Special Report

There Are 79 Jobs With Six Figure Salaries

filadendron / Getty Images


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.

Click here to see the 79 jobs with six figure salaries
Click here to read our methodology

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad]

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

[in-text-ad-2]

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%

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%

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.

Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE

Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here
you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.


Click here
to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.