Highest Paying Jobs in the USA 2026: Top Careers for Six-Figure Salaries and Beyond
Discover the top 10 highest paying jobs in 2026 USA across tech, healthcare, engineering, finance, and emerging fields like AI. These roles offer salary projections, growth outlooks, and entry requirements based on BLS data and industry reports from sources like Nexford University and UND. Whether you're a student, career switcher, or professional, get actionable steps to land these lucrative positions--including skills, certifications, and no-degree options for fast growth.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Highest Paying Jobs in 2026 USA
- Cardiologists: ~$325K median (Nexford University projections).
- Surgeons: Forecast $250K+ median, with top earners exceeding $400K.
- CEOs: Compensation packages $500K+ including bonuses and equity (industry averages).
Key Takeaways: Quick Summary of 2026's Best High-Paying Careers
Here's a scannable overview of the top high-paying careers for 2026, with median salaries, BLS growth rates, and key sectors:
| Rank | Job | Median Salary (2026 Projection) | BLS Growth Rate | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologist | $324,760 | 3-9% (healthcare surge) | Healthcare |
| 2 | Surgeon | $250K+ | 3-9% | Healthcare |
| 3 | CEO | $500K+ (total comp) | Varies by industry | Executive |
| 4 | Petroleum Engineer | $141,280 | 3-9% | Engineering |
| 5 | AI Business Development Manager | $196,491 | 30%+ | Tech/AI |
| 6 | Computer Vision Engineer | $168,803 (top) / $86K entry | 29%+ (cyber/AI) | Tech |
| 7 | Pharmacist | $123,000 | 1.8M openings/year | Healthcare |
| 8 | Chemical Engineer | $121,860 | 3% | Engineering |
| 9 | Software Developer (Top 10%) | $210K+ | 1.9M jobs | Tech |
| 10 | Elevator Installer (No Degree) | $106,580 | Fast growth | Trades |
Sources: Nexford, UND, BLS, PhysEmp. Note: Info sec analysts +29% growth; nursing at 1.42% unemployment for stability.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in 2026 USA
This ranked list covers tech, medical, engineering, exec roles, aviation, and emerging fields, with descriptions, salaries, outlooks, and requirements. Profiles draw from 80-90% of key data points.
Healthcare Professions Dominating High Salaries
Healthcare leads with 1.8M openings/year until 2032 and 8/20 fastest-growing occupations (Nexford). All top 10 roles exceed $100K (PhysEmp).
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Cardiologist ($324,760 median): Diagnose heart conditions; requires bachelor's, med school, residency (10+ years). Growth: Stable demand amid aging population.
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Surgeon ($250K+ forecast): Perform operations; MD + residency. BLS projects steady 3-9% growth.
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Pharmacist ($123,000): Dispense medications; PharmD degree. High stability, low unemployment.
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Physician Associate ($100,000): Assist doctors; Master's + certification. Booming due to shortages.
Mini case: A nurse practitioner switched to physician associate, hitting $120K in 2 years via advanced certs.
Tech & AI: Highest Salary Jobs in Tech 2026
Tech projects 1.9M software jobs; AI/ML booming (Mismo, Nexford). Cyber +29% growth (STEM).
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AI Business Development Manager ($196,491): Drive AI sales; skills in Python/ML. 30%+ growth.
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Machine Learning Engineer ($109,143): Build AI models; BS in CS + certs. Entry via bootcamps.
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Software Developer ($210K top 10%; trends rising): Code apps; 27% no CS degree (Mismo). 1.9M openings.
Mini case: Career switcher from marketing to software dev via self-taught Python--landed $150K role in 18 months.
Engineering & Finance Lucrative Outlooks
Engineering averages $107K in high-pay states like ND (UND).
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Petroleum Engineer ($141,280): Optimize oil extraction; BS Engineering. 188K openings/year.
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Chemical Engineer ($121,860): Design processes; 3% growth.
Finance: Investment bankers scale to $200K+ with experience.
Other High-Payers
- Airline Pilot (Captain) ($350K+ major airlines): Fly commercial jets; flight hours + training. 155K jobs, 4% growth (SimpleFlying).
Tech vs Healthcare vs Engineering: Which Sector Pays Best in 2026?
Healthcare edges out with top salaries but requires long education. Tech offers remote/flex; engineering stability.
| Sector | Top Salary Example | Growth | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Cardiologist $325K | 1.8M openings; 22.6% postings surge (Indeed) | Stability (1.42% unemployment) | 10+ years education |
| Tech/AI | AI Manager $196K | Cyber +29%; AI 30%+ | Remote, fast entry (27% no degree) | Volatility (tech slowdown) |
| Engineering | Petroleum $141K | 3-9% (mechanical +9%) | High demand in energy states (ND $108K avg) | Location-dependent |
AI salaries vary: $86K entry to $168K experienced (Nexford). Healthcare wins raw pay; tech for growth/speed.
Highest Paying Remote Jobs 2026: Work from Anywhere Six-Figure Careers
Remote tech dominates for digital nomads (GoOverseas). Compare to on-site surgeons.
- Software Developer: $40-120/hr (~$100K+).
- SEO Specialist: $30-150/hr.
- Cloud/AI Architect: Top pay combining AI/security (DigitalCloud).
- Data Scientist: Trends to six figures remote.
Vs. surgeons ($250K but on-site). 67% remote workers report high productivity.
How to Land a High-Paying Job in 2026: Step-by-Step Checklist
Checklist 1: Build Skills
- Tech: Python/Java, ML (CISSP/CompTIA for cyber).
- Healthcare: CHDA cert for data roles.
- No-degree: Trade apprenticeships.
Checklist 2: Education Paths
- BS/STEM for engineering/health (public health concentrations).
- No-degree: Elevator installer training.
Steps:
- Portfolio: GitHub for devs.
- Certs: Security+ for cyber.
- Network: LinkedIn (healthcare postings +22.6%). Case: 27% software devs no CS degree--bootcamps key (Mismo).
Pros & Cons: High Salary Jobs with Fast Growth vs Stability (BLS Data 2026)
| Category | Growth Examples | Pros | Cons | BLS Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Growth | Cyber +29%, AI 30%+, Nursing low unemployment | High pay upside ($210K dev top) | Market volatility (tech quits low but slowdown) | Healthcare +22.6% postings (Indeed) |
| Stable | Surgeons/Pharmacists | Job security (1.42% nursing unemployment) | Long training (10+ years) | 1.8M openings/year |
Balance: Healthcare for stability; AI for explosive growth.
Emerging High-Salary Fields: AI, Blockchain & Cybersecurity Outlook 2026
- AI: Programming/ML skills; $196K managers (Nexford). Data centers $61B investment.
- Blockchain Developer: Projections high with crypto rebound.
- Cybersecurity: CISSP certs; +29% growth, GDPR drivers. Top roles $100K+ starting.
Future-proof: Quantum/cloud intersections (UC.edu).
FAQ
Which is the highest paying job in 2026 USA without a degree?
Elevator/escalator installer ($106,580 median; top 10% $149K) or power-line repairer ($92,560; HROnline).
What are the top high-paying tech jobs 2026 with salaries?
AI Business Dev $196K, ML Engineer $109K, Software Dev $210K top 10% (Nexford, Mismo).
Best paying medical careers 2026 projections and requirements?
Cardiologist $325K (MD+residency), Pharmacist $123K (PharmD), Physician Assoc $100K (Master's).
Software developer salary trends 2026 USA?
Top 10% $210K+; 1.9M jobs, rising with AI integration despite slowdown (Mismo).
Highest paying remote jobs 2026 for six-figure income?
Developers $40-120/hr, AI/Cloud architects--six figures easy remote (GoOverseas).
How much do surgeons and pilots earn in 2026 USA?
Surgeons $250K+ median; Pilots $350K+ captains at majors (SimpleFlying).