Top 10 Highest Paying Careers in America

If you want to make several million dollars for a few months’ work, then, yes, you probably should star in a Hollywood blockbuster. But if you’re looking for careers to lead you to financial success, remember to put everything into perspective. The report, which examines nearly 800 jobs across America, finds that the annual mean wages for all occupations is $44,410, only a slight increase from last year. Average hourly wages are $16.27, up from $15.95.

If money’s what you’re after, then set your sights on more realistic goals by looking at the everyday occupations around you. The 20 highest-paying jobs in the U.S. are within your grasp. That’s not to say they’re easily attained — they all require hard work and years of experience, and most of them require extensive education. Still, your odds of becoming a physicist are probably better than becoming quarterback for the New England Patriots.

Until then, look over this list of the 10 highest-paying jobs, according to CBSalary.com, and their projected employment in 2016. The education and experience for each of these jobs vary.

 

1. 1.       Anesthesiologist

Best Jobs rank: 68

Median pay: $290,000

Top pay: $393,000

1. 2.       Surgeons

Mean annual wages: $225,390
Median hourly wages: $108.36
Number of employees with occupation: 43,230

1. 3.       Emergency Room Physician

Best Jobs rank: 25

Median pay: $250,000

Top pay: $368,000

1. 4.       Obstetricians And Gynecologists

Mean annual wages: $210,340

Median hourly wages: $101.13

Number of employees with occupation: 19,940

1. 5.       Psychiatrist

Best Jobs rank: 29

Median pay: $185,000

Top pay: $269,000

1. 6.       Internists

Mean annual wages: $189,480

Median hourly wages: $91.10

Number of employees with occupation: 50,070

1. 7.       Nurse Anesthetist

Best Jobs rank: 13

Median pay: $156,000

Top pay: $206,000

1. 8.       Family And General Practitioners

Mean annual wages: $173,860

Median hourly wages: $83.59

Number of employees with occupation: 97,820

1. 9.       Software Engineering / Development Director

Best Jobs rank: 18

Median pay: $144,000

Top pay: $202,000

1. 10.   Sales Director

Best Jobs rank: 8

Median pay: $142,000

Top pay: $222,000