Special Report

Barbie's Highest and Lowest Paying Jobs

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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:

Andrii Lysenko / iStock via Getty Images

25. Detective
> Average annual salary: $91,610
> Year released: 1999

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24. Make-Up Artist
> Average annual salary: $93,850
> Year released: 2007

Yok_Piyapong / iStock via Getty Images

23. Architect
> Average annual salary: $96,510
> Year released: 2010

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22. Astronaut
> Average annual salary: $109,908
> Year released: 1965

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21. U.S. Air Force Pilot
> Average annual salary: $109,908
> Year released: 1991

Ryan McVay / Getty Images

20. Film Director
> Average annual salary: $110,660
> Year released: 2015

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Georgijevic / Getty Images

19. Robotics Engineer
> Average annual salary: $111,280
> Year released: 2018

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18. Renewable Energy Engineer
> Average annual salary: $124,540
> Year released: 2022

Devasahayam Chandra Dhas / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

17. Aircraft Engineer
> Average annual salary: $127,090
> Year released: 2019

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urbancow / E+ via Getty Images

16. Astrophysicist
> Average annual salary: $127,460
> Year released: 2019

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15. Veterinarian
> Average annual salary: $129,110
> Year released: 1985

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monsitj / iStock via Getty Images

14. Game Developer
> Average annual salary: $132,930
> Year released: 2016

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13. Eye Doctor
> Average annual salary: $133,100
> Year released: 2015

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12. Computer Engineer
> Average annual salary: $140,830
> Year released: 2010

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Marco_Piunti / iStock via Getty Images

11. Spy
> Average annual salary: $152,771
> Year released: 2002

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10. Judge
> Average annual salary: $153,700
> Year released: 2019

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mediamasmedia / iStock via Getty Images

9. News Anchor
> Average annual salary: $155,730
> Year released: 2010

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8. Pediatrician
> Average annual salary: $203,240
> Year released: 1995

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7. Pilot
> Average annual salary: $225,740
> Year released: 1989

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Henadzi Pechan / iStock via Getty Images

6. Dentist
> Average annual salary: $233,430
> Year released: 1997

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5. Business Executive
> Average annual salary: $246,440
> Year released: 1963

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4. Doctor
> Average annual salary: $252,850
> Year released: 1988

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3. Surgeon
> Average annual salary: $347,870
> Year released: 1973

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2. Olympic Gymnast
> Average annual salary: $358,080
> Year released: 1974

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1. U.S. President
> Average annual salary: $400,000
> Year released: 2023

Lowest:

izusek / Getty Images

25. Flight Attendant
> Average annual salary: $67,020
> Year released: 1961

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mixmotive / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

24. Firefighter
> Average annual salary: $56,310
> Year released: 1993

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23. Ballerina
> Average annual salary: $54,050
> Year released: 1961

trait2lumiere / Getty Images

22. Paramedic
> Average annual salary: $53,560
> Year released: 2021

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yamasan / iStock via Getty Images

21. Baby Photographer
> Average annual salary: $50,210
> Year released: 2008

fizkes / Getty Images

20. Yoga Teacher
> Average annual salary: $50,170
> Year released: 2012

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Vichai Phububphapan / iStock via Getty Images

19. Travel Agent
> Average annual salary: $48,250
> Year released: 1986

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18. Train Hostess
> Average annual salary: $46,780
> Year released: 2001

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17. Construction Worker
> Average annual salary: $46,350
> Year released: 2020

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kali9 / Getty Images

16. Dolphin Trainer
> Average annual salary: $41,820
> Year released: 2013

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15. Hair Stylist
> Average annual salary: $38,910
> Year released: 2014

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14. Preschool Teacher
> Average annual salary: $38,640
> Year released: 1997

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13. Tour Guide
> Average annual salary: $37,790
> Year released: 1999

joshuatreenp / Flickr

12. Park Ranger
> Average annual salary: $36,010
> Year released: 2020

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TK 1993 / iStock via Getty Images

11. Shopkeeper
> Average annual salary: $34,730
> Year released: 1996

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10. Florist
> Average annual salary: $34,310
> Year released: 1999

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Nik_Merkulov / iStock via Getty Images

9. Bake Shop Worker
> Average annual salary: $34,140
> Year released: 1998

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8. Waiter
> Average annual salary: $33,020
> Year released: 2012

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7. Pet Groomer
> Average annual salary: $32,160
> Year released: 1994

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sanfel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

6. Beach Snack Stand Worker
> Average annual salary: $31,940
> Year released: 1992

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5. Maid
> Average annual salary: $31,920
> Year released: 1987

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4. Supermarket Cashier
> Average annual salary: $28,730
> Year released: 1992

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3. Usher
> Average annual salary: $28,700
> Year released: 2007

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2. Lifeguard
> Average annual salary: $28,370
> Year released: 1994

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1. McDonald’s Cashier
> Average annual salary: $28,130
> Year released: 1982

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