Healthcare jobs top the list of highest-paying jobs, and the future for the sector is bright. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow 13% from 2021 to 2031. This would add about 2 million new jobs. This growth is due to “the need to permanently replace workers who leave their jobs,” according to the agency. For comparison, the BLS projects overall US job growth of 5.3% between 2021 and 2031.
Methodology Used
Rankings are based on salary data from the BLS. Instead of using median salaries for each occupation, which indicates the annual wage for a typical employee in that role, the BLS uses the median or average salaries in the annual report, National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.
Cardiologist: $353,970
Cardiologists are surgeons who “diagnose, treat, manage and prevent diseases or conditions of the cardiovascular system,” according to the BLS. Some specialize in procedures designed to intervene in heart conditions, including balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Others focus their work on echocardiography, the use of electrodes to examine and treat chambers of the heart, or electrophysiology, which involves the heart’s electrical system.
Cardiologists are often scheduled to work during regular office hours, but this can turn into a 50- to 60-hour work week depending on the patient’s workload and heart-related events over which they have no control. Even with regular appointments, someone needs to be available or on duty for evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Education: After completing a bachelor’s degree program—preferably in chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or psychology—an aspiring cardiologist must complete four years of medical school and four years of residency. Being a qualified cardiologist requires passing a certification exam administered by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
- Job outlook: Overall, employment is expected to grow 3% from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS.
Anesthesiologist: $331,190
The BLS defines anesthesiologists as doctors who “administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management before, during, or after surgery.” This highly specialized occupation is second in the list of high-paying occupations.
An anesthesiologist’s working hours can be long and unpredictable as they follow the schedule of the operating room. Anesthesiologists need to be present for both scheduled surgeries and emergency procedures, which adds to the unpredictable nature of the workday.
- Education: After four years of medical school, aspiring anesthesiologists in the United States typically complete a four-year residency in anesthesiology and possibly more, depending on the subspecialty and pass a licensing exam.
- Job outlook: Overall, employment is expected to grow by 1% from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: $311,460
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat a wide range of diseases, injuries, and defects in and around the mouth and jaw. Wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, and tumors and cysts of the jaw and mouth are among the most common problems likely to be treated. They can also perform dental implant surgery.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons work in hospitals, large medical centers, and dental practices. They may be professors in dental schools or supervisors of residents in training. Many oral and maxillofacial surgeons open their own clinics. They work very long hours performing intricate and complex surgeries. Oral surgeons may also need to be on call for emergencies that require immediate treatment.
- Education: Typically, oral and maxillofacial surgeons require an associate’s degree, a four-year dental degree, and at least four years of residency. After their training, surgeons often take a two-part exam to become certified in the United States by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
- Job Outlook: From 2021 to 2031, employment is expected to increase by 5%, according to the BLS.
Emergency Physician: $310,640
As the title suggests, emergency medicine physicians must make immediate medical decisions to prevent death or serious injury. They have to act immediately to assess, stabilize and care for patients who have often suffered trauma. They may supervise emergency medical staff in the emergency department.
Emergency physicians are often called upon to work irregular or long hours to care for patients, especially in emergency situations. They may work overnight or on weekends to take care of an ever-changing patient load.
- Education: Following a similar path to other physicians, an emergency room physician must earn a bachelor’s degree, attend medical school, complete that four-year degree, complete a four-year residency as an emergency room physician, pass a licensing exam, and eventually earn an emergency medicine certification.
- Job outlook: The BLS projects job growth of 3% between 2021 and 2031 for emergency physicians or 1,300 jobs added during the decade.
Orthopedic surgeon, Excluding Pediatrics: $306,220
According to the BLS, orthopedic surgeons “diagnose, perform, and operate for the treatment and prevention of rheumatic and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.”
Most orthopedic surgeons work in a hospital or in private practice. This can involve both scheduled and emergency surgery, sometimes resulting in a hectic schedule and long hours. For example, back or neck surgeries can sometimes take a full day without breaks.
- Education: Orthopedics is a medical specialty that begins with obtaining a bachelor’s degree, followed by admission to medical school and postgraduate training in orthopedics. A residency at a state-run surgery center or clinic follows an exam and successful board certification in the state in which the surgeon plans to practice.
- Job outlook: The BLS projects job growth of 3% between 2021 and 2031 for orthopedic surgeons.
What is the Highest Paying job in the world?
The highest paid job in the world, in the traditional sense, ranks first in this article: cardiologist. It is also one of three jobs listed above $300,000 per year. However, the list does not take into account CEOs like Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos, who make much more than that.
Who gets the Highest Salary in the world?
The CEOs of huge companies always top the list. In 2020, that was Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, received a historic $6.6 billion salary package.
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This is $25.6 million per working day.
How can I get a High Paying job?
Most high-paying jobs require advanced degrees such as a Ph.D. or medical degree. Although some of the jobs on this list require only a college degree, the truth is that it is increasingly difficult to land a coveted position when competing with job candidates with higher degrees.
Summary
When it comes to high salaries, it’s hard to beat a career in healthcare. Specialists tend to earn larger salaries, but general practitioners and even non-physician roles, such as nurse anesthetists, certainly bring in attractive salaries. If the medical field isn’t for you, careers such as engineering and management can also lead to lucrative careers.
Note that compensation above salary can bring high salaries in fields not included in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ top job listing. With bonuses, salaries for Wall Street mutual fund managers can easily exceed $1 million. Of course, the majority of the richest individuals in the world are entrepreneurs or the heirs of entrepreneurs. Health care is not the only way. So if you’re uncomfortable with jobs that involve blood (or flying), there are other options.