There are numerous aspects to consider while determining which job path to take. You want to pick a career that fits your skillset and needs, as well as your experience, interests, and personality. However, you might also want a job that pays well. So, if you’re looking for a high-paying job, what are the ideal positions to look into?
This article provides an outline of You’ll also get the BLS’s growth predictions for each job between 2019 and 2029 for each job.
The Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the United States of America
Here are the top highest paying jobs in the USA:
- Anesthesiologists
- Surgeon
- Obstetricians and gynecologists
- Orthodontists
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Physician
- Psychiatrists
- Prosthodontists
- Internal medicine physicians
- CEO
1. Anesthesiologists
$271,440 per year is the average salary.
Anesthesiologists are at the top of our list of highest-paying jobs in the US. These are doctors who “administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management before, during, or after surgery,” according to the BLS.
This highly specialized job has risen to the top of the list of highest-paying occupations.
An anesthesiologist’s work hours are dictated by the operating room’s schedule, which can be lengthy and unpredictable.
So, because anesthesiologists are needed for both scheduled surgeries and emergency procedures, such as traumatic events and childbirth, anesthesiologists are in high demand.
To work as an anesthesiologist in the United States, you must complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology, with the possibility of further training depending on the specialty.
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2. Surgeon
Average Surgeon Salary: $251,650
Although becoming a surgeon involves several years of specialized training, surgeons are rewarded with one of the highest-paying jobs in the United States.
Depending on their specialty, surgeons may be required to work long, unpredictable hours.
While surgeons who specialize in preventative and elective procedures may have a more predictable schedule, those who specialize in trauma or neurosurgery may work lengthy, even nocturnal shifts.
Surgeons heal damaged bones and diseases like cancer with procedures. Before and after surgery, surgeons assist in the management of the patient’s care.
A surgeon may need to answer patient concerns over the phone even if they aren’t scheduled to work, and on-call surgeons may make emergency excursions to the hospital.
To become a surgeon, you must first complete medical school, then a multi-year residency program, and maybe a specialty fellowship. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment will grow by 3% during the next decade.
3. Obstetricians and gynecologists
The average salary: $239,120
Obstetricians and Gynecologists working in the United States are next on our list of highest-paying jobs in the USA. OB-GYNs, are doctors who specialize in vaginal, ovarian, uterine, and cervical reproductive health and childbirth.
They earn somewhat more than orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Successful OB-GYNs are skilled at conveying information to patients that benefit their health and that of their children.
Also, they’re great at dealing with high-stress situations, such as childbirth, which can happen at any time of day.
To become an OB-GYN, you must first graduate from medical school and then complete an obstetrics residency program and a gynecology residency program, both of which last four years. Following that, these doctors must pass a licensing exam before they may practice.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of OB-GYN occupations is predicted to decline by 2% by 2030.
4. Orthodontists
Average Salary: $237,990 each year.
Orthodontists specialize in tooth correction and are frequently referred out by patients’ dentists.
X-rays are frequently taken, braces are applied, mouth guards are made, and other procedures are performed as needed by these experts. Because orthodontists work directly with patients, they must have excellent communication skills as well as strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Some work for major orthodontic practices, while others own their practice, which necessitates good management abilities.
Future orthodontists must attend a dental school curriculum that includes both classroom and clinical practice after getting a bachelor’s
degree.
Following that, these new doctors must finish a specific residency
program and pass a licensing exam.
According to the BLS, the number of orthodontic employment in the United States will reach 6,900 by 2030, an increase of 8% from 2020.
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons)
The average salary is $234.990
In and around the mouth and jaw, oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat a wide range of diseases, injuries, and deformities.
Problematic wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, tumors, and cysts of the jaw and mouth are among the most prevalent issues they’ll deal with.
In addition, they may do dental implant surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often need a bachelor’s degree, a four-year dental degree, and a minimum of four years of residency.
Following their training, surgeons frequently take a two-part exam to get certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the United States.
6. Physician
Average Physician Salary: $218,850
They would finish in sixth place if the average compensation of all physicians working in all other specialties was taken into account.
Allergists, cardiologists, dermatologists, oncologists (those who treat cancer), gastroenterologists (those who specialize in the digestive system), and ophthalmologists are all included in this “other” category (eye specialists).
It also includes pathologists, who examine body tissue for anomalies, and radiologists, who evaluate medical images and treat cancer patients with radiation.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, every medical doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) will need to attend medical school.
Most clinical occupations also need completion of a resident program, while some may continue to receive fellowship training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total physician employment is predicted to grow 5% by 2029.
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7. Psychiatrists
Average salary: $217,100 per year
While all psychiatrists assist in the treatment of mental illnesses, the field encompasses a wide spectrum of expertise. This is one of the highest paying jobs in the USA
Some specialize in child and adolescent psychiatry, while others focus on forensic psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, or consultation psychiatry in a medical environment.
Others specialize in psychoanalysis, which entails the psychiatrist assisting the patient in recalling and examining past experiences and emotions to better understand current feelings.
Private practice, hospitals, community agencies, schools, rehabilitation programs, and even jails are all places where psychiatrists work. Psychiatrists, unlike psychologists, who also treat mental health disorders, are medical professionals.
They must complete medical school, followed by a residency program, after getting an undergraduate degree.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, the first year of residency often include working in a hospital setting and handling a variety of medical illnesses, followed by three or more years of mental health training.
Following that, many graduates seek certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Psychology is predicted to be one of the fastest-growing specialties among physicians in the next years. Between 2020 and 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 13% increase in employment.
8. Prosthodontists
Average salary: $214,870 per year.
Prosthodontists are among the highest-paying jobs in the USA. Prosthodontists use artificial devices such as dental implants, dentures, bridges, crowns, and veneers to replace missing or damaged teeth.
Physicians that excel in this field have a great interest in science, are capable of diagnosing complex dental disorders and have the mechanical knowledge to appropriately treat patients.
Many of them work with cancer patients, so they must be aware of the demands of surgical patients and how to handle those who are through radiation or chemotherapy.
A college degree is required for a career in prosthodontics, followed by completion of a dental school program to become a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) (DDM).
Candidates then complete a residency program before applying to the American Board of Prosthodontics for certification.
There are only about 700 prosthodontists in the United States, so it’s a rather elite club. According to BLS forecasts, the number of prosthodontists is predicted to increase by 8% over the next decade.
9. Internal medicine physicians
Average salary: $210,960 per year.
Another medical role is ranked No. 10 on the list of highest-paying jobs in the US. Adult patients are the focus of internists, who often work as primary care doctors or hospitalists.
Internists who work in primary care see a lot of patients and need to treat a variety of conditions, from asthma and diabetes to high cholesterol and hypertension, much like other general practitioners.
With visits lasting 15 to 30 minutes on average, rapid decision-making is essential.
Internists often undergo a residency period after earning a bachelor’s degree and graduating from medical school, during which they rotate between various healthcare specializations.
Some people choose to specialize in areas like cardiology, pulmonology, or cancer. Board-certified internists have a significant advantage in the job market.
10. CEO
Average Salary: $197,840
Last but not least on our list of highest paying jobs in USA are Chief Executive
officers. Normally, outside of the medical and dental industries, chief executives are the highest-paid professionals.
The CEO’s function as the firm’s highest-ranking employee is to make crucial choices about the management team, lead the company toward new markets or product sectors, and interact with the board of directors.
Despite their great pay, many CEOs have demanding schedules. According to a 2018 Harvard Business Review survey, the average CEO works 62.5 hours per week, with around half of that time spent in the office and the other half spent traveling.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of Fortune 100 CEOs have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, according to a Forbes study.
Many, on the other hand, had majored in unrelated disciplines as undergraduates. As students, many leaders in tech-related organizations studied engineering.
The number of people working as top executives is expected to grow by about 8% over the next decade, according to the job outlook.
Final Thoughts
A healthcare career is difficult to top when it comes to high-paying employment. Specialists make the most money, although general practitioners and even non-physician jobs like nurse anesthetists get good money.
If you don’t want to work in medicine, other fields such as engineering and management can provide you with lucrative opportunities.
References
- usnews.com: Highest paying jobs
- investopedia.com: Top highest paying jobs in us
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