The median salary for all jobs in the United States is $43,460 (or $15.95 per hour). For some people, this is more than enough money to be happy, but others have personal dreams and goals that require a higher income.
Now, we don’t recommend choosing an occupation just because it pays well. Sure, money should be one of the factors, but most adults spend the majority of their waking hours working, and doing something you don’t love can be a pretty miserable existence (even if the job pays well). The salary should only be one of many factors in your decision.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of 25 of the highest paying jobs. You’ll notice that most of them have significant educational requirements. If you want to make a lot of money and lead a happy life, the absolute best way to do so is to stay in school and follow your passion to the highest available level of schooling that you can.
| Occupation | Median Salary | Median Hourly | Current jobs | Required Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral surgeon | $166,000+ | $80.00+ | 6,650 | Doctoral degree |
| Anesthesiologist | $166,000+ | $80.00+ | 661,370 | Doctoral degree |
| Internist | $166,000+ | $80.00+ | 661,370 | Doctoral degree |
| Orthodontist | $166,000+ | $80.00+ | 7,680 | Doctoral degree |
| Physician | $166,000+ | $80.00+ | 661,370 | Doctoral degree |
| Surgeon | $166,000+ | $80.00+ | 661,370 | Doctoral degree |
| Chief executive | $165,100 | $70.37 | 400,400 | Bachelor’s plus experience |
| Dentist | $161,000 | $78.95 | 120,180 | Doctoral degree |
| Engineering manager | $119,300 | $57.34 | 184,010 | Bachelor’s plus experience |
| Podiatrist | $118,000 | $56.75 | 12,190 | Doctoral degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $114,100 | $54.85 | 21,870 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Marketing manager | $112,800 | $54.23 | 175,570 | Bachelor’s plus experience |
| Lawyer | $112,800 | $54.21 | 759,190 | Law degree |
| Pharmacist | $111,600 | $53.64 | 269,900 | Doctoral degree |
| Air traffic controller | $108,000 | $51.94 | 26,200 | Long term training |
| Physicist | $106,400 | $51.14 | 15,620 | Doctoral Degree |
| Financial manager | $103,900 | $49.96 | 539,250 | Bachelor’s plus experience |
| Nuclear engineer | $99,900 | $48.04 | 16,920 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Mathematician | $99,400 | $47.78 | 2,940 | Doctoral degree |
| Sales manager | $98,500 | $47.37 | 346,860 | Bachelor’s plus experience |
| Purchasing manager | $95,100 | $45.71 | 70,350 | Bachelor’s plus experience |
| Optometrist | $95,000 | $45.67 | 34,760 | Doctoral degree |
| Chemical engineer | $90,300 | $43.42 | 31,660 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Economist | $89,400 | $43.00 | 14,600 | Master’s degree |
All statistical data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Career One Stop