Choosing a career path is a significant decision, and for many, salary potential is a crucial factor. If you’re wondering, “What Job Makes The Most Money?”, you’re not alone. It’s a question pondered by students, job seekers, and those considering a career change.
The good news is that high earning potential doesn’t have to come at the expense of job satisfaction. Numerous high-paying jobs in the US span across various sectors, allowing you to pursue your interests while securing a lucrative income.
Let’s explore the top 10 highest-paying jobs in America for 2024, revealing the earning potential and career paths that lead to financial success.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the USA (Including Salaries)
1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Alt: CEO in a modern office setting, leading a team meeting, illustrating the leadership role in high-paying jobs.
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are the driving force behind a company’s success. They are responsible for high-level corporate and financial decisions, shaping business strategies, and overseeing overall operations. CEOs act as the primary link between the company’s staff, board of directors, stakeholders, and the public.
Educational Requirements
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is often considered the gold standard for aspiring CEOs across industries. Fortunately, flexible options like online MBA programs allow you to advance your education while maintaining your career momentum. Beyond formal education, extensive relevant work experience and professional certifications demonstrating leadership and management expertise are essential.
Job Outlook
The demand for top executives, including CEOs, is projected to grow by 3%, mirroring the average growth rate for all occupations. This translates to approximately 311,600 annual job openings nationwide until 2032.
Salary Information
CEOs command substantial salaries, with the annual median wage reaching approximately USD 329,400. It’s important to note that salary figures can fluctuate based on industry, company size, level of education, and certifications held.
2. Physician/Doctor
Alt: Doctor in a white coat, compassionately examining a patient, representing high-paying medical professions.
Physicians consistently rank among the highest-paying medical and healthcare jobs. Within the medical field, certain specialties offer particularly high earning potential:
- Anesthesiologists: Experts in anesthesia administration during surgery, pain management, and post-operative critical care.
- General Internal Medicine Doctors (Internists): Specialists in diagnosing and treating complex, chronic conditions such as diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, infectious diseases, and age-related illnesses.
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB/GYNs): Focused on the management of conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and all aspects of female reproductive and sexual health.
- Emergency Medicine Physicians: Specialized in the immediate diagnosis and treatment of patients with urgent medical needs.
Educational Requirements
Becoming a physician is a rigorous and lengthy process, typically requiring around 12 years of education and training. This includes a four-year bachelor’s degree (ideally in biology or a related science), followed by four years of medical school, and an additional four to five years of specialized residency training. Aspiring doctors must also pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Job Outlook
Job growth projections for physicians vary by specialty, ranging from 1% to 7% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Salary Information
Physician salaries are also specialty-dependent. Here are the average annual salaries for some of the highest-paying medical specialties:
- Anesthesiologists: (Specific salary data to be added – research needed)
- General Internal Medicine Doctors: (Specific salary data to be added – research needed)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists: (Specific salary data to be added – research needed)
- Emergency Medicine Physicians: (Specific salary data to be added – research needed)
(Note: Specific salary figures for physician specialties need to be researched and inserted here for completeness and accuracy.)
3. Psychiatrist
Alt: Psychiatrist in a consultation room, listening attentively to a patient, depicting mental health expertise in high-paying jobs.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Distinguished from psychologists, psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication and other medical interventions.
Educational Requirements
The path to becoming a psychiatrist also takes approximately 12 years. This involves a four-year bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field, four years of medical school, and a three-year psychiatric residency program. Board certification is required to become a licensed and practicing psychiatrist.
Job Outlook
The demand for psychiatrists is projected to increase by 7%, representing the highest growth rate among physician specialties. This growth is expected to generate around 30,500 annual job openings until 2032.
Salary Information
Psychiatrists earn an average annual salary of USD 234,200, with potential additional earnings of around USD 21,400 through bonuses and profit sharing.
4. Airline Pilot
Alt: Airline pilot in the cockpit, focused on controls, illustrating aviation expertise in high-income careers.
Airline pilots are highly skilled aviators responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of passengers and cargo. They collaborate with a flight team, including co-pilots, flight attendants, and ground crew, to ensure a secure and comfortable flight experience.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in aviation, engineering, or a related field is a common starting point. Flight training school is essential to obtain a private pilot certificate. Further certifications, including an instrument rating and sufficient flight hours, are necessary to qualify for the Commercial Pilot Airline Exam (CAX) and earn a commercial pilot license.
Job Outlook
The airline pilot profession is expected to see a 4% job growth, which is an average growth rate. Despite this moderate growth rate, the industry is projected to create approximately 16,800 job openings annually until 2032.
Salary Information
Airline pilots earn a median annual wage of USD 215,600. Bonuses can significantly supplement income, potentially adding around USD 33,100 per year.
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Alt: Oral and maxillofacial surgeon in a surgical setting, performing a complex procedure, showcasing specialized surgical skills in high-paying jobs.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dual-degree specialists in both medicine and dentistry. They perform surgical procedures on the mouth, jaw, face, head, and neck to correct medical issues or for cosmetic purposes. Their expertise encompasses treating impacted wisdom teeth, performing reconstructive surgery, placing dental implants, correcting jaw misalignments, and treating head and neck cancers, as well as trauma-related injuries. They are also qualified to administer anesthesia and manage patient pain.
Educational Requirements
The path to oral and maxillofacial surgery begins with a dentistry background. This requires a bachelor’s degree, passing the Dental Admission Test (DAT), earning a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental school, and obtaining a dental license. Further specialized surgical training includes a four-year surgery residency and a two-year medical program. Certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is also required.
Job Outlook
The BLS categorizes oral and maxillofacial surgeons under dentists, projecting a 4% job growth for this broader category through 2032.
Salary Information
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the US earn a median annual wage of USD 190,500, with potential bonuses averaging around USD 18,500 annually.
6. Orthodontist
Alt: Orthodontist closely examining a patient’s teeth, highlighting dental specialization in high-income careers.
Orthodontists are dental specialists focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of irregularities of the teeth and jaws. They are experts in managing and fitting dental appliances like braces, retainers, and bands to correct issues such as crooked teeth, crowded teeth, jaw misalignment, gaps, and bite problems.
Educational Requirements
Becoming an orthodontist takes approximately 10 to 11 years. This includes a four-year bachelor’s degree (preferably in biology or chemistry), four years of dental school, and a two to three-year orthodontics residency program. The Dental Admission Test and the National Board Dental Examination are also required.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects a 4% growth rate for dentists overall, which includes orthodontists, aligning with the average growth rate for all occupations. This translates to roughly 5,100 annual job openings.
Salary Information
Orthodontists have a median annual wage of USD 204,800, with additional annual pay averaging around USD 26,500.
7. Lawyer
Alt: Lawyer confidently presenting a case in court, representing legal expertise in high-paying professions.
Lawyers are licensed legal professionals who provide representation and advice to clients. They are vital to the legal system, advocating for clients’ rights and ensuring fair application of the law.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is the prerequisite for law school. Common undergraduate majors include English, economics, political science, and philosophy. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for law school admission. Upon completing law school, graduates earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, qualifying them to take the bar examination. Passing the bar exam, which varies by state, is the final step to licensure.
Job Outlook
The legal profession is projected to grow at an 8% rate, creating approximately 39,100 annual job openings until 2032.
Salary Information
Lawyers in the US can earn up to USD 165,700 annually, with potential additional income of around USD 20,200 through profit sharing and bonuses.
8. Architectural and Engineering Manager
Alt: Architectural and Engineering Manager reviewing blueprints in an office, illustrating management roles in high-paying engineering and architecture fields.
Architectural and engineering managers oversee construction and renovation projects, ensuring they proceed according to plan. They possess the technical expertise to manage project plans, materials, and methodologies. Unlike project managers, their responsibilities extend beyond individual projects to include staff development and client relationship management.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in architecture or engineering is necessary to enter this field. Advancement to a management role often requires years of experience and a master’s degree in business administration, engineering management, or technology management.
Job Outlook
The demand for architectural and engineering managers is projected to increase by 4% through 2032. Despite modest growth, the field is expected to generate around 13,600 annual job openings.
Salary Information
Architectural and engineering managers earn an average annual salary of USD 140,400, with significant potential for additional pay, averaging around USD 47,400 per year.
9. Computer and Information Systems Manager
Alt: IT Manager in a server room, overseeing computer systems, representing technology management in high-paying IT jobs.
Computer and Information Systems Managers lead IT departments, responsible for maintaining, installing, and securing a company’s IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and databases. Their managerial duties include budget management, staff recruitment and training, performance reviews, scheduling, and inventory. They also serve as a communication bridge between IT staff and upper management.
Educational Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field like information technology or computer systems management is a common entry point. Internships or entry-level IT experience are usually required. A master’s degree in business administration can enhance career advancement to management positions.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects robust 18% growth in demand for computer and information systems managers over the next decade. This growth is expected to result in approximately 46,900 annual job openings.
Salary Information
Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a median annual wage of USD 140,200, with potential additional earnings of around USD 11,600 through bonuses and profit sharing.
10. Nurse Anesthetist
Alt: Nurse Anesthetist preparing medical equipment in an operating room, highlighting advanced nursing practice in high-earning healthcare roles.
Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid type of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). They are responsible for administering anesthesia and providing pre-, intra-, and post-operative care to patients undergoing surgical, diagnostic, or obstetric procedures. Their responsibilities include reviewing patient medical history, explaining anesthesia risks, preparing patients for procedures, administering and managing anesthesia during procedures, monitoring vital signs, and overseeing post-anesthesia recovery.
Educational Requirements
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the first step. State licensure is required after passing the NCLEX-RN exam. At least three years of relevant nursing experience and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree are also necessary. Certification from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is the final step to becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Job Outlook
The BLS projects exceptional 38% job growth for advanced practice registered nurses, including nurse anesthetists, in the coming years. This substantial growth is expected to generate around 29,200 annual job openings until 2032.
Salary Information
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) earn an average annual salary of USD 126,900, with potential additional pay averaging around USD 7,200 through bonuses.
Conclusion
As you can see, high-paying jobs are available across diverse industries. Notably, leadership and management roles consistently command the highest salaries across sectors. These positions often require advanced degrees such as a BBA or MBA.
Nexford offers online BBA and MBA programs designed to equip you with the skills needed to excel in these high-demand, high-earning fields, all from the convenience of your home.
FAQs
What is the highest-paying job in the USA in 2024?
The highest-paying job in America is Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The average annual salary for a CEO is approximately USD 329,500, with a salary range typically between USD 276,500 and USD 396,000.
Which US jobs are projected to have the highest growth according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics?
The BLS projects the fastest growth among high-paying jobs in healthcare and computer and information technology. These include nurse anesthetists, with a projected growth of 38%, and computer and information systems managers, expected to grow by 18%.
What is the best career path in the USA in 2024?
The healthcare IT and cybersecurity industries are considered excellent career paths in the US for 2024, offering rapid growth, job security, and above-average compensation (source).
What skills or expertise are required for high-paying US jobs?
Leadership and management skills are crucial across most high-paying jobs in the US, regardless of industry. While specific technical skills vary, strong leadership and management capabilities are consistently in demand.
Download Our Free Report to learn more about essential industry-specific skills.
What qualifications are required for high-paying US jobs?
Many high-paying jobs in the US require a master’s degree or higher, along with substantial relevant work experience. Medical professions like surgeons, physicians, and orthodontists require extensive specialized training, ranging from three to nine years.
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Why is gaining a BBA/MBA degree beneficial in the USA?
A BBA or MBA degree in the USA provides significant advantages for career advancement and earning potential, including:
- Higher earning potential
- Competitive advantage in the job market
- Enhanced resume appeal
- Increased promotion and management opportunities
- Career versatility across industries
- Diversified skillset
- Strong networking and communication skills
These degrees equip you with the leadership and management skills essential for top-tier positions in virtually any industry.
