While the average worker in the United States brings home roughly $16 per hour, many people have been scrambling for ways to increase their take home pay despite the sluggish economy. Generally speaking, you may believe that you need a more advanced college degree or additional work experience to earn more, but this isn't always the case. Experts believe that employing a sound strategy can leave you with more in your bank account even in today's rough economic climate. Be Unique In a medical field, higher pay is generally designated to specialists, who can hone their craft to be the finest doctor in a particular area. Yet this idea can be applied to other professions as well. Rather than focusing on being able to wear many hats, sometimes being the best at a marketable task can wrangle the highest pay check. One example given is that oil and gas companies pay $100 for saturation welders, or someone who fixes pipes under water. This is an extreme example, of course, but make a list of your marketable skills and narrow down which you find to be the most profitable. Work For Yourself No one ever said that the life of a freelancer is easy, but being an entrepreneur is a well-trod path to wealth. As an employee, you are selling your services to your employer, but working for yourself means you get 100% of the profit generated from your services. Use your marketable skills like a commodity, and sell your most useful ones to the highest bidder. This is especially true if you work in an industry well suited to self-employment, such as Accountants or Massage Therapists. Reinvent If you are looking to get into a different career, do your research and find out what areas are expanding and what professions are commanding top dollar. You may need to put time in at a lower paygrade for training and experience, but sticking to a prosperous industry can help ensure your financial security for years to come.