Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs in the US for 2026 (Ranked by Salary Projections)
Discover the best high-salary careers in tech, healthcare, finance, engineering, trades, and more, with 2026 salary data, growth projections, education needs, and entry tips. Get proven strategies to land six-figure roles, including no-degree options and remote opportunities.
Quick Answer: Highest Paying Jobs 2026
Here's the immediate rundown of the top 10 highest paying jobs in the US for 2026, based on BLS projections, Nexford University, UND, and industry reports like Human Resources Online.
| Rank | Job Title | Median Salary (2026 Proj.) | Growth Rate (to 2032) | Source Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologist | $324,760 | 3-5% | Nexford |
| 2 | Neurosurgeon | $320,000+ | 3% | TrainingExpress/BLS equiv. |
| 3 | CEO | $240,000+ (up to $500k) | 6% | Career Agents/Nexford |
| 4 | Petroleum Engineer | $141,280 | 3-6% | UND |
| 5 | Hedge Fund Manager | $200k+ (bonuses) | Varies | Nexford |
| 6 | Software Architect | $127,260+ | 188k openings/yr | Simplilearn/BLS |
| 7 | Elevator Installer | $106,580 | 5-6% | Human Resources Online |
| 8 | Chemical Engineer | $121,860 | 3% | UND |
| 9 | Actuary | $125,770 | 21.8% | CPA Practice Advisor |
| 10 | Power-Line Repairer | $92,560 | 5-6% | Human Resources Online |
Note: Salaries vary by experience, location, and bonuses; BLS physician medians start at $229k but specialties peak higher.
Key Takeaways
- Healthcare dominates: Cardiologists and neurosurgeons lead with $320k+ salaries (Nexford/TrainingExpress).
- Tech/AI surges: Roles like Software Architect and AI Engineer offer $127k+ with 188k annual openings (Simplilearn/UND).
- Trades hit six figures no degree: Elevator installers at $106k, power-line repairers $92k+ (Human Resources Online).
- Finance bonuses boost pay: Hedge Fund Managers top earners with uncapped potential (Nexford).
- Engineering steady high: Petroleum engineers $141k, chemical $122k (UND).
- Low-stress winners: Actuaries $126k with 22% growth (CPA Practice Advisor).
- Remote viable: Customer Success $100k+, Tech Writing $90k-$130k (RemoteJobAssistant).
- Growth focus: Tech and healthcare project 10-20%+ demand (LinkedIn/Mashable).
- No-degree paths: Trades like HVAC/plumbing $85k-$95k median, top $200k (BlueCollarRecruiter).
- Exec level peaks: CEOs $240k-$500k after 15+ years (Career Agents).
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs Overall in 2026 (US Projections)
- Cardiologist ($324,760): Tops lists per Nexford; BLS general physicians at $229k, but specialties soar.
- Neurosurgeon ($320,000+): Up to $400k globally; critical surgeries drive pay (TrainingExpress).
- CEO ($240,000+): Leadership roles hit $500k with equity (Nexford/Career Agents).
- Hedge Fund Manager: Bonuses push beyond $200k; top finance earner (Nexford).
- Petroleum Engineer ($141,280): High in energy states (UND).
- Software Architect ($127,260+): Tech backbone, total comp $150k+ at FAANG (Simplilearn).
- Actuary ($125,770): Low-stress risk analysis, 22% growth (CPA Practice Advisor).
- Chemical Engineer ($121,860): Diverse industries (UND).
- Elevator Installer ($106,580): No degree, top 10% $149k (Human Resources Online).
- Investment Banker: High bonuses, but stressful; peaks over $200k (Nexford).
BLS vs. others: BLS medians (e.g., physicians $229k) are conservative; Nexford/TrainingExpress report specialty peaks $300k-$400k. Mini case: BLS physician median $229k vs. cardiologist peaks at $324k.
Healthcare Salaries Leading the Pack
Healthcare rules with specialists earning $200k-$400k. Cardiologist ($324k, 3-5% growth): Pre-med bachelor's + residency. Neurosurgeon ($320k+, 3% growth): 7+ years training. Nurse Practitioner: $120k-$180k equiv., 10-20% growth via shortages (NJBIZ/U.S. News). Demand from aging population and tech advances.
Tech & AI: Fastest Growing High-Payers
Tech projects 188k openings yearly. Data Scientist ($120k+): Python skills. AI Engineer ($100k-$180k/hr specialists): LinkedIn fast-grower. Cloud Architect/DevOps ($127k+): $68k median entry, $150k+ senior (Mashable/Simplilearn). Mini case: Data annotators $20-$180/hr with AI expertise.
Highest Paying Jobs No Degree Required 2026
No college? Trades shine: Elevator Installer ($106k median, $149k top 10%; 5-6% growth). Power-Line Repairer ($92k, $127k top). HVAC/Plumber ($85k-$95k median, $120k-$200k top; 6% growth). Sales Rep ($74k median, $134k top). Aircraft Mechanic ($79k). BlueCollarRecruiter vs. Human Resources Online align on $85k+ medians.
Best Six-Figure Remote Jobs 2026
Remote six-figures: Customer Success ($100k+; enterprise expertise). Tech Writing ($90k-$130k; portfolio key). Digital Marketing ($80k-$120k; ROI proof). Performance Marketer: Track record lands $120k (RemoteJobAssistant). Skills: Google Analytics, HubSpot; no degree often OK.
Sector Breakdown: Tech vs. Healthcare vs. Finance vs. Engineering vs. Trades
| Sector | Avg Salary (2026) | Growth Rate | Education Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $229k+ (physicians) | 10-20% | MD/Residency |
| Tech | $121k (AI/ML) | 188k openings | BS/Certs (CompTIA/Cloud) |
| Finance | $200k+ (Hedge) | Varies | BS + Experience |
| Engineering | $99k-$141k (Petro) | 3-6% | BS |
| Trades | $85k-$106k | 5-6% | Apprenticeship/No Degree |
Notes: Engineering varies by state (UND: ND $108k vs. MN $100k). Healthcare peaks highest; tech grows fastest.
Pros & Cons: High-Pay Careers (Low-Stress vs. High-Stress)
| Job | Salary | Stress Level | Growth | Notes (Source) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuary | $126k | Low | 22% | Math-based, stable (CPA) |
| Streaming/Content | $100k+ | Low (AI-resistant) | High | Human judgment key (UCStrategies) |
| Investment Banker | $200k+ | High | Varies | 100-hr weeks (Career Agents) |
| Surgeon | $320k+ | High | 3% | Life-or-death (Nexford) |
Low-stress like actuaries offer balance; high-stress finance/healthcare pay premiums.
Top Paying Jobs with Future Growth & Low Stress 2026
Actuaries ($126k, 22% growth to 409k jobs). Mechanical Engineers ($108k, 9% to 320k). Forensic Techs ($67k+, 13% to 23k). AI-resistant, structured roles (CPA Practice Advisor).
How to Land a High-Salary Job in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
- Build skills: Python/AI certs (Simplilearn); trades apprenticeships.
- Education paths: BS for tech/engineering; no-degree for trades.
- Certifications: CompTIA, Cloud (AWS), Google Analytics.
- Network: LinkedIn outreach (Nexford tips).
- Target remote/hybrid: Portfolio + ROI proof for marketing/tech.
Checklist: Executive & Sales High-Pay Paths
- CEO/Exec ($180k-$500k): 8-15+ years, lead teams, MBA optional.
- Sales Rep ($74k-$134k commissions): Wholesale/manufacturing; track record essential.
- Proven impact + networking = entry.
FAQ
What are the highest paying tech jobs 2026?
Software Architect ($127k+), AI Engineer ($150k+), Cloud Architect ($120k+); 188k openings (Simplilearn/Mashable).
What are the top healthcare salaries 2026 in the US?
Cardiologist $325k, Neurosurgeon $320k+, Nurse Practitioner $120k+; 10-20% growth (Nexford/NJBIZ).
Can you get highest salary jobs no degree 2026?
Yes: Elevator Installer $107k, HVAC $85k-$95k, Sales $134k top (Human Resources Online/BlueCollar).
What are the best remote high salary jobs 2026?
Customer Success $100k+, Tech Writing $130k, Digital Marketing $120k (RemoteJobAssistant).
What are the highest paying trade jobs 2026?
Elevator $107k, Power-Line $93k, Plumber/HVAC $95k (BlueCollar/Human Resources).
Which jobs have over 200k salary with future growth 2026?
Cardiologists ($325k, 3-5%), CEOs ($240k+, 6%), Hedge Managers ($200k+); healthcare/tech lead (Nexford/BLS).