Final answer:
Among the professions listed, a correctional treatment specialist usually pays the highest due to the specialized training and education required. Service jobs have various salaries based on the training necessary. Lana, by choosing a career such as a financial consultant which requires a degree, could anticipate a competitive starting salary.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the professions of financial aid counselor, companion, correctional treatment specialist, and ESL teacher, we need to consider the educational requirements and typical salaries for each role. Generally, professions that require higher levels of education and specialized training tend to offer higher pay rates. Service jobs can have a wide range of salaries, depending on the level of training required.
Lana, as a high school senior, might find that jobs like a financial consultant, which require a college degree, offer competitive salaries even at the entry level, such as a starting salary of $43,000 a year without prior experience. On the other hand, entry-level jobs such as those at Burger Queen or Wall's Mart typically pay hourly wages that reflect the minimal education and training required.
On the whole, among the listed professions, a correctional treatment specialist would likely have the highest earning potential because it often requires a combination of higher education and specialized training. It is also worth noting that the growth in the healthcare and elder care fields may lead to increased salary potentials for professions requiring specialized knowledge in these areas.