Highest Paying Jobs

These high paying jobs are expected to do extremely well this decade. Be prepared to spend years on extensive and specialized education.

Last updated:

Best Highest Paying Jobs

Earning a hefty annual income is the American dream for many. To land one of these best paying jobs, however, means dedicating years of one's life to education. Often, it also means coming out of school with quite a bit of financial debt.

Four of our highest paying jobs are in the healthcare industry, and require completion of a secondary degree. For example, doctor, the highest paid career, can require more than a decade of preparation depending on the specialization, from undergraduate studies through medical school and the completion of a residency program.

Regardless of what industry these high paying jobs are in, all of them require an individual to have commitment and be able to handle high pressure situations and stressful working conditions.

Here are CareerExplorer's Highest Paying Job Picks ~

This article will be covering the following careers:

Career Avg Salary Satisfaction Your Match
Doctor $253k 3.5/5
Dentist $151k 3.1/5
Nurse Anesthetist $214k 3.5/5
Marketing Manager $76k 3.2/5
Lawyer $129k 2.7/5
Financial Manager $110k 3.0/5
Sales Manager $75k 2.8/5
Pharmacist $113k 2.7/5
Art Director $70k 3.8/5
68% Match?

Are these careers suited to you? Our comprehensive career test measures your personality traits and interests and matches you to over 800 careers.

1. Doctor

Doctors rank among the highest paid employees in the US and the world. Salaries and demand fluctuate between different specialties.

Doctor Doctor

Doctor

Your Match?

A doctor is a medical professional who has completed the necessary education and training to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries in individuals.

2. Dentist

Dentists are very well compensated for the services they provide, and earn far more than most other health care workers.

Dentist Dentist

Dentist

Your Match?

A dentist specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treating conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and mouth.

3. Nurse Anesthetist

Due to the high level of precision and knowledge demanded of them, nurse anesthetists operate with high levels of autonomy and earn high wages.

Nurse Anesthetist Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Anesthetist

Your Match?

A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in the administration of anesthesia.

4. Marketing Manager

A marketing manager can exercise their creativity while working across a spectrum of business activities - and can also pull in a hefty paycheque.

Marketing Manager Marketing Manager

Marketing Manager

Your Match?

A marketing manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing marketing strategies to promote a company's products or services.

5. Lawyer

The legal industry has taken a hit in the recent recession, yet despite this, many in the legal industry are faring quite well, in particular - lawyers.

Lawyer Lawyer

Lawyer

Your Match?

A lawyer provides advice, representation, and advocacy to individuals, businesses, or organizations on legal matters.

6. Financial Manager

A financial manager earns higher wages than other similar business careers, such as financial analyst, management analyst, and financial advisor.

Financial Manager Financial Manager

Financial Manager

Your Match?

Financial managers are responsible for overseeing the financial health of an organization.

7. Sales Manager

Sales managers are well compensated for their work, earning almost double what other professional sales careers earn.

Sales Manager Sales Manager

Sales Manager

Your Match?

A sales manager is responsible for overseeing and leading a team of sales representatives to achieve revenue and sales goals for a company or organization.

8. Pharmacist

A pharmacist has one of the highest paying salaries in the healthcare field, with only doctors and dentists earning more.

Pharmacist Pharmacist

Pharmacist

Your Match?

A pharmacist specializes in the preparation, dispensing, and monitoring of medications to ensure safe and effective use by patients.

9. Art Director

An art director makes an average annual wage that is higher than other creative jobs, such as an architect or a public relations specialist.

Art Director Art Director

Art Director

Your Match?

An art director is responsible for overseeing and managing the visual aspects of a project, such as advertisements, films, video games, publications, or website designs.