Highest Paying Jobs 2026: Top Careers for Maximum Earnings in the USA
Discover the best jobs for money in 2026 based on BLS projections, salary forecasts, and industry trends--covering tech, medicine, trades, finance, and no-degree options. Get quick answers on top salaries, fastest-growing roles, remote opportunities, and steps to break into lucrative careers.
Quick Answer: The 10 Best Jobs for Money in 2026
For career seekers eyeing maximum earnings, here’s a ranked list of the highest-paying jobs in the USA for 2026, drawn from BLS data, Doximity reports, and industry forecasts. These roles blend sky-high salaries with strong growth projections.
| Rank | Job | Average Salary (2026) | Growth Projection | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgeon | $749,140 | 3-5% (BLS) | Top medical specialty per Doximity |
| 2 | Orthopedic Surgeon | $679,517 | 3-5% | High demand for procedural work |
| 3 | Cardiologist | $587,360 (Doximity) / $324,760 (avg sources) | 3% | Procedural vs. non-procedural variance |
| 4 | Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | $256,040 | 35% to 2031 (BLS) | Cybersecurity boom |
| 5 | Anesthesiologist | $523,277 | 3-5% | Stable demand |
| 6 | Elevator Installer/Repairer | $106,580 | 6% | No degree, top 10% at $149K |
| 7 | AI Engineer (Senior) | $160,000+ | 20%+ (tech forecasts) | Remote options +40% premium |
| 8 | Power-Line Installer | $92,560 | 8% | Trades growth |
| 9 | Investment Banker (Senior) | $200K+ (base + bonus) | Variable | Bonuses up 15-20% |
| 10 | Wind Turbine Technician | $62,580 | 60% (BLS) | Fastest-growing no-degree role |
These figures reflect medians unless noted; top earners often exceed via bonuses, equity, or location premiums (e.g., NYC/SF).
Key Takeaways: Highest Paying Jobs at a Glance
- AI/Tech Boom: AI engineers and cybersecurity roles lead with $160K+ salaries and 35% growth; remote devs earn 40% more per FlexJobs.
- Medical Dominance: Surgeons top lists at $500K-$750K, but burnout hits 55%.
- No-Degree Powerhouses: 88% of entry-level jobs skip degrees (ZipRecruiter); trades like elevator installers hit $106K, top 10% at $149K.
- Skills-Based Shift: 78% of jobs emphasize AI/technical skills; 38% of employers use assessments.
- Finance Bonuses Surge: Wall Street bonuses up 15% at Barclays/BofA; quant traders and CEOs see variable comp.
- Remote & Growth: Cyber (35%), wind techs (60%); 63% firms hiring entry-level.
Top Medical Specialties: Best Paying Doctor Jobs 2026
Healthcare remains the gold standard for high pay, with procedural specialties dominating. Per Doximity 2026 data, neurosurgeons lead at $749,140 annually, followed by orthopedic surgeons ($679,517), cardiologists ($587,360), vascular surgeons ($576,452), and gastroenterologists ($537,870). Pediatric surgery averages $450,810 (Indeed/SUSOM), while conflicting cardiologist figures ($324,760 avg across sources) highlight procedural volume impacts.
Demand surges as physicians near retirement (65+ by 2025-2026). Family medicine offers balance with solid pay (~$250K+) and flexible hours.
Surgeon vs Anesthesiologist Salary Comparison 2026
Popular query: Surgeons edge out in pay but face higher competition. Here's a head-to-head based on Doximity, SUSOM, and YouSMLE data:
| Factor | Surgeon (e.g., Ortho/Neuro) | Anesthesiologist |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Salary | $679K-$749K | $523,277 |
| Weekly Hours | 52.2 | 51.8 |
| Burnout Rate | 50-55% | 55% |
| Unmatched Rate (US Seniors) | 37.3% (plastic surgery comp) | 10.5% |
| Competition | Extremely high | Moderate |
| Replaceability | Low (patient panels) | Higher (no long-term patients) |
| Pros | Higher pay, prestige | Shorter training, stable shifts |
| Cons | Intense hours, liability | Team-dependent, easier replacement |
Surgeons win on earnings potential but demand 7+ years residency; anesthesiologists offer slightly better lifestyle.
Tech & AI Careers: Highest Paying Jobs in Tech 2026
Tech's transformation via AI, cloud, and cyber drives explosive pay. CISOs top at $256K (median), chief info sec officers at $175K. AI/ML engineers range $125K-$165K (Invensis), with seniors at $160K+ (Schiller). Fastest-growing: AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity (35% BLS to 2031).
Remote AI roles command 40% pay premiums. Skills Checklist: Python, data science, machine learning, cloud certs (AWS/Azure).
AI Engineer Salary Forecast USA 2026
Senior AI engineers exceed $160K, with AI strategy leaders and generative AI specialists pushing higher. Demand stems from organizational AI integration; degrees in CS/math help, but skills rule.
Finance & Wall Street: Lucrative Professions 2026
Wall Street shines with bonuses: Barclays up 15%, BofA associates at 75% salary (down from 110%). Investment bankers and quant traders hit $200K+ total comp; Kirkland & Ellis lawyers generate $7.2B revenue. Corporate lawyers thrive amid talent shortages (54% firms report recruit gaps).
2026 bonus rounds signal optimism despite volatility.
CEO Salary by Company Size 2026
CEO pay varies wildly: FTSE firms see 15% outpacing workforce; S&P/TSX emphasize ESG incentives (60% firms). Small firms: $200K-$500K base + equity; large caps: multimillion via LTIs. 90% say-on-pay approval persists.
High-Paying Jobs No Degree Required 2026
Skills-based hiring booms: 88% entry-level jobs omit degrees (ZipRecruiter), 78% stress AI skills. Top roles:
- Elevator Installer: $106,580 (top 10% $149K)
- Power-Line Installer: $92,560 (top $126K)
- Taper (Drywall): $64,700 (top $100K)
- Wind Turbine Tech: $62,580 (60% growth)
Entry Checklist: Apprenticeships, certifications (e.g., NABCEP for wind), skills assessments (used by 38% employers).
Most Profitable Trades 2026
Trades beat degrees for speed: 2-4 years entry vs. 4+; top 10% rival white-collar pay. Pros: Job security, physical work; cons: Weather exposure vs. office flexibility.
Sales, Real Estate & Remote Gigs: Alternative High Earners
Sales: Medical device reps $86K, software sales $75K. Real estate moguls eye AI/data center booms (2026 election issue). Remote: Devs +40% pay; top freelance gigs in AI consulting.
Mini Case: Real estate shifts to EBITDA-focused ops, rewarding scalable tech leverage.
Fastest Growing High Paying Careers 2026 (BLS Projections)
BLS/ZipRecruiter: Cyber 35%, wind techs 60%, trades 6-8%. Entry-level hiring up 63%; international trade roles surge on tariffs/geopolitics. Skills assessments key (38% employers).
How to Land the Best Jobs for Money: Step-by-Step Guide
- Build Skills: AI proficiency, Python (tech/everywhere); certs for trades/cyber.
- No-Degree Path: Apprenticeships (elevator/wind), bootcamps (AI).
- Network: LinkedIn for Wall Street/sales; firm values match (e.g., Kirkland).
- Remote Hunt: FlexJobs; highlight 40% premium.
- Assess & Apply: 38% employers test skills; tailor for 67% salary transparency.
Medical: Pre-med undergrad + residency. Tech: Portfolio > degree.
Pros & Cons: High Pay vs Lifestyle Tradeoffs
| Job | Pay | Hours/Flex | Burnout | Lifestyle Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurosurgeon | $749K | 52+/low flex | High | Intense, high-reward |
| AI Engineer (Remote) | $160K+ | 40/high flex | Low | Balanced, scalable |
| Elevator Installer | $106K | 40/medium | Medium | Hands-on, secure |
| CEO (Large Firm) | $1M+ | 60+/low | High | Leadership stress |
High pay often trades work-life; family medicine offers $250K+ balance.
FAQ
What are the highest paying jobs no degree 2026?
Elevator installers ($106K), power-line workers ($92K), wind techs ($62K, 60% growth).
Surgeon vs anesthesiologist salary comparison 2026?
Surgeons $679K-$749K vs. $523K; similar hours (52 vs 51.8), but surgeons less replaceable.
AI engineer salary forecast USA 2026?
$125K-$165K avg, seniors $160K+; remote +40%.
Best Wall Street jobs salary 2026?
Investment bankers/quant traders $200K+ (bonuses +15-20%).
High paying remote jobs 2026 predictions?
AI devs, cyber experts; 40% premium over office.
CEO salary by company size 2026?
Small: $200K-$500K; large: $1M+ via equity/ESG incentives.