Summer Jobs That Pay Well

AU PAIR

An au pair is a foreign domestic assistant who works for and lives with a host family in need of some assistance. Most au pairs baby-sit, cook and/or clean. They're not all paid particularly well. The standard rate is between $130-$164 a week, plus supplements, depending on the age of the children. However, this is a job you do for the benefits, since au pairs get to travel, all expenses paid, with the family. (You might want to try to find a family that frequently "summers.") Kidding aside, the U.S. actually runs an Au Pair Program, similar to a foreign student-exchange. Those who can't afford to travel abroad should look into its guidelines and stipulations.

TOUR GUIDE

It sounds appealing: You're being paid to go on nature hikes in Yellowstone. Or take long walks around the Louvre. Not to mention that being a tour guide is surprisingly lucrative. Trained tour directors make about $20 a hour or $350 a week. Non-trained tour guides, obviously, make less, around $10-$15 an hour, not including gratuities. Of course, if you're showing people around theme parks in Disneyland, this lower hourly wage is somewhat forgivable.

SPORTSFISHING CHARTER CAPTAIN

While you're not likely to make much money catching fish yourself, you can bring in a substantial income chartering your boat in say, Cabo San Lucas. Yes, this requires a specific skill set and, also, a fishing boat, but those who how happen to have both can make anywhere from $35 an hour to $1,200 a day!

Those who have a spare yacht can rent it out for a significantly higher price ... though, they probably don't need the extra money.