Highest-Paying Jobs in America

In 2023, the average salary in the United States grew 8.3%, to $101,805. According to a recent report, US workers have the second-highest salaries globally when adjusted for purchasing power parity. 

However, salary levels vary significantly based on factors such as location, occupation, and age. For instance, data on average income by state indicates that, as of Q1 2024, residents of Massachusetts and Connecticut have the highest earnings, averaging more than $89,000 annually. Meanwhile, Mississippi is at the other end of the spectrum, with average income levels below $50,000.

What are the highest-paying careers and jobs in America? In this post, we delve into the ranking of the best-paid occupational fields and roles to gain valuable insights into which sectors and roles offer the greatest earning potential.

Highest-paying careers in the US: table

Occupation title	Annual mean wage
Surgeons	$348,890
Physicians	$263,840
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers	$209,680
Dentists	$200,870
Lawyers and judicial law clerks	$174,280
Marketing and sales managers	$161,040
Astronomers and physicists	$155,280
Public relations and fundraising managers	$151,570
Software and web developers, programmers, and testers	$130,500
Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers	$126,270

What are the highest-paying careers in America?

The latest data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals health care practitioners and technical occupations as the highest-paying careers in the US. More specifically, surgeons are at the top of the list, earning an annual mean wage of $348,890—equivalent to approximately $29,074 per month. Within the field of surgery, there are significant salary differences based on specialties. Below is a list of the highest-paid surgeons in the US, ranked by their annual salaries:

1. Pediatric surgeons: $449,320
2. Orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric): $378,250
3. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: $334,310
4. All other surgeons: $343,990

Physicians rank as the second-highest paying career in the US, earning $263,840 annually (or $21,987 a month). Although they rank just below surgeons, the difference in annual income is $85,050, underscoring the substantially higher earning potential of surgeons.

Aircraft pilots and flight engineers have the third-best paying careers in the US, with an average annual income of $209,680. Dentists come in fourth, with $200,870. The four highest-paying careers mentioned so far are the only ones with mean annual incomes above $200,000. 

Lawyers and judicial law clerks, who earn an average of $174,280 per year, complete the top five paying jobs in the US. These professionals are followed closely by marketing and sales managers, who bring in $161,040 annually. Astronomers and physicists earn an average of $155,280, while public relations and fundraising managers have annual salaries of $151,570.

The list also includes software and web developers, programmers, and testers, who earn an average of $130,500 annually. Rounding out the top 10 are judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers, earning an average of $126,270 per year.

Top-paying jobs in America: table

What are the top-paying jobs in America?

In terms of specific roles, the data from BLS shows that nine of the 10 highest-paying jobs in America are in healthcare, highlighting the significant demand and remuneration for specialized medical expertise. 

Pediatric surgeons hold the highest-paid position in the country, with an annual mean wage of $449,320. Their expertise in performing surgeries on children places them at the top of the list, reflecting the specialized nature of their skills and the importance of pediatric health care. Following closely are cardiologists, who earn an average of $423,250 annually. 

Orthopedic surgeons, who treat musculoskeletal issues such as fractures and joint conditions, rank third among the highest-paid jobs, with an average annual income of $378,250. Radiologists earn $353,960 per year, making them the fourth highest-paid professionals.

Other surgical roles also feature prominently on the list, with surgeons in various fields earning an average of $343,990 annually. Dermatologists are also among the top earners, with an average income of $342,860. Anesthesiologists rank next, earning $339,470 per year, further underscoring the high earning potential in the medical sector.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, who handle complex surgeries of the mouth, jaws, and face, earn an average of $334,310 annually, while ophthalmologists, whose focus lies in eye health, make $312,120. Notably, athletes and sports competitors are the only non-health-care professionals to feature in the top 10, earning $328,830 per year. Their earnings are largely driven by sponsorships, endorsements, and performance-related contracts.

Want to learn more?

• US Per Capita Disposable Income (2010–2022)
• What Do Americans Spend Their Money On?
• Personal Consumption Expenditures by State
• Job Growth by State (2024)