Most people never see a six-figure salary, let alone $150,000 a year. But there are careers where that kind of money is normal, not a fluke bonus year. The tradeoff is usually years of education, high responsibility, or intense pressure, and sometimes all three.
If you’re willing to invest time and energy into a serious career path, these jobs can pay you $150K+ a year, with solid demand and plenty of openings in the coming decade. All salary numbers below are 2024 median pay from U.S. government occupational data, which is the most recent, complete available data. We’ve focused on jobs with strong projected growth for at least the next decade and that employers are always looking to recruit.
Table of contents
- Physicians and surgeons
- Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
- General dentists
- Orthodontists
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Prosthodontists
- Computer and information systems managers
- Architectural and engineering managers
- Natural sciences managers
- Financial managers
- Marketing managers
- Lawyers
- Computer hardware engineers
- Podiatrists
- Discover job hunting tips, ways to earn more, and flexible working options:
Physicians and surgeons
Doctors are the classic high-income career for a reason. Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat illness, perform surgery, prescribe medications, and manage long-term care for patients. It’s demanding work with long training: four years of college, four years of medical school, and 3–9 years of residency, depending on specialty.
In 2024, the median pay for physicians and surgeons was at least $239,200 per year, making this one of the highest-paid job groups in the country. Overall employment is projected to grow about 3% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 23,600 openings each year as older doctors retire and the population ages.
This path makes sense if you want deep expertise, don’t mind long schooling, and can handle high-stakes decisions. You’ll likely work long hours, nights, and weekends, especially in hospital-based specialties. But once you’re established, you’re looking at top-tier income and strong long-term demand almost anywhere people live.
Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who give anesthesia and monitor patients before, during, and after surgery or procedures. They work in hospitals, surgical centers, pain clinics, and sometimes in independent practices. You’ll first become a registered nurse, then complete a graduate nurse-anesthesia program and pass certification.
Within the broader advanced practice nurse group, nurse anesthetists stand out for pay. Their 2024 median wage was about $223,210 per year. At the same time, advanced practice nursing overall is projected to grow about 35% from 2024 to 2034, with around 32,700 openings a year, much faster than average.
This role fits people who like hands-on patient care but want more autonomy and higher pay than a typical RN. You’ll deal with stressful situations in operating rooms and critical care, but you rarely face the 80-hour weeks seen in some physician specialties.
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
Airline pilots fly passenger and cargo planes on scheduled routes. They plan flights, check weather and systems, communicate with air traffic control, and handle in-flight issues. Most major airline pilots come from either military flight backgrounds or civilian flight schools plus regional airline experience.
In 2024, the median wage for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers was about $226,600 per year, while the broader “airline and commercial pilots” group had a combined median of $198,100. Employment for airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow about 4% from 2024 to 2034, with around 18,200 openings each year as older pilots retire and airlines expand routes.
The job comes with irregular schedules, nights away from home, and strict health and safety rules. But once you’re in a major airline cockpit, pay, benefits, and job security can be excellent, especially after you build seniority.
General dentists
General dentists handle routine oral health: exams, fillings, crowns, basic extractions, and patient education. They usually run or work in private practices, which means they’re often managing staff and business operations along with clinical work.
In 2024, the median annual pay for dentists overall was $179,210. Within that, general dentists had a median wage of $172,790, well above the $150K mark (same source). Employment for dentists is projected to grow about 4% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 4,500 openings a year, mostly replacing retiring dentists or practice owners who sell their offices.
The training is long but shorter than medicine: typically four years of college and four years of dental school. Many dentists like the balance of high income, regular daytime hours, and the option to own a business. The flip side is debt from schooling and the costs of running a practice.
Orthodontists
Orthodontists are dental specialists who straighten teeth and correct bite issues with braces, clear aligners, and other devices. Most of their patients are kids and teens, but adult orthodontics is growing. After dental school, you’ll complete a multi-year residency in orthodontics.
Orthodontists sit at the very top of dental pay. In 2024, the median wage for orthodontists was $239,200 or more per year, according to detailed wage data broken out from the dentist category. Demand tends to be steady thanks to cosmetic concerns, jaw issues, and parents prioritizing straight teeth for their kids.
It’s a small, competitive field, so the number of training slots is limited. But once you’re licensed and established, many orthodontists run profitable practices with predictable weekday schedules and very high earnings.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on the mouth, jaw, and face. They handle complex tooth extractions, jaw realignment, facial trauma, and cleft lip and palate repair. Training usually includes dental school plus a 4–6 year surgical residency, sometimes combined with a medical degree.
In 2024, the median annual pay for oral and maxillofacial surgeons was listed as $239,200 or more, putting this specialty among the highest-paid in healthcare. These surgeons are essential for trauma centers, cancer care, and complex dental cases, so there’s ongoing demand even though the total number of practitioners is small.
This path is only realistic if you’re ready for very long training and high-intensity surgical work. The upside is elite income and a skill set that’s hard to replace in hospitals and specialty practices.
Prosthodontists
Prosthodontists focus on restoring or replacing missing or damaged teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants. They often handle complex cosmetic and reconstruction cases after injury or disease. Like other dental specialists, they complete dental school and then a 2–4 year residency in prosthodontics.
In 2024, prosthodontists had a median wage of $239,200 or more per year. Patients are aging, more people are getting implants instead of traditional dentures, and cosmetic dentistry continues to be popular, all of which keep demand steady for this specialty.
It’s very detail-oriented work that mixes medicine, design, and aesthetics. If you like the idea of rebuilding someone’s smile and don’t mind long training plus lab-heavy work, this can be a highly paid niche.
Computer and information systems managers
Computer and information systems (CIS) managers oversee an organization’s IT strategy: networks, cybersecurity, software systems, and tech teams. Job titles include IT director, CTO, and information systems manager. Most employers expect a bachelor’s degree in a computer field plus several years of hands-on experience.
Cybersecurity is a critical focus for CIS managers, as protecting sensitive data and networks is essential to a company’s survival. Companies like Prime Secured specialize in security solutions and highlight the growing demand for strong cybersecurity leadership to prevent breaches, ensure compliance, and safeguard business operations.
In 2024, CIS managers had a median pay of $171,200 per year. Employment is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, with about 55,600 openings each year, much faster than average, driven by cloud computing, security threats, and constant tech upgrades.
This can be a good fit if you like both tech and leadership. Instead of sitting quietly coding all day, you’re budgeting, hiring, and choosing big systems. Expect long projects, some after-hours work during system outages, and a lot of responsibility for keeping everything running.
Architectural and engineering managers
Architectural and engineering managers lead teams that design and build products, structures, or systems. They may direct aerospace projects, manufacturing plants, construction firms, or consulting teams. Most come up through the ranks as engineers and then move into management.
In 2024, the median salary for architectural and engineering managers was $167,740 per year. Employment is projected to grow around 4% from 2024 to 2034, with steady openings as companies expand and older managers retire.
If you enjoy technical work but want more say over budgets and strategy, this role combines both. You’ll need strong communication and project skills, and you’ll often juggle deadlines, regulations, and cross-functional teams. The tradeoff is high pay and influence over big, visible projects.
Natural sciences managers
Natural sciences managers supervise scientists working in fields like biology, chemistry, and environmental science. They plan research projects, manage labs, handle budgets, and coordinate with executives or government agencies.
The 2024 median wage for natural sciences managers was $161,180 per year. From 2024 to 2034, employment is projected to grow about 4%, with openings each year as companies and government labs keep investing in R&D and environmental work.
Most people in this role start as working scientists, then move up. If you like research but want more control over what gets funded and how teams run, this can be a strong path. Be ready for grant writing, red tape, and balancing the needs of both scientists and upper management.
Financial managers
Financial managers oversee a company’s money: cash flow, budgets, investment strategy, and financial reporting. Titles can include controller, treasurer, or finance director. Employers look for a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field and significant experience, often with certifications like CPA or CFA.
In 2024, financial managers earned a median salary of $161,700 per year. Employment is projected to grow 15% between 2024 and 2034, with around 74,600 openings each year, one of the strongest outlooks among management jobs, driven by globalization, regulations, and the need for data-driven decision making.
If you’re comfortable with numbers, risk, and long hours during closing and budget season, this can be a powerful career. Many financial managers work in banking, insurance, corporate finance, or consulting and have clear promotion paths into executive roles.
Marketing managers
Marketing managers plan and oversee campaigns that promote products and services. They coordinate research, branding, advertising, digital strategy, and sometimes pricing and product decisions. Most employers want a bachelor’s degree plus several years of experience in marketing or sales.
In 2024, the median wage specifically for marketing managers was $161,030 per year, while the broader group of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers had a similar overall median. This group is expected to grow about 7% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 36,400 openings each year as companies compete for attention across digital channels.
This job is a mix of creativity and analytics. You’ll spend time in meetings, reading reports, and working with agencies or creative teams. It’s fast-paced and sometimes stressful, especially around big launches, but the top roles pay very well.
Lawyers
Lawyers advise clients, draft legal documents, and represent people or organizations in court or negotiations. Practice areas range from criminal defense and family law to corporate deals and intellectual property. The common path is four years of college, three years of law school, and passing a bar exam.
In 2024, the median pay for lawyers was $151,160 per year. Employment is projected to rise about 4% from 2024 to 2034, with around 31,500 openings each year as older attorneys retire and demand continues for legal work in business, healthcare, and government.
Law is competitive and the hours can be brutal in certain specialties, especially at large firms. But for people who enjoy writing, argument, and complex problems, it offers a clear path to $150K+ and often much more at senior levels.
Computer hardware engineers
Computer hardware engineers design and test physical components like processors, circuit boards, routers, and memory devices. They often work for tech manufacturers, chip companies, or hardware startups. A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field is the standard entry point.
In 2024, computer hardware engineers earned a median salary of $155,020 per year. Employment is projected to grow about 7% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average, with demand tied to new devices, data centers, and specialized hardware.
This role is more lab and design focused than many software jobs. If you like working close to the physical side of computing, chips, boards, embedded systems, and can handle advanced math and physics, it’s a strong, high-paying niche.
Podiatrists
Podiatrists diagnose and treat problems with the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They see everything from sports injuries and bunions to diabetic foot ulcers. Training includes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and a multi-year residency.
In 2024, the median annual wage for podiatrists was $152,800. Employment is projected to grow about 2% from 2024 to 2034, slower than average, but there are still about 300 openings a year, mainly to replace retiring podiatrists. Demand is supported by an aging population and rising rates of diabetes and obesity, which all increase foot and mobility problems.
This is a small but solid field. Many podiatrists run their own practices and set their own schedules. If you want a medical specialty with high income, a clear focus area, and more control over hours than hospital-based roles, podiatry is worth a serious look.
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Byline: Katy Willis
