Highest Paying Jobs in the US 2026: Top Salaries, Trends & Career Paths

Discover the top 10 highest paying jobs in 2026 US with exact salary data, industry breakdowns, no-degree options, and future outlook to 2030. Get actionable steps to land these roles, comparisons across sectors/states, and BLS-based forecasts for smart career decisions.

Quick Answer: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the US for 2026

For career seekers planning ahead, here's the ranked list of the highest paying jobs in the US for 2026, based on median annual salaries from BLS, Nexford University, Bridgeport, and other sources. These figures include base pay plus typical bonuses where applicable:

1. Fortune 500/S&P 500 CEO - $16.1M total direct compensation (TDC), with NY CEOs averaging $515K+ base plus $291K bonuses (HarvardCorpGov, Nexford).
2. Cardiologist - $324,760 median (Nexford).
3. Orthopedic Surgeon - $382K in high-paying states like GA (WorldPopulationReview); general surgeons up to $533K as partners (PhysicianSideGigs).
4. Anesthesiologist - $256K+ (Rezound); up to $346K in select states.
5. Surgeon (General/Physician) - $350K+ median (Rezound, Nexford).
6. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) - $214K (Bridgeport).
7. AI Engineer (Senior) - $160K+ (Schiller, Auxis).
8. Nurse Practitioner - $128K (Bridgeport).
9. Petroleum Engineer - $100K+ median for engineering fields (Bridgeport).
10. Data Scientist - $130K+ with 23% growth (Auxis, BLS projections).

These roles dominate due to demand in healthcare (1.8M openings/year), tech (8-10% salary rise), and executive leadership.

Key Takeaways: Best Job Salaries at a Glance

• Medical highs: CRNA $214K, Cardiologist $324K, Surgeon $350K+; 45% growth for nurse practitioners, 35% for mental health roles (BLS, Nexford).
• Tech averages: AI engineers $160K+ (9.2% mid-level growth), software devs $110K+; overall tech salaries up 8-10% (Auxis, Bridgeport).
• Executive peaks: S&P 500 CEOs $16.1M TDC (+14% YoY); NY $515K+ (HarvardCorpGov).
• No-degree paths: Remote sales/tech roles +40% premium (FlexJobs/Kuubiik); pilots/airline captains competitive.
• Remote options: Devs/marketers up 40% over office (Kuubiik).
• Growth leaders: AI 23%, nurse practitioners 45% (Auxis, Research.com).

Highest Paying by Industry Breakdown

Key sectors lead 2026 salaries. Here's a comparison table (medians, US-wide unless noted):

Note: 2020 baselines (e.g., EDHEC $110K software) rose 8-10% by 2026 per Auxis, outpacing 0.8% general tech (BlueSignal conflicts resolved via recent data).

Top Earning Professions by State

Salaries vary by location (WorldPopulationReview):

• Orthopedic Surgeon: GA $382K.
• Emergency Physician: MS, KY, MI $350K.
• Dermatologist: Multiple states ~$350K.
• Anesthesiologist: Select states $346K.
• CEOs: NY $515K+ base.

Avoid low per-capita states like CA (1.8 jobs/100K people) for entry-level; target high-opportunity areas.

Tech & AI: Fastest Growing High-Salary Careers in 2026

Tech salaries average $110K+, with AI exploding: mid-level AI engineers +9.2%, overall 8-10% rise, 23% headcount growth (Auxis). Senior AI: $160K+ (Schiller). Skills: Python, Java (Nexford).

Mini Case Study: Entry-level AI (equiv. 10L INR/$12K US-adjusted) progresses to $160K senior in 5-10 years (PW Skills). BLS notes programmers declining -11%, but AI bucks trend at 23%.

Medical & Healthcare: Stable High-Pay Powerhouses

Healthcare projects 1.8M openings/year to 2032 (Nexford). Top salaries:

• Pharmacist: $123K.
• Sonographer: $106K.
• Nurse Practitioner: $128K.
• CRNA: $214K.
• Surgeon: $350K+ vs. $533K partners (PhysicianSideGigs, Research.com).

Growth: 35% mental health, 45% NPs (BLS).

Executive & Finance Roles: Elite Compensation Trends

S&P 500 CEOs hit $16.1M TDC in 2023 (+14% YoY), mid-single digits into 2026 amid TSR rebound (HarvardCorpGov). NY CEOs: $515K+bonus (Nexford). Fortune 500 trends: Prioritizing LTI (13% rise). Mini Case: 2023-2026 shift post-2022 dip emphasizes stock options (Southlea).

Highest Paying Jobs No Degree vs College Grads in 2026

Degrees win long-term (e.g., CS $110K), but bootcamps bridge gap; programmers -11% vs AI +23% (Research.com, NationalU).

Remote & Future-Proof High-Pay Jobs: Outlook 2026-2030

Remote devs +40% premium (Kuubiik/FlexJobs). BLS: 35% mental health, 15% AI growth. Airline captains/pilots strong. Outlook: AI 23%, healthcare steady to 2030.

Checklist:

• Target remote tech/finance.
• Skills: AI/cloud certs.

How to Land a Top-Paying Job in 2026: Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Build Skills: Python/Java for AI/tech; pre-med for healthcare.
2. Certifications: Cloud/AI (Google/AWS), CRNA boards.
3. Network: LinkedIn, target NY/GA (not CA low per-capita).

4. Paths Pros/Cons:	Degree	Bootcamp/No Degree
   Stable $125K, 15% growth	Fast entry +40% remote, variable

Apply via FlexJobs/LinkedIn; 73% recruiters prioritize skills (Research.com).

Salary Comparison: Tech vs Medical vs Executive in 2026

Tech offers work-life balance; medical stability; execs rewards scale/risk. Trends: Tech 8-10% vs prior 0.8% (Auxis resolves BlueSignal).

FAQ

What are the top 10 highest paying careers in 2026 US?
See Quick Answer: CEOs $16M, Cardiologists $324K, Surgeons $350K+.

What is the average salary for AI engineers and software engineers in 2026?
AI: $160K+ senior; Software: $110K+ (Auxis, Schiller).

Which states have the highest paying jobs like surgeons or CEOs?
GA surgeons $382K, NY CEOs $515K+, MS physicians $350K (WorldPopulationReview).

What are the best paying remote jobs in 2026?
Devs +40% premium, AI/data roles (Kuubiik).

How do nurse anesthetist and surgeon salaries compare in 2026?
CRNA $214K vs Surgeon $350K+; CRNA faster entry/growth (Bridgeport).

What are the highest paying jobs without a college degree in 2026 US?
Remote sales/tech $100K+, pilots (FlexJobs, Kuubiik).