In the private sector a common way employees measure their career trajectory is to chart increases in their salary and total compensation packages over time.
 
The major components of negotiating a total compensation package with any new company or employer are hourly wage, base salary, bonus structure and commissions. While other aspects of your total compensation package are not generally negotiable such as health care benefits, vacation time, 401K eligibility and telecommuting options, base salary range is often dictated by the industry you choose. 
 
One way to discover which industries offer the best salaries is to visit the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) website,Payscale.com, or use Military.com's Salary calculator. 
 
As executive recruiters for the past 40 years, it’s our business at Drum Associates to be able to identify which industries will offer the best opportunities for job candidates. According to our research team, in 2008, engineering, financial services, wealth management, technology and health care are just some of the high-paying industries that will aggressively look for new talent.
 
According to Payscale.com, the highest-paying industries for 2008 are computers/information technology, science, finance, energy, and the federal government. Here’s a list of other high-paying industries:
 
• Jobs in software publishing (annual median salary: $72,350);
• Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing (annual median salary: $68,710) 

• Computer systems design and related services (annual median salary: $66,130)

• Securities and commodity exchanges (annual median salary: $58,740)

• Securities and commodity contracts, intermediation and brokerage (annual median salary: $57,550)

• Financial investment activities (annual median salary: $55,340). 

• Scientific research and development services offer lucrative options (annual median salary: $62,640) (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Energy-sector work: pipeline transportation of crude oil (annual median salary: $56,770) and electric power generation, transmission and distribution (annual median salary: $55,110).

• The federal executive branch (annual median salary: $58,370)
 
More Top-Paying Industries:
• Aerospace Manufacturing (Annual median salary: $55,060)
• Wired Telecommunications (Annual median salary: $54,880)
• Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals (Annual median salary: $54,820)
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (Annual median salary: $53,750)
These salaries far outpace the median annual salary for all occupations: about $30,400 according to Payscale.com.
 
Money is important, but so is personal satisfaction 
 
When transitioning from the military into the private sector it’s important to have a career game plan that is well-researched, well-constructed and properly thought out. You need to understand your current strengths and skill-sets, and you need to accurately assess your ability to learn and master new skills. Regardless of the industry you choose to work in, the most important aspect of your future career strategy is a thorough knowledge of your personal skills and work experience inventory. You need to know what areas you excel in and what gives you the most personal satisfaction at work. The career you pursue in the private sector should not only challenge and engage you, but also show off your hard-earned and transferable skills.