Medical jobs dominate list of 30 highest paid occupations in the United States

Occupations in healthcare account for 25 out of the top 30 highest paying positions in the United States, according to new data shared by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report, released in April, contains average annual compensation data acquired in May of 2022 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical jobs dominated the list, holding 9 out of the top 10 positions, joined only by athletes and sports competitors seated in the fourth ranked slot. 

Cardiologists topped the list as the highest paid job, with an annual salary of $421,330, far exceeding the national average for all occupations, recorded as $60,900 in May 2022. 

The complete list of the highest paying jobs in America is as follows: 

  1. Cardiologists, $421,330 

  1. Orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric): $371,400 

  1. Pediatric surgeons: $362,970 

  1. Athletes and sports competitors: $358,080 

  1. Surgeons (all other): $347,870 

  1. Radiologists: $329,080 

  1. Dermatologists: $327,650 

  1. Emergency medicine physicians: $316,600 

  1. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons: $309,410 

  1. Anesthesiologists: $302,970 

  2. Obstetricians and gynecologists: $277,320 

  3. Ophthalmologists (except pediatric): $265,450 

  4. Neurologists: $255,510 

  5. Pathologists: $252,850 

  6. Psychiatrists: $247,350 

  7. Chief executives: $246,440 

  8. Physicians (all other): $238,700 

  9. Dentists (all other specialists): $233,430 

  10. Airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers: $225,740 

  11. General internal medicine physicians: $225,270 

  12. Family medicine physicians: $224,460 

  13. Orthodontists: $216,320 

  14. Nurse anesthetists: $205,770 

  15. Pediatricians: $203,240 

  16. Computer and information systems managers: $173,670 

  17. Dentists: $172,290 

  18. Financial managers: $166,050 

  19. Lawyers: $163,770 

  20. Natural sciences managers: $163,610 

  21. Architectural and engineering managers: $163,310 

In the report, the data is further broken down into hourly and annual 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentile wages. Of note, the report does not include data on self-employed individuals who own businesses. 

To view the full list, click here

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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.

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