15 Hot Jobs That Will Pay More Than $200,000 USD

How would you like a job that pays more than $150,000 annually? Finding occupations that have that earning potential, even if they don’t start at that level of salary, is the first step in pursuing a six-figure career.

According to Cheryl Palmer, a certified career coach and owner of Call to Career, “if the potential to make six figures is there, then you can put this career on your list and then pick, out of all the careers that offer this type of earning potential, which one(s) you are most interested in.

These top-paid careers have a lot to offer if you want to start a career that is expanding and pays well.

Specialist Physician
Average salary: $218,850

Physicians who specialize in a particular area of medicine are known as specialists. The range of medical disciplines includes everything from neurology, orthopedics, and radiology to anesthesia, cardiology, and dermatology.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid professions in the United States are those of a physician or surgeon (BLS). The highest paid professionals are anesthesiologists, who earn $271,440 on average.

In order to pursue this job, you must first complete four years of undergraduate study, followed by four years of medical school. After that, there may be one to three years of fellowship training and a few more years of residency.

Psychiatrists
Average pay for psychiatrists is $217,100.

In your future employment hunt, consider adding psychiatry if you’re looking for a rewarding and expanding career. The average wage exceeds $200,000, despite the BLS’s projection of just 3% growth between 2020 and 2030. These specialists identify the underlying causes of a person’s mental disease and treat it with medication, therapy, or institutionalization.

To become a psychiatrist, you must attend medical school, a residency program, pass a licensing exam, and get board certified, just like with other health specializations.

Top Executive
Average salary: $185,950

Like CEOs, top executives make well into six figures. There is more responsibility associated with the large salary. CEOs are responsible for managing entire businesses and ensuring their success. Between 2020 and 2030, opportunities are anticipated to increase by 8%.

Most CEOs often hold an MBA or a bachelor’s degree in business administration. But, there are other ways to succeed as well. According to the BLS, some top executives rise from lower-level management positions and can replace education with experience.

Family and general practitioner
Typical pay: $214,370

A family doctor sees patients on a regular basis for both basic check-ups and common illnesses. Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS predicts a 5% overall job growth for family and general practitioners, or 6,700 additional positions.

According to the ACP, family medicine education involves instruction in child health care as well as subjects that are often included in other specialities. Following their undergraduate degree, these doctors also complete medical school and a residency program.

Prosthodontist
Average salary: at least $208,000

Prosthodontists offer cutting-edge treatment for dental and face conditions. Others concentrate on reconstructive therapies that restore or replace lost and damaged teeth, while others are cosmetic dentists.

To be eligible for a state license to practice, general dentists must possess a doctoral degree from a recognized dentistry program and pass written and clinical tests. Through a lengthy residency program, specialists like prosthodontists complete further training.

Sales Manager, Finance, and Insurance
Earnings on average: $163,630

An organization’s sales force is managed by a sales manager who also establishes territories, develops sales reps, and establishes sales targets. The financial and insurance sectors employ the highest-paid sales managers.

You’ll probably need a bachelor’s degree and a solid track record as a sales representative in order to function as a sales manager. For the next few years, job growth is anticipated to be nearly as fast as the average for all occupations, with 7% growth anticipated from 2020 to 2030.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
at least $208,000 in pay on average.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of the highest-paying professions according to the BLS. These specialists offer reconstructive dental, jaw, neck, and mouth surgery. According to Payscale, the more seasoned doctors make about $231,276 annually.

A four-year dental school curriculum and a four to six-year oral residency program are required after earning a bachelor’s degree. The American Student Dental Association claims that the six-year route includes a medical degree.

Orthodontist
Average salary: at least $208,000

Orthodontics is one of the finest professions for compensation, advancement, stress, and work-life balance, according to U.S. News & World Report. These specialists create retainers, braces, and other oral appliances for patients in order to correct abnormalities with the bite and teeth alignment; on average, they make more than $200,000 a year.

Before they can start working, orthodontists must complete a little more training than normal dentists do. Orthodontists are required to complete an undergraduate degree, attend dentistry school, participate in an orthodontic residency program for two to three years, and pass a state licensing examination.

Nurse Anesthetist
Average salary: $183,580

You can choose to become a nurse anesthetist, which requires less education than it does to become an anesthesiologist but still pays exceptionally well. Individuals in this profession look after anesthesia care and post-anesthesia care for patients. The BLS estimates a growth prognosis of 45%, which is higher than normal.

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, becoming a nurse anesthetist requires at least eight calendar years of formal education and professional experience. Typically, you require a master’s degree in nursing, a registered nurse license, at least one year of experience providing acute care in an emergency room or intensive care unit, completion of an accredited nurse anesthesia program, passing the national certification exam, and all of the above.

Physicist, Ambulatory Care Health Services
Earnings on average: $183,420

The interactions between matter and energy are studied by physicists. Medical physicists work with radiation technologies and treatments in ambulatory care settings, frequently specializing in a particular field like diagnostic medical physics or nuclear medical physics.

Prior to being able to enjoy the amenities that this well-paying employment can offer, you must first complete extensive training. Before they may sit for a board certification exam, medical physicists are required to have a bachelor’s degree in physics or another physical science, a master’s degree in physics, medical physics, or a related subject, and a residency, according to the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Some medical physicists pursue PhD degrees in the future.

Natural Sciences Manager, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Earnings on average: $172,990

Managers in the natural sciences are responsible for supervising researchers and developers. According to the BLS, demand for these positions is anticipated to increase by 6% between 2020 and 2030. Projects they oversee may deal with improving scientific understanding, manufacturing procedures, or product development.

Managers in the natural sciences are frequently promoted from positions as scientists. Managers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in a science discipline, while many have a master’s or Ph.D., in addition to several years of experience as a scientist.

Petroleum Engineer, Management of Companies and Enterprises
Earnings on average: $167,780

According to the BLS, the top 10% of petroleum engineers earn more than $208,000. To meet the needs of the country, these workers figure out how to extract oil and gas. Petroleum engineers will have additional employment prospects as a result of oil demand and price, with the BLS projecting an 8% increase in employment between 2020 and 2030.

Although a petroleum engineering bachelor’s degree is preferred, other engineering degrees can also be used in some cases. Moreover, programs that offer class credit and on-the-job training in the area are recommended.

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Typical pay: $160,970

Transporting people and things via an airplane, helicopter, or other aircraft is the responsibility of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. Compared to commercial pilots, who operate on-demand flights, airline pilots, who work in the scheduled air transportation sector, are paid the most. The top 10% of pilots in both specializations made more than $208,000 in 2020.

The BLS predicts 13% growth in employment for pilots from 2020 to 2030, which bodes well for job prospects. You typically require a bachelor’s degree, a commercial pilot’s license, and an Airline Transport Pilot certificate in order to become an airline pilot. Most pilots who fly for airlines begin their careers as private pilots.

Marketing Manager, Advertising/PR
Average salary: $150,930

According to the BLS, the top 10% of marketing managers make an average salary of more than $208,000. The position include organizing marketing campaigns for businesses, choosing target audiences, and managing product development. Jobs for marketing managers typically pay substantially more in the advertising and public relations sectors than in corporate management, information, or wholesale trade.

The BLS predicts a 10% gain in employment for those who choose to pursue this career path between 2020 and 2030. The majority of marketing managers also have professional experience in addition to a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related discipline.

General Dentist
Earnings on average: $166,770

Dentistry is a popular career path because to its excellent salary, which makes it one of the highest-paid jobs available. Dentists treat tooth decay, cavities, gum issues, and more to keep teeth looking their best. More studies that relate adequate dental care to general health are leading to an increase in the demand for dentists. In fact, the BLS projects that there will be plenty of employment openings, with a 7% growth between 2020 and 2030.

To pursue this trending job, though, needs time and dedication. Following college, you must complete dentistry school and pass the necessary state licensing tests. Specialized dentists are required to complete a residency program.

Computer and Information Systems Manager, Information
Earnings on average: $166,770

Managers of computer information systems, also known as information technology managers, are in charge of all computer-related activities within a business, from setting technological goals to deploying and safeguarding systems. Although managers of computer and information systems operate in many different businesses, the information industry pays the greatest wages.

The average income of the top 10% of earners is greater than $208,000. The fact that this vocation doesn’t necessitate years of education is fantastic. The BLS notes that although a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science and relevant work experience are frequently sufficient, many go on to get a doctoral degree.

Computer Systems and Information Manager, Computer Systems Design, and Related Services
Earnings on average: $157,580

The need for computer systems and information managers is anticipated to increase by 11% between 2020 and 2030 as more and more firms want specialists to manage computer-related tasks. Although those who work in systems design and related services make nearly $9,000 less on average than their counterparts in the information business, they nonetheless have better-than-average chances of finding new jobs and earn incomes that comfortably exceed $150,000.

Financial Manager, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
$154,790 on average

Accounting, investment, and other financial activities for businesses are planned and managed by financial managers. Despite having a lower average salary than other of the hottest jobs on the list, the top 10% of financial managers make more than $208,000 annually. This occupation is anticipated to grow by 17% between 2020 and 2030, which is substantially faster than the average rate of job growth. The professional, scientific, and technological services sectors employ the highest paid workers.

These specialists often have at least five years of comparable experience and a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or economics. According to the BLS, businesses now favor candidates with a master’s degree in a related field.

Astronomer, Federal Government
Average salary: $152,230

Astronomers create instruments, develop theories, analyze celestial objects like planets and stars, and organize, prepare, and carry out scientific investigations. According to the BLS, some astronomers focus on faraway galaxies and phenomena like black holes, while others monitor space junk that can interfere with satellites. Despite the fact that astronomers are employed by a variety of sectors, such as research and development as well as colleges, universities, and technical schools, those who work for the federal government receive substantially more money.

The employment outlook for astronomers is predicted to expand by 8% between 2020 and 2030, which is about average for all occupations. You will require a bachelor’s or master’s degree to qualify for a position in the federal government. Most jobs in academia and business require a Ph.D.

Lawyer, Federal Government
Typical pay: $152,220

The top 10% of earnings in the legal profession make more than $208,000 on average, according to the BLS, and working for the government is your greatest chance to enter their ranks. Lawyer pay varies by speciality and location. The employment forecast is equally favorable, with an estimated 9% increase in total employment that will maintain it in line with the national average for all occupations.

Becoming a lawyer doesn’t require as much education as being a doctor, which is another benefit of this well-paying profession. Prospective attorneys need to attend three years of law school and pass their state’s bar test after graduating from college.