Top 100 Highest Paying Jobs & Careers in the U.S Right Now

Higest paying jobs in America. Photo: KnowInsiders

Healthcare jobs topped the list of the highest-paying jobs, and the sector’s future is very bright in the US. Though high-paying jobs are at the top of many people's lists when searching for a new position or career, jobs that pay well are not important to all job seekers. If a good salary is important to you, check out our list of the highest-paying jobs.

When you’re deciding what career to pursue, there are plenty of factors to consider. You want to choose a job that feels well-suited to your skillset and needs, your experience, your interests, and your personality.

What Are The Highest Paying Jobs and Careers in America?

1. Anesthesiologists: $271,440

Photo: Stacker

The BLS defines anesthesiologists as physicians who “administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.” This highly specialized career has topped the list of highest-earning professions.

Work hours for an anesthesiologist follow the schedule of the operating room, which can be long and unpredictable. That’s because anesthesiologists need to be there for both scheduled surgeries and emergency procedures, such as traumatic events and childbirth.

Education — Following four years of medical school, aspiring anesthesiologists in the U.S. typically complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology and possibly even more, depending on the subspecialty.

Job Outlook — Overall, employment is expected to drop 1% over the next decade, according to the BLS.

2. Surgeons: $251,650

Photo: OwlGuru

Surgeons top the list of the highest paying careers due to the critical nature of their job. A surgeon's profession involves high risk and requires extensive knowledge and a long learning path; the necessary ingredients for a high paying career.

Although becoming a surgeon requires several years of specialized training, these physicians are rewarded with one of the highest-paying careers. Surgeons may find themselves working long, irregular hours, depending on their specialty. While those focusing on preventative and elective surgeries may have a more predictable schedule, surgeons working in fields such as trauma or neurosurgery often work extended, even overnight, shifts.

Surgeons perform operations to treat broken bones and diseases, such as cancer. Surgeons help manage the patient’s care before and after surgery. Even when they’re not scheduled for work, a surgeon may need to address patient concerns over the phone, and on-call surgeons sometimes make emergency trips to a hospital.

* Education — Becoming a surgeon requires the successful completion of medical school, a multi-year residency program, and sometimes a specialized fellowship.

* Job Outlook — Overall, employment is projected to increase 3% over the next decade, according to the BLS.

3. Obstetricians-Gynecologists: $239,120

Photo: Worldwide Tweets

Doctors specializing in vaginal, ovarian, uterine, and cervical reproductive health and childbirth, known as obstetricians-gynecologists, or OB-GYNs, make slightly more than the annual wages listed for orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Successful OB-GYNs are good at communicating information to patients that improve their health and that of their babies. They also excel at handling high-stress situations—most notably childbirths—that can occur at odd hours of the day.

Education — Becoming an OB-GYN requires graduation from medical school as well as the completion of an obstetrics program and a gynecology residency program, which typically last four years. Afterward, these physicians have to pass a licensure exam before they begin to practice.

Job Outlook — The number of OB-GYN jobs is expected to decrease by 2% by 2030, according to the BLS.

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4. Orthodontists: $237,990

Photo: Sierra Dental & Orthodontics

Orthodontists specialize in corrective measures for the teeth and are often referred out by the patients’ dentists. These doctors frequently take X-rays, apply braces, create mouth guards, and perform other procedures as needed.

High-achieving orthodontists require good communication skills, as they work with patients directly, plus strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. While some work for large orthodontic offices, others own their own practice, which requires strong management skills.

* Education — After earning a college degree, future orthodontists need to complete a dental school program that involves classroom and clinical experience. These newly minted doctors must then complete a specialized residency program and sit for a licensing exam.

* Job Outlook — By 2030, the BLS expects the number of orthodontic jobs in the U.S. to reach 6,900, reflecting an 8% increase from 2020.

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $234,990

Photo: Careers in Healthcare

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat a wide range of diseases, injuries, and defects in and around the mouth and jaw. Among the more common problems they’re likely to manage are problematic wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, tumors, and cysts of the jaw and mouth. They may also perform dental implant surgery.

Education — Typically, oral and maxillofacial surgeons require an undergraduate degree, a four-year dental degree, and at least four years of residency. After their training, surgeons often take a two-part exam to become certified in the United States by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Job Outlook — From 2020 to 2030, employment is expected to increase 8%, according to the BLS

6. Physicians (Other): $218,850

Photo: Nightingale College

If you take the median salary of all physicians working in all other specialties, they would come in sixth place. This “other” grouping includes jobs as varied as allergists, cardiologists, dermatologists, oncologists (who treat cancer), gastroenterologists (digestive system specialists), and ophthalmologists (eye specialists). It also covers pathologists, who study body tissue for possible abnormalities, and radiologists, who analyze medical images and administer radiation treatment to cancer patients.

* Education — Any medical doctor (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is going to require medical school after attaining a bachelor’s degree. Most clinical professions also require the completion of a residency program, although some may go on and receive fellowship training after that.

* Job Outlook — Total employment among all physicians is expected to increase 5% by 2029, according to the BLS.

7. Psychiatrists: $217,100

Photo: Medical News Today

While all psychiatrists help treat mental health issues, it’s a field with a vast range of specialties.

Some work on child and adolescent psychiatry, for example, while others specialize in forensic (legal) psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, or consultation psychiatry, which occurs in a medical setting. Others specialize in psychoanalysis, where the psychiatrist helps the patient remember and examine past events and emotions to better understand their current feelings.

Psychiatrists can be found in any number of work environments: private practice, hospitals, community agencies, schools, rehabilitation programs, and even prisons.

Education — Unlike psychologists, who also treat mental health issues, psychiatrists are medical doctors. After receiving an undergraduate degree, they have to complete medical school, followed by a residency program. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the first year of residency typically involves working in a hospital setting and managing a variety of medical conditions, followed by three or more years focused on mental health. Thereafter, graduates often apply for certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Job Outlook — Among physicians, psychology is expected to be one of the fastest-growing specialties over the next several years. The BLS predicts that employment will grow 13% from 2020 to 2030.

8. Prosthodontists: $214,870

Photo: OwlGuru

Prosthodontists fix damaged teeth or missing teeth with artificial devices such as dental implants, dentures, bridges, crowns, and veneers. Physicians who thrive in this specialty have a strong inclination toward science, are able to diagnose complex dental problems, and possess the mechanical acumen to properly address ailments. Many of them work with cancer patients, making it important to understand the needs of surgical patients and treat individuals going through radiation or chemotherapy.

* Education — A career in prosthodontics requires a college degree, followed by completion of a dental school program, where they become either a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or a doctor of dental medicine (DDM). Candidates follow that up with a residency program and ultimately apply for certification from the American Board of Prosthodontics.

* Job Outlook — It’s a pretty exclusive club—there are only about 700 prosthodontists in the U.S. However, the number of prosthodontists is expected to grow 8% over the next decade, according to BLS projections.

9. Family Medicine Physicians: $214,370

Photo: Stacker

The BLS defines this category as physicians who "diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan." These medical doctors often refer patients to specialists for advanced treatments.

Family medicine physicians, also known as primary care physicians, are typically where patients go for periodic exams and the treatment of common health ailments, such as sinus and respiratory infections, as well as chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.

Some primary care doctors specifically work with adults (internists) or children (pediatricians). Those who treat patients of all ages, from childhood to advanced age, are known as family physicians. Because of their varied patient population, family practice doctors generally manage a wider range of medical conditions.

Education — After graduation from medical school, family medicine physicians complete a residency program. Doctors are required to complete a certain number of months in each training area before applying for board certification.

Job Outlook — According to the BLS, employment among family medicine doctors is expected to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030.

10. Internal Medicine Physicians: $210,960

Photo: Stacker

At the No. 10 spot, you guessed it—another medical role. Internists, who often serve as primary care doctors or hospitalists, specialize in the care of adult patients. As with other general practice physicians, internists who work in a primary care capacity see a lot of patients and need to treat a range of ailments, from asthma and diabetes to high cholesterol and hypertension. With visits often lasting 15 or 30 minutes, quick decision-making skills are a must.

Education — After receiving a college degree and successfully completing medical school, internists typically complete a residency program where they rotate through multiple healthcare specialties. Some pursue more specialized training in areas such as cardiology, pulmonology, and oncology. Internists who are board-certified have a major edge in the job market.

Job Outlook — Employment among general medicine internists is expected to drop 1% by 2030, according to the BLS.

Top 100 Highest-Paying Jobs in the U.S 2021/2022

(Ranked by Indeed)

1. Cardiologist

National average salary: $351,827 per year

2. Anesthesiologist

National average salary: $326,296 per year

3. Orthodontist

National average salary: $264,850 per year

4. Psychiatrist

National average salary: $224,577 per year

5. Surgeon

National average salary: $216,248 per year

6. Periodontist

National average salary: $214,896 per year

7. Physician

National average salary: $202,387 per year

8. Dentist

National average salary: $196,417 per year

9. Internal medicine physician

National average salary: $194,938 per year

10. Obstetrician

National average salary: $191,931 per year

11. Nurse anesthetist

National average salary: $185,856 per year

12. Pediatrician

National average salary: $180,202 per year

13. General practitioner

National average salary: $170,283 per year

14. Enterprise architecture manager

National average salary: $168,762 per year

15. Quantitative analyst

National average salary: $153,539 per year

16. Vice president

National average salary: $151,358 per year

17. Director of information security

National average salary: $149,204 per year

18. Enterprise architect

National average salary: $142,355 per year

19. Software architect

National average salary: $139,127 per year

20. Software engineering manager

National average salary: $138,933 per year

21. Senior clinical pharmacist

National average salary: $136,971 per year

22. Data warehouse architect

National average salary: $134,999 per year

23. Site reliability engineer

National average salary: $134,840 per year

24. Chief marketing officer

National average salary: $133,440 per year

25. Cloud engineer

National average salary: $123,688 per year

26. Chief information officer

National average salary: $123,155 per year

27. Data scientist

National average salary: $121,673 per year

28. Optometrist

National average salary: $118,486 per year

29. Solutions engineer

National average salary: $114,155 per year

30. Chief executive officer

National average salary: $112,591 per year

31. Pharmacy manager

National average salary: $112,546 per year

32. Corporate controller

National average salary: $112,203 per year

33. Podiatrist

National average salary: $112,181 per year

34. Full stack developer

National average salary: $111,846 per year

35. Associate general counsel

National Average Salary: $110,733 per year

36. Financial planning and analysis manager

National average salary: $110,418 per year

37. Nurse practitioner

National average salary: $110,164 per year

38. Corporate counsel

National average salary: $109,691 per year

39. Analytics manager

National Average Salary: $108,565 per year

40. Actuary

National average salary: $108,313 per year

41. Software engineer

National average salary: $106,119 per year

42. Physician assistant

National average salary: $105,594 per year

43. Plant manager

National average salary: $104,902 per year

44. System engineer

National average salary: $104,213 per year

45. Midwife

National average salary: $103,311 per year

46. Java developer

National average salary: $103,292 per year

47. Financial reporting manager

National average salary: $102,178 per year

48. Mathematician

National average salary: $100,351 per year

49. Economist

National average salary: $98,716 per year

50. Aeronautical engineer

National average salary: $98,396 per year

51. Veterinarian

National average salary: $95,762 per year

52. Senior scientist

National average salary: $95,203 per year

53. Director of operations

National average salary: $95,007 per year

54. Database administrator

National average salary: $92,298 per year

55. Nuclear engineer

National average salary: $91,119 per year

56. User experience designer

National average salary: $89,915 per year

57. IT manager

National average salary: $89,577 per year

58. Attorney

National average salary: $89,487 per year

59. Political affairs officer

National average salary: $89,085 per year

60. Environmental health and safety officer

National average salary: $88,684 per year

61. Construction superintendent

National average salary: $87,285 per year

62. Psychologist

National average salary: $86,181 per year

63. Application developer

National average salary: $86,120 per year

64. Systems administrator

National average salary: $86,059 per year

65. Engineer

National average salary:: $85,621 per year

66. Statistician

National average salary: $84,336 per year

67. Judge

National average salary: $83,715 per year

68. Director of marketing

National average salary: $83,656 per year

69. Mechanical engineer

National average salary: $83,230 per year

70. Information security analyst

National average salary: $83,001 per year

71. Research scientist

National average salary: $82,927 per year

72. Clinical director

National average salary: $82,422 per year

73. Senior MRI technologist

National average salary: $82,111 per year

74. Associate professor

National average salary: $81,957 per year

75. Senior physical therapist

National average salary:: $81,715 per year

76. Civil engineer

National average salary: $81,425 per year

77. Loan officer

National average salary: $81,223 per year

78. Project manager

National average salary: $81,214 per year

79. Senior radiation therapist

National average salary: $80,891 per year

80. Occupational therapist

National average salary: $80,424 per year

81. Marine engineer

National average salary: $79,531 per year

82. Systems analyst

National average salary: $78,974 per year

83. Management analyst

National average salary: $78,300 per year

84. Construction manager

National average salary: $77,190 per year

85. Biomedical engineer

National average salary: $75,564 per year

86. Sales manager

National average salary: $75,263 per year

87. Director of public relations

National average salary: $74,798 per year

88. Industrial engineer

National average salary: $73,905 per year

89. Environmental manager

National average salary: $73,829 per year

90. Speech pathologist

National average salary: $73,248 per year

91. Cost estimator

National average salary:: $72,751 per year

92. Purchasing manager

National average salary: $72,633 per year

93. Certified public accountant

National average salary: $72,414 per year

94. Registered nurse case manager

National average salary: $69,055 per year

95. Broker

National Average Salary: $68,341 per year

96. Laboratory manager

National average salary: $66,687 per year

97. School psychologist

National average salary: $66,643 per year

98. Market researcher

National average salary: $65,349 per year

99. Chiropractor

National average salary: $65,201 per year

100. Marketing manager

National average salary: $64,259 per year