The academic and career decisions of US individuals are largely driven by one question- what are the highest-paying jobs in the USA? It is important for a person to research well about the most rewarding job opportunities in the country before choosing their specialization in school.
The statistics brought forth by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the highest-paying occupations in the USA are those related to the medical field. However, today we will read about the top medical and non-medical jobs that will allow you to obtain a hefty salary each month!
Table of Contents
Highest-Paying Medical Careers to Pursue in the USA
Based on the statistics, the jobs mentioned below are the highest-paying jobs in the USA.
Cardiologist ($353,970)
Cardiologists are surgeons who work to prevent, manage, diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions or diseases. Some specialize in heart treatments such as stent placement and other work around treating the chambers of the heart or the heart’s electrical system.
The work of the Cardiologists revolves around normal business hours but can stretch up to 60 hours a week, depending on the workload. They also have to be available on weekends, evenings, or holidays occasionally.
To become a Cardiologist, a person needs to complete Bachelor’s in chemistry, mathematics, psychology, or engineering and then finish four years of medical school. Also, they need to pass a certification exam from the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dermatologists ($302,740)
Dermatologists are the doctors that diagnose and treat skin, hair, and nail diseases and problems. They perform medical and dermatological surgery while also prescribing medicines. They can either work in a clinic, practice privately, or teach in hospitals or medical institutions.
The average work schedule of a dermatologist lies between 30 to 40 hours a week. To become a dermatologist, one needs to have a bachelor’s degree and a medical school degree (which is completed in 4 years). They also need to pass the certification exam and 3 to 9 years of internship and residency in the US.
Radiologists ($301,720)
A physician who uses medical imaging techniques, including MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), X-rays, Ultrasound, etc., to diagnose and/or treat injuries and diseases is known as a Radiologist. The work of a Radiologist involves interpreting images, generating and analyzing reports, and discussing the results of the diagnostic tests with other doctors.
Education and training of 13 years are required to become a radiologist. Apart from the Bachelor’s degree, a person must have completed four years of medical school, residency, and a fellowship. Also, a license and certificate from the respective board are required to start practicing as a Radiologist in the USA.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($296,210)
Doctors whose specialization lies in childbirth and vaginal, ovarian, and cervical reproductive health are known as obstetricians-gynecologist. They treat and prevent diseases concerning the female reproductive organs and system.
Normal work includes seeing patients regularly and assisting in childbirth, probably any time of the day or night.
To become an OB-GYN, a person needs a bachelor’s degree and a medical school graduation. Also, they need to complete an obstetrics program and a gynecology residency program which are normally four years long. After that, the doctors must complete two years of clinical practice and pass a licensure exam to become a doctor.
Ophthalmologists ($270, 090)
Any kind of Ophthalmologist except a pediatric ophthalmologist is the highest paying job in the USA right now. The doctors that perform surgery to treat and prevent diseases and disorders pertaining to the eye are known as ophthalmologists. They also provide vision services relating to the treatment of eye problems, such as contact lenses, glasses, medicines, etc.
Most Ophthalmologists work in private practice and see their patients, and perform surgery in their own clinic. The level of emergencies and the working hours in this job is also quite less.
To become an Ophthalmologist, a person needs to complete a science-based bachelor’s degree. And then pursue a four years medical school program. After that, an internship and residency of 3 to 8 years are required. After passing the state medical board exam, the person is given the license to practice Ophthalmology, post which he can become a certified doctor.
Physicians/Pathologist ($267,180)
The physicians who conduct lab tests using body organs, tissues, and fluids and, based on that, diagnose diseases are known as Pathologists. Mostly, they are employed by clinical laboratories in clinics and general hospitals. They can also work in university research clinics.
The working hours of the pathologists often extend, leading to overnights and weekend shifts, considering the 24-hour nature of their industry.
Psychiatrists ($249,760)
Psychiatrists work to diagnose and treat the mental issues of the patients, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, etc. There are multiple sub-specialties in being a psychiatrist, which include child/adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, consultation psychiatry, etc.
A psychiatrist can work in a plethora of environment types, such as hospitals, private practice, community agencies, rehabilitation programs, prisons, and schools, etc. They, too, have to complete a medical school degree after their Bachelor’s, post which they have to pass a test and acquire a certificate from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Highest-Paying Jobs in the USA (Non-Medical)
If you are not into any medical field and still wish to explore other courses and professions that lead to the highest-paying jobs in the US, mentioned below are a few options for you to choose from.
Pilot ($130,440)
A pilot can either operate a private jet, a helicopter, an airplane, or military aircraft. They work for passenger airlines, cargo aircraft, wealthy individuals, or law enforcement agencies. They need to have a flying plan, coordinate with co-pilots, and take care of the plane and all its requirements.
A pilot can either be an airline or a commercial pilot. They work on fixed schedules and have the weekly schedule ready for them beforehand. To become a pilot, a person must complete a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in mechanical engineering or other sorts of engineering subjects.
After that, they have to take training from a scheduled operator trainer or a flying school. To become a military pilot, they need to complete training from airforce college. The more experience a pilot has, the more salary they will be eligible to receive.
Marketing Manager ($142,170)
Marketing is essential for all businesses and organizations to stay in the eyes of buyers. Therefore, the job of a marketing manager has become considerably significant lately. Marketing managers also help organizations maximize their profits with their marketing techniques.
They identify the best markets for the product and ensure that the customers are satisfied with the product/services. To become a successful marketing manager, you need to complete your Bachelor’s in a relevant field such as journalism, advertising, or communications. Having an MBA in any of these fields will be a plus. Also, more experience means a higher salary.
Lawyer ($126,930)
You can earn by becoming a corporate lawyer or a state lawyer. However, being a corporate lawyer helps you earn a lot more than a state lawyer. You have to interpret laws and rulings, analyze legal issues, and present facts while arguing in favor of your client. You can also become a legal counselor for a top firm.
To become a lawyer, you have to earn the Juris Doctor Degree, which you can do part-time (with your college) or full-time (after completing your Bachelor’s degree). Following this, you must pass the multiday bar exam for the respective state in which you want to practice. However, there are some additional requirements based on the state where you want to practice, and you need to fulfill them.
Financial Manager ($134,180)
Financial managers complete comprehensive finance-related tasks for an organization. They coordinate with the finance teams and oversee the finances of the companies. They produce financial reports, profit projections, and cash flow statements.
Financial managers are a competitive job option in the market. You can become a finance manager after completing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or economics or doing a BBA or an MBA. It is also required for you to have gathered some experience in the finance field to become a financial manager.
Data Scientist ($121,275)
Data is the new money, and every organization needs experts to manage and handle data in their firms. Therefore, the role of data scientists has gained momentum and significance lately. A data scientist has to analyze the data procured from multiple sources and make predictions or draw conclusions based on the data. Determining correct sets can help the data scientist provide high levels of success to the organization.
To become a professional data scientist, you must have a relevant degree, such as MS in Data Science, or have data science, computer science, or mathematics as your major subject in your Bachelor’s. After a few years of experience, you can earn a lot as a data scientist.
Software Architect ($139,127)
The demand for software is in every field; thus, every company requires a software architect. This has made the profession of software architect quite exclusive and in-demand. A software architect must create the setup and architecture for an application, either for the company or a client. You can also work as a freelancer software architect if you have the required experience and resources.
To become a software architect, you must complete your Bachelor’s in computer science or a relevant course. You will have to start from a small position, such as an associate, and when you gain significant experience, you can become a software architect.
Final Words
There is a sea of opportunities for people of all streams and educational backgrounds. There are a lot of new and unique roles, such as Clour Engineer, Podiatrist, Full Stack Developer, Corporate Controller, etc., which can help you earn whopping amounts of money in your field.
All you need to do is identify your interests and strength and decide the career that you will love. To earn more money, you need to be dedicated and love your chosen career!
