Highest Paying Jobs in the US for 2026: Top Careers, Salaries & Projections
In the competitive 2026 US job market, high earners dominate healthcare, tech, finance, and executive roles. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, Doximity reports, and industry analyses like TAG MedStaffing, the top 10 highest-paying jobs average over $500K annually, with neurosurgeons leading at $749K. These six-figure (and beyond) careers offer recession-proof stability and millionaire-making potential.
This guide breaks down rankings, salary outlooks, growth rates, and actionable steps--even entry-level or remote paths without a degree--for career seekers like millennials and Gen Z targeting maximum earnings.
The Best Job That Pays the Most in 2026: Quick Answer
Neurosurgeon is the single best job that pays the most money in the US for 2026, with an average annual salary of $749,140 (Doximity/TAG MedStaffing data). This tops all occupations, driven by high demand, procedural complexity, and a projected surgeon shortage of 10K–19K by 2036 (AAMC).
For comparison, #2 orthopedic surgeons earn $679,517 (Doximity), a $70K gap reflecting neurosurgery's brain/spine precision. BLS projects healthcare growth at 9% overall to 2034, but surgical specialties outpace due to aging populations.
Key Takeaways Box
Top 3 Salaries & Growth (2026 Projections):
- Neurosurgeon: $749K | Growth: 3–5% (shortage-driven)
- Orthopedic Surgeon: $679K | Growth: 3%
- CEO (S&P 500 Median TDC): $16.1M | Growth: Mid-single digits (Harvard CorpGov/S&P trends)
Sources: Doximity, BLS, S&P CEO data
Key Takeaways: Top 10 Highest Paying Occupations in the US 2026
Here's a scannable list of the top 10, blending BLS, Doximity, Invensis Learning, and Visual Capitalist data. Salaries are medians; lifetime earnings potential exceeds $20M for top roles over 30–40 years.
| Rank | Job | 2026 Median Salary | Projected Growth (to 2034) | Lifetime Earning Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgeon | $749K | 3–5% | $25M+ |
| 2 | Orthopedic Surgeon | $679K | 3% | $22M+ |
| 3 | CEO (S&P 500) | $16.1M TDC | Mid-single digits | $100M+ |
| 4 | Thoracic Surgeon | $689K–$707K | 3–5% | $22M+ |
| 5 | Anesthesiologist | $523K | 3% | $17M+ |
| 6 | AI/ML Engineer | $125K–$180K | 20–30% | $6M+ |
| 7 | Petroleum Engineer | $150K+ | 2–5% (energy boom) | $5M+ |
| 8 | Quant Analyst (Finance) | $200K–$400K | 10% | $10M+ |
| 9 | Software/Cloud Architect | $165K+ | 15–25% | $6M+ |
| 10 | Investment Banker | $200K–$500K+ | 8% | $12M+ |
Fastest-growing high-salary pick: Cybersecurity specialists (32% BLS growth). Millionaire-makers like CEOs and surgeons offer unmatched long-term wealth.
Healthcare Dominates: Highest Paying Medical Jobs 2026 (Surgeons, Anesthesiologists & More)
Healthcare claims 7 of the top 10 spots, per Doximity and Liv Hospital data. Aging boomers and AAMC shortages fuel demand.
- Neurosurgeon: $749K (TAG MedStaffing)
- Orthopedic Surgeon: $679K
- Thoracic Surgeon: $689K–$707K (Doximity/Physician Thrive)
- Cardiologist: $587K
- Plastic Surgeon: $571K–$600K (Liv Hospital)
- Vascular Surgeon: $576K
- Nuclear Medicine Physician: $500K+
- Anesthesiologist: $523K
Primary care lags at $200K–$250K, highlighting a $300K+ specialist gap (Liv Hospital).
Neurosurgeon vs Orthopedic Surgeon: Pay Comparison 2026
| Aspect | Neurosurgeon | Orthopedic Surgeon |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $749K (Doximity) | $679K (Doximity) / $624K (Physician Thrive) |
| Demand | Extreme shortage | High (sports medicine boom) |
| Training | 7–8 yrs residency + fellowship (15 yrs total) | 5 yrs residency + fellowship (12–14 yrs) |
| Pros | Prestige, complex cases | Better lifestyle, high volume |
| Cons | 80+ hr weeks, high stress | Physical demands, competition |
Neurosurgery edges out due to rarity (Doximity resolves Thrive variance via larger samples).
Tech & IT Boom: Best Careers for Maximum Salary in Tech 2026
AI, cloud, and cyber drive 15–32% growth (BLS/UC.edu). Invensis forecasts:
- AI/ML Engineer: $125K–$180K (deep learning premiums)
- Software/Cloud Architect (AWS/Azure): $165K+
- Data Scientist: $112K+ (Visual Capitalist)
- Cybersecurity Specialist: $165K+ (15–30% premiums; CISSP adds $25K–$35K, Redbud Cyber)
- Semiconductor Process Engineer: $150K+ (tech boom)
BLS: 32% cyber growth; software devs at $133K median.
Mini case: CISSP certification boosts pay 15–20% amid NIS2/GDPR demand.
Finance & Executive Roles: Wall Street and C-Suite Pay Trends 2026
C-suite and finance soar with performance ties (S&P/Harvard CorpGov):
- CEO: $16.1M median TDC (2023; +mid-single digits 2025–26)
- Hedge Fund Manager/VC Partner: $1M–$10M+ (bonuses)
- Investment Banker: $200K–$500K+ (Wall Street)
- Quant Analyst: $200K–$400K
14% CEO pay growth in 2023; tech sector medians hit $16.8M (GECN).
Other High-Paying Fields: Engineering, Law, Pilots & Emerging Jobs
- Petroleum Engineer: $150K+ (Nexford basic industries)
- Airline Captain: $350K–$448K (SimpleFlying)
- Corporate Lawyer (Big Law 1st-year): $215K+
- Patent Attorney: $200K+
- Blockchain Developer: $150K+ (crypto surge)
Entry-level no-degree: Basic industries like drilling (Nexford).
Highest Paying Remote Jobs 2026 & Entry-Level Six-Figure Opportunities
Remote roles pay 40% premiums (FlexJobs/Kuubiik): AI/ML ($180K), cloud architects ($165K), quant analysts. Entry-level no-degree: Tech sales ($100K+ OTE), cybersecurity (CompTIA Security+).
Job Market Trends 2026: Recession-Proof & Fastest Growing High-Salary Careers
BLS: 9% overall growth to 2034; fastest include nurse practitioners ($129K), cyber (32%), software devs ($133K), AI (Visual Capitalist/ACU). Recession-proof: Healthcare/tech. AI risks low for specialists.
Pros & Cons: High-Paying Jobs Comparison (Healthcare vs Tech vs Finance)
| Field | Salary | Education | Stress | Remote/Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $500K+ | 10–15 yrs | High (on-call) | Low |
| Tech | $150K–$180K | 4-yr degree + certs | Medium | High |
| Finance | $200K–$16M | MBA/networking | High (hours) | Medium |
Tech offers quickest entry; healthcare max pay.
How to Land the Best High-Paying Job in 2026: Step-by-Step Checklist
- Education/Certs: Med school for surgeons; Python/CISSP for AI/cyber (Invensis/Redbud).
- Skills: AI/cloud proficiency; negotiate 10–20% boosts.
- Networking: LinkedIn/mentors; target shortages.
- Entry Paths: Bootcamps for tech; no-degree sales/oil (Nexford).
Lifetime Earnings Potential: Millionaire-Maker Careers for Millennials & Gen Z
Surgeons: $20M–$30M over 40 years; CEOs: $100M+. Tech hits $6M+ with 20% growth (Visual Capitalist). Six-figure starts abound.
FAQ
What are the top 10 highest paying jobs in the US 2026?
Neurosurgeon ($749K), orthopedic surgeon ($679K), CEO ($16M), etc. (see table).
Neurosurgeon vs orthopedic surgeon: which pays more in 2026?
Neurosurgeon ($749K) > orthopedic ($679K); similar demand but neurosurgery rarer.
What is the AI machine learning engineer salary forecast for 2026?
$125K–$180K (Invensis); top firms exceed $200K.
Are there entry-level high-paying jobs with no degree in 2026?
Yes: Tech sales ($100K+), oil drilling (Nexford), cybersecurity entry (Security+).
What are the highest paying remote jobs in 2026?
AI/ML ($180K), cloud architects ($165K), data scientists (FlexJobs 40% premium).
How much do CEOs and surgeons earn according to BLS 2026 projections?
BLS baselines lower ($200K+ medians); Doximity/S&P detail surgeons $500K+, CEOs $16M TDC.
What are the fastest growing high-salary careers per Bureau of Labor Statistics?
Cybersecurity (32%), software devs ($133K), nurse practitioners ($129K).