Faced with a career choice and wondering which road to take? Frankly, if you can get a job that you’re passionate about, you’re one of the few lucky ones in the world. But if you’re still figuring out what your ideal job should be like or you need a bunch of money to realize your dream in the future, then why don’t you try the high paying ones first?[1]
It’s Not Only About Getting a High Paying Job, But the Ones on the Rise
Basically, our seniors often advise that if new employees keep their noses to the grind, work untiringly (read uncomplainingly) and keep at it for a few years to come; and pepper their hard work with a little goodwill towards the bosses – they will soon be in a coveted position. And yes, they are right – to a point.
With the Internet now being everyone’s new BFF, the best way to land a high paying job, is to search for a job that is predicted to be high paying this year. And for 2017, here’s the list of high paying jobs that have quite a few openings, and are predicted to be on the rise and have an awesome median base salary to begin with. And to make it easier for you, we’ve also thrown in the qualifications you need to land the high paying jobs.[2]
Top 30 High Paying Jobs in the US
Interested? Here’s a list of the 30 best high paying jobs in the US, arranged in ascending order of average pay from lowest to highest, with the projected growth rates being from 2015 to 2024! [3]
Pharmacist
Average annual pay: $119,270
Projected growth: 3%
Job Description & Qualification: With the US spending more than $350 billion a year on drugs, being a pharmacist is certainly the way to go. Aspiring pharmacists need to complete two years of undergraduate study before attaining their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from a pharmacy school and can obtain licensure by passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam.
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager
Average annual pay: $119,390
Projected growth: 7%
Job Description & Qualification: A cushy if crucial job for these are the people who successfully manage a brand in a very dynamic social media-centric world. Usually an MBA in marketing or PR is what gets you this job, with your level of experience deciding your seniority. However do note that this is a job with a wide pay range with some earning as little as $50,000 a year while some earning almost $200,000!
General And Operations Manager
Average annual pay: $119,460
Projected growth: 5%
Job Description & Qualification: The people who hold these jobs have diverse qualifications ranging from engineering degrees to MBAs, simply because these are the guys and gals who plan, direct and coordinate the complete operations of organizations, which can be as diverse from pharmaceuticals to girder manufacturers. Most of these jobs can be found in cities with a high population of people and HQs.
Compensation And Benefits Manager
Average annual pay: $121,630
Projected growth: 6%
Job Description & Qualification: Most employers prefer to hire these managers with a master’s degree in human resources management, finance, or business administration (MBA), though bachelors are also hired at junior positions. Responsibilities basically revolve around deciding the compensation and the benefits of the company’s employees…
Law Teacher (Post-Secondary)
Average annual pay: $126,230
Projected growth: 13%
Job Description & Qualification: So they say that those who cannot do, teach – and in case you are tired of being a lawyer, how about you start shaping more then? This is one of the best academic lines and the highest paying jobs you could choose, for law school never really go out of business, like ever. The qualifications you need to teach law are the same as you need to practice it, and with some experience to go with that
Sales Manager
Average annual pay: $130,400
Projected growth: 5%
Job Description & Qualification: If you can sell, well, then you can earn good too! The job of a sales manager is to lead his team, so as to make his company the most profit ever. The qualifications you need for this job are simple, along with a bachelor’s degree and business and marketing major; your motto should be always be closing! However there is a pay variation: Sales managers in the financial industry make an average of $148,000, Manufacturing and wholesale sales managers earn an average of $118,000 and folks in retail earn $81,000.
Financial Manager
Average annual pay: $134,330
Projected growth: 7%
Job Description & Qualification: With recession disappearing around the corner, being a financial manager is lucrative again. A Bachelor’s Degree in finance, business administration or accounting with a masters being preferred and the job of a financial manager is to make sure the company stays profitable and financially viable at all times.
Podiatrist
Average annual pay: $136,180
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: For a “foot doctor”, the average annual pay makes it one of the high paying jobs, since the world now lives longer but with more health problems than ever! To become one, you must complete a four-year graduate training at a podiatric medical school. And in case you are wondering what podiatrists do? Well, they give medical care for people with foot, ankle, and lower leg issues.
Lawyer
Average annual pay: $136,260
Projected growth: 7%
Job Description & Qualification: This job does pay well but comes with unending days and work hours. With an ever expanding yet an ever shrinking world at the same time, law can never go out of business as companies and individuals keep infringing on each other’s territories. However, top firm jobs are cushy but there are many a poor struggling lawyer too. To qualify, well you study law and pass the bar.
Airline Pilot, Copilot And Flight Engineer
Average annual pay: $136,400
Projected growth: 5%
Job Description & Qualification: A job that keeps you on your toes, the airlines industry does come with plenty of dangers and a whole load of stress. The competition for being a top paid pilot in an aviation giant is fierce but comes with plenty perks. If you want to fly, you need a bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations, aviation, aeronautical engineering, or a related field, plus two months ground training and more than 1,500 hours of flight experience.
Natural Sciences Manager
Average annual pay: $136,570
Projected growth: 3%
Job Description & Qualification: A natural science manager is needed in various research and development companies where they direct things like testing, quality control, and production, overseeing the work of scientists. You would need a bachelors I natural sciences and a masters or Ph.D. in a particular discipline, work as a scientist for a few years before moving to managerial level.
Marketing Manager
Average annual pay: $140,660
Projected growth: 9%
Job Description & Qualification: To be a marketing manager you would need a Bachelors and Masters in business or marketing, with extensive experience in the field. Companies always need profit and marketing managers estimate the demand for products, develop pricing strategies and ensure to keep customers satisfied.
Computer Information And Systems Manager
Average annual pay: $141,000
Projected growth: 15%
Job Description & Qualification: A cushy job indeed as more and more firms are expanding their business to the digital spheres. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT, along with a Masters in the same field or in business administration, along with some 5-7 years of experience, then you have just landed yourself a great job.
Architectural And Engineering Manager
Average annual pay: $141,650
Projected growth: 2%
Job Description & Qualification: Though it is a designer world we now live in, the growth of building has slowed down in developed countries. You need to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam for this.
Petroleum Engineer
Average annual pay: $149,590
Projected growth: 10%
Job Description & Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering is needed for an entry level job, which includes class work, labs and field work along with the study of basic sciences such as chemistry, calculus, differential equations and physics. However oil prices dictate if you get a job or not.
Nurse Anesthetist
Average annual pay: $160,250
Projected growth: 31%
Job Description & Qualification: Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid of all advanced practice registered nurses, and have advance graduate education in the same. You start with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and obtain State Licensure as a Registered Nurse. After experience in Critical Care Nursing you earn a Master’s Degree in Nurse Anesthesia and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. …
Prosthodontist
Average annual pay: $161,020
Projected growth: 18%
Job Description & Qualification: The salary makes this one of the high paying jobs make this a job great for someone looking to give people beautiful smiles! After a doctoral degree in dentistry along with residency, a prosthodontist requires licensure from the American Board of Prosthodontics (ABP).Other than working with cosmetic dental enhancements, prosthodontists also construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures for the mouth and jaw.
Dentist (Specialist)
Average annual pay: $171,040
Projected growth: 18%
Job Description & Qualification: So being a dentist is always a high paying decision and if you are a specialist in dentistry, like pediatric dentists, then as health insurance grows, so will your practice. After a doctoral degree and residency in dentistry, you need postgraduate training in the dental specialty of your choice.
Dentist
Average annual pay: $172,350
Projected growth: 18%
Job Description & Qualification: If you want to keep it simple, then opt to be just a dentist. All you need to do is pass the DAT, and complete your doctoral degree in dentistry with the required residency.
Pediatrician
Average annual pay: $183,180
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: Keeping children healthy is rewarding and the American Academy of Pediatrics states that there is a shortage of pediatricians in any case. After an undergraduate degree, you get your doctors degree in pediatrics and then complete a three-year residency period before getting certified with the board.
Chief Executive
Average annual pay: $185,850
Projected growth: 5%
Job Description & Qualification: So being chief is good, right? To climb your way up the managerial ladder to the CEO position you first need to get a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field – could be business or public administration or even in a specialized field of your choice. Follow this up with some work experience and an MBA, and then work your way up to it, taking advantage of any company sponsored training programs along the way.
Family And General Practitioner
Average annual pay: $192,120
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: Ultimately while specialists are always need, the sheer abundance of minor ailments make GPs and family doctors very popular indeed and family doctors do pretty well too. To become a GP you need a degree in medicine, recognized by the board, a two-year foundation course of general training and specialist training in general practice as well as well as board certification.
Psychiatrist
Average annual pay: $193,680
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: As stress increases, the mental balance decreases. And the ones who profit from this are the psychiatrists with one of the coolest high paying jobs indeed. You need a Bachelor’s degree, a Masters in psychiatry, complete your residency, obtain a license and then finally get board certified for this.
Internist
Average annual pay: $196,520
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: Internists are doctors who diagnose and provide nonsurgical treatments for diseases and injuries of internal organ systems, and to become one you must complete a minimum of 7 years of medical school and postgraduate training in the same, along with licensure and board certifications.
Physician (Others)
Average annual pay: $197,700
Projected growth:18%
Job Description & Qualification: Any doctor’s job like the ones stated above are good, even if they are slightly non classic like research or at medical schools. You need a doctorate in medicine for this, like with all other doctor degrees.
Orthodontist
Average annual pay: $221,390
Projected growth: 18%
Job Description & Qualification: Orthodontists set teeth and jaws straight, more for functional purposes than for aesthetic reasons. To become one you first need to become a doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or the equivalent Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and then complete orthodontic specialized training, get a license and get certified.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Average annual pay: $222,400
Projected growth: 18%
Job Description & Qualification: These physicians provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth, and the reproductive system. To become one you first need your undergraduate degree and then graduation from medical training, post which you complete specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology and you residency. Licensure and Certification are the final steps.
Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average annual pay: $233,900
Projected growth: 18%
Job Description & Qualification: Yet again, the medicinal and dental field delivers. If you become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you get a one of the best high paying jobs, but not without effort. After UG and a doctor’s degree, you will need at least four years of additional surgery training to be able to treat facial traumas, cleft lips and even patients with head, neck and oral cancer.
Surgeon
Average annual pay: $247,520
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: If you’ve always loved to disassemble fix and put things back together, then you might just be a great surgeon. Of course, you have to put n quite a number of years to become one – an undergraduate degree, a medicinal doctor degree and then many years of specialized surgery training and residency!
Anesthesiologist
Average annual pay: $258,100
Projected growth: 14%
Job Description & Qualification: Being an anesthesiologist in the US is one of the best high paying jobs indeed! It does take years of study though, four years of undergraduate Degree, about four years of a Medical Degree and then residency aka four years of postgraduate training! Anesthesiologists do walk a fine line, administering anesthesia prior to, during or after surgeries and other medical procedures keeping patients in comfort but in the healthy range.
So basically, getting to do something you love and getting well paid for it is like having your cake, and eating it too! Right? So here’s wishing you the best for your job search for these great high paying jobs…
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Business Insider: The 20 Best High Paying Jobs in America in 2017 |
| [2] | ^ | Forbes: The 10 Best Paying Jobs in America |
| [3] | ^ | US News: Best Paying Jobs |
