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:
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
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23. Architect
> Average annual salary: $96,510
> Year released: 2010
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
20. Film Director
> Average annual salary: $110,660
> Year released: 2015
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19. Robotics Engineer
> Average annual salary: $111,280
> Year released: 2018
18. Renewable Energy Engineer
> Average annual salary: $124,540
> Year released: 2022
17. Aircraft Engineer
> Average annual salary: $127,090
> Year released: 2019
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16. Astrophysicist
> Average annual salary: $127,460
> Year released: 2019
15. Veterinarian
> Average annual salary: $129,110
> Year released: 1985
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14. Game Developer
> Average annual salary: $132,930
> Year released: 2016
13. Eye Doctor
> Average annual salary: $133,100
> Year released: 2015
12. Computer Engineer
> Average annual salary: $140,830
> Year released: 2010
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11. Spy
> Average annual salary: $152,771
> Year released: 2002
10. Judge
> Average annual salary: $153,700
> Year released: 2019
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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
7. Pilot
> Average annual salary: $225,740
> Year released: 1989
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6. Dentist
> Average annual salary: $233,430
> Year released: 1997
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
3. Surgeon
> Average annual salary: $347,870
> Year released: 1973
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:
25. Flight Attendant
> Average annual salary: $67,020
> Year released: 1961
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24. Firefighter
> Average annual salary: $56,310
> Year released: 1993
23. Ballerina
> Average annual salary: $54,050
> Year released: 1961
22. Paramedic
> Average annual salary: $53,560
> Year released: 2021
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21. Baby Photographer
> Average annual salary: $50,210
> Year released: 2008
20. Yoga Teacher
> Average annual salary: $50,170
> Year released: 2012
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19. Travel Agent
> Average annual salary: $48,250
> Year released: 1986
18. Train Hostess
> Average annual salary: $46,780
> Year released: 2001
17. Construction Worker
> Average annual salary: $46,350
> Year released: 2020
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16. Dolphin Trainer
> Average annual salary: $41,820
> Year released: 2013
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
12. Park Ranger
> Average annual salary: $36,010
> Year released: 2020
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11. Shopkeeper
> Average annual salary: $34,730
> Year released: 1996
10. Florist
> Average annual salary: $34,310
> Year released: 1999
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9. Bake Shop Worker
> Average annual salary: $34,140
> Year released: 1998
8. Waiter
> Average annual salary: $33,020
> Year released: 2012
7. Pet Groomer
> Average annual salary: $32,160
> Year released: 1994
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6. Beach Snack Stand Worker
> Average annual salary: $31,940
> Year released: 1992
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
3. Usher
> Average annual salary: $28,700
> Year released: 2007
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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