Popular Careers Ranked By Annual Salary

The list below shows the top 200 most popular careers ranked by annual salary. Many of these careers may require a degree or certificate.

		Total Employed	Annual Salary
1.	Surgeons	31,200	$224,468
2.	Obstetricians and Gynecologists	12,280	$213,508
3.	Anesthesiologists	14,690	$210,800
4.	Preventive Medicine Physicians	272,510	$199,447
5.	Internists, General	32,180	$196,267
6.	Family and General Practitioners	79,320	$176,391
7.	Psychiatrists	15,760	$172,151
8.	Dentists, General	76,480	$171,774
9.	Pediatricians, General	18,990	$168,963
10.	Chief Executives	234,210	$165,540
11.	Podiatrists	5,310	$137,274
12.	Petroleum Engineers	23,380	$127,490
13.	Natural Sciences Managers	35,960	$117,631
14.	Architectural and Engineering Managers	161,030	$116,785
15.	Air Traffic Controllers	6,210	$116,052
16.	Physicists	10,560	$115,519
17.	Law Teachers, Postsecondary	7,010	$113,590
18.	Pharmacists	232,460	$113,097
19.	Marketing Managers	157,110	$109,069
20.	Optometrists	18,890	$107,022
21.	Computer and Information Systems Managers	284,160	$106,539
22.	Lawyers	543,810	$105,080
23.	Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	11,530	$104,909
24.	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	31,410	$102,677
25.	General and Operations Managers	1,589,410	$102,280
26.	Treasurers and Controllers	438,820	$101,809
27.	Sales Managers	303,120	$101,664
28.	Computer and Information Research Scientists	18,100	$100,218
29.	Actuaries	16,060	$99,762
30.	Human Resources Managers	72,770	$98,743
31.	Compensation and Benefits Managers	19,920	$97,842
32.	Aerospace Engineers	54,620	$97,592
33.	Purchasing Managers	57,750	$96,178
34.	Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	12,270	$95,740
35.	Computer Hardware Engineers	49,260	$94,933
36.	Training and Development Managers	22,400	$94,913
37.	Public Relations and Fundraising Managers	47,070	$94,030
38.	Industrial Production Managers	124,070	$93,532
39.	Education Administrators, Postsecondary	81,700	$93,423
40.	Chemical Engineers	20,920	$93,131
41.	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	6,740	$92,600
42.	Veterinarians	43,030	$91,983
43.	Medical and Health Services Managers	242,950	$90,902
44.	Advertising and Promotions Managers	26,170	$90,658
45.	Economists	10,530	$90,641
46.	Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists	13,460	$90,148
47.	Regulatory Affairs Managers	308,680	$89,559
48.	Physician Assistants	69,750	$89,523
49.	Software Developers, Systems Software	349,580	$89,371
50.	Sales Engineers	56,980	$89,370
51.	Construction Managers	173,300	$86,882
52.	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	80,590	$86,039
53.	Biomedical Engineers	10,760	$85,928
54.	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	121,550	$85,662
55.	Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School	177,690	$85,249
56.	Materials Engineers	14,180	$83,831
57.	Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists	6,740	$83,791
58.	Robotics Engineers	105,580	$83,778
59.	Electrical Engineers	135,430	$83,521
60.	Logistics Managers	77,680	$83,359
61.	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	6,830	$82,847
62.	Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	88,700	$82,481
63.	Chiropractors	19,320	$81,136
64.	Software Developers, Applications	514,880	$80,830
65.	Financial Examiners	21,960	$80,797
66.	Sales Agents, Securities and Commodities	288,820	$80,791
67.	Environmental Engineers	42,750	$80,525
68.	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	58,910	$80,495
69.	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	25,580	$79,793
70.	Administrative Services Managers	226,430	$79,222
71.	Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	30,810	$78,746
72.	Art Directors	27,130	$78,733
73.	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	336,300	$78,637
74.	Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	9,840	$78,579
75.	Radiation Therapists	9,130	$78,534
76.	Physical Therapists	161,010	$78,501
77.	Biochemists and Biophysicists	15,600	$78,224
78.	Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	22,710	$77,896
79.	Product Safety Engineers	16,680	$77,756
80.	Management Analysts	495,190	$77,581
81.	Personal Financial Advisors	140,710	$77,301
82.	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	12,740	$77,288
83.	Industrial Engineers	179,970	$77,233
84.	Mechanical Engineers	193,820	$77,228
85.	Civil Engineers	227,750	$76,626
86.	Ship Engineers	6,310	$76,569
87.	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	65,460	$76,373
88.	Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	77,290	$75,483
89.	Commercial Pilots	21,200	$74,533
90.	Financial Analysts	213,150	$74,379
91.	Occupational Therapists	88,290	$73,403
92.	Orthoptists	25,150	$73,378
93.	Computer Systems Analysts	459,580	$73,190
94.	Real Estate Brokers	31,070	$73,176
95.	Clinical Data Managers	19,260	$72,447
96.	Operations Research Analysts	57,850	$72,447
97.	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	214,320	$72,408
98.	Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	24,080	$72,048
99.	Elevator Installers and Repairers	13,240	$71,900
100.	Transportation Planners	21,860	$71,662
101.	Database Administrators	98,760	$70,563
102.	Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	9,740	$70,470
103.	History Teachers, Postsecondary	14,070	$70,427
104.	Immigration and Customs Inspectors	60,280	$70,348
105.	Geneticists	19,830	$69,865
106.	School Psychologists	86,050	$69,636
107.	Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	13,590	$69,618
108.	Nuclear Medicine Technologists	15,460	$69,413
109.	Audiologists	6,200	$69,366
110.	Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	34,700	$69,349
111.	Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors	35,840	$69,102
112.	Chemists	69,720	$68,958
113.	Speech-Language Pathologists	97,750	$68,914
114.	Logistics Analysts	97,990	$68,873
115.	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	34,810	$68,659
116.	Microbiologists	12,520	$68,609
117.	Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	6,940	$68,471
118.	Computer Programmers	300,770	$67,768
119.	Aviation Inspectors	11,690	$67,511
120.	Budget Analysts	47,900	$67,120
121.	Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes	9,060	$67,111
122.	Ship and Boat Captains	22,300	$66,797
123.	Dental Hygienists	159,710	$66,472
124.	Fashion Designers	5,980	$66,356
125.	Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	17,920	$66,351
126.	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	314,190	$65,804
127.	Landscape Architects	10,100	$65,667
128.	Food Scientists and Technologists	6,410	$65,486
129.	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	46,680	$65,408
130.	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	44,770	$65,225
131.	Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	6,230	$65,149
132.	English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	50,340	$65,016
133.	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	64,490	$64,713
134.	Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	18,010	$64,566
135.	Soil and Water Conservationists	7,980	$64,405
136.	Education Teachers, Postsecondary	41,640	$64,290
137.	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	7,690	$64,078
138.	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	68,480	$63,912
139.	Power Plant Operators	16,620	$63,908
140.	Urban and Regional Planners	29,380	$63,824
141.	Credit Analysts	49,980	$63,237
142.	Accountants	995,810	$62,944
143.	Loan Officers	245,490	$62,819
144.	Insurance Underwriters	80,740	$62,273
145.	Technical Writers	38,660	$61,287
146.	Business Continuity Planners	887,820	$61,173
147.	Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	8,240	$60,740
148.	Instructional Coordinators	110,640	$60,585
149.	Commercial and Industrial Designers	21,130	$60,581
150.	Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians	5,540	$60,516
151.	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	8,540	$60,285
152.	Fire Inspectors	7,220	$60,032
153.	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	61,020	$60,026
154.	Social and Community Service Managers	97,380	$59,862
155.	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	348,770	$59,605
156.	Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	236,290	$59,565
157.	Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	7,210	$59,556
158.	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	382,950	$59,283
159.	Risk Management Specialists	138,980	$58,703
160.	Cost Estimators	167,250	$58,657
161.	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	26,410	$58,338
162.	Technical Directors/Managers	74,330	$58,281
163.	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	300,100	$58,054
164.	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	41,260	$57,982
165.	Regulatory Affairs Specialists	184,290	$57,973
166.	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School	8,690	$57,899
167.	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	1,247,570	$57,771
168.	Insurance Sales Agents	281,410	$57,694
169.	Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	5,740	$57,671
170.	Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	138,200	$57,390
171.	Surveyors	32,600	$57,355
172.	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	13,680	$57,314
173.	Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas	10,280	$57,232
174.	Multimedia Artists and Animators	22,630	$57,229
175.	Boilermakers	7,290	$57,163
176.	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	84,770	$56,506
177.	Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products	246,980	$56,438
178.	Manufacturing Production Technicians	49,820	$56,201
179.	Forensic Science Technicians	5,320	$56,153
180.	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	49,100	$56,105
181.	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	139,820	$56,095
182.	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	447,490	$56,067
183.	Copy Writers	35,160	$55,869
184.	Electrical Drafters	20,460	$55,491
185.	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	100,010	$55,416
186.	Geological Sample Test Technicians	8,130	$55,289
187.	Electronics Engineering Technicians	131,920	$55,087
188.	Respiratory Therapists	92,250	$54,710
189.	Special Education Teachers, Middle School	76,800	$54,636
190.	Curators	6,200	$54,585
191.	Librarians	120,470	$54,407
192.	Lodging Managers	18,860	$54,292
193.	Dietitians and Nutritionists	45,070	$54,150
194.	Training and Development Specialists	180,900	$53,629
195.	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	795,800	$53,588
196.	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	501,640	$53,340
197.	Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors	207,060	$53,280
198.	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	88,160	$52,975
199.	Avionics Technicians	8,010	$52,779
200.	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators	164,830	$52,609

Source: IPEDS Survey 2008-2011: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.