Top 10 Highest Paying Occupations in the US


Friday, September 10, 2021

Here you’ll find the 10 highest paying jobs in the United States and the degrees that enable you to pursue them.



Deciding what degree to pursue at college is definitely not easy. It is estimated that over 30% of students start college without a clue about what they will major in or want to do for a living. There’s nothing wrong with being undecided. Everyone has their own time to make this important decision.

However, it is important to choose wisely and as soon as possible so that you can start preparing for your future completely focused on your goals.

Why do students have such a hard time deciding what to study? This is a complex decision-making process that entails a thorough research into each possible course of action because there are many aspects to consider.

Students need to consider their interests, passions, and abilities, to each degree’s career prospects, earning potential, employability, among other things.

What aspects should have a stronger impact on your decision?


All the aspects are important and should be thoroughly considered. However, taking into account that the reason we go to college is to have better chances at life regarding job opportunities, the ones that should have a stronger impact on the final decision should be the degree’s earning potential and career opportunities.

The following are the 10 highest paying occupations in the US and the degrees you can study to pursue each of them.

10. Computer and information systems managers: They plam, coordinate, and direct research and facilitate computer-related activities of firms to help them meet their objectives. They typically earn a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, and may also earn an MBA. 

9. Airline Pilots, Copilots, Flight Engineers: Aviation industry jobs are also among the highest paying in the job market. These 3 job options earn an annual average salary of $147,220. Pilots and copilots earn a bachelor’s degree and have a certificate in Airline Transport Pilot from the FAA. Flight engineers also need to have a commercial pilot’s license even if they don’t maneuver the aircraft. 

8. Chief Executives: Chief executive is the highest-paid job outside of the medical field: $193,800. They are the ones who make critical decisions regarding the management team within companies, steer the organization toward new markets, interface with the board of directors, among other important things. There is a wide range of degrees you can earn to become a chief executive, but the majority of CEOs have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA.

7. Family Medicine Physicians: These are physicians who diagnose and treat the most common diseases and injuries in the general population. Their annual average salary is $213,200 and they also need to go through college, medical school, and a residency program to complete their education.

6. Psychiatrists: These professionals help treat mental health issues in any number of work environments, including private practice, hospitals, community agencies, rehabilitation programs, prisons, schools, etc. On average, they earn $220,400. The difference between psychologists and psychiatrists is that, even though they both treat mental health issues, the latter are medical doctors. They need to earn an undergraduate degree, complete medical school, and do a residency program just like any other doctor.

5. Prosthodontists: They earn an annual average of $220,800. They fix damaged teeth or add implants, dentures, bridges, crowns, and veneers for missing teeth. They earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a program at dental school, do a residency program, and apply for a certification from the American Board of Prosthodontics.

4. Orthodontists: These professionals specialize in corrective measures for the teeth. They take X-rays, apply braces, create mouth guards, among other things. On average, they earn $230,800 annually, and they need to earn a college degree, go to dental school, complete a specialized residency program, and sit for a licensing exam.

3. Obstetricians-Gynecologists: Also known as OB-GYNs, these are the doctors who specialize in vaginal, ovarian, uterine, and cervical reproductive health and childbirth. They earn, on average, $233,600. They also need to pursue a bachelor’s degree related to medicine, go to medical school, and do a residency program to complete their education. 

2. Surgeons: On average, they earn $252,050. They perform surgeries on patients to treat injuries, diseases or deformities. They need to go through an extensive training to become surgeons, starting with a bachelor’s degree related to medicine, then go to medical school, do a residency program in surgery, and, finally, apply for a fellowship in a certain specialty within surgery. 

1. Anesthesiologists: They are the ones who administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during and after surgery. They earn $261,700 on average, and they need to earn a bachelor’s degree, go to medical school and, after that, do a residency program.




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