Honestly, and I’m sure this isn’t what you’re looking for, the hardest most rewarding work I’ve done was probably farming.

In your case look for small start up companies. Failure is all to frequent but the small group makes hard work rewarding and infectious. Not to mention if you succeed, you can, if you play your cards right, retire.

“the less you work, the more money you make.”

This may be true once you get to a high level management position where you make your money by finding business which translates to schmoozefests over actually producing something, but it takes a lot of hard work to get there.

No one starts at the top; you have to work your way up. If you talk to the CEOs of banks that make $2M+ a year, I am virtually certain they will tell you they worked their asses off to get there.

I just assumed you see money as the ultimate reward. In that case, farming will not get you there.

I don’t know about start up companies. This is risky. I worked for a start up company and I wasted a year of my life; I think they are a lemon. You have to do your research and pick a good start up otherwise it can be a waste of time. It may just be easier to go with a larger company that can offer a truly competitive salary and solid benefits over the start up who may not quite be able to afford to pay you what you are worth and often doesn’t even know what a 401k is yet.

—Commissioned sales
—Your own business
—A new startup where you get partial ownership, stock
—Anyplace with rapid advancement potential (usually smaller companies)

Most jobs have a set salary or wage, you need something where you can either make a big difference in the company’s income (sales, your own business) or where you can move up quickly to a higher-paying position.

Sales BTW, can be anything from waiting tables to commercial real estate – the more product you move, the more you earn.

Fish for crabs.
Underwater welding.

^Both risky. I met an underwater welder that retired early because of several near death experiences.

Why do you think “So apparently the less you work, the more money you make.” I don’t think that is true at all.

Take lawyers for example. They work ungodly hours. Doctors train very hard for their careers and are faced with life-or-death decisions every day. (That is hard work.)

I disagree with your premise.

Take it from a older gal…there is NO success if you do not truly love your work and in process of said ‘success’ you neglect yourself, others, family.

So you spend ten years of your life climbing that elusive ladder and finally ‘make it.’

But, during those ten years you were a complete asshole, alienate others, neglect your family, children, ....well….just be careful…it IS lonely at the top for many.

Most high paying jobs require a lot of training, such as doctor or investment counselor, but those two, among many others will reward hard work.