The best-paying jobs include positions in healthcare, information technology, management, finance, engineering, and law.
Why do workers in these occupations earn the most? In short, it’s because they have valuable skills—and employers must pay a premium for them.
If you’re set on earning a high salary, you might consider one of these career paths.
But be advised: most require advanced education (which significantlyincreases your earning potential), training, extensive work experience in the field, and/or licensure. You won’t just stumble into a high-paying job, but if one of these occupations is a fit, you’ll be well-compensated for your efforts.
Top 20 Best-Paying Jobs for 2021
The Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) is an independent statistical agency that tracks unemployment and other essential data about the U.S. job market. The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ career resource. It offers information about wages, job growth, and educational requirements for most occupations.
To find the best-paid jobs in the U.S., we looked at the Occupational Outlook Handbook’s list of highest-paying jobs, as well as the OOH’s A-to-Z index.
According to the latest data, these are the occupations that pay the most right now:
1. Physicians and Surgeons
If you’re looking for a high-paying job that gives back, follow your mom’s advice:成为医生. Physicians and surgeons hold 40% of the roles on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ ranking of 20 highest paying occupations.
一些高薪医师职位包括精神科医生,产科医生/妇科医生,外科医生和麻醉师。
Generally,doctorsdiagnose and treat illnesses in hospitals, urgent care facilities, group, and individual medical practices. They prescribe medications, perform surgical procedures, make referrals to specialists, perform medical assessments, and educate patients and their families.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that physicians earn a median salary equal to or greater than $208,000.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of physicians is expected to increase 4% over the next decade.
2. Dentists
Dentiststake care of patients’ teeth and gums, diagnosing and treating issues like tooth decay and gum disease. They may repair damaged teeth or remove them and replace them with implants or appliances like dentures. Dentists typically工作作为一个团队的一部分其中包括牙科卫生员,牙科助理和牙科实验室技术人员。
While some dentists work as general practitioners, others focus on a specialty such as prosthodontics, orthodontics, or oral surgery. Specialists typically have more training and education, as well as additional licensure, and earn more than general dentists. For example, prosthodontists, who replace damaged teeth with implants, dentures, etc., earn a median annual salary of $208,000 or more.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that general dentists earn a median annual salary of $159,200, while some specialists earn a median salary of $208,000 or more.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of dentists is expected to increase 3% over the next decade.
3. Chief Executives
Chief executive officers (CEOs)provide the direction for the company, setting goals, creating policies, and generally steering the corporate ship. CEOs often report to boards of directors and manage other leaders such aschief operating officers (COOs)和chief financial officers (CFOs).
Fortune-500 CEOs make a mint; in 2018, the Associated Press reported that the average CEO compensation at top companies exceeded $11 million per year.
However, even CEOs of smaller companies tend to do quite well.
If you have your sights set on a chief executive role, be prepared to get your MBA and plenty of work experience.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that chief executives earn a median annual salary of $184,460, while top executives as a whole earn $104,690 per year.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of top executives is expected to increase 4% over the next decade.
4. Nurse Practitioners and Other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Nurse practitioners评估患者症状,诊断疾病,开处方和治疗药物,治疗轻伤,就复杂病例咨询医生,并将患者转介给其他医疗专业人员。
NPs are one of several types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs); other types include nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists. APRNs have master’s degrees in their specialties and are licensed by the state in which they practice.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that APRNs, including nurse practitioners, earn a median annual salary of $115,800. Some specialists earn more—for example, nurse anesthetists earn a median annual salary of $174,790.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:根据BLS,预计在未来十年中,APRN的就业预计将增加45%。
5. Airline Pilots
Airline pilotsdo a lot more than just fly the plane. Typically, they’re also responsible for a lot of the hard work that goes into making sure the plane flies safely and smoothly, including submitting flight plans, performing pre-flight aircraft checks, navigating in the air, and responding to emergencies and other changes in flight.
飞行员泰pically have a bachelor’s degree and must have the appropriate licensure from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Most start their careers as commercial pilots.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that airline pilots earn a median annual salary of $121,430.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of airline pilots is expected to increase 5% over the next decade.
6. Computer and Information Systems Managers
Often called IT managers, these professionals are responsible for an organization’s information technology. Different types of IT managers have different responsibilities, which may include assessing the organization’s computer needs, making recommendations for fixes and upgrades, hiring and managing other IT professionals, and ensuring systems’ security.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that computer and information systems managers earn a median annual salary of $146,360.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to increase 10% over the next decade.
7. Architectural and Engineering Managers
Working at architectural and engineering firms, these managers hire, train, and supervise teams of engineers. They also coordinate the efforts of project teams to develop and execute plans for product development and re-engineer processes and methods of production. Architectural and engineering managers create and control budgets and conduct ongoing value analysis to identify new opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that architectural and engineering managers earn a median annual salary of $144,830.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:根据BLS,在未来十年中,建筑和工程经理的就业预计将增长3%。
8. Petroleum Engineers
石油工程师确定提取石油和天然气,设计和开发提取设备,制定和实施钻井计划的最佳方法。雇主通常更喜欢具有石油工程学士学位的候选人,但可以考虑在另一个方面拥有学位的专业人员engineering discipline.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that petroleum engineers earn a median annual salary of $137,720.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of petroleum engineers is expected to increase 3% over the next decade.
9. Judges
Judges typically work in federal, state, and local courts where they preside over trials and other hearings. Depending on where they work, judges may be elected or appointed to their job. Typically, judges have a law degree and a great deal of experience practicing law. They may serve for a fixed term, e.g. four years, or for life.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that judges earn a median annual salary of $136,910.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of judges is expected to increase 2% over the next decade.
10. Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
由于无法完全解释的原因,曾经选择一种产品或服务而不是另一种产品?您的选择很有可能归功于广告,促销和营销经理的艰苦(但有时是看不见的)工作。
这些专业人员致力于吸引消费者的兴趣,并将其转变为客户的销售。
Most have a bachelor’s degree and plenty of work experience in their field.
薪水:劳工统计局报告that advertising, promotions, and marketing managers earn a median annual salary of $135,900.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:根据BLS,广告,促销和营销经理的就业预计将在未来十年内增长6%。
11. Financial Managers
Financial managers analyze data to develop plans that support the long-term financial health of their employers. They may perform a variety of duties, including staying on top of market trends, preparing financial statements, and looking for opportunities to reduce costs. Typically, they advise senior management on financial decisions. They may also supervise other members of their team.
薪水:According to the BLS, financial managers earn a median annual salary of $129,890.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of financial managers is expected to increase 15% over the next decade.
12. Natural Sciences Managers
这些专业人士管理科学家团队,例如生物学家或化学家。他们雇用和监督技术人员和其他员工,以及管理预算,监视科学项目的进度并提供技术援助。许多自然科学经理在担任监督角色之前是科学家。
Employers typically require a degree in a related field, and may prefer an advanced degree.
薪水:According to the BLS, natural science managers earn a median annual salary of $129,100.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of natural science managers is expected to increase 5% over the next decade.
13. Pharmacists
Pharmacistsinterpret physicians' orders for medications, analyze potential drug interactions, resolve issues regarding insurance coverage, dispense medications according to standards, train and supervise technicians, and educate patients about use and side effects of medications.
薪水:According to the BLS, pharmacists earn a median annual salary of $128,090.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of pharmacists is expected to decline 3% over the next decade.
14. Sales Managers
Sales managers管理销售人员团队。他们设定销售目标,分析销售趋势,创建和运行培训计划并解决客户投诉。通常,销售经理拥有学士学位和作为销售人员的大量工作经验。
薪水:According to the BLS, sales managers earn a median annual salary of $126,640.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of sales managers is expected to increase 4% over the next decade.
15. Lawyers
Lawyers代表个人,组织或政府机构,向客户咨询其合法权利和责任,并分析法律和法律问题,以确定最佳行动方案。一些律师还在法院倡导其客户。
薪水:根据BLS的数据,律师的年薪中位数为122,960美元。
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of lawyers is expected to increase 4% over the next decade.
16.计算机和信息研究科学家
Computer and information research scientists create new computing technology and improve existing tools to solve complex problems in fields like medicine and business. Typically, computer and information research scientists have a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in a related area of study.
薪水:According to the BLS, computer and information research scientists earn a median annual salary of $122,840.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of these research scientists is expected to increase 15% over the next decade.
17. Political Scientists
Political scientistswork for government agencies, non-profits, and research organizations. They analyze the effects of government laws and regulations, identify political trends, and make policy recommendations.
许多政治科学家拥有高级学位,例如公共管理硕士(MPA)或公共政策硕士(MPP)。
薪水:According to the BLS, political scientists earn a median annual salary of $122,220.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of political scientists is expected to increase 6% over the next decade.
18. Human Resources Managers
These professionals manage employers’ recruiting, interviewing, and hiring processes, as well as consulting on diversity and inclusion efforts. They may also mediate staff disputes, manage benefits programs, and oversee payroll.Human resources managerstypically have at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience in HR.
薪水:According to the BLS, human resources managers earn a median annual salary of $116,720.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of human resources managers is expected to increase 6% over the next decade.
19.培训和发展t Managers
Training and development managers create and oversee training programs for organizations. They may develop course materials and or purchase content from outside vendors, as well as managing training staff. Typically, these managers have at least a bachelor’s degree, and some employers may prefer a master’s degree.
薪水:According to the BLS, training and development managers earn a median annual salary of $113,350.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of human resources managers is expected to increase 7% over the next decade.
20. Computer Network Architects
Also called network engineers, these IT professionals design and build computer networks. Depending on their job, engineers also manage networks and analyze traffic data to plan for future growth. Typically, computer network architects have a bachelor’s degree in a tech-related field and significant work experience in systems administration.
薪水:According to the BLS, computer network architects earn a median annual salary of $112,690.
Job Outlook 2019-2029:Per the BLS, employment of computer network architects is expected to increase 5% over the next decade.