The 20 Highest Paying Careers in 2026 (With Data)
A data-driven ranking of the 20 highest paying careers in 2026 across healthcare, tech, finance, and more — with median salaries and growth insights.
When it comes to choosing a career, salary is one of the most important data points to consider. While compensation should never be the sole factor in your decision, understanding which careers offer the highest earning potential helps you make an informed choice. We analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industry compensation surveys, and employer job postings to identify the 20 highest paying careers in 2026.
This list spans industries from healthcare to technology to finance, and it includes both careers that require extensive education and some that may surprise you with their earning potential relative to the investment required. Every salary figure cited is the median annual wage unless otherwise noted.
Complete Rankings: 20 Highest Paying Careers in 2026
| Rank | Career | Median Salary | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anesthesiologists | $352,000 | $300K+ |
| 2 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $311,000 | $300K+ |
| 3 | Surgeons | $302,000 | $300K+ |
| 4 | Orthodontists | $229,000 | $200K–$300K |
| 5 | Psychiatrists | $226,000 | $200K–$300K |
| 6 | Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) | $203,000 | $200K–$300K |
| 7 | Airline Pilots | $198,000 | $150K–$200K |
| 8 | Software Engineering Managers | $180,000 | $150K–$200K |
| 9 | Dentists (General) | $170,000 | $150K–$200K |
| 10 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,000 | $150K–$200K |
| 11 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $159,000 | $150K–$200K |
| 12 | Financial Managers | $156,000 | $150K–$200K |
| 13 | Software Developers | $132,000 | $120K–$150K |
| 14 | Petroleum Engineers | $131,000 | $120K–$150K |
| 15 | Nurse Practitioners | $126,000 | $120K–$150K |
| 16 | Physician Assistants | $126,000 | $120K–$150K |
| 17 | Information Security Analysts | $120,000 | $100K–$120K |
| 18 | Actuaries | $113,000 | $100K–$120K |
| 19 | Data Scientists | $108,000 | $100K–$120K |
| 20 | Construction Managers | $104,000 | $100K–$120K |
Tier 1: The $300,000+ Club
The highest earners in the American workforce are overwhelmingly in medicine. These careers require the longest educational paths but deliver compensation that dwarfs nearly every other profession.
1. Anesthesiologists — $352,000
Anesthesiologists top the salary charts year after year. These physicians specialize in pain management and sedation during surgical procedures, and the stakes of their work are reflected in their pay. The path requires four years of medical school plus a four-year residency, but the financial payoff is substantial. Demand remains strong as the volume of surgical procedures continues to grow alongside an aging population.
2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons — $311,000
These specialists perform complex surgeries on the face, mouth, and jaw. Training includes dental school followed by a four to six-year surgical residency. The combination of dental and medical expertise makes these professionals exceptionally well compensated and difficult to replace.
3. Surgeons (All Other Specialties) — $302,000
General and specialty surgeons continue to command salaries well above $300,000. Orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and cardiovascular surgeons often earn significantly above the median. The combination of extreme skill requirements, high-stakes decision-making, and years of training creates a career with exceptional earning power and very low automation risk.
Tier 2: $200,000 to $300,000
4. Orthodontists — $229,000
Orthodontists specialize in correcting teeth and jaw alignment. Beyond the standard dental degree, orthodontists complete two to three additional years of residency training. The growing demand for cosmetic dental work and the expansion of clear aligner treatments have kept this specialty highly profitable.
5. Psychiatrists — $226,000
The mental health crisis in America has created surging demand for psychiatrists. These medical doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, and the shortage of psychiatric professionals has pushed salaries upward. Telepsychiatry has expanded the reach of these practitioners, but demand continues to outpace supply significantly.
6. Dentists (General) — $170,000
General dentists earn strong salaries with a more manageable educational path than medical specialists. A four-year dental program after college leads to a career with excellent work-life balance compared to many other high-paying medical fields. Dentists who own their practices often earn well above the median.
Tier 3: $150,000 to $200,000
7. Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) — $203,000
Nurse anesthetists represent one of the highest-paying nursing specialties. CRNAs administer anesthesia and provide care before, during, and after surgical procedures. The role requires a master's or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia, but the earning potential of $203,000 rivals that of many physicians.
8. Airline Pilots — $198,000
Commercial airline pilots have seen dramatic salary increases due to a severe pilot shortage. Major carriers now offer starting salaries above $100,000, and senior captains at large airlines regularly earn over $300,000. The investment in flight training and building hours is significant, but the career trajectory is strong.
9. Software Engineering Managers — $180,000
While individual software developers earn excellent salaries, those who move into engineering management unlock another tier of compensation. These leaders combine technical expertise with people management skills, overseeing teams that build the software products and infrastructure powering the modern economy. Total compensation at top companies often exceeds $300,000 when equity is included.
10. Financial Managers — $156,000
Financial managers oversee the financial health of organizations, directing investment activities, developing financial strategies, and managing accounting teams. Senior financial managers at large corporations and in the investment banking sector often earn well into the mid-six figures.
Tier 4: $120,000 to $150,000
11. Software Developers — $132,000
Software developers remain among the highest-paid professionals outside of healthcare and executive leadership. The median salary understates the earning potential, as developers at major technology companies often earn $200,000 or more in total compensation. With 25 percent projected job growth, the supply-demand dynamics continue to favor workers.
12. Data Scientists — $108,000
Data scientists transform raw data into actionable business intelligence. As organizations across every sector invest in data-driven decision making, demand for these analytical professionals continues to surge. Senior data scientists and those specializing in machine learning frequently earn $150,000 to $200,000 or more.
13. Information Security Analysts — $120,000
Information security analysts protect organizations from cyber threats. The escalating frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks has made this one of the most in-demand technology roles. Experienced security architects and chief information security officers earn well above $200,000 at large enterprises.
14. Nurse Practitioners — $126,000
Nurse practitioners combine high earning potential with one of the strongest growth outlooks of any career. With a projected growth rate exceeding 40 percent through 2032, NPs benefit from both rising demand and expanding scope-of-practice laws that allow independent practice in many states.
15. Physician Assistants — $126,000
Physician assistants work alongside doctors in virtually every medical specialty. The career offers exceptional flexibility: PAs can switch specialties without additional residency training, a feature unique in healthcare. Growth projections of 27 percent make this a strong long-term bet.
Tier 5: $100,000 to $120,000
16. Actuaries — $113,000
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess risk for insurance companies and financial institutions. The career requires passing a series of rigorous exams, but once credentialed, actuaries enjoy high salaries, excellent job security, and consistently strong demand.
17. Construction Managers — $104,000
Construction managers plan and coordinate building projects from conception to completion. The ongoing infrastructure investment boom and chronic shortage of experienced project leaders have pushed salaries upward. Managers overseeing large commercial or government projects often earn well above $130,000.
18. Architectural and Engineering Managers — $159,000
These managers direct the work of architects and engineers across industries including construction, manufacturing, and technology. The combination of deep technical expertise and leadership responsibility commands premium compensation.
19. Petroleum Engineers — $131,000
Despite the growth of renewable energy, petroleum engineers continue to earn exceptional salaries. These professionals design methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits, and their specialized knowledge remains critical to the energy sector. Experienced engineers in offshore or high-demand regions often earn over $180,000.
20. Computer and Information Systems Managers — $164,000
Computer and information systems managers coordinate the technology operations of organizations, from network infrastructure to software systems. As virtually every business becomes more technology-dependent, the demand for skilled IT leadership continues to grow. CIOs and senior IT directors at large companies routinely earn over $250,000.
Key Patterns Among the Highest Paying Careers
Several themes emerge when you study the top of the salary spectrum. First, healthcare dominates the upper tiers. Medical professionals occupy the majority of positions earning above $200,000, reflecting both the life-and-death stakes of their work and the enormous barriers to entry created by lengthy education and training requirements.
Second, technology careers offer the best combination of high salary and accessibility. A software developer can reach six-figure earnings within a few years of starting their career, and the path does not always require a traditional four-year degree. Self-taught developers with strong portfolios and bootcamp graduates regularly land roles at major companies.
Third, management and leadership roles consistently pay more than individual contributor positions. The jump from senior data scientist to data science director, or from senior developer to engineering manager, often comes with a 30 to 50 percent salary increase.
How to Use This Data
Salary data is most useful when combined with other career metrics. A career with a $200,000 median salary is less attractive if it requires 15 years of education, carries high burnout risk, or faces declining demand. Use RankMyCareer to explore the complete picture for any of these careers, including growth projections, automation risk scores, educational requirements, and regional salary variations.
The highest paying career for you is not necessarily the one at the top of this list. It is the one where your skills, interests, and goals intersect with strong market demand and solid compensation. Let the data guide your exploration, but trust your own judgment when making the final decision.