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Whether you’re a college student choosing your major or a working professional contemplating a career shift, many factors contribute to picking a job. But one detail can be particularly important: What career makes the most money?
The right job for you depends on more than just salary. Still, earning potential is a key concern, especially if you’ve invested time and money in higher education.
So, what are the highest-paying jobs you can get? If you’ve ever considered a career in healthcare, we have good news: Medical professions account for nearly all of the most lucrative occupations in the United States.
This article will explore high-salary jobs and how to pursue them. We’ve included data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to provide context about salary and employment trends.
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Key Statistics
To understand how the highest-paying jobs fit into the overall employment landscape, let’s start with some key facts about U.S. workers.
- As of July 2022, the Census Bureau reported that the U.S. population stood at over 333 million people, of whom about 160 million were working.
- As of May 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the highest-earning profession in the U.S. made nearly 400% more than the median U.S. household income.
- About two-thirds of U.S. workers do not have college degrees, limiting salary potential and job security for many Americans.
- Asian American households make the highest median annual income at $94,903.
How Many People are Employed in the U.S.?
Broad social and economic trends affect how many people are employed in the U.S. at any time. In recent years, the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of the most dramatic factors affecting American employment.
BLS data shows that from 2010 through the beginning of 2020, the number of U.S. workers grew steadily as the country recovered from the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009. Employment rose from about 130 million in 2010 to over 152 million in February 2020. When the pandemic took hold in March of that year, employment numbers plummeted, falling back to 2010 levels by April 2020.
Today, the number of working Americans has bounced back and now exceeds pre-pandemic figures, with about 160 million people employed, according to data published by CEIC. As of February 2023, Trading Economics reported 3.6% unemployment.
Average Income in the U.S.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual U.S. income was $46,310 in 2022. Income varies depending on education, industry, location and demographic factors. Below, we’ll look at how education affects average income in the U.S. and how average household income breaks down by race and sex.
Earnings by Education
As income disparity rises in the United States, education has emerged as a significant factor affecting earning potential and employment rates. Wages rise as worker education levels increase, and individuals with professional degrees—such as medical degrees—see the highest salaries and lowest unemployment rates.
Although the Economic Policy Institute notes that 65.1% of current laborers do not have a college degree, nearly all of the top-paying jobs require advanced education.
High-level medical occupations, which make up 12 of the country’s 20 highest-paid jobs, demand advanced degrees. Non-medical occupations on this list include judges and magistrates, natural sciences managers and physicists, all of whom typically need graduate degrees as well.
Pilots, chief executives, computer and information systems managers, architectural and engineering managers, and marketing managers often hold bachelor’s degrees coupled with extensive work experience.
| Highest Educational Attainment | Median Weekly Earnings | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|
High School Diploma | $809 | 6.20% |
Bachelor’s Degree | $1,334 | 3.50% |
Master’s Degree | $1,574 | 2.60% |
Doctorate | $1,909 | 1.80% |
Professional Degree | $1,924 | 1.50% |
Source: BLS
Earnings by Race and Sex
Historically, systemic racism and sexism have limited access to high-paying jobs for women and people of color.
- The Census Bureau reports that among full-time, year-round workers, the median income for men in the United States was $61,417 in 2020, while women earned a median of $50,982.
- White, non-Hispanic households bring in a median annual income of about $75,000, much higher than the median for Black or Hispanic households. However, Asian households earn the most, with a median household income of almost $95,000.
| Household Type | Median Income |
|---|---|
Married-couple | $101,517 |
Female, no spouse | $49,214 |
Male, no spouse | $67,307 |
| Household Race | Median Income |
|---|---|
White | $71,231 |
White, not Hispanic | $74,912 |
Black | $45,870 |
Asian | $94,903 |
Hispanic | $55,321 |
Highest-Paying Occupations
If you’re looking for jobs that make a lot of money, consider starting your search in the medical field. Out of the 20 highest-paying occupations according to the BLS, most are in the healthcare industry.
| OCCUPATION | 2022 MEDIAN PAY | PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER NATIONAL MEDIAN |
|---|---|---|
Psychiatrists | $226,880 | 389.90% |
Neurologists | $224,260 | 384.30% |
Physicians, All Other | $223,410 | 382.40% |
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $219,810 | 374.60% |
General Internal Medicine Physicians | $214,460 | 363.10% |
Dentists, All Other Specialists | $212,740 | 359.40% |
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $211,790 | 357.30% |
Family Medicine Physicians | $211,300 | 356.30% |
Nurse Anesthetists | $203,090 | 338.50% |
Pediatricians, General | $190,350 | 311.00% |
Chief Executives | $189,520 | 309.20% |
Orthodontists | $174,360 | 276.50% |
Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,070 | 254.30% |
Architectural and Engineering Managers | $159,920 | 245.30% |
Dentists, General | $155,040 | 234.80% |
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $151,030 | 226.10% |
Podiatrists | $148,720 | 221.10% |
Natural Sciences Managers | $144,440 | 211.90% |
Physicists | $142,850 | 208.50% |
Marketing Managers | $140,040 | 202.40% |
Source: BLS
How to Obtain a High-Earning Job
All of the professions profiled below require state licensure and offer median annual salaries of $159,000 or more.
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Ophthalmologists need a bachelor’s degree followed by four years in medical school and four to five years of specialized training. These doctors treat eye diseases and vision problems, perform eye surgery, and conduct research. The BLS projects a 6% job growth for ophthalmologists between 2021 and 2031.
Physicians, All Other
Physicians can pursue many specializations, including internal medicine, emergency medicine and cardiology. These professionals must earn a bachelor’s, attend medical school and complete three to nine years of internship and residency. The BLS projects a slower-than-average 1% job growth for these physicians from 2021 to 2031.
Architectural or Engineering Manager
These professionals oversee activities in the engineering and architecture fields. They may direct construction or manufacturing, managing production schedules, staff and budgets. To become an architectural or engineering manager, you need at a bachelor’s degree at minimum and extensive professional experience as an engineer or architect. The BLS projects a slower-than-average 2% job growth for these workers from 2021 to 2031.
Psychiatrists
These medical doctors focus on mental, emotional and behavioral health. After attending medical school, psychiatrists complete a four-year residency. Some pursue further training in subspecialties like forensic psychiatry or adolescent psychiatry, and most pursue board certification. The BLS projects faster-than-average job growth of 9% for these professionals.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Also known as information technology (IT) project managers or IT managers, these professionals oversee an organization’s computer-related activities. Computer and information systems managers help set and meet their organizations’ IT goals. These roles call for a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Many computer and information systems managers hold MBA degrees as well.
Sources:
- United States Census Bureau
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- CEIC Data
- Trading Economics
- Pew Research Center
- Economic Policy Institute
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- The American College of Surgeons
- American College of Radiology
- American Psychiatric Association
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
- The American Board of Pathology
