How Working Moms Make More Money

Work-life balance isn't rocket science. If you work long hours, you don't have as many left for your family or yourself. If you spend less, you can work less. Or if you make more per hour, you can afford to work fewer hours. (Mommy track dangers notwithstanding.)

That's why I'm always interested in news like a recent Forbes report about Labor Department data that concludes that the best-paying jobs for women are pharmacist, chief executive and lawyer.

Now, I'm not about to go out and enroll in pharmacy school. But looking at the full list of best jobs for women, I can't help but notice some common themes. The jobs that pay well involve managerial and analytical abilities. So those are skills I'm going to try to strengthen. You notice that "writer" doesn't appear anywhere on the list.

What about you? Did you think about pay when you chose your career? A little strategy can go a long way -- and it's never too late to adjust.

More:

• Top 10 Best-Paying Jobs for Women
• Most Would Take a Pay Cut to Keep a Job
• Dangers of the Mommy Track