There are many considerations Americans take into account when looking for work. Some look for a job with good benefits, others want a healthy work-life balance, and others want a career that gives them a sense of purpose. However, for a large share of the American workforce, salary is the number one consideration.
The average working American earns $51,960 a year, but there are dozens of jobs where the average salary is more than double that.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed average annual salaries for over 800 occupations from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the 79 jobs with six-figure salaries. Such high-paying jobs are relatively rare — and hard to acquire. Of the 142.5 million employed Americans, just 8.4% work in professions where the average salary is at least $100,000.
There are many reasons certain jobs pay six figures. Many of the jobs on this list are executive or management positions typically held by those who have been working in the same career for years and who have been advancing to the highest ranks within their organization and field.
Often, jobs with difficult conditions and long hours pay higher salaries. High-pressure jobs where lives are on the line also pay high salaries. However, difficult or dangerous jobs do not always guarantee high pay. For example, many of the careers on this list of the worst jobs in America are both very demanding and relatively low paying.
For many of the high-skilled jobs on the list, salaries are high in part to compensate for the substantial investment of time and money required in obtaining the needed education and experience. Surgeons, for example, require as much at 16 years of education and training.
All but two of the jobs on this list — transportation managers and air traffic controllers — require at least a four-year college education, and many require doctorate degrees or other additional certification. While they do not tend to pay six figures, many other high-paying jobs do not require a college education.These are the highest paying jobs you can get without a college degree.
Source: vm / Getty Images
79. Financial Analysts
> Avg. annual wage: $100,990
> 10% of workers earn less than: $52,540
> Total employment: 306,200
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.9%
Source: simpson33 / Getty Images
78. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
> Avg. annual wage: $101,210
> 10% of workers earn less than: $45,120
> Total employment: 14,280
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +4.0%
Source: lovro77 / Getty Images
77. Electrical Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $101,600
> 10% of workers earn less than: $61,190
> Total employment: 186,490
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +8.6%
Source: PeopleImages / Getty Images
76. Postsecondary Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $101,890
> 10% of workers earn less than: $47,820
> Total employment: 11,020
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +9.5%
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Source: EvgeniyShkolenko / Getty Images
75. Materials Scientists
> Avg. annual wage: $102,450
> 10% of workers earn less than: $52,560
> Total employment: 7,730
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +7.1%
Source: gorodenkoff / Getty Images
74. Information Security Analysts
> Avg. annual wage: $102,470
> 10% of workers earn less than: $56,750
> Total employment: 108,060
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +28.5%
Source: kupicoo / Getty Images
73. Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $102,850
> 10% of workers earn less than: $56,050
> Total employment: 124,810
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +6.7%
Source: milanvirijevic / Getty Images
72. Construction Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $103,110
> 10% of workers earn less than: $55,240
> Total employment: 278,460
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +11.1%
Source: kasto80 / Getty Images
71. Postsecondary Business Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $103,330
> 10% of workers earn less than: $37,890
> Total employment: 84,230
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +18.1%
Source: shironosov / Getty Images
70. Postsecondary Physics Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $103,830
> 10% of workers earn less than: $49,260
> Total employment: 13,730
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.0%
Source: LeoPatrizi / Getty Images
69. Art Directors
> Avg. annual wage: $104,590
> 10% of workers earn less than: $52,160
> Total employment: 40,210
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.4%
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Source: gorodenkoff / Getty Images
68. Mathematicians
> Avg. annual wage: $104,870
> 10% of workers earn less than: $57,150
> Total employment: 2,580
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +29.7%
Source: DjelicS / Getty Images
67. Veterinarians
> Avg. annual wage: $105,240
> 10% of workers earn less than: $56,540
> Total employment: 71,060
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +18.8%
Source: Sproetniek / Getty Images
66. Biochemists and Biophysicists
> Avg. annual wage: $105,940
> 10% of workers earn less than: $49,230
> Total employment: 28,500
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +11.5%
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Source: Steve Debenport / Getty Images
65. Administrative Services Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $106,050
> 10% of workers earn less than: $55,000
> Total employment: 283,570
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.1%
Source: andriano_cz / Getty Images
64. Nurse Midwives
> Avg. annual wage: $106,910
> 10% of workers earn less than: $70,100
> Total employment: 6,250
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +20.7%
Source: naturenps / Flickr
63. Geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)
> Avg. annual wage: $107,800
> 10% of workers earn less than: $49,430
> Total employment: 29,260
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.0%
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Source: zoranm / Getty Images
62. Electronics Engineers (except computer engineers)
> Avg. annual wage: $107,930
> 10% of workers earn less than: $64,840
> Total employment: 134,110
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +3.7%
Source: gorodenkoff / Getty Images
61. Applications Software Developers
> Avg. annual wage: $108,080
> 10% of workers earn less than: $61,660
> Total employment: 903,160
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +30.7%
Source: Visivasnc / Getty Images
60. Physician Assistants
> Avg. annual wage: $108,430
> 10% of workers earn less than: $69,120
> Total employment: 114,710
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +37.3%
Source: vm / Getty Images
59. Sales Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $108,610
> 10% of workers earn less than: $58,430
> Total employment: 65,720
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +6.9%
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Source: Ridofranz / iStock
58. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
> Avg. annual wage: $109,030
> 10% of workers earn less than: $51,350
> Total employment: 780
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +8.4%
Source: LL28 / Getty Images
57. Nurse Practitioners
> Avg. annual wage: $110,030
> 10% of workers earn less than: $78,300
> Total employment: 179,650
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +36.1%
Source: Kkolosov / Getty Images
56. Physical Scientists
> Avg. annual wage: $110,090
> 10% of workers earn less than: $51,730
> Total employment: 17,380
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +7.2%
Source: jotily / Getty Images
55. Nuclear Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $110,790
> 10% of workers earn less than: $68,560
> Total employment: 15,980
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +3.8%
Source: valeriopardi / Getty Images
54. Astronomers
> Avg. annual wage: $111,090
> 10% of workers earn less than: $57,490
> Total employment: 2,160
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.0%
Source: anandaBGD / Getty Images
53. Computer Network Architects
> Avg. annual wage: $111,130
> 10% of workers earn less than: $60,310
> Total employment: 152,670
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +6.5%
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Source: asiseeit / Getty Images
52. Postsecondary Education Administrators
> Avg. annual wage: $111,210
> 10% of workers earn less than: $54,680
> Total employment: 143,430
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.1%
Source: danchooalex / Getty Images
51. Industrial Production Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $113,370
> 10% of workers earn less than: $63,470
> Total employment: 181,310
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: -0.5%
Source: andresr / Getty Images
50. Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $113,680
> 10% of workers earn less than: $52,440
> Total employment: 37,530
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.6%
Source: sturti / Getty Images
49. Medical and Health Services Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $113,730
> 10% of workers earn less than: $58,680
> Total employment: 372,670
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +20.5%
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Source: Suwat Rujimethakul / Getty Images
48. Software Developers, Systems Software
> Avg. annual wage: $114,000
> 10% of workers earn less than: $66,740
> Total employment: 405,330
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +11.1%
Source: Reptile8488 / Getty Images
47. Chemical Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $114,470
> 10% of workers earn less than: $64,890
> Total employment: 32,060
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +7.5%
Source: Photoboyko / iStock
46. Political Scientists
> Avg. annual wage: $115,300
> 10% of workers earn less than: $59,300
> Total employment: 5,660
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +2.8%
Source: shironosov / Getty Images
45. Economists
> Avg. annual wage: $116,020
> 10% of workers earn less than: $58,130
> Total employment: 18,650
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +6.3%
Source: scyther5 / Getty Images
44. Actuaries
> Avg. annual wage: $116,250
> 10% of workers earn less than: $61,140
> Total employment: 20,760
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +22.5%
Source: EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER / Getty Images
43. Aerospace Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $117,100
> 10% of workers earn less than: $71,640
> Total employment: 63,960
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +6.1%
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Source: andresr / Getty Images
42. Postsecondary Economics Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $117,180
> 10% of workers earn less than: $51,070
> Total employment: 12,750
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.6%
Source: golubovy / Getty Images
41. Computer Hardware Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $117,840
> 10% of workers earn less than: $66,700
> Total employment: 60,750
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.5%
Source: Wavebreakmedia / Getty Images
40. Optometrists
> Avg. annual wage: $119,980
> 10% of workers earn less than: $57,480
> Total employment: 37,220
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +17.9%
Source: ninjaMonkeyStudio / Getty Images
39. Air Traffic Controllers
> Avg. annual wage: $120,830
> 10% of workers earn less than: $68,090
> Total employment: 22,390
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +3.5%
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Source: Chris Ryan / Getty Images
38. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
> Avg. annual wage: $121,130
> 10% of workers earn less than: $34,790
> Total employment: 28,520
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.6%
Source: izusek / Getty Images
37. Training and Development Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $121,730
> 10% of workers earn less than: $63,600
> Total employment: 35,690
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.3%
Source: GlobalStock / Getty Images
36. Personal Financial Advisors
> Avg. annual wage: $121,770
> 10% of workers earn less than: $41,590
> Total employment: 200,260
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.9%
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Source: FS-Stock / iStock
35. Postsecondary Health Specialties Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $122,320
> 10% of workers earn less than: $43,370
> Total employment: 199,480
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +25.9%
Source: PeopleImages / Getty Images
34. Pharmacists
> Avg. annual wage: $123,670
> 10% of workers earn less than: $87,790
> Total employment: 309,550
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.6%
Source: alvarez / Getty Images
33. Computer and Information Research Scientists
> Avg. annual wage: $123,850
> 10% of workers earn less than: $69,230
> Total employment: 30,070
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +19.2%
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Source: pixelfit / Getty Images
32. General and Operations Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $123,880
> 10% of workers earn less than: $44,710
> Total employment: 2,289,770
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +9.1%
Source: indukas / Getty Images
31. Physicists
> Avg. annual wage: $125,280
> 10% of workers earn less than: $59,300
> Total employment: 17,620
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.5%
Source: Deagreez / Getty Images
30. Purchasing Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $125,630
> 10% of workers earn less than: $69,860
> Total employment: 69,490
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.5%
Source: pixelfit / Getty Images
29. Human Resources Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $126,700
> 10% of workers earn less than: $66,870
> Total employment: 143,580
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +9.1%
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Source: noipornpan / Getty Images
28. Postsecondary Law Teachers
> Avg. annual wage: $130,710
> 10% of workers earn less than: $36,000
> Total employment: 16,990
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +12.3%
Source: jacoblund / Getty Images
27. Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $131,570
> 10% of workers earn less than: $64,250
> Total employment: 72,460
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.4%
Source: YakobchukOlena / Getty Images
26. Compensation and Benefits Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $132,860
> 10% of workers earn less than: $70,560
> Total employment: 15,660
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.0%
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Source: mixetto / Getty Images
25. Advertising and Promotions Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $133,090
> 10% of workers earn less than: $57,150
> Total employment: 25,260
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.5%
Source: AlexRaths / Getty Images
24. Natural Sciences Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $139,680
> 10% of workers earn less than: $65,000
> Total employment: 60,260
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +9.9%
Source: EmirMemedovski / Getty Images
23. Sales Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $140,320
> 10% of workers earn less than: $58,940
> Total employment: 379,050
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +7.5%
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Source: belenox / Getty Images
22. Lawyers
> Avg. annual wage: $144,230
> 10% of workers earn less than: $58,220
> Total employment: 642,750
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +8.2%
Source: vladans / Getty Images
21. Financial Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $146,830
> 10% of workers earn less than: $67,620
> Total employment: 608,120
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +18.7%
Source: Cecilie_Arcurs / Getty Images
20. Marketing Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $147,240
> 10% of workers earn less than: $69,840
> Total employment: 240,440
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.1%
Source: AlexRaths / Getty Images
19. Podiatrists
> Avg. annual wage: $148,220
> 10% of workers earn less than: $52,060
> Total employment: 9,500
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +10.3%
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18. Architectural and Engineering Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $148,970
> 10% of workers earn less than: $89,620
> Total employment: 188,290
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +5.5%
Source: PeopleImages / Getty Images
17. Computer and Information Systems Managers
> Avg. annual wage: $152,860
> 10% of workers earn less than: $85,380
> Total employment: 391,430
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +12.0%
Source: Thossaphol / Getty Images
16. Petroleum Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $156,370
> 10% of workers earn less than: $74,270
> Total employment: 32,510
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +15.2%
Source: Rathke / Getty Images
15. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
> Avg. annual wage: $169,560
> 10% of workers earn less than: $65,690
> Total employment: 82,890
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +3.4%
Source: andresr / Getty Images
14. Nurse Anesthetists
> Avg. annual wage: $174,790
> 10% of workers earn less than: $116,820
> Total employment: 43,520
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +16.2%
Source: filadendron / Getty Images
13. Dentists
> Avg. annual wage: $175,840
> 10% of workers earn less than: $72,810
> Total employment: 113,000
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +19.4%
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Source: MangoStar_Studio / Getty Images
12. General Pediatricians
> Avg. annual wage: $183,240
> 10% of workers earn less than: $68,860
> Total employment: 28,490
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +15.4%
Source: ZoranMilisavljevic83 / Getty Images
11. Prosthodontists
> Avg. annual wage: $191,400
> 10% of workers earn less than: $103,240
> Total employment: 380
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +19.1%
Source: SARINYAPINNGAM / Getty Images
10. General Internists
> Avg. annual wage: $196,490
> 10% of workers earn less than: $57,420
> Total employment: 37,820
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.6%
Source: Martin Dimitrov / Getty Images
9. Chief Executives
> Avg. annual wage: $200,140
> 10% of workers earn less than: $68,360
> Total employment: 195,530
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: -3.9%
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Source: FatCamera / Getty Images
8. Physicians (except surgeons)
> Avg. annual wage: $203,880
> 10% of workers earn less than: $60,280
> Total employment: 389,180
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +11.4%
Source: monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images
7. Family and General Practitioners
> Avg. annual wage: $211,780
> 10% of workers earn less than: $79,600
> Total employment: 114,130
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.3%
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Source: laflor / Getty Images
6. Psychiatrists
> Avg. annual wage: $220,380
> 10% of workers earn less than: $75,590
> Total employment: 25,630
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +11.2%
Source: Phoenixns / Getty Images
5. Orthodontists
> Avg. annual wage: $225,760
> 10% of workers earn less than: $72,780
> Total employment: 5,350
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +19.3%
Source: RossHelen / Getty Images
4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
> Avg. annual wage: $238,320
> 10% of workers earn less than: $92,040
> Total employment: 18,590
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +15.5%
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Source: Pojbic / Getty Images
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
> Avg. annual wage: $242,370
> 10% of workers earn less than: $61,570
> Total employment: 4,830
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +19.1%
Source: Morsa Images / Getty Images
2. Surgeons
> Avg. annual wage: $255,110
> 10% of workers earn less than: $94,960
> Total employment: 34,390
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +14.4%
Source: santypan / Getty Images
1. Anesthesiologists
> Avg. annual wage: $267,020
> 10% of workers earn less than: $133,080
> Total employment: 31,060
> Projected employment chg. 2016-2026: +15.4%
Methodology
To identify America’s six-figure jobs, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed annual average pay data for the 809 jobs tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the detailed occupation level of aggregation. The pay figures, as well as employment totals for each occupation, are for May 2018 — the latest period for which data is available. The projected changes in employment between 2016-2026 are also from the BLS. In some cases, miscellaneous or repetitive categories were removed from this list. All average salary figures listed do not include self-employed workers, workers employed by private households, or agricultural workers.
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