Americans entering the workforce can have several different reasons for pursuing one career over another. Some look for an occupation that allows them to utilize their natural gifts, while others follow their passions and do work they find meaningful. Yet, for many, the main impetus for deciding on a particular career is often simply compensation.
The median pay across all jobs in America is $46,072 a year. Many professions tend to pay much higher than that, some of which pay more than double the U.S. median wage.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed median weekly earnings by detailed occupation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine America’s 25 highest paying jobs.
These careers often require high levels of specialization, whether technical expertise to work with complicated machines, years of studying in medical or law school, or significant experience in managing employees and keeping a company’s investors happy.
Here Are The Highest Paying Jobs 2020
10. Chemical engineers
- 2018 median annual earnings: $96,616
- Total number of workers: 65,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +7.5%
- Chemical engineers with a bachelor’s degree: 90.6%
9. Software developers, applications and systems software
- 2018 median annual earnings: $96,928
- Total number of workers: 1,611,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +30.7%
- Software developers with a bachelor’s degree: 85.2%
8. Computer and information systems managers
- 2018 median annual earnings: $97,604
- Total number of workers: 601,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +12.0%
- Information systems managers with a bachelor’s degree: 74.4%
7. Dentists
- 2018 median annual earnings: $97,968
- Total number of workers: 56,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +19.4%
- Dentists with a bachelor’s degree: 100.0%
6. Nurse practitioners
- 2018 median annual earnings: $98,488
- Total number of workers: 158,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +36.1%
- Nurse practitioners with a bachelor’s degree: 98.5%
5. Lawyers
- 2018 median annual earnings: $101,244
- Total number of workers: 853,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +8.2%
- Lawyers with a bachelor’s degree: 98.2%
4. Physicians and surgeons
- 2018 median annual earnings: $104,052
- Total number of workers: 827,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +11.4%
- Physicians and surgeons with a bachelor’s degree: 99.4%
3. Pharmacists
- 2018 median annual earnings: $107,692
- Total number of workers: 263,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +5.6%
- Pharmacists with a bachelor’s degree: 97.5%
2. Architectural and engineering managers
- 2018 median annual earnings: $115,752
- Total number of workers: 149,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: +5.5%
- Architectural and engineering managers with a bachelor’s degree: 84.7%
1. Chief executives
- 2018 median annual earnings: $119,132
- Total number of workers: 1,098,000
- Projected employment change 2016-2026: -3.9%
- Chief executives with a bachelor’s degree: 69.7%
