Best Paying Jobs in The Sims 4 (2026 Update): Highest Salaries Ranked
In The Sims 4, choosing the right career can turn your Sim into a Simoleon millionaire overnight. Whether you're playing base game only, own every expansion pack, or use mods, 2026 brings updated rankings with new packs like Life & Death boosting top earners. This guide ranks the highest-paying jobs, breaks down salaries (hourly, daily, weekly), compares fan favorites like Style Influencer vs Entertainer and Doctor vs Lawyer, and shares step-by-step tips for promotions, freelance gigs, passive income, and mod-enhanced earnings. From Astronaut's space-high pay to grim Mortician gigs, optimize your gameplay for maximum wealth.
Quick Answer: The Highest Paying Job in Sims 4 (2026)
The Astronaut career (Interstellar Smuggler branch) remains the undisputed king, earning ~$12,780/week (3 days x 8 hours x $425/hour + bonuses = $3,400–$4,260/day). Sources like ScreenRant and GameRant confirm this tops charts for efficiency--only 3 workdays leave plenty of time for skill-building or side hustles.
Top 3 Picks (Weekly Earnings):
- Astronaut (Interstellar Smuggler): $12,780/week (3 days, 15-hour shifts possible at top).
- Style Influencer (Trendsetter branch): $10k–$19,600/week peak (flexible schedule, TheGamer).
- Criminal (Villain branch) or Life & Death Mortician: $10k+/week or $435/hour (top level, branches at lvl 6; GameRant/ScreenRant).
With 2026 mods, these skyrocket further--more on that later.
Key Takeaways: Top Paying Careers at a Glance
| Rank | Career/Job | Top Weekly Earnings | Days/Week | Hours/Day | Requirements/Packs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astronaut (Interstellar Smuggler) | $12,780 | 3 | 8–15 | Base Game |
| 2 | Style Influencer (Trendsetter) | $10k–$19.6k | Flexible | Varies | Get Famous |
| 3 | Life & Death Mortician | $10k+ ($435/hr) | 5 | 8 | Life & Death |
| 4 | Secret Agent (Diamond Agent) | $12,780 | 3 | 15 | Base Game |
| 5 | Criminal (Villain) | $10k+ | 4–5 | 8–9 | Base Game |
| 6 | Environmental Manager (Gardener) | $10,080 | 5 | 6 | Seasons |
| 7 | Doctor (Specialist) | $9k+ | 4 | 10 | Get to Work |
| 8 | Lawyer (Judge branch) | $8k+ ($589/hr w/ degree) | 5 | 8 | Discover University |
| 9 | Freelance Artist/Crafter | $3,400/day ($425/hr) | Gig-based | Flexible | Base + Eco Lifestyle |
| 10 | For Rent Landlord | $5k+/week passive | None | None | For Rent |
| 11 | Entertainer (Musician) | $6,480 | 5 | 7 | Base Game |
| 12 | Horse Ranch Equestrian | $4k+/week | 4 | 8 | Horse Ranch |
| 13 | Style Influencer vs Entertainer | Influencer wins ($19k peak) | Flexible | Varies | Get Famous |
| 14 | Cottage Living Animal Husbandry | $2k+/day passive | Daily care | Minimal | Cottage Living |
| 15 | Education Professor | $7k+/week | 4 | 9 | Growing Together? |
Data aggregated from GameRant (2026 update), ScreenRant, TheGamer, Carls-Sims-4-Guide. Passive highlights: Landlord max profits scale with properties.
Base Game Careers Ranked by Income
No packs? No problem--these core careers deliver big without DLC:
- Astronaut (Interstellar Smuggler, Lvl 10): $4,260/day, 3 days/week = $12,780. Grind Fitness/Rocket Science (Carls-Sims-4-Guide).
- Secret Agent (Diamond Agent, Lvl 10): $4,260/day, 3 long days. Ideal Mood: Focused (Villain has 11 levels).
- Criminal (Villain, Lvl 10): $10k+/week devious path--highest base game boss pay (SimsCommunity).
- Entertainer: $6,480/week max, but outpaced by influencers.
Expansion Pack Careers: Highest Pay Breakdown
Packs unlock 80% of top earners. Key stats:
- Astronaut Breakdown: Lvl 10: $3,400–$4,260/day (8–15 hrs, GameRant). Tops most lists.
- Life & Death Undertaker: Branches at Lvl 5/6 to Mortician ($435/hr, Lvl 10) or Funeral Director (slightly higher: +$30/day). Needs Charisma 8, Thanatology 4, Painting/Gardening (ScreenRant/GameRant). Reaper role evokes dark stories.
- Doctor vs Lawyer: Doctor Specialist ~$9k/week (active, 10-hr shifts, Get to Work). Lawyer Judge ~$589/hr w/ degree boost (Discover University, Carls). Doctor edges for speed, Lawyer for hourly.
- Horse Ranch Equestrian: $4k+/week, skill-focused (Endurance/Agility).
- Growing Together: Ties into Education Professor (~$7k/week, stable academia path).
- Conflicts: ScreenRant ranks City Planner high; TheGamer favors Botanist ($10k/week) over Athlete.
Mini Case: Life & Death Reaper – Top branch yields $10k+/week + unique interactions like "Contemplate Existence."
Freelance, Part-Time & Gig Economy Pay Rates
Flexible cash without fixed schedules:
- Freelance Artist/Crafter (Eco Lifestyle): $425/hr top gigs, $3,400/day (GameRant). Matches Astronaut hourly.
- High School Years After-School/Teen Jobs: Retail max ~$200/day; best for passive skill-building.
- Tiny Living Odd Jobs: Quick $1k+ gigs.
- Lovestruck Dating App Freelancer: Romance Consultant gigs scale with matches.
- Nifty Knitting: Hourly knitter pay ~$300+.
Checklist for Max Gigs:
- [ ] Max relevant skills (e.g., Fabrication for Crafter).
- [ ] Use computer/phone for alerts.
- [ ] Stack with passive like animal husbandry.
Top Comparisons: Style Influencer vs Entertainer, Doctor vs Lawyer & More
| Comparison | Winner | Salary Edge | Hours | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style Influencer vs Entertainer | Influencer | $19.6k peak vs $6.5k/week | Flexible vs 5 days | Influencer: Creator schedule, follower boosts. Entertainer: Steady but grindy (TheGamer). |
| Doctor vs Lawyer | Doctor (speed) | $9k/week vs $8k+ | 4x10 vs 5x8 | Doctor: Active fun. Lawyer: Degree bonus, less stress (Carls). |
| Botanist vs Athlete | Botanist | $10k/week | 5x6 | Per TheGamer, plants > sports for pay. |
Passive Income & Business Careers Ranked
Earn while sleeping:
- For Rent Landlord: Max $5k+/week per property--scale to empires.
- Cottage Living Animal Husbandry: $2k+/day from cows/llamas (quality boosts via relationships, IGN).
- Business Career: $1k+/day profits, scales with employees.
- Mini Case: Werewolf/Spellcaster: Potion sales or artifacts via market tables (Realm of Magic, SimsCommunity)--$3k+/day passive.
Sims 4 Career Promotions Salary Chart (2026)
| Career | Lvl 1 ($/hr) | Lvl 5 ($/hr) | Lvl 10 ($/hr or weekly) | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astronaut | $13 | $78 | $425 ($12.8k/wk) | Fitness/Rocket Science |
| Undertaker (Mortician) | $15 | $50 | $435 | Charisma/Thanatology/Painting |
| Lawyer (Judge) | $20 | $100 | $589 (w/ degree) | Logic/Charisma |
| Secret Agent | $13 | $95 | $406 ($12.8k/wk) | Logic/Fitness |
| Freelance Artist | Gig-based | - | $425/hr | Creativity |
Vanilla vs Mods: Mods boost +20–50% (e.g., 2026 career mods). Source: Carls/GameRant.
How to Maximize Earnings: Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist
- Choose & Promote: Use
careers.promote [career]cheat (e.g.,careers.promote astronaut). - Skill Grind: Focus ideal moods (Focused for Astronaut). Traits: Ambitious.
- Checklist:
- [ ] Enable cheats:
testingcheats true. - [ ] Grind skills (Charisma 8 for Undertaker).
- [ ] Network/meet colleagues.
- [ ] Console/PS4: Same cheats via phone.
- [ ] Enable cheats:
- Freelance: Check gigs daily; stack with husbandry (befriend animals for premium milk/wool).
- Passive: Buy multi-unit rentals (For Rent).
Best Career Mods for Even Higher Pay in 2026
2026 mods (Simileverse) are pack-compatible, boosting salaries 2x. Fantasy careers (e.g., vampiric/werewolf enhanced) hit $20k+/week.
Install Steps:
- Download from trusted sites.
- Game Options > Other > Enable CC/Mods + Script Mods.
- Test stability.
Mini Case: Modded vs Base – Fantasy mod turns spellcasters into $15k/week potion lords.
FAQ
Is the Astronaut still the best paying job in Sims 4 2026?
Yes, $12k+/week edges out even new packs like Life & Death.
Style Influencer salary vs Entertainer: Which pays more?
Influencer ($19k peak) crushes Entertainer's $6.5k.
What are Sims 4 secret high paying jobs?
Interstellar Smuggler, Villain branch, Mortician--hidden in branches.
Doctor vs Lawyer pay in Sims 4: Full comparison?
Doctor faster to $9k/week; Lawyer $589/hr long-term w/ degree.
Sims 4 freelance artist hourly rate and how to start?
$425/hr max--use computer, max Painting/Creativity.
Highest paying teen jobs or part-time gigs in High School Years?
Retail/fast food ~$200/day; stack with gigs for $1k/week.
Maximize your Sim's empire--happy playing!