hourly Wage: $30.04
Salary: $62,480

• Technical Writer

Median Hourly Wage: $30.18
Salary: $62,780

• Fashion Designer

Median Hourly Wage: $34.22
Salary: $71,170

• Accountant

Median Hourly Wage: $30.11
Salary: $62,640

• Environmental Scientist

Median Hourly Wage: $30.71
Salary: $63,870

• K-12 Curriculum Designer

Median Hourly Wage: $30.87
Salary: $64,220

• Dental Hygienist

Mean Hourly Wage: $31.21
Salary: $64,910

• Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median Hourly Wage: $30.05
Salary: $62,500

• Television Producer

Median Hourly Wage: $31.66
Salary: $65,850

How about you, which one among those 10 you belong?

Macy: 11 Stores subject for Closure in 9 States

NEW YORK – Department-store operator Macy's Inc. said Thursday it will close 11 under performing stores in nine states and will be affecting 960 employees — and lowered its forecast for the fourth quarter after one of the weakest holiday seasons in years.

Here are some of the Store locations slated to close:

• Los Angeles
• West Palm Beach
• Fla.
• Nashville
• Tenn.
  
• St. Louis, among others.
  

Cincinnati-based Macy's Inc. says the closures will cost about $65 million, most of which will be booked in the 2008 fourth quarter. Oh my!

"These closings are part of our normal-course process to prune underperforming locations each year in order to maintain a healthy portfolio of stores," said Macy's Chief Executive Terry J. Lundgren in a statement.

According to the company their Employees at the stores that are closing may be considered for open positions at other Macy's stores. So at least!

Macy's reported Thursday that its December sales at stores open at least a year, or same-store sales, fell 4 percent — still not as bad as the 5.3 percent drop analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters were expecting.

Total sales for the five-week period ended Jan. 3 fell 5 percent to $4.4 billion from $4.61 billion last year.

Same-store sales fell 7.5 percent during the combined November and December holiday period. Macy's said the holiday season ended with improving sales in the fourth and fifth weeks of December but that sales were sluggish before that.

The company said it marked items down sharply in the fourth quarter to gain sales and reduce its inventories, but that hurt its margins and led it to lower its profit forecast for the fourth quarter and full year.

Macy's now expects earnings of 90 cents to $1 per share in the fourth quarter, down from its previous guidance of $1.10 to $1.30 per share. Analysts expect earnings of $1.11 per share.

For the full year, the company now expects to earn $1.10 to $1.20 per share, down from its previous forecast of $1.30 to $1.50 per share. Analysts expect a profit of $1.35 per share.

The Best Job in the World!

Despite of the recession occurred in the US there still a job that they call as "the best job in the world." Is that believable? Yes it is! and that is in Australia.

The successful applicant will be paid 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday. This job is really awesome!

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

In addition, the successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English. Well, what do you think about this?

According to Paul Lucas as the acting state premier "They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors,"

Whoever may get this job six months job, I would surely say that they are so lucky, they will be able to experience the best job in the world.

5 States with highest unemplyment Rates

From the time US economy is going down jobless rates is also increasing due to the companies that were shutting down and some other reasons. Last recession is a lot better compared today's unemployment rates which is really higher, all over the map.

The 5 States with highest unemployment rates are the ff:

• Michigan
  
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• California and
  
• Oregon
  

Root Causes:

• The collapse of housing.
  
• The implosion of the auto industry.
  
• The meltdown of financial services.
  
• The exodus of manufacturing.

Careers and Recession

Economy is ups and down, numbers of people lost their jobs. What do you think would be the future of the nation? Hopefully the US economy can recover soon and start booming again.

According to the Bureau of Statistics (BSL) there are still the fastest-growing occupations and career groups that are predicted to enjoy the largest numerical increases in personnel through 2016, and I think anyone should watch out for those careers. To mention them below is the list.

Health Care Sectors: Keep Going

• Personal and Home Health care aids: An associate's degree. Home health care aids will be the 2nd fastest growing profession and predicted that will grow 50% astounding through 2007.

• Dental Hygienists . Another associate's degree that is predicted to grow by 30 percent through 2016.

• Registered Nurses: Either Associate's or bachelor's degree. This is the largest health care occupation that will add around 587 new jobs between 2006-2019.

• Physical Therapist: Master's degree.

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselors: Bachelor's or master's degree. The BLS predicts a 34 percent increase in jobs for substance abuse counselors and a 30 percent overall rise in positions for mental health counselors.

Education: Hiring Appears Steady
Teachers in public and private elementary schools will still be in demand, as will post-secondary teachers, instructors, and professors. Hiring needs should be sparked by retirements, despite the economy.

• Elementary school teachers: Bachelor's degree, certification/credential. Openings for elementary school teachers will be best in States undergoing high enrollments (Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia) and in rural districts.
  
• Post-secondary teachers: Master's degree or doctorate. The BLS predicts a 23 percent increase in hiring.

Technology Sectors: Retain Priorities
As the crunch deepens, businesses will be looking for consultants in IT management and support to help streamline services, hold the bottom line, and bolster operating efficiency. It's positive to consider that some 90 percent of all current IT employees are employed by non-technology businesses and organizations. Globalization increases the need for engineers and researchers with career expertise--as well as an ongoing need for entry-level support staff.

• Computer Support Specialists. Associate's or bachelor's degree. Expect increases to reach 18 percent over the decade despite outsourcing. Graduates with career training in technical support, customer service, and certifications will move to the front of the hiring line.

• Computer Software Engineers, Applications: Bachelor's degree. The BLS is predicting a 38 percent increase in overall hiring through 2016, generating 324,000 new openings. You'll need a bachelor's degree in computer science or programming to compete, and a post-graduate degree and additional certifications to rise in the field.

• Computer and Information Scientists, Research: Doctorate. There's room (and security) at the top. Jobs for computer scientists and database administrators are predicted to grow by 37 percent during the 2006-2016 decade. Many advanced IT managers and project leaders choose to escape private companies for the relative security of college and university research labs that offer tenure.