Highest Paying Jobs in the USA: Top Careers by Salary (2024-2025 Data)
Career changers, recent graduates, and job seekers in the US often chase high-salary paths as 2024-2026 market shifts favor tech, healthcare, and energy. The biggest paychecks cluster in executive roles (CEOs at $20M median in communication services, Harvard CEO Pay Study), medicine (surgeons $300K-$500K, Vaidyog), engineering (petroleum engineers $135K-$141K, Case Western), and law (IP lawyers $231K avg, Colleges of Law).
You'll find rankings of top payers here, field breakdowns with verified data, degree versus no-degree comparisons, and entry steps--useful when weighing education costs against earning potential. Jump to the Evidence Pack table for a sortable snapshot of 12 roles by pay, requirements, and outlook. Keep in mind: These figures may not hold if you're in a small firm or non-hub location where medians drop significantly.
Quick Ranking of Top Paying Occupations
The highest earners concentrate in executive, engineering, medical, and legal fields, with medians from $123K to $20M+ based on 2023-2024 data. CEOs lead at $20M median total compensation in communication services (Harvard CEO Pay Study), followed by petroleum engineers ($135,690-$141,280 median, Case Western; UND). IP lawyers average $231,099 (Colleges of Law), pharmacists hit $123,000 median (Nexford), and nuclear engineers reach $125,460 (2023, Case Western).
Engineering managers earn $165,370 (Case Western), while location drives variation--New York CEOs lead among states (Harvard CEO Pay Study). Watch for BLS 2025 occupational updates to confirm these numbers; salaries shift by specialization and region (petroleum peaks in energy hubs like North Dakota at $107K+ engineer avg, UND). Use this snapshot to prioritize fields with $120K+ medians.
| Rank | Job | Median Salary (Source/Year) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CEO (Communication Services) | $25.2M (Harvard, 2024) |
| 2 | Petroleum Engineer | $135K-$141K (Case Western, 2023; UND) |
| 3 | IP Lawyer | $231K avg (Colleges of Law, 2024) |
| 4 | Engineering Manager | $165K (Case Western) |
| 5 | Nuclear Engineer | $125K (2023, Case Western) |
| 6 | Pharmacist | $123K (Nexford) |
| 7 | Chemical Engineer | $122K avg (UND) |
| 8 | Cloud Architect | $134K-$336K (FlexJobs, 2025) |
| 9 | Surgeon | $300K-$500K (Vaidyog, 2025) |
| 10 | Nurse Practitioner | $100K+ (Nexford) |
Petroleum delivers immediate high pay, but certifications like PMP speed up most engineering paths while medical roles show strong growth.
Executive Roles and CEO Compensation Breakdown
Executive roles, especially CEOs at S&P 500 firms, carry the highest pay ceilings but require decades of leadership experience. Median total compensation reached $20M for women CEOs (Harvard CEO Pay Study), with communication services at $25.2M median, healthcare $20.2M, tech $19.3M, and utilities lowest at $12.2M (2024). Stock awards averaged $10.3M. Perks climbed to $286K.
New York hosts the highest-paid CEOs among states with 5+ (2024). Median employee pay sat at $85K, showing the gap. One limitation: Data focuses on large firms; small companies pay far less. This path makes sense if you're aiming for C-suite in major industries, but expect 15-20+ years climbing the ladder--not a quick-entry option.
CEOs in communication services top the charts, though the path suits only those with proven leadership over decades.
Highest Paying Engineering Careers
Petroleum engineering leads with $135,690-$141,280 medians (2023, Case Western; UND), outpacing nuclear ($125,460, 2023, Case Western) and chemical ($121,860 avg, UND). Engineering managers pull in $165,370 (Case Western), while mechanical hovers around $99,500 (historical, pre-2023, Case Western).
Differences come from regional demand--North Dakota engineers average $107K versus Minnesota $100K (UND). Growth stays steady (chemical at 3%, for example). Boost pay with PMP certification (33% global increase, Simplilearn, 2025). Strong fit for math and problem-solving types; bachelor's degree minimum.
Petroleum offers immediate high pay, but PMP certs speed up most paths.
Tech Engineering Standouts
Within engineering, tech roles like software architects and AI/ML engineers compete at $100K+ medians (aligned with related fields, Simplilearn, 2025). They offer remote work potential through cloud tools. Data from US/UK/Canada shows $60K-$150K+ ranges. Good match for coding career changers; pair with certifications for entry.
Medical and Healthcare High Earners
Pharmacists lead accessible roles at $123,000 median (Nexford), with physician assistants at $100,000 avg and sonographers $106,500. Nurse practitioners show 38% growth projections (Nexford via BLS Projections). Surgeons and specialists range $300K-$500K (Vaidyog, 2025).
Healthcare expects 1.8M openings per year to 2032 (Nexford). Pay varies by specialty and location; advanced roles climb to $200K. You need a BS plus certifications or residency. High demand, though burnout risks run high in patient-facing work.
Surgeons offer top pay, but pharmacists give you accessible entry with strong BLS-backed growth.
Lucrative Legal Specializations
Corporate and IP lawyers earn the most, with IP averaging $231,099 (Payscale 2024, Colleges of Law). Corporate lawyers lead in hubs like NY/DC/LA (Zavodnick Law, 2025), while trial and personal injury hit $200K+ for high-stakes cases. Ranges run $100K-$400K by specialty and practice (RunSensible, 2025).
Bankruptcy lags around $100K due to simpler cases. Key factors: State, firm size, case complexity. You need a JD plus bar exam; specialize after graduation to hit peaks. Not for everyone--strong networking matters amid 8% growth to 2032 (Nexford).
IP and corporate lead, but you'll need to specialize post-JD to reach peaks in high-demand hubs.
Comparing Fields: Degree vs No-Degree Paths and Remote Options
Degree paths like engineering offer the highest ROI ($76K early/$120K+ mid-career, Bankrate, 2025), far above trades (limited data available, typically under $100K medians). High-paying no-degree jobs are rare; focus on certifications instead. Remote work shines in tech--cloud architects earn $134K-$336K (FlexJobs, 2025), growing "much faster than average" (BLS via FlexJobs).
| Path | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Degree (Eng/Med/Law) | $120K+ ceiling, growth | 4+ years, debt |
| No-Degree/Trades | Faster entry | Lower medians |
| Remote Tech | Flexibility, $100K+ | Competition high |
Degrees win for long-term earnings; skip if your skills don't match--start with community college instead.
Degrees dominate high pay, but remote tech certs offer flexibility for qualified candidates.
Steps to Land a Top Paying Career
- Executives: Build 10+ years in management; network through MBA or exec programs.
- Engineering: Earn a bachelor's; add PMP (33% pay boost, Simplilearn, 2025). Sharpen problem-solving skills.
- Medical: BS plus residency or pharm school (4 years psych plus med school plus 3-year residency, Nexford).
- Legal: JD plus bar; specialize in IP or corporate.
Start with baseline skills through community college if needed--these paths don't suit those with low math or analytical ability.
Evidence Pack
Top Paying Jobs Decision Matrix
| Job Title | Median Salary (Source/Year) | Min Education | Growth Outlook | Remote Potential | Best For | Caveats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO | $20M-$25M (Harvard, 2024) | MBA/20+ yrs exp | Steady (S&P 500) | Partial | Leaders in tech/healthcare | Large firms only |
| Petroleum Eng | $135K-$141K (Case Western, 2023) | Bachelor's | 5-7% | No | Energy hubs | Regional variance |
| IP Lawyer | $231K (Colleges of Law, 2024) | JD | 8% | Partial | Tech/patent experts | High competition |
| Engineering Mgr | $165K (Case Western) | Bachelor's + exp | Avg | Partial | Communicators | Mgmt skills key |
| Pharmacist | $123K (Nexford) | PharmD | Steady | No | Patient care | Shift work |
| Nuclear Eng | $125K (2023, Case Western) | Bachelor's | Top 5 eng | No | Analytical | Security clearance |
| Cloud Architect | $134K-$336K (FlexJobs, 2025) | Bachelor's/cert | Much faster | Yes | Tech remote | Experience needed |
| Nurse Practitioner | $100K+ (Nexford) | MSN | 38% | Partial | Healthcare growth | Licensing varies |
| Chemical Eng | $122K (UND) | Bachelor's | 3% | Partial | Diverse apps | Location factor |
| Physician Asst | $100K (Nexford) | Master's | High | No | Quick med entry | Residency req'd |
| Corporate Lawyer | $150K-$400K (Zavodnick, 2025) | JD | 8% | Partial | Business hubs | Firm size matters |
| Surgeon | $300K-$500K (Vaidyog, 2025) | MD + residency | High demand | No | Specialists | Long training |
Sort by pay or filter for no-degree options (rare). Location bumps pay 20-30% in SF/NY (Huntr, 2025).
Jobs with Strong ROI: College Majors and Long-Term Pay
Engineering majors deliver top ROI: $76K early-career, $120K+ mid-career (Bankrate, 2025). Journalism lags at $50K early/$85K mid. STEM beats humanities, though political science hits $90K mid-career. Pay varies by hub (SF pays 20-30% higher, Huntr, 2025). Choose based on a 10-20 year view; engineering gives you maximum payoff.
FAQ
What are the highest paying jobs without a degree?
Limited data shows trades below $100K medians; tech certifications (like cloud) offer $100K+ remote paths (FlexJobs, 2025), but most top roles require degrees or experience.
Which engineering job pays the most in 2024?
Petroleum engineers at $135K-$141K median (2023, Case Western; UND)--expected trends hold into 2026 based on energy demand patterns.
How much do CEOs really earn?
$20M-$25.2M median total comp in top industries like communication services (2024, Harvard CEO Pay Study); includes stock and perks, but focuses on S&P 500.
Are there high-paying remote jobs over $100K?
Yes, cloud architects earn $134K-$336K (FlexJobs, 2025); growth much faster than average (BLS), ideal if you have tech skills.
What medical careers offer the best salaries?
Pharmacists $123K median (Nexford); surgeons $300K-$500K (Vaidyog, 2025), with 1.8M openings per year to 2032.
Check your math and leadership fit (strong? Consider engineering or exec tracks). Look up local demand on the BLS site. Next step: Update your resume for one target role and apply to 5 openings this week.