Many of us are looking to change jobs or even career paths, so we’ve compiled this list of 15 high-paying jobs to help you with that process.
In a perfect world, each of us would start our own business, achieve great success, provide employment opportunities for others, and live in permanent financial comfort.
But sometimes, to get there, we need to put in extra effort in other functions.
So, your best starting point is to choose a job with a good salary.
Since the jobs on our list cover a wide variety of fields, from healthcare and law to entertainment and technology, you’re sure to find a job that matches your passion.
To be transparent, we based our salary figures on job sites like Glassdoor , Salary Expert , and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
These figures reflect average salaries, but they can vary greatly depending on country and experience.
The average salary in the United States is around $59,000 , while a comfortable income is considered between $70,000 and $100,000 , so we focused on jobs that fall outside this range.
Some jobs remain in demand regardless of time, as they were and still are essential.
While there are other jobs that are relatively new, but are becoming more popular every day.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are 15 high-paying jobs right now .
Pilot
As a pilot or co-pilot, you can earn an annual income of approximately $161,000 .
Imagine yourself soaring through the sky, connecting people and cultures, and seeing the world from a unique perspective.
It is a profession that combines the love of travel and the excitement of flying.
As a pilot, you’ll need to deal with inclement weather conditions and ensure passenger safety, but the reward is seeing the world from above and feeling satisfied with mastering complex skills.
Although a bachelor’s degree in aviation is not a requirement to become a pilot, it can be very beneficial.
After that, you will attend flight school to receive intensive training that will qualify you to obtain your commercial pilot license.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours to work as an airline pilot, which can be achieved within two years.
Pediatrician
Pediatricians earn around $184,000 a year, which is a rewarding amount, but it comes with significant responsibilities and pressure.
They witness the first moments in their sick children’s lives, such as their first steps and first words, and monitor their healthy growth and development.
The challenge in this profession is not only limited to the medical aspect, but also includes gaining the trust of children and reassuring anxious parents.
However, the joy of helping a sick child recover, and the honor of being a doctor a part of a family’s life, makes this job deeply valuable and meaningful.
In most countries, becoming a pediatrician requires completing a bachelor’s degree , followed by four years of medical school , and then a 3- to 4-year residency in pediatrics.
Working hours can be long, especially for those working in private clinics or hospitals.
Surgeon
Surgeons earn a high income, with an average salary of around $409,000 per year , but this comes with great responsibility.
They have the power to heal with their own hands. Surgery is a profession that requires extreme precision, strong nerves, and decisive interventions that change patients’ lives .
The pressure in this field is enormous, as every decision a surgeon makes can have major consequences.
However, the ability to save lives and restore patients to health makes surgery one of the most rewarding and satisfying professions.
To become a surgeon, you must complete a bachelor’s degree, then attend medical school, followed by several years of surgical residency .
Surgeons often work long hours and are on call for emergencies.
The field is highly competitive and requires great commitment and high skills .
Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeons are considered elite among medical professionals , as their work requires an exceptional level of skill and precision.
Neurosurgeons earn over $600,000 a year , and given the nature of their work and the demand for them, this figure seems entirely justified.
They work to explore the complexity of the human brain and spinal cord , a field that requires extreme dexterity and precision .
The challenges in this specialty are enormous, as any mistake can have critical consequences that may change the lives of patients .
Add to that the long hours and stressful situations , and this salary is well deserved.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists also earn high incomes, earning over $220,000 per year .
They work with the complexities of the human mind , not only treating illnesses, but also listening, offering advice, and guiding patients toward psychological balance .
This profession carries a great emotional burden , but the real reward lies in helping people find inner peace and psychological stability .
In addition to the satisfaction this job provides, it comes with a very high salary , making it one of the highest paying jobs right now!
Data scientist
Data science is one of the most in-demand fields right now, and while the average salary for a data scientist is around $130,000 per year —not the highest compared to other professions—the accessibility and excitement of the field make it highly attractive.
Their job is to extract hidden patterns and insights within massive amounts of data .
Their work involves using advanced analytical techniques, such as machine learning and predictive models, to solve complex problems .
Their typical workday might involve cleaning data, performing statistical analysis, and creating graphical visualizations to illustrate results.
This role requires a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and computer science , and often requires a master’s or doctoral degree .
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers earn salaries of up to $141,000 per year , and this number is expected to increase in the coming years.
Their mission is to design and implement algorithms that enable machines to learn from data and make decisions autonomously .
This role requires a deep understanding of both software engineering and data science .
A career path in this field typically begins with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field , followed by specialized training or a master’s degree .
It’s an interesting job , but it can sometimes become tedious when dealing with huge datasets .
If you enjoy telling human stories through observations and numbers , this job might be perfect for you!
Read also: 10 CVs that may change your life
Sami Software Developer
Senior software developers earn around $130,000 per year .
They can be considered the pillars of the tech world , so it’s no surprise that this is one of the highest paying jobs right now .
Their role is not limited to writing code , but also includes leading projects, solving complex problems, and mentoring junior developers .
To achieve this position, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science as well as several years of practical experience .
Once in this role, you will need to keep up with technological changes and manage your team efficiently.
This is the key to successfully executing your projects and delivering them on time .
But don’t expect it to be easy; you’ll often be working long hours .
However, this profession offers a great mix of creativity, logic, and solution-building , making it challenging and exciting without a single dull moment!
Investment banker
Investment banker salaries vary widely, but the general average is around $140,000 per year .
Their mission is to provide financial advice to companies, including mergers and acquisitions and capital raising .
This field often requires a degree in finance, economics, or business administration , followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) .
It is a high-stakes profession , requiring a lot of communication and relationship building , along with long hours of analysis in front of a computer screen to understand future market trends.
This field is characterized by stressful working hours, high pressure in making decisions, and a highly competitive environment .
But what are the rewards?
The rewards are huge, and it’s not just money .
Few things beat the feeling of accomplishment when you close a deal you’ve been working on for a long time!
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
In successful companies, the average CEO salary can reach $192,000 per year , making it one of the highest-paying jobs today .
CEOs are the masterminds who lead companies to success.
They make critical decisions, lead teams, and influence company culture .
There is no fixed path to becoming a CEO; it requires a combination of education (often an MBA), extensive experience, and leadership skills .
The challenges are enormous , from making difficult decisions to dealing with shareholder and stakeholder expectations .
CEOs often work long hours , but this job gives them the opportunity to lead and shape the future of companies .
Engineering Manager
Engineering managers earn around $124,000 per year .
They form the link between technical teams and business objectives , which means they need to speak two completely different functional languages .
Their responsibilities include overseeing projects, managing teams, and ensuring engineering goals are aligned with company strategies .
To achieve this position, a person typically starts with a bachelor’s degree in engineering , then gains several years of practical experience in the field.
The biggest challenge in this job is balancing technical work, administrative responsibilities, project deadlines, and budget adherence , which requires multiple skills at once .
But who else can do it efficiently, right?
Solutions Engineer
As a Solutions Architect , you can earn up to $130,000 per year .
A solutions architect designs the technical frameworks that ensure businesses run smoothly and efficiently.
Communicates with various teams within the company to understand their technical needs, whether it’s developing a new application, improving the customer management system, or enhancing data security .
After gathering this information, he identifies the most beneficial technologies for the company and develops innovative solutions that suit its needs.
But your role isn’t just to solve problems , it’s to predict them before they happen , ensuring that systems are effective today and scalable in the future .
Petroleum engineer
As a petroleum engineer , you can earn up to $140,000 per year .
You are the mastermind behind the extraction of oil and gas , two essential resources that power our daily lives.
This field combines innovation, adventure, and environmental awareness , where you can work on offshore drilling platforms or develop new technologies for extracting resources .
But it’s not just about drilling, it’s about finding smarter, safer ways to extract the Earth’s resources .
As we have learned from history, this industry creates giant leaders in the world of economy and energy .
Sales
Sales have no ceiling .
If you’re good at selling art, luxury cars, real estate, software for tech companies, or any other product , you can make over $100,000 a year in a year or two , without needing a college degree or prior experience .
But you have to put in a lot of effort and take the initiative .
Due to the high profit potential, the sales field has a low barrier to entry and the opportunity for rapid growth .
All you have to do is move and go towards the opportunities .
Even jobs like investment banking rely on sales skills, but at a very high level .
Master the art of selling, and there will be no limit to what you can earn!
Enterprise Architecture Engineer
Last, but not least, comes the job of an Enterprise Architecture Engineer , where you can earn around $150,000 per year .
Your job is to understand the company’s long-term goals , consider new markets to expand into, or how to improve customer service .
It also determines the company’s needs for software, hardware, and network systems to ensure efficient operation.
Enterprise architecture architects are similar to solutions architects , but instead of focusing on a specific department, they work across the entire organization to drive progress and growth.
And that brings us to the end of our list of the top 15 highest-paying jobs currently , along with the qualifications required to apply for them.
We wish you good luck in your job search, and see you soon!
