The Barbie brand has brought in over $1 billion a year for the last five years and remains the most popular doll in the world. When Ruth Handler invented the iconic adult-figured doll, most dolls marketed to girls were babies, which encouraged girls to hone their mothering instincts. Handler wanted Barbie to change that by depicting career women that would inspire young girls to dream about who they could be in the future.
Since 1959, Barbie has been depicted with over 200 different careers, many of them groundbreaking for their time. Mattel released Astronaut Barbie in 1965, four years before humans landed on the moon. Doctor Barbie showed up in 1973, during a decade that saw only 25,400 women physicians in the U.S. (compared to nearly 400,000 in 2022). And in 1992, Barbie ran for president. (Read about once-male dominated jobs now held mostly by women.)
To determine Barbie’s highest and lowest paying jobs, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on salary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational and Wage Estimates program. Detailed occupation titles various Barbie dolls held over the years were ranked based on average annual salary as of May 2022. Salary data for jobs in the federal government came from the 2023 General Schedule Pay Grade Tables of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Despite the rampant criticism aimed at the doll for depicting an unrealistic body type, the Barbie doll had diverse careers, including high and low-paying ones. Some of the lower-paying jobs that Barbie has held include lifeguard, pet groomer, hair stylist, and firefighter. Among Barbie’s highest-paying jobs are astronaut, computer engineer, and pilot. (These three high salaried career Barbies are among 16 of the most popular Barbie dolls of all time.)
Click here to see Barbie’s highest paying jobs.
Click here to see Barbie’s lowest paying jobs.
Highest:
Source: Andrii Lysenko / iStock via Getty Images
25. Detective
> Average annual salary: $91,610
> Year released: 1999
Source: SolisImages / iStock via Getty Images
24. Make-Up Artist
> Average annual salary: $93,850
> Year released: 2007
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Source: Yok_Piyapong / iStock via Getty Images
23. Architect
> Average annual salary: $96,510
> Year released: 2010
Source: 133620465@N07 / Flickr
22. Astronaut
> Average annual salary: $109,908
> Year released: 1965
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
21. U.S. Air Force Pilot
> Average annual salary: $109,908
> Year released: 1991
Source: Ryan McVay / Getty Images
20. Film Director
> Average annual salary: $110,660
> Year released: 2015
Source: Georgijevic / Getty Images
19. Robotics Engineer
> Average annual salary: $111,280
> Year released: 2018
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Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
18. Renewable Energy Engineer
> Average annual salary: $124,540
> Year released: 2022
Source: Devasahayam Chandra Dhas / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
17. Aircraft Engineer
> Average annual salary: $127,090
> Year released: 2019
Source: urbancow / E+ via Getty Images
16. Astrophysicist
> Average annual salary: $127,460
> Year released: 2019
Source: Kateryna Kukota / iStock via Getty Images
15. Veterinarian
> Average annual salary: $129,110
> Year released: 1985
Source: monsitj / iStock via Getty Images
14. Game Developer
> Average annual salary: $132,930
> Year released: 2016
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Source: mingazitdinov / iStock via Getty Images
13. Eye Doctor
> Average annual salary: $133,100
> Year released: 2015
Source: pixdeluxe / E+ via Getty Images
12. Computer Engineer
> Average annual salary: $140,830
> Year released: 2010
Source: Marco_Piunti / iStock via Getty Images
11. Spy
> Average annual salary: $152,771
> Year released: 2002
Source: gorodenkoff / iStock via Getty Images
10. Judge
> Average annual salary: $153,700
> Year released: 2019
Source: mediamasmedia / iStock via Getty Images
9. News Anchor
> Average annual salary: $155,730
> Year released: 2010
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Source: Rawpixel / iStock via Getty Images
8. Pediatrician
> Average annual salary: $203,240
> Year released: 1995
Source: FG Trade / E+ via Getty Images
7. Pilot
> Average annual salary: $225,740
> Year released: 1989
Source: Henadzi Pechan / iStock via Getty Images
6. Dentist
> Average annual salary: $233,430
> Year released: 1997
Source: Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury / iStock via Getty Images
5. Business Executive
> Average annual salary: $246,440
> Year released: 1963
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
4. Doctor
> Average annual salary: $252,850
> Year released: 1988
Source: Wavebreakmedia / iStock via Getty Images
3. Surgeon
> Average annual salary: $347,870
> Year released: 1973
Source: cmannphoto / E+ via Getty Images
2. Olympic Gymnast
> Average annual salary: $358,080
> Year released: 1974
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
1. U.S. President
> Average annual salary: $400,000
> Year released: 2023
Lowest:
Source: izusek / Getty Images
25. Flight Attendant
> Average annual salary: $67,020
> Year released: 1961
Source: mixmotive / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. Firefighter
> Average annual salary: $56,310
> Year released: 1993
Source: shironosov / iStock via Getty Images
23. Ballerina
> Average annual salary: $54,050
> Year released: 1961
Source: trait2lumiere / Getty Images
22. Paramedic
> Average annual salary: $53,560
> Year released: 2021
Source: yamasan / iStock via Getty Images
21. Baby Photographer
> Average annual salary: $50,210
> Year released: 2008
Source: fizkes / Getty Images
20. Yoga Teacher
> Average annual salary: $50,170
> Year released: 2012
Source: Vichai Phububphapan / iStock via Getty Images
19. Travel Agent
> Average annual salary: $48,250
> Year released: 1986
Source: Say-Cheese / iStock via Getty Images
18. Train Hostess
> Average annual salary: $46,780
> Year released: 2001
Source: SAND555 / iStock via Getty Images
17. Construction Worker
> Average annual salary: $46,350
> Year released: 2020
Source: kali9 / Getty Images
16. Dolphin Trainer
> Average annual salary: $41,820
> Year released: 2013
Source: DuxX / iStock via Getty Images
15. Hair Stylist
> Average annual salary: $38,910
> Year released: 2014
Source: kali9 / E+ via Getty Images
14. Preschool Teacher
> Average annual salary: $38,640
> Year released: 1997
Source: SolStock / E+ via Getty Images
13. Tour Guide
> Average annual salary: $37,790
> Year released: 1999
Source: joshuatreenp / Flickr
12. Park Ranger
> Average annual salary: $36,010
> Year released: 2020
Source: TK 1993 / iStock via Getty Images
11. Shopkeeper
> Average annual salary: $34,730
> Year released: 1996
Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images
10. Florist
> Average annual salary: $34,310
> Year released: 1999
Source: Nik_Merkulov / iStock via Getty Images
9. Bake Shop Worker
> Average annual salary: $34,140
> Year released: 1998
Source: Adam Calaitzis / iStock via Getty Images
8. Waiter
> Average annual salary: $33,020
> Year released: 2012
Source: Edwin Tan / E+ via Getty Images
7. Pet Groomer
> Average annual salary: $32,160
> Year released: 1994
Source: sanfel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Beach Snack Stand Worker
> Average annual salary: $31,940
> Year released: 1992
Source: FG Trade / E+ via Getty Images
5. Maid
> Average annual salary: $31,920
> Year released: 1987
Source: Drazen_ / E+ via Getty Images
4. Supermarket Cashier
> Average annual salary: $28,730
> Year released: 1992
Source: LeMusique / iStock via Getty Images
3. Usher
> Average annual salary: $28,700
> Year released: 2007
Source: sirandel / iStock via Getty Images
2. Lifeguard
> Average annual salary: $28,370
> Year released: 1994
Source: TonyBaggett / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. McDonald’s Cashier
> Average annual salary: $28,130
> Year released: 1982
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