Consumer News: Prescription drug prices have outpaced inflation and tariffs would make them pricier

From health care to finance, these careers prove you dont have to choose between a meaningful job and a strong paycheck

• Many of the highest-paying helping careers are in healthcarebut not all of them.

• You can earn $70K to $170K+ while directly improving peoples lives.

• Jobs that combine human impact with strong growth tend to offer the best long-term opportunities.

If youve ever felt torn between making good money and doing meaningful work, heres the good news: you dont necessarily have to choose.

A growing number of careers offer both strong salaries and the chance to genuinely help others whether thats improving someones health, guiding financial decisions, or supporting entire communities.

From healthcare professionals to financial advisors, Resume Genius put together a list that highlights the roles that prove that purpose and a paycheck can go hand in hand. And with demand rising in several of these fields, theyre not just rewarding theyre also practical long-term career options.

"There's a persistent myth that you have to choose between a paycheck and a purpose. This list pushes back on that. Helping people isn't a niche career path it's one of the most reliable ways to build a stable, well-compensated career," says Eva Chan, Career Expert at Resume Genius. "These aren't jobs a recession or algorithm can easily wipe out. When someone needs a diagnosis, a prescription, or a hand to hold, there's no substitute for a trained human, and the salaries reflect that."

Methodology

To identify these roles, Resume Genius analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET, focusing on jobs that pay at least $70,000 annually, have solid job availability, and show positive growth projections.

They also prioritized careers where helping people is a core part of the day-to-day work whether through direct care, guidance, or community support. The final list balances salary potential, projected growth, and overall impact, while spanning multiple industries to reflect different career paths.

The full list: 15 high-paying jobs that help people

Here are 15 careers that combine strong earning potential with meaningful impact:

1. Dentist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $179,210

   2. Job Growth: 4%

2. Pharmacist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $137,480

   2. Job Growth: 5%

3. Optometrist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $134,830

   2. Job Growth: 8%

4. Physician Assistant

   1. Median Annual Salary: $133,260

   2. Job Growth: 20%

5. Radiation Therapist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $101,990

   2. Job Growth: 2%

6. Personal Financial Advisor

   1. Median Annual Salary: $101,140

   2. Job Growth: 10%

7. Speech-language Pathologist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $95,410

   2. Job Growth: 15%

8. Clinical and Counseling Psychologist

   1. Median Annual Salary: $94,310

   2. Job Growth: 11%

9. Registered Nurse

   1. Median Annual Salary: $93,600

   2. Job Growth: 5%

10. Audiologist

    1. Median Annual Salary: $92,120

    2. Job Growth: 10%

11. Emergency Management Director

    1. Median Annual Salary: $86,130

    2. Job Growth: 3%

12. Respiratory Therapist

    1. Median Annual Salary: $80,450

    2. Job Growth: 12%

13. Social and Community Service Manager

    1. Median Annual Salary: $78,240

    2. Job Growth: 6%

14. Funeral Home Manager

    1. Median Annual Salary: $76,830

    2. Job Growth: 4%

15. Dietitian and Nutritionist

    1. Median Annual Salary: $179,210

    2. Job Growth: 4%

What ties all of these jobs together is their focus on real-world impact. Whether its easing pain, improving quality of life, or helping someone make smarter choices, these careers go beyond a paycheck and thats exactly what makes them stand out.

Even with a blue check, experts warn you cant assume a profile is real

• A recent investigation shows scammers can still get verified on Tinder using stolen or manipulated photos making the blue check less reliable than it seems.

• Experts say facial verification only confirms a moment in time, not whether an account is truly real, consistent, or trustworthy.

• To stay safe, users should focus on behavior like rushed intimacy, off-platform requests, and money asks rather than relying on a verified badge.

Dating apps want you to feel safer swiping and features like photo verification are supposed to help.

But a recent investigation shows just how easy it still is for scammers to game the system. By uploading manipulated images and stolen photos, a fake Tinder profile was able to earn a verified badge almost instantly raising fresh questions about how much that blue check is really worth.

So whats going wrong? According to Husnain Bajwa, SVP of Product, Risk Solutions at SEON, the issue isnt just a glitch its a bigger blind spot in how platforms verify identity in the first place.

How are scammers bypassing verification tools?

According to Bajwa, facial verification confirms that a real person appeared in front of a camera at a specific moment. However, it does not establish that the identity behind the account is genuine, consistent, or trustworthy over time. This is what allows scammers to bypass these controls.

Modern fraudsters build synthetic identities using a combination of real and fabricated information, including credible photos, aged email accounts, valid phone numbers and consistent personal details, he explained. By the time they reach a selfie check, the account already appears legitimate.

Selfie-based verification validates only a single moment of interaction. It does not assess whether the same individual is operating multiple accounts, using shared infrastructure, or engaging in coordinated fraudulent activity. It also does not evaluate behavior over time.

How do you spot a scam?

Bajwa broke down the biggest red flags that can help consumers spot scammers on dating apps. His biggest piece of advice: focus on behavior rather than just profile details.

Common warning signs include:

• Rapid emotional escalation

• Requests to move conversations off the platform

• Refusal to participate in live and unscripted video calls

• Any early mention of financial hardship, urgency, or requests for money

• Inconsistency in the persons digital footprint. A profile may appear detailed and convincing, but there is little long-term or verifiable presence to support it. This can include newly created accounts, limited history or information that does not align across platforms.

• Communication patterns can also provide clues. Messages that feel overly consistent, scripted, or unusually polished may indicate that the interaction is not genuine. Real conversations tend to vary in tone, timing, and detail. Real human interaction tends to be a little messy, uneven, and sporadic. If something feels overly optimized, it is worth slowing down and verifying.

Going beyond selfie matching

While selfie matching verifies that the same face appears in two images, it does not establish intent, history or context. This is the key to these kinds of .

Selfie matching can confirm visual similarity, but it does not determine whether the identity is genuine, whether the account is part of a coordinated scam network, or whether behavior changes over time, Bajwa said.

These limitations are significant. Platforms may miss patterns such as multiple accounts linked to the same individual, account handoffs, shared infrastructure or repeated use of the same devices. They may also miss behavioral signals that only emerge after the account has been created.

Tips for safe dating

Bajwa shared his top three tips to help dating app users cut through the noise and the scammers:

• Do not rely on a verified badge as proof of authenticity. A badge typically confirms that a specific check was completed at a single point in time. It does not mean the identity has been fully validated or that the account is trustworthy over time.

• Pay close attention to the pace of the interaction. Sophisticated scammers often try to build trust quickly by escalating emotions or creating a sense of urgency. If someone pushes for intimacy, exclusivity, or sympathy unusually fast, that should be treated as a warning sign.

• Use verification methods that are harder to manipulate. This can include asking for a live, unscripted video call, checking for a consistent presence across other platforms, or using reverse image search if something seems unusual. Users should also avoid sending money or sharing sensitive information with anyone they have only met online.

The refund approved message you should never trust

• Scammers are sending polished refund approved messages that look like theyre from the IRS, but clicking the link can lead to stolen personal and financial information.

• People who filed extensions are at higher risk through October, since ongoing tax activity makes these messages feel more believable.

• The best defense is simple: never click unsolicited IRS links. Go directly to IRS.gov, slow down, and verify before taking action.

Tax Day may be over, but scammers are just getting started. Right now, a new wave of tax is hitting inboxes, phones, and social media feeds across the country.

The message is simple and its a highly effective way to get peoples attention: Your refund has been approved. Claim it here.

For millions of Americans waiting on a refund or filing a tax extension, its exactly what they want to hear. And thats why it works so effectively.

ConsumerAffairs had the chance to interview Gary Orenstein, consumer security expert at Bitwarden, about how these work and how to protect ourselves.

What these actually look like

These arent the obvious scam emails weve seen for years that people tend to ignore.

As Orenstein explains, modern tax are built to look very polished and legitimate, often mimicking real IRS or tax platforms like TurboTax.

They can show up as:

• Emails
• Text messages
• Phone calls
• Social media messages

They use familiar language that you tend to see around refunds, credits, or account verification. Some even include official-looking logos and QR codes.

But once you click, youre typically taken to a fake site designed to capture sensitive information like your Social Security number, banking details, or login credentials.

From there, scammers can move quickly into identity theft or even financial fraud.

As Orenstein notes, the danger today isnt that look suspicious, its how convincingly the scam imitates a trusted source.

This rule still holds true: The IRS does not contact taxpayers by email, text, or social media to request personal or financial information.

Why extension filers are at risk longer

Many people assume tax fade after April 15,but thats not the case.

If you filed an extension, you remain in the process until October 15, which keeps you in the target zone much longer.

Orenstein points out that this extended timeline creates more opportunities for scammers to exploit confusion and expectation. If youre still waiting on documents or planning to file, a message about your taxes feels more believable.

With roughly 20 million Americans filing extensions each year, thats a large group of people who are still engaged with tax-related tasks for months after Tax Day.

Scammers take advantage of this by sending messages about:

• Verifying your account
• Resolving a tax issue
• Paying a balance
• Claiming a refund

When you already know your taxes arent complete, these messages feel much more legitimate.

Why urgency is their biggest weapon

Urgency is one of the most effective tools scammers use these days. And not surprisingly, it shows up in nearly every one of these fake messages.

Youll often see:

• Act within 24 hours
• Your refund will be forfeited
• Immediate action required

As Orenstein explains, urgency works because it pushes people to react before they stop to verify what they are seeing.

And with AI, scammers can now create more personalized, better-timed messages at a larger scale.

The one rule that stops most cold

Despite how advanced these have become, the best defense is still fairly simple.

Never click links in unsolicited messages claiming to be from the IRS.

Orenstein emphasizes that this one habit can stop the majority of before they even begin.

If you receive a message about your refund or tax account:

• Dont click
• Dont reply
• Dont enter any information

Instead, go directly to IRS.gov by typing the address into your browser.

Also remember:

• The IRS will never request payment via gift cards.
• They wont demand immediate action through email or text.
• They dont ask for sensitive information this way.

How to protect yourself moving forward

Beyond avoiding suspicious links, a few extra steps can add some much-needed protection.

Orenstein recommends using tools that help verify where youre entering your information.

• Use a password manager like Bitwarden, Dashlane, or LastPass.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Verify any tax-related messages directly with the IRS or your preparer.

Password managers can act as a useful early warning system and protect you. Meaning if a website is fake, they wont allow you to autofill your password and user ID, signaling that youre on a shady site.

The bottom line

In many cases, these dont look like obvious anymore.

With the help of AI, theyre designed to blend in, feel super familiar, and catch you in a moment of urgency.

As Orenstein makes clear, the best defense isnt complicated, it just comes down to changing your behavior.

Slow down. Dont click. Verify everything.

Because when it comes to tax refund , that one pause can make all the difference.

How to use it to actually save time (and money)

• Sams Club now offers ultra-fast Express delivery with no minimums and in-club pricingmaking it a true alternative to in-store shopping.

• It can actually save you money by cutting impulse buys, replacing overpriced last-minute store runs, and letting you stick to a focused list.

• Smart shoppers maximize it by ordering essentials, choosing the cheaper delivery window when possible, and batching items to get the most value out of the fee.

Sams Club is doubling down on speedy deliveries and it could completely change how members shop.

The retailer just rolled out an upgraded version of its Express delivery service, promising checkout-to-door delivery in as little as an hour, and in some cases, just minutes.

Since early April, nearly 65,000 Express orders have already been fulfilled, with some arriving in under 10 minutes and the average time being just 55 minutes.

Whats actually new

Sams Club now offers two flat-fee Express delivery options:

• One hour or less: $10 for Plus members / $22 for Club members
• Three hours or less: $5 for Plus members / $17 for Club members

Theres no minimum purchase required, and prices match what youd pay in-store. You can pick from delivery time slots as early as 7 am, and as late as 7 pm.

Shoppers are already using it for everyday essentials like:

• Groceries
• Frozen items
• Paper goods
• Baby items
• Quick meal solutions

In other words, this isnt just for nice-to-have items, as its being used for real-life, last-minute needs.

And yes, you can order frozen foods and theyll actually keep them in a temperature-controlled area until delivered.

Where this can actually save you money

At first glance, paying for delivery might seem like an added cost. But used strategically, it can actually reduce spending.

1. It cuts out impulse buys. Walking into a warehouse store almost guarantees youll spend more than you had planned. Using their inexpensive delivery service keeps you focused on exactly what you need and nothing more. When building your cart via their website or app, its smart to treat it like a targeted order, not a fun shopping trip.
2. It replaces expensive last-minute runs. Running to a convenience store or grocery store for a few items often means paying higher prices. With Express delivery, you can take advantage of bulk pricing, even on those urgent needs. In other words, use it for emergency essentials like diapers, paper towels, or quick dinners instead of overpaying elsewhere.
3. It saves time (which has real value). Driving to the store, parking, shopping, and checking-out can easily take an hour or more. If youre busy, that time savings can easily outweigh the delivery fee. Its especially smart to use Express delivery during peak times like weekends or evenings.

How to use it like a smart shopper

To get the most value, a little strategy goes a long way:

• Stick to essentials: This service tends to works best for items you already buy regularly.
• Compare delivery tiers: If you dont need it immediately, choose the cheaper three-hour option. As long as you order by 1pm, youll get it delivered the same day.
• Batch your needs: Order multiple essentials at once to maximize the fee.
• Know your pricing: With this delivery service, youll pay the same price as those physically shopping in the club. But make sure to always double-check for products that offer Instant Savings.

During widespread disruptions, options may be limited

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Youre entitled to a refund if your flight is canceled and you dont take the airlines rebooking

• Airlines usually dont owe extra cash compensation for cancellations caused by fuel shortages or other factors outside their control

• Rebooking and basic assistance may be offeredbut its not guaranteed by law in the U.S.

A surge in jet fuel prices and potential shortages linked to global conflicts and supply disruptions are already forcing airlines to cut routes and cancel flights in 2026. For travelers, the big question is: what are your rights when the cancellation isnt your fault, but isnt really the airlines fault either?

1. You have a right to a refundno matter the reason

Under a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule finalized in 2024, airlines must provide automatic cash refunds when a flight is canceled or significantly changed, if you decline alternatives.

That applies even if the disruption is caused by:

• Fuel shortages

• Weather

• Air traffic control issues

• Geopolitical events

You dont have to accept a voucher or rebookingyou can choose your money back instead.

2. Rebooking is standardbut not strictly required in all cases

Most airlines will try to put you on the next available flight at no extra charge. Thats industry practiceand often your fastest way to reach your destination.

The catch

But heres the catch:

• U.S. law does not guarantee rebooking on another airline

• Policies vary by carrier

• During widespread disruptions (like fuel shortages), options may be limited

Travelers are often advised to check airline apps quickly and consider alternatives before accepting changes.

3. Dont expect automatic compensation for inconvenience

Unlike Europe, the U.S. does not require airlines to pay cash compensation for cancellationseven when the airline is responsible. (

And in situations like jet fuel shortagesgenerally considered outside airline controlyou typically wont get:

• Compensation for lost time

• Reimbursement for missed hotel stays or tours

• Automatic coverage of meals or lodging

Some airlines may offer:

• Meal vouchers

• Hotel stays (more likely if the airline caused the issue)

But for fuel-related disruptions, these extras are often optional, not guaranteed.

The complications

4. Why fuel shortages complicate your rights

Jet fuel shortages are different from mechanical failures or staffing issues. Airlines can argue theyre uncontrollable events, similar to weather.

That matters because:

• Uncontrollable = refund required, but little else mandated

• Controllable (like maintenance issues) = airlines are more likely to provide assistance

With fuel costs doubling and airlines cutting schedules, cancellations may increasewithout expanding your legal protections.

5. What consumers should do now

If your flight is canceled due to fuel issues:

• Decide quickly: refund vs. rebooking

• Document everything: receipts, delays, communications

• Check alternatives: other airlines, nearby airports

• Consider travel insurance: it may cover expenses airlines wont

Even as jet fuel shortages disrupt travel worldwide, U.S. passenger rights remain limited. Youre guaranteed your money backbut beyond that, much depends on airline policies, not federal law.

That makes planningand backup optionsmore important than ever.