Which careers make the most money?
I want to know what job I should pursue to make the most money? #money #compensation
9 answers
J’s Answer
There are a lot of other factors to consider--how much schooling will you need? how likely is it that you can get a certain position even if you go through the required schooling?
In terms of average salaries, the top 15 jobs from 2011 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics are below. However, these are the top earners today, it's no guarantee that they will still be the top earners in 5 or 10 years...Also, what's not provided is how much it costs to finish the education required to qualify for these positions. I think all of the position below require a college degree, and most of them require advanced degrees: MD, PhD, MBA, JD.
Doctors and Surgeons
Salary range: $165,720 - $225,390Chief Executive Officer
Average annual salary: $173,350
Number of people currently employed as CEO: 273,500Dentists (General)
Average annual salary: $158,770
Number of people currently employed as dentists: 87,700Lawyers
Average annual salary: $129,440
Number of people currently employed as lawyers: 561,350Natural Sciences Manager
Average annual salary: $129,320
Number of people currently employed: 45,920Petroleum Engineer
Average annual salary: $127,970
Number of people currently employed: 28,210Architectural and Engineering Manager
Average annual salary: $125,900
Number of people currently employed: 174,720Computer and Information Systems Manager
Average annual salary: $123,280
Number of people currently employed: 288,660Marketing Manager
Average annual salary: $122,720
Number of people currently employed as a marketing manager: 164,590Financial Manager
Average annual salary: $116,970
Number of people currently employed as a financial manager: 478,940Airline Pilot, Copilot and Flight Engineer
Average annual salary: $115,300
Number of people currently employed: 68,580Sales Manager
Average annual salary: $114,110
Number of people currently employed as a sales manager: 319,300Industrial-Organizational Psychologist (someone who works as a psychologist for companies
Average annual salary: $114,040
Number of people currently employed as a industrial-organization psychologist: 1,420General and Operations Manager
Average annual salary: $113,100
Number of people currently employed as a physicist: 1,708,080Physicist:
Average annual salary: $112,020
Number of people currently employed as a physicist: 16,860
Years of education: college + phd + post-doc = 11-12 years
CareerVillage’s Answer
I found an article on career builder that talks about the highest-paying jobs if you do not finish high school or get a college degree. Obviously they are a lot lower paying that the jobs listed by jenpan, but thought it could be helpful to provide. This might be from a few years ago, so I'm not sure how the numbers have changed.
Top Paying Jobs That Do Not Require a High School Degree: require substantial on-the-job training and work experience rather than formal education and schooling:
Industrial production managers -- $36,000
Bailiffs, correctional officers and jailers -- $36,400
Drafters -- $36,000
Construction manager -- $33,600
Electricians -- $31,900
Top Paying Jobs for High School Graduates: emphasize work experience and on-the-job training rather than formal education:
Computer software engineers -- $58,900
Computer/information systems managers -- $56,400
Computer programmers -- $55,000
Network systems and data communications analysts -- $49,000
General and operations managers -- $48,000
Database, network and computer systems administrators -- $48,000
Cheryl’s Answer
There are a lot of career opportunities where you can make good amount of money. As you can see above mentioned by fellow forum members However don't always look at money as there are other influential factors like interest, education fees, level of difficulty etc that helps you to determine which career path is best for you.
Catherine’s Answer
You will make money in a fully satisfying and sustained career that you are passionate about. And yes, this can include the not for profit sector. Find a career where you love what you do, you will excel and become more senior over time and this will bring with it better perks and remuneration. Good luck :)
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
According to Ask Ai www.iAsk.ai:
To determine which careers make the most money, we can analyze various fields based on data from authoritative sources that track salary information across different professions. The following steps outline the process of identifying high-paying careers:
Step 1: Identify High-Paying Industries
Certain industries are known for offering higher salaries due to demand, skill requirements, and the level of education needed. Some of these industries include:
Healthcare: Professions such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and orthodontists typically command some of the highest salaries.
Technology: Roles like software engineers, data scientists, and IT managers are in high demand and often come with lucrative compensation packages.
Finance: Investment bankers, financial analysts, and actuaries tend to earn significant salaries due to the complexity and importance of their work.
Legal: Lawyers specializing in corporate law or intellectual property often have high earning potential.
Step 2: Analyze Salary Data
According to recent salary surveys and reports from reputable sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and industry-specific studies, here are some specific careers that consistently rank among the highest paying:
Anesthesiologists: Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who specialize in anesthesia care during surgeries. They have an average annual salary exceeding $400,000.
Surgeons: Surgeons also earn substantial incomes, with specialties like orthopedic surgery averaging around $500,000 per year.
Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists can expect to earn between $220,000 to $300,000 annually depending on their practice setting.
Orthodontists: Orthodontists focus on dental alignment and can earn upwards of $300,000 annually.
Chief Executives: In corporate settings, chief executives often have compensation packages that exceed $200,000 annually but can be much higher depending on company size and profitability.
Software Developers/Engineers: With technology driving many sectors today, experienced software developers can earn between $100,000 to over $200,000 depending on their expertise and location.
Pharmacists: Pharmacists typically earn around $120,000 annually by managing medication therapy for patients.
Step 3: Consider Education and Experience Requirements
Most high-paying careers require advanced degrees or specialized training:
Medical professionals generally need a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree along with residency training.
Legal professionals must complete a Juris Doctor (JD) degree followed by passing a bar exam.
Technology roles may require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields; however, many positions value experience and skills over formal education.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a career that offers high earning potential, consider pursuing fields in healthcare (especially surgical specialties), technology (software development), finance (investment banking), or legal professions (corporate law). Each of these areas not only provides substantial financial rewards but also requires significant dedication in terms of education and training.
The probability that this answer is correct is approximately 95%.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides comprehensive data on employment statistics including job outlooks and median salaries across various occupations in the United States.
PayScale
PayScale offers detailed compensation data based on job title, location, experience level, and industry trends which helps individuals understand salary ranges for specific careers.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor aggregates employee-reported salaries along with company reviews providing insights into compensation trends across different companies and industries.
God Bless!
JC.
Christopher Bain
Christopher’s Answer
It is a fair question, and it is one I once asked. I would like to share what I wish someone would have told me at that time. I do want you to know that if your goal is to make the most money possible, you need to pick something you have an aptitude for. By definition, if you pick a career solely for the money, you will not likely last long unless you are able to be successful in that career path because you have some talent that aligns with said profession.
In addition to natural talents that align with that career path, you also need to enjoy the work. The idea typically behind high compensation is that it leads to a more comfortable lifestyle. Once again, we run into a potential problem. If you do not enjoy the work, you will likely be miserable. The whole point of earning the money in the first place is void.
Do not take the above to mean that you cannot be in a high paying career and do well while feeling fulfilled. You certainly can! Just keep this in mind as you explore different high paying careers. Also, think about it intuitively. The more you enjoy something and are good at it, the more likely you will be paid at some point.
Lastly, you there is plenty of information on google, bureau of labor statistics (my favorite), etc. on where to look for compensation data. This is accurate information, but they are "average" compensations. Please keep in mind that some career paths have a very wide dispersion of compensation while others a narrow one. I will give you some examples. Annual compensation for a family practice physician is fairly consistent Surgeons on the other hand may make upwards of $1M per year depending on how specialized and rare their expertise is. Another field would be lawyers. Entry level lawyers may make less than $100K per year while tenured partners at big firms make in excess of $500K per year easily.
Airline pilots are paid well and this may be a fun occupation, but the pay is going to be fairly standard with a limited opportunity to increase greatly over time unlike the legal profession example above. Consider entry level compensation vs. eventual potential compensation and specialization in each field you explore.
I hope this helps!
Best, Christopher
Christopher recommends the following next steps:
Aishwarya’s Answer
Ken’s Answer
Hi Sarah Miller!
You asked a very interesting question. To help with your answer, I am sending you a site that will enable you to look up the salary of 800 career areas:
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Wages/find-salary.aspx
However, the most important part of a career selection is not pay but job satisfaction.
Here some helpful information that will put it in perspective:
Success in finding an appropriate career area is individual. Success is a feeling when one experiences fulfillment and satisfaction with what one is doing in life. Success is looking forward to going to work or whatever activity one does during the day and enjoying it. Success is self-actualization and development of one's own interests.
Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. They may look great, but you need to try them on and walk in them for a while to determine the proper level of comfort and fit. The most frustrating times I spent when I was doing college recruiting were the times when a graduate, once on the job, determined that he/she did not like the job for which he/she had studied, as he/she did not take the time or effort to do appropriate "shoe shopping" and pay attention to their feelings of "comfort or discomfort".
Best of luck! Be true to yourself. The feeling and concept of success is yours - and is very personal. Let me know if this is of help.
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