Whether you’re well into your employment or just starting out, you may be wondering about the highest-paying careers in 2019.
In this article, we’ll use data from the Bureau of Labor’s Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) to find the highest-paying careers for 2019.
15 Highest-Paying Careers in 2019
If you want to be amongst the highest-paid individuals in the United States, you should consider going into one of the careers listed below.
Wage information was taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For clarity, some overlapping career categories were consolidated.
1. Anesthesiologists
$128.38 hourly | $267,020 annually
An anesthesiologist is a physician tasked with administering anesthetics before, during, or after medical procedures and surgeries.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- Residency program (usually four years).
2. Surgeons
$122.65 hourly | $255,110 annually
A surgeon is a type of physician who treats illnesses and injuries by surgical methods, using instruments or manual manipulation.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
- Residency program (usually five years).
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
$116.52 hourly | $242,370 annually
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to resolve diseases, defects, and injuries. They may diagnose problems or perform surgeries to improve function or appearance.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree or DDS/MD dual degree.
- Residency program varies based on professional degree earned (usually four to six years).
4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
$114.58 hourly | $238,320 annually
OB/GYNs provide medical care related to pregnancy and childbirth. They can diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases, particularly those that affect women’s reproductive systems. Obstetricians and gynecologists can also provide primary care to women.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- Residency program (usually four years).
5. Orthodontists
$108.54 hourly | $225,760 annually
Orthodontists examine, diagnose, and treat dental imperfections and abnormalities. They design and create medical equipment—such as braces and retainers—to realign the teeth and jaws. They help to produce and maintain healthy dental function and improve appearance.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field focusing on biology, physiology, chemistry, human anatomy, and/or physics.
- DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree.
- Orthodontic residency program (usually two to three years).
6. Psychiatrists
$105.95 hourly | $220,380 annually
Psychiatrists are medical practitioners who diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental illnesses. Unlike therapists and psychologists, psychiatrists are trained medical doctors and can prescribe medications.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- Residency program (usually four years).
7. Family and General Practitioners
$101.82 hourly | $211,780 annually
Family and general practitioners diagnose, treat, and help prevent common diseases and injuries. A general practitioner typically acts as an individual’s primary care provider and may refer patients to specialists when further diagnosis or treatment is needed.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- Residency program (usually four years).
8. Chief Executives
$96.22 hourly | $200,140 annually
Chief executives (CEOs) create policies and provide direction to private companies and public organizations. A chief executive often works within a set of guidelines provided by a board of directors or other governing body. Chief executives coordinate operations at the highest level of management.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree (Nearly any major will work, but business administration, public administration, or a degree in your field of specialty is recommended.)
- Master’s in Business Administration (recommended but not required).
- Work experience in lower-level management positions.
9. Internists
$94.47 hourly | $196,490 annually
An internist is a medical doctor who diagnoses diseases and injuries of internal organ systems and provides non-surgical treatment. Internists mainly provide care for adults with a wide range of problems related to the internal organs.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
- Residency program (usually three years).
10. Prosthodontists
$92.02 hourly | $191,400 annually
Prosthodontists create oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and oral structures. They work to correct natural and acquired imperfections of the mouth and jaw, and to restore and maintain oral function and appearance.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field focusing on biology, physiology, chemistry, human anatomy, and/or physics.
- DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree.
- Prosthodontic residency program (usually three years).
11. Pediatricians
$88.10 hourly | $183,240 annually
Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and helping prevent diseases and injuries in children.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field or premed.
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
- Residency program (usually three years).
- Fellowship in a specialty (optional – two to three years).
12. Dentists
$84.54 hourly | $175,840 annually
General dentists examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, malformations, and injuries of the teeth and gums. Dentists sometimes treat diseases of nerve and other dental tissues that affect oral hygiene. They may fit dental appliances or provide preventative care.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field focusing on biology, physiology, chemistry, human anatomy, and/or physics.
- DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree with supervised clinical practice.
- Post-doctoral specialty education (optional – two to four years).
- Specialty residency (optional – up to two years).
13. Nurse Anesthetists
$84.03 hourly | $174,790 annually
Nurse anesthetists, or CRNAs, perform many of the same tasks as anesthesiologists. They are tasked with administering anesthesia, monitoring patients’ vital signs, and overseeing their recovery from anesthesia. CRNAs may assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, physicians, or dentists.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
- Registered Nurse licensure.
- Intensive care work experience (one year).
- Master’s in Nursing degree with a specialty in nurse anesthesia (two to four years).
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) (optional but recommended – usually two years)
14. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Hourly wage NA | $169,560 annually
Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, typically on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transportation of cargo or passengers. Pilots in this category may work as regional, national, and international airlines pilots or as flight instructors for airline pilots.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree (optional but recommended)
- Flight training through flight school, college or trade school program, airline cadet program, or military service.
- At least 35 or 40 hours of flight time, depending on your route to flight training.
- Ground training.
15. Petroleum Engineers
$75.18 hourly | $156,370 annually
Petroleum engineers create methods to improve gas and oil extraction and production. They may devise new tools and techniques or modify existing strategies. A petroleum engineer also oversees drilling operations and offers technical advice.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
- Master’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering (optional but recommended)
Degrees with the Best Return on Investment
A high-paying career may be ideal, but many of the professions listed above come at a hefty cost. For example, the average medical school debt in 2016 was $190,000, and it continues to creep higher each year.
Some careers pay a lower annual salary but allow you to get started with a much smaller investment, both in terms of time and money. While becoming a doctor can take upwards of 12 years to achieve, entering the high-paying career field of petroleum engineering can be done in just four short years.
We used the latest data from the Collegiate Employment Research Institute (CERI) to bring you the college degrees with the best ROI.
- Engineering
To get started in one of the highest-paying careers in 2019, all you need is a four-year degree in engineering.
To start out in the field of petroleum engineering, the best choice is a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited school. With this degree, you can get an entry-level job that pays an average of $61,083.
As you gain real-life work experience in engineering and management, you can work your way up the ladder as a petroleum engineer without paying for additional education.
A professional-level degree in engineering also offers a higher starting salary than any other degree.
Bachelor’s Degrees:
- Electrical Engineering – $60,581 avg. starting salary
- Chemical Engineering – $58,780 avg. starting salary
- Mechanical Engineering – $61,083 avg. starting salary
- Industrial Engineering – $58,282 avg. starting salary
Master’s Degree:
- Engineering – $64, 338 avg. starting salary
Professional Degree:
- Engineering – $76,000 avg. starting salary
- Software Design and Computer Science
In 2019, businesses and organizations are still becoming increasingly dependent on computer software. As their demand for new and more advanced software increases, so does the demand for skilled software designers and engineers.
Majoring in software design or engineering can put you in a position of high earning potential, according to CERI data.
A bachelor’s degree in software design offers an average starting salary of $62,541, and a bachelor’s in computer engineering can net you $61,326 annually when you’re first starting out.
Bachelor’s Degrees:
- Software Design – $62,541 avg. starting salary
- Computer Engineering – $61,326 avg. starting salary
- Computer Programming – $58,771 avg. starting salary
- Computer Science – $57,523 avg. starting salary
Master’s Degree:
- Computer Science – $69,537 avg. starting salary
Professional Degree:
- Computer Science – $76,000 avg. starting salary
- Business and Management
An MBA isn’t necessarily required to land a relatively high-paying job in business or management. Starting salaries for four-year degree holders in business majors are amongst the highest in all categories, according to the data provided by CERI.
One of the business degrees with the highest return on investment is management information systems (MIS), which offers a starting salary of $53,239.
If you graduate with a major in business, you have the benefit of starting your career in business management after only four years. Then you have the option to earn an MBA later on if you want to improve your earning potential.
Associate’s Degree:
- Business – $40,031 avg. starting salary
Bachelor’s Degrees:
- MIS – $53,239 avg. starting salary
- Supply Chain – $51,185 avg. starting salary
- Construction Management – $50,949 avg. starting salary
Master’s Degrees:
- MBA – $64,338 avg. starting salary
- HR – $62,042 avg. starting salary
Professional Degree:
- Business – $68,891 avg. starting salary
- Nursing
Careers in healthcare are some of the highest-paying in the country, and that doesn’t exclude careers in nursing.
The good news for nurses working towards a four-year degree is that they can expect to earn a relatively high starting salary of $48,783, on average. Even more impressively, you can begin your career in nursing with only two years of study if you earn an associate’s degree.
You can continue your education as a nurse to earn a Master’s in Nursing or become certified as an Advanced Practice Nurse, such as a CRNA. CRNAs—also known as nurse anesthetists—are some of the highest-paid nursing professionals in the country.
The CERI study only includes starting salary data for associate’s and bachelor’s degree-holders.
Associate’s Degree:
- Nursing (all) – $40,944 avg. starting salary
Bachelor’s Degree
- Nursing – $48,783 avg. starting salary
- Finance and Accounting
Finance and accounting are practical skills that will always be in demand by large companies, small businesses, government organizations, and individuals.
Accounting is also one of the degree paths that allows you to get started after just four years and earn a competitive starting salary. A holder of a four-year degree in accounting makes an average starting salary of $47,482 right out of college.
After acquiring your bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, you can go on to earn a master’s in accounting to improve your earning potential. It is also a solid foundation of knowledge that you can use to earn an MBA or another professional degree.
Bachelor’s Degrees:
Finance – $50,805 avg. starting salary
- Accounting – $47,482 avg. starting salary
Top-Paying Career in 2019: Healthcare
Unsurprisingly, careers in the field of healthcare took the majority of spots in the highest-paying careers for 2019.
And in addition to high wages, healthcare professionals can expect their industry to boom in the coming years.
Healthcare employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is projected to grow by 18% between 2016 and 2026. This growth is significantly higher than the national average for all jobs and represents an increase of over 2 million new jobs.
While healthcare careers may require significant investment at the front end, in both time and money, you can expect a rewarding career when you get out of school.
