The United States pays the world’s highest salaries to doctors and surgeons, and also rewards pilots, executives, dentists, managers, lawyers and pharmacists. Using the latest federal data (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025), this guide ranks the top 10 highest paying jobs in the USA in 2026.
Quick answer: Pediatric surgeon is the highest paid occupation in the US, with a national median of $559,030 a year. Cardiologists ($496,010) and radiologists ($420,860) follow. The average American worker earns about $69,770 a year.
Top 10 highest paying jobs in the USA (2026)
| Rank | Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatric surgeons | $559,030 |
| 2 | Cardiologists | $496,010 |
| 3 | Radiologists | $420,860 |
| 4 | Surgeons, all other | $414,010 |
| 5 | Anesthesiologists | $391,490 |
| 6 | Orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric) | $358,550 |
| 7 | Oral and maxillofacial surgeons | $352,220 |
| 8 | Emergency medicine physicians | $335,550 |
| 9 | Dermatologists | $328,730 |
| 10 | Pathologists | $312,400 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 release, national medians. Figures include base pay, commissions and some bonuses, but not stock compensation or benefits.
Why doctors dominate the list
The ten highest paid occupations in the US are all medical. Eight of the top ten are specialists who need a medical degree, then three to seven years of residency and fellowship training. That investment often comes with large student debt, so the headline salary arrives late in a career.
The highest paying jobs outside medicine
If you are not aiming for medical school, these roles top the BLS rankings (annual medians):
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers | $232,140 |
| Dentists, other specialists | $224,990 |
| Chief executives | $213,990 |
| Computer and information systems managers | $175,140 |
| Architectural and engineering managers | $171,270 |
| General dentists | $170,950 |
| Marketing managers | $166,790 |
| Financial managers | $166,570 |
| Computer hardware engineers | $161,740 |
| Lawyers | $159,670 |
| Air traffic controllers | $148,080 |
| Petroleum engineers | $144,910 |
| Pharmacists | $140,910 |
| Database architects | $139,500 |
How the US compares
The median wage across all 825 occupations with a published figure is about $61,390, and the 15th highest paying occupation ($281,870) pays more than 98% of them. At the national level, the highest paying roles are far above the average worker. If you are comparing countries, see our rankings for the highest paying jobs in Canada and the highest paying jobs in the UK.
Where you live changes the picture
Pay differs by state and metro area, and cost of living differs even more. Two popular markets are covered in our guides to the highest paying jobs in California and Texas.
How to reach a high paying career
- Plan for the training time. Physician roles can take 11 to 15 years from the start of college. Management and tech roles can be reached sooner with experience.
- Look at the non-degree options. Some well-paid jobs do not require a four-year degree. Read our list of the highest paying jobs in the USA without a degree.
- Consider growth and demand. Healthcare, technology and energy continue to need skilled workers.
- Negotiate. BLS wage data excludes stock and many bonuses, so total pay in tech and finance can be higher than the medians shown here.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest paying job in the USA?
Pediatric surgeon, with a national median of $559,030, according to the BLS May 2025 data.
What is the highest paying non-medical job in the US?
Airline pilots lead the non-medical list with a median of about $232,140, followed by chief executives at about $213,990.
What is the average salary in the US?
The BLS annual mean wage for all occupations was $69,770 in May 2025, and the median across occupations is about $61,390.
Do these figures include bonuses and stock?
They include base pay and some production bonuses and commissions but exclude stock compensation, signing bonuses and benefits.
Can I earn six figures without a degree?
Yes. Roles such as nuclear power reactor operator ($122,890) and elevator installer ($109,910) have median pay above $100,000. See our no-degree guide.
Sources and data notes
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- WageDex rankings compiled from BLS OEWS data (published August 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. BLS publishes new wage data each spring.