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11 Night Shift Jobs That Pay Over $70,000 a Year (Perfect for Night Owls)

Late nights can bring big rewards.

By Heather Bien

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Dec. 28, 2025

Most people don't want to work the graveyard shift, but for night owls, the idea of working at night and having the days free may sound like a dream. Even better, many night shift jobs don't require a specialized degree yet pay generous salaries.

Don't mind working through the night? Here's a look at 15 night shift jobs that pay an average of $70,000 a year.

Editor's note: Salary information comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Registered nurses

Median annual salary: $93,660

From the emergency room and the intensive care unit to the labor and delivery floor, there's a need for nurses to work around the clock. A significant number of nurses (as many as 30%) will end up working night shifts, but luckily, they're paid well to burn the midnight oil.

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Physicians

Median annual salary: $239,200

Where there are nurses working, there are also doctors. Everyone from surgeons to ob-gyns to emergency room doctors are needed to work nights. Thankfully, those who decide (or are told) to work through the night often receive additional pay. This number, called a shift differential, can be significant depending on the line of work.

Subway and streetcar operators

Median annual salary: $84,270

Depending on where you live, the subway never sleeps. In New York City, for example, subway trains run all day and all night, 24/7 all year long. That means there needs to be operators on at all times, making sure trains are safe and on time. The men and women behind the subway operations can make nearly $85,000 a year.

Police officers

Median annual salary: $77,270

A police officer's work is never done. 911 calls and emergencies don't stop just because the sun has gone down (they may even increase), and that means there are police officers on 24/7. If you decide to enter the police force, you'll make over $75,000 a year, and, depending on your preference for shifts, you could work overnight.

Air traffic controllers

Median annual salary: $144,580

While things may get quieter at night, depending on where an airport is located and whether air traffic is allowed, air traffic controllers are still needed.

As the BLS notes, major airports might operate control towers on a 24-hour basis, even when most departures and arrivals are paused for the night. But you'll be rewarded generously. On average, air traffic controllers make almost $150,000 annually.

Pilots

Median annual salary: $198,100

If you're the kind of person who's alert and focused, even through the night, then you could consider becoming a pilot. This dream career makes nearly $200,000 a year and, depending on your flight routes, you could end up flying through the night.

From red eyes to flights abroad, there's a need for good pilots who are up for the late nights.

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Radiologic and MRI technologists

Median annual salary: $78,980

There could be cases coming out of the emergency room that need to be addressed with an MRI or ultrasound, and it can't wait until the morning. This is where a specialist who operates radiologic and MRI technology is called in. They may not be busy throughout the entire night but when they need to be on, they're on.

Veterinarians

Median annual salary: $125,510

Just like the human emergency room, animal emergencies can happen at any time. There will always be a need for emergency veterinarians, and they can make a good living, bringing in over $125,000 annually.

Of course, this also means there's room for vet techs and other veterinary professionals to work nights alongside them.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Median annual salary: $102,010

A warehouse's busiest time is often through the night when items are received, sorted, and distributed to the trucks that will take them to their final destination. If you are an organized night owl, then becoming a transportation, storage, and distribution manager is a great way to make six figures.

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Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

Median annual salary: $78,140

The United States financial markets aren't the first to open or the last to close each day, and there are finance professionals who specialize in foreign markets. Because their clients often work during the day, these employees usually work the overnight shift, tapping into what's going on in Asia and Europe while many of their colleagues are sleeping soundly.

Railroad workers

Median annual salary: $75,680

Whether you were a kid who always loved trains or you have a passion for nostalgic transportation, a railroad worker is the overnight job you may not have realized is within reach. Whether you're a conductor operating the train or controlling the signals and switches in the rail yard, you can make over $70,000, ensuring that trains get from point A to point B safely and soundly.

Bottom line

In some professions, including nursing, those who decide to take the night shift can actually make more money than their daytime peers. Because of the irregular hours and the nature of the shifts, their pay is increased. While it might not be for everyone, for those who can swing the occasional overnight shift, it could be worth the extra payoff.

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