Top-Paying Jobs of 2024: Salaries & Career Paths

The highest-paying jobs of 2020 can easily command six-figure salaries. From software and finance to science and medicine, it should come as no surprise that jobs that pay well primarily fall into many of today’s most in-demand fields. Happily, for those thinking about starting out on a career path or making a career switch, the highest-salary jobsinclude those that can be done with a high-school diploma as well as some that require college training and a bachelor’s degree. Whatever your professional calling, or the extent of your education, you’ll find a number of the highest-salary jobs to pick from here to maximize your earning potential– and just how much income you can expect to makeas you go about engaging in them.

Anesthesiologist

Average Salary: $208,000

Education Required: Doctorate

Unemployment Rate: 0.4%

Given growing demand for their services, and the specialized training required to perform them, the need for anesthesiologists is on the rise. These medical professionals are responsible for administering pain-reducing drugs that allow surgeons to perform procedures without discomforting patients, and monitoring patients’ vital signs throughout surgery. A high-touch, high-impact profession, it often involves making split-second decisions, but presents many opportunities to positively impact the course of healthcare treatment at a time when it matters to others most.

Surgeons

Average Salary: $208,000

Education Required: Doctorate

Unemployment Rate: 0.4%

Although it requires a steady eye and delicate touch, the surgical profession also ranks high on any list of jobs that pay well and are recession proof. That’s because it requires extensive insight and training to perform, as surgeons operate on patients who suffer from injury, disease and other significant ailments. Some surgeons pursue a generalized course of education, while others elect to specialize in certain areas like cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, maxillofacial, or plastic surgery. In general, though, all must remain calm, cool and collected while working under pressure, as they’re often quite literally in the business of saving lives.

Obstetrician And Gynecologist

Average Salary: $208,000

Education Required: Doctorate

Unemployment Rate: 0.4%

Obstetricians and gynecologists aid in the areas of childbirth and reproductive health, respectively. An OB-GYN performs both services. All command some of today’s highest-salary jobsdue to the prominent role they play in women’s health, and/or helping birth healthy children into this word. A trusted partner to families worldwide, these providers offer wellness checks, screening for medical conditions, and contraceptive management services on-demand.

Orthodontist

Average Salary: $208,000

Education Required: Doctorate

Unemployment Rate: 0.9%

Dental specialists who focus on the teeth, jaw and proper bite alignment, orthodontists work hard to make sure that you have a picture-perfect smile. From realigning teeth to fixing bite problems, they examine patients’ mouths and jaw structures to ensure that all are healthy and functioning as properly intended. The men and women behind braces, they’re responsible for the care and management of these devices, and (ultimately) making sure you’re walking away from any checkup with a healthy grin.

Psychiatrists

Average Salary: $208,000

Education Required: Doctorate

Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in mental health. Their primary work revolves around diagnosing and treating mental illnesses and disorders of the mind. In addition to counseling and medication, they may also recommend hospitalization or personalized treatment plans to help patients as they work to overcome schizophrenia, depression and other ailments. Patients are often invited to share their thoughts, feelings and insights with psychiatrists, who strive to apply their unique insights into how the mind and body work to create cures for each individual.

Dentist

Average Salary: $151,850

Education Required: Doctorate

Unemployment Rate: 0.9%

If you’ve ever had your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled, you have a dentist to thank. That’s because they’re in the business of ensuring patients have healthy mouths, gums and teeth. From fitting patients for dentures to performing oral surgery, it’s a dentist’s job to keep your grin in great shape. Of course, given that they command one of today’s highest-salary jobs, it’s no wonder they’re also smiling as well.

IT Manager

Average Salary: $142,530

Education Required: High School

Unemployment Rate: 2%

With data now the lifeblood of any business, and virtually every exchange powered by technology and software, it’s no surprise that IT managers (who manage high-tech activities for companies) find their profession on the rise. Also going by the title of computer and information systems managers, these skilled workers are tasked with helping organizations select, operate and maintain technology infrastructures and solutions of all kinds. It’s their job to plan for current and future technology needs, as well as manage the teams that provide tech support, network security and other day-to-day IT functions.

Petroleum Engineer

Average Salary: $137,170

Education Required: Bachelor’s

Unemployment Rate: 3.7%

Petroleum engineers help energy companies extract natural resources from oil reservoirs by designing equipment that aids in the process of retrieving oil and gas deposits. It’s their job to collect and analyze data that can help companies do so in the most cost-effective, expedient and safe manner possible. They command one of today’s highest-salary jobs for the value they bring to any organization, which also includes evaluating and enhancing various work processes to ensure tasks are being performed most efficiently.

Marketing Manager

Average Salary: $134,290

Education Required: Bachelor’s

Unemployment Rate: 2.6%

Marketing managers aren’t just responsible for pricing and promoting various products, services and solutions. They’re also tasked with helping define the messaging behind them and determining the best ways to advertise and spread the word about the brands and offerings they represent. Additional duties may often include identifying possible target markets and estimating demand for various solutions too, helping explain why these professionals often enjoy jobs that pay well, and can make a meaningful impact on any organization.

Financial Manager

Average Salary: $127,990

Education Required: Bachelor’s

Unemployment Rate: 1.4%

In addition to overseeing the finances (and financial health) of any company, financial managers are also tasked with creating reports, developing long-term strategies, and managing investment and merger activities for their organization. In effect, they’re the number crunchers who ensure cash is constantly flowing into a business and being used in the most responsible manner. Responsibilities often extend beyond basic accounting needs to encompass compliance with laws and regulations and communicating key business insights to colleagues in other departments.

Additional jobs that pay well, and rank among the highest-salary jobs today, include:

• Physician – $194,500
• Prosthodontist – $176,540
• Pediatrician – $170,560
• Nurse Anesthetist – $167,950
• Lawyer – $120,910
• Pilot – $115,670
• Sales Manager – $124,220
• Pharmacist – $126,120
• Business Operations Manager – $100,930
• Financial Advisor – $88,890

Whether you’re planning on building your wealth in your 30s or you’re looking for a pay raise, landing one of these jobs is a great way to maximize your earning potential. Be sure to visit our personal finance learning center for more articles like this one.