It's great to choose a profession that fulfills you and that you like doing. Admittedly, it's also reasonable that you would prefer a paying employment. In light of this, what are the greatest positions to take into consideration if you're searching for a high-paying job?
Based on wage statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2023—the most recent year for which data is available—let's look at 25 of the highest-paying positions in America. The BLS's growth estimates for each role between 2023 and 2031 are also included, along with links to The Muse's current job listings. How to Apply for 25 of the Highest-Paying Jobs in America:
1. Medical Professionals
Doctors, or physicians, are in charge of giving their patients medical attention. Physicians may see a wide range of patients (pediatricians, for example) and offer a variety of services (e.g., anesthesiologists, who administer anesthesia and monitor patients prior to, during, and following surgery, or podiatrists, who oversee foot-related care) depending on their specialty.
After completing their undergraduate degrees, all doctors are required to attend medical school (podiatrists, however, attend specialist podiatry schools). Before they may start practicing medicine, they must first finish a residency, which is postgraduate training for novice physicians under the supervision of more experienced physicians in a certain specialty. physicians are among the best paid people in the United States; if we were to rank each specialty separately, most people on this list would be physicians! Although the majority of doctors receive very good compensation, some specialty pay more than others.
These are the American positions that pay the highest salaries for doctors. (You may use The Muse to search for available positions by clicking on each job title!)
Anesthesiologists: 3.1% rise in employment with an average income of $331,190
Physicians in emergency medicine: Average pay: $310,640; projected growth in employment: 3.3%
Pediatric orthopedic surgeons make an average compensation of $306,220, and employment is expected to expand by 2.7%.
Dermatologists: 3.1% rise in employment expected; average compensation of $302,740
Radiologists: 3.7% rise in employment expected; average income of $301,720
Surgeons, everyone else: Average pay: $297,800; 2.6% rise expected in employment
Obstetricians and gynecologists: 1.7% rise in employment expected; average income of $296,210
Pediatric opthamologists earn an average salary of $270,090, with a 6.4% rise expected in the field.
Pediatric Surgeons: 2.2% rise in employment expected; Average Salary: $290,310
Neurologists: 3.0% rise in employment expected; average income of $267,660
Pathologists: 4.5% rise in employment expected; average income of $267,180
Psychiatrists: $249,760 on average wage; 8.7% growth expected in employment
Physicians practicing general internal medicine: average pay of $242,190; projected job growth of 2.0%
Family medicine physicians' average pay is $235,930, and employment is expected to expand by 3.3%.
Physicians (other): 2.4% rise in employment expected; average salary: $231,500
Pediatricians: 1.1% rise in employment expected; average income of $198,420
Podiatrists: 1.5 percent job increase expected; average compensation of $158,380
2. Dental Professionals, Including Dentists
Any medical practitioner who works with the teeth, gums, and mouth is considered a dental specialist. Like doctors, dentists can offer a wide range of services based on their specialization. For instance, general dentists can check for and treat cavities as well as provide routine care, while orthodontists can diagnose and treat abnormalities in the jaw and teeth, including using braces to straighten teeth or expand a patient's palate to make room for crowded teeth.
Dentists who have completed their undergraduate degrees enroll in dental school. Depending on their specialty, they may also need to complete additional coursework or a residency. For instance, oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have completed their DDS program must complete a surgical residency program, and many of them also earn MDs.
Income opportunities in dentistry vary depending on specialization, however there is a lot of money to be made. In the United States, a few of the highest-paying dental careers are:
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons make an average compensation of $311,460, with a 4.6% growth potential in employment.
Orthodontists: Expect a 4.5% rise in employment and an average income of $267,280.
Dentists (all other specialties): 1.8% rise in employment expected; average income of $179,400
General dentists' average pay is $167,160, and employment is expected to expand by 6.1%.
Prosthodontists: 14.3% growth in employment expected; average pay of $143,730
3.chief Executive Officers
The average compensation of chief executive officers is $213,020.
Employment forecast: increase of -7.3%
Companies are led by chief executives, sometimes referred to as chief executive officers, or CEOs. A chief executive position has several obligations due to its status as the top ranked position in the organization. CEOs are in charge of not just supervising the day-to-day operations of the business but also establishing its goal and vision and making the major, strategic choices (such deciding to expand into new markets, introduce a new product, or hire more staff). Communicating on behalf of the firm to the public, media, shareholders, and board of directors is another common duty of chief executives.
There are no set educational requirements for chief executive officers; many are seasoned professionals with advanced degrees to match (such as MBAs); others are business-savvy, entrepreneurial people who chose to forgo formal education in favor of concentrating on growing their companies.
4. Nurse Anesthetists
The average pay for nurse anesthetists is $202,470.
Employment forecast: 11.8% rise
The specialized anesthesia-related care given to surgical patients is under the purview of nurse anesthetists. This involves assessing patients prior to surgery, giving them anesthetic, keeping an eye on them during the procedure (including monitoring their vital signs and other biological processes), changing the anesthesia as needed to keep patients unconscious and pain-free, and overseeing their post-operative care.
Becoming a nurse anesthetist requires extensive education: A nurse must first earn a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), then obtain a license to practice as an RN. After that, they must seek more study in nurse anesthesia. A master's degree is now sufficient to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), but by 2025, all CNRAs will need to have a PhD in order to practice.
5. Pilots, copilots, and flight engineers working on airlines
The mean income is $198,190.
Growth in employment: 6.0%
There must be a pilot on board when you reserve a flight for a vacation or family visit. Pilots who operate aircraft for major airlines do so both locally and abroad. On older aircraft, the copilot assists the pilot, and the flight engineer is in charge of keeping an eye on the flight controls and equipment. An airline pilot license is also required for copilots and flight engineers.
Bachelor's degree and private pilot license are prerequisites for airline pilots. From then on, in order to get qualified to operate a commercial aircraft, they must accrue a minimum of 1,500 flying hours.
6. Managers of information and computer systems
Salary average: $162,930
Employment forecast: 16.2% rise
Managers of computer and information systems—often abbreviated as IS or information systems managers—create, oversee, and maintain the hardware and software that a business utilizes to transmit, store, and process data. This entails creating comprehensive information systems plans, assessing the organization's present technology and systems and offering suggestions for enhancements, and continuously keeping an eye on the business's information systems to guarantee optimal efficiency, safety, and security.
7. Managers of engineering and architecture
The mean income is $158,970.
Employment forecast: 2.3% increase
Managers in the architectural and/or engineering fields organize, supervise, and lead projects and operations for businesses in these fields. This could involve managing research and development, designing a new project (like a new product or design), resolving technical issues, creating budgets, recruiting the required personnel, and overseeing activities at a manufacturing or construction site to make sure the project is finished on schedule, depending on the organization.
Since IS managers must be well-versed in information systems to be successful in their position, they usually have a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology, among other tech-related fields.
A bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or a similar discipline is the minimal need for architectural and engineer managers; however, many employers prefer or demand that managers have a master's degree.
8. Natural sciences managers
Employment forecast: 5.9% rise
Managers in the natural sciences use their training in science to create or enhance a range of projects in an organization (such a manufacturing company or research and development firm), such as production, quality control, testing, and research and development. In order to achieve the organization's goals, natural sciences managers collaborate with the leadership team of the business to identify and comprehend them. They then employ and supervise a team of scientists and researchers, including biologists, physicists, and chemists, to carry out the task. In addition to having a solid foundation in the pertinent scientific field, managers in the natural sciences also need to be astute businesspeople with outstanding project and people management abilities.
A bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, such as biology or chemistry, is the minimum need for natural sciences managers, while many employers prefer that their managers have postgraduate degrees.
9. financial managers
The average income for financial managers is $153,460.
Job increase of 16.8% is forecast.
In addition to managing investments, completing data analysis, forecasting, and financial reporting, financial managers also supervise finance teams and provide leadership with guidance on how to meet the company's financial objectives and maintain its stability. They may also be in charge of making sure the company complies with all tax and other legal obligations. Financial managers might include treasurers and controllers, as well as managers of cash, credit, risk, or insurance.
Typically, financial managers have a bachelor's degree in finance or a closely related discipline. However, further degrees may be necessary for certain positions within the organization.
10. marketing managers
The average pay for marketing managers is $153,440.
Employment forecast: 9.9% rise
The task of promoting a good, service, occasion, brand, or organization falls on marketing managers. These are some of the most common marketing paths. Depending on what they're promoting, they might focus on search engine optimization and/or marketing, develop innovative marketing campaigns, lead digital marketing initiatives, write marketing content and materials, manage social media, email, and other marketing channels, or conduct market research. Marketing managers have the option of becoming generalists or specializing in one area of marketing, such as search engine optimization, content, or email.
While a bachelor's degree is generally preferred, some employers are more interested in knowing how a candidate's background, experience, and expertise align with the product or service they will be promoting. For instance, a company looking to develop ad copy for a new product may look to hire a marketing manager with experience in advertising; a company conducting all of its business online may prefer to hire a marketing manager with experience in digital marketing and e-commerce; and an organization producing athletic gear may prefer to hire a former athlete or another candidate with extensive knowledge of sports.
11. physicists
The average income for physicists is $151,580.
Employment Forecast: 8.2% Increase
All aspects of energy and matter, including their interactions, are studied by physicists. In general, physicists are employed in one of two domains: theoretical physics, which is more abstract and deals with mathematical models and theories; or applied physics, which is concerned with putting certain aspects of those models and theories to the test through practical means, like conducting experiments or creating new medical technology.
If you're interested in becoming a physicist, you can begin your career as a research assistant with a bachelor's or master's degree while you seek your PhD. However, a doctorate in physics is required to work as a physicist.
12. lawyers
The average pay for lawyers is $148,030.
Employment forecast: 9.6% rise
Attorneys, or lawyers, research every facet of the law before interpreting and applying it to various circumstances on behalf of their clients. A client might be someone going through a divorce, someone facing criminal charges, or a business fighting a rival over intellectual property. This depends on the lawyer.
Depending on the sort of law they practice, a lawyer's daily duties might vary, but they could involve things like meeting with and counseling clients, making presentations in court, doing legal research, or writing or revising contracts.
Attorneys must earn a Juris Doctor, or JD, from an accredited university and pass the bar test in the state in which they intend to practice. Another lucrative career path for lawyers is to become law professors, with an average income of $130,820.
13. petroleum engineers
The average pay for petroleum engineers is $145,720.
Employment forecast: 8.3% rise
Locating and extracting gas and oil from under the surface of the earth is the responsibility of a petroleum engineer. Designing machinery to extract oil and gas from the earth, creating and carrying out plans to drill into the ground and secure the resources, supervising equipment operation and maintenance, assessing the output of oil and gas fields, and coming up with fresh ideas for improved, more efficient extraction are some of their duties.
A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a closely related engineering discipline (such as mechanical or civil engineering) is necessary for petroleum engineers.
14. Scientists in computer and information research
$142,650 is the average wage.
Employment forecast: 16.2% rise
Scientists who study computers and information are in charge of finding solutions to computing issues and investigating novel applications of software and other technologies. This can take many different forms: from planning and carrying out tests to assess the effectiveness of various software programs, to developing new programming languages, to building models to test potential solutions. Computer and information research scientists can produce papers to publish their results in academic or trade journals, just like other types of scientists can.
An advanced degree in computer science or a similar discipline is usually necessary for computer and information research scientists since they must have in-depth understanding of computers and associated technologies.
15. Judges
The average pay for judges is $142,520.
Employment forecast: 2.4% increase
Whether they are civil (such as a lawsuit or divorce procedure) or criminal (such as a murder trial), judges preside over matters in the courtroom. Judges may have to reach a final verdict in some cases; but, in jury trials, the jury is ultimately responsible for reaching a conclusion. They may conduct hearings, assess motions and other paperwork, interpret the law, formulate conclusions, impose punishments, and provide jurors with instruction.
Although judges without a legal degree may be elected in some circumstances and courts (such as in a rural jurisdiction), the great majority of judges are former attorneys with Juris Doctor degrees.
16. Sales Managers
The average pay for sales managers is $142,390.
Employment forecast: 5.1% increase
Within a company, sales performance is the responsibility of sales managers. Depending on the organization, sales managers might be in charge of a group of salespeople who are responsible for generating new business or they could have a more hands-on position, handling certain of the company's accounts and clients. They may do data analysis, monitor customer trends, devise strategies for attracting new business, close transactions, employ personnel, create and administer sales team training, and work with associates on other teams.
For sales managers, most businesses don't have any particular educational qualifications. To be successful in this role, sales managers must possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, a wealth of expertise, and the capacity to reach and beyond sales targets while guiding their team towards success.
17. Managers of operations specializations
$139,900 is the average pay.
Job increase of 11.9% is anticipated.
By monitoring and streamlining routine tasks and procedures inside a business, operations managers are in charge of increasing productivity. This could mean different things for different organizations, such as working with leadership to identify operational inefficiencies, revamping processes (like reporting or training procedures), or developing and putting into place new policies and procedures to boost productivity and efficiency.
Managers with operations specializations require a high level of organization, attention to detail, and multitasking skills. Their bachelor's degree in business management or a similar discipline is often held by them.
18. Managers of benefits and compensation.
$139,470 is the average wage.
Prospects for employment: 1.5% increase
Human resources professionals oversee benefits and compensation. But pay and benefits managers concentrate on, you guessed it, employee compensation and benefits, as opposed to HR managers, who normally handle a variety of people-related responsibilities. In addition to creating compensation strategies and evaluating industry wage data, they could also be in charge of managing third-party connections (such as those with insurance agents or payroll providers) and supervising employee benefits programs.
A bachelor's degree in human resources or a similar discipline is typically required by employers for their pay and benefits managers.
19. Astronomer
The average astronomer makes $139,410 per year.
Occupational outlook: 5.6% increase
Cosmological objects such as planets, stars, and galaxies are all studied by astronomers. Researchers may use computer models to evaluate universe ideas or conduct direct observations of space phenomena, such as tracking comet movement with a telescope.
The science of astronomy is quite complex. You must obtain a PhD if you wish to work as an astronomer since it involves in-depth knowledge and significant schooling.
20. Managers Of Public Relations
$138,000 Is The Average Pay.
Employment Forecast: 8% Increase
The job of public relations managers, or PR managers, is to raise awareness of and foster favorable connections and attitude for a certain person, thing, or organization. PR managers approach this task in a number of ways, including writing press releases, creating campaigns and publicity strategies, minimizing the impact of negative press, and cultivating strong relationships with the press (and using those relationships to get their clients or company coverage).
A bachelor's degree may be required by some employers or customers, but if you have the potential, you can usually find employment without a formal degree. This is because becoming a great PR manager is more about abilities than knowledge.
21. Managers Of Human Resources
salary average: $136,590
employment forecast: 7.3% increase
The phrase "human resources manager," or "HR manager," refers to the fact that these managers oversee all matters pertaining to people in an organization. HR managers may address employee grievances, create employee wellness programs, onboard new hires, and establish people management policies and procedures based on the requirements of the business.
While some are ready to work with individuals without a formal degree, the majority of organizations expect its HR managers to have a bachelor's degree.
22. Computer Hardware Engineers
The average compensation for computer hardware engineers is $136,320.
Employment Forecast: 4.8% Rise
Computer hardware engineers are in charge of studying, creating, and maintaining the hardware, which includes the circuit boards, processors, and routers that make up computers and computer systems. This might involve creating new hardware, testing and refining existing gear, and managing the manufacturing and production process, depending on the organization and the engineer's area of expertise.
While most have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related discipline, others are self-taught computer enthusiasts. Computer hardware engineers must have a thorough grasp of how hardware operates.
23. Purchasing Managers
The average pay for purchasing managers is $134,590.
Employment forecast: 3.8% gain
Supervisory teams of purchasing agents, who acquire goods for businesses to utilize internally or resale to clients, are under the management of purchasing managers. Additionally, buying managers usually handle higher-level purchasing responsibilities such creating and monitoring budgets, maintaining significant vendor relationships, and creating purchasing strategies.
Since purchasing managers must have strong people management and analytical abilities, the majority of employers mandate that they have a bachelor's degree.
24. Managers Of Training And Development
Salary average: $128,800
Employment forecast: 7.5% rise
Training and development managers are in charge of ensuring that their employees have the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to carry out their duties and contribute to the success of the company. This includes providing on-the-job training for particular positions as well as company-wide training on significant initiatives like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or effective communication. Creating curricula, organizing and directing training sessions, and assessing and overseeing outside training and educational possibilities are all possible responsibilities of the position.
Training and development managers must be disciplined and knowledgeable about their subjects; the majority have at least a bachelor's degree, while many additionally have postgraduate degrees, especially in more conventional fields like consulting or finance.
25. Air Traffic Controllers
The average pay for air traffic controllers is $127,920.
Employment Forecast: 0.6% Increase
Someone has to watch out to prevent collisions between the many different planes entering and leaving an airspace. In order to prevent crashes and guarantee that every aircraft makes a safe landing, air traffic controllers use a range of computer and radar technologies to monitor the airspace and manage the flow of traffic at an airport or other airspace.
A bachelor's degree or three years of work experience is required to enter the sector. After that, individuals can submit an application to train at the Federal Aviation Administration's FAA Academy in Oklahoma City in order to continue their education and pursue a career as air traffic controllers.
0 Comments