If you’re hoping to snag a high-paying job, it pays to be aware of the top highest paying jobs in America.
In this article, we’ll look at the newest data released by Glassdoor—one of the largest job-hunting and employer-review websites—in its September 2019 report. We’ll compare the Glassdoor data to information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (when possible) to break down the highest-paying jobs in America.
Below, you’ll find a list of the 15 top-paying jobs in America, as well as what people in those fields typically earn, and how many jobs are currently available in those positions.
15 Highest Paying Jobs in America
Below are the 15 top-paying jobs in America, according to a report by Glassdoor in 2019. For each job, you’ll also see data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
1. Physician
Median base salary: $193,413
Job openings: 3,729
It won’t come as much of a shock that the highest-paying job in America is in the medical field. According to Glassdoor, the number-one paying job in 2019 is physician, with a median salary of $193,415.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for physicians are:
- New York, NY
- Phoenix, AZ
- Richmond, VA
- Tampa, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
The BLS predicts an increase of 7% for physician and surgeon careers between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average.
2. Pharmacy Manager
Median base salary: $144,768
Job openings: 3,042
The second highest-paying job in America is another healthcare career, but one that also incorporates managerial skills.
Pharmacy managers are in charge of supervising pharmacists, as well as filling prescriptions and checking previously-filled prescriptions.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for pharmacy managers are:
- Las Vegas, NV
- Seattle, WA
- Chicago, IL
- Portland, OR
- Phoenix, AZ
BLS doesn’t have data specific to pharmacy managers; see Pharmacist at position number four for more details.
3. Dentist
Median base salary: $142,478
Job openings: 3,655
Dentistry has always ranked among the highest paying jobs in America, and the most recent data shows the same trend.
Dentistry offers a range of job opportunities, from oral and maxillofacial surgery to general family dental care. Depending on your specialty as a dentist, you’ll earn more or less.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for dentists are:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
The BLS shows that there are a total of 155,000 jobs (filled positions) in dentistry in the U.S. The Bureau predicts an increase of 7% for the dentist career between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average.
4. Pharmacist
Median base salary: $126,438
Job openings: 1,884
You don’t have to manage a pharmacy to earn a substantial salary: pharmacist ranks at the fourth highest-paying job in America.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for pharmacists are:
- Philadelphia, PA
- Oakland, CA
- Orlando, FL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Bakersfield, CA
The BLS shows that there are currently 314,300 pharmacy jobs (filled positions) in the U.S. The bureau predicts an increase of 0% for the career of a pharmacist, with an employment change of -100.
5. Enterprise Architect
Median base salary: $122,575
Job openings: 1,555
An enterprise architect works with managers and stakeholders to develop organizational strategies, information processes, and IT structures.
To become an enterprise architect, you need business knowledge and strong communication skills, as well as IT acumen and in-depth expertise in software, hardware, and systems.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for enterprise architects are:
- Washington, DC
- Chicago, IL
- Chantilly, VA
- St. Louis, MO
- Austin, TX
The BLS does not have specific information for enterprise architects. However, the Bureau shows a total of 159,300 jobs for computer network architects in the U.S.
The career of computer network architect has a predicted growth of 5%, which is average.
6. Corporate Counsel
Median base salary: $117,588
Job openings: 907
At number six on the list of the highest paying jobs in America, we have the first legal role: corporate counsel.
Corporate counsel is the legal help employed by organizations, corporations, and businesses. As a corporate counsel, you would advise business managers, owners, and employees on a wide range of matters. You would specialize in corporate law.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for corporate counsel are:
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- New York, NY
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
The BLS doesn’t have data specific to corporate counsel roles. However, the Bureau shows a total of 823,900 jobs in the broader category of lawyer (filled positions), and estimated growth of 6%, which is average.
7. Software Engineering Manager
Median base salary: $114,163
Job openings: 1,641
A software engineering manager leads a team of software developers in one of various industries. As a software engineering manager, you can work in many different fields, from finance to medical research.
Software engineering managers hire, train, and manage staff, in addition to designing software and web services and applications.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for software engineering managers are:
- Seattle, WA
- Boston, MA
- Redmond, WA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- McLean, VA
The BLS doesn’t offer information specific to software engineering managers. However, it shows total employment for the field of computer and information systems managers at 414,400 (filled positions).
The estimated growth for this field between 2018 and 2028 is 11%, which is much faster than average.
8. Physician Assistant
Median base salary: $113,855
Job openings: 11,008
A physician may be the top highest paying job in America, but you can rank at number eight as a physician assistant.
Physician assistants don’t just assist doctors like the name might suggest. PAs perform many of the same duties as physicians, from diagnosing illnesses and ordering tests to performing regular check-ups and counseling patients.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for physician assistants are:
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
- Brooklyn, NY
- Dallas, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
The BLS predicts shows 118,800 total physician assistant jobs (filled roles) as of 2018. The Bureau estimates a 31% increase in the field, which is significantly faster than average.
9. Corporate Controller
Median base salary: $113,368
Job openings: 299
At number-nine, the first finance-focused job makes the list of the highest paying jobs in America. A corporate controller manages and oversees the accounting and financial functions of an organization. That includes billing, budgeting, and accounts payable or receivable.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for corporate controllers are:
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- New York, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Portland, OR
The BLS doesn’t have data specific to corporate controllers. However, it shows that there are 653,600 financial manager jobs (filled positions) in total in the U.S.
The Bureau expects the field to grow by 16% between 2018 and 2028, which is much faster than average.
10. Software Development Manager
Median base salary: $109,809
Job openings: 1,663
Next on the list of the highest paying jobs in America is another software development career: software development manager.
The role of a software development manager is similar to that of a software engineering manager. However, a software development manager focuses on the development end, while an engineering manager oversees both development and quality.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for software development manager are:
- Bellevue, WA
- New York, NY
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Irvine, CA
The BLS doesn’t have data specific to software development managers. However, it shows a total number of jobs (filled positions) in the field of software developers of 1,365,000.
The Bureau predicts an increase of 21% between 2018 and 2028, which is much faster than average.
11. Nurse Practitioner
Median base salary: $109,481
Job openings: 17,572
Returning to the medical field once again, the 11th career on the list of the highest paying jobs in America is a nurse practitioner. You’ll also notice that this job has the highest number of job openings of all the careers on this list.
Nurse practitioners fill much the same role as a physician assistant. Depending on where you practice, you might act as a primary care provider, or in conjunction with physicians.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for nurse practitioners are:
- Baltimore, MD
- Philadelphia, PA
- Hartford, CT
- Portland, OR
- Houston, TX
According to the BLS, there are 240,700 jobs (filled roles) for advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, in the United States.
The career is expected to grow by 26% between 2018 and 2028, which is much faster than average.
12. Applications Development Manager
Median base salary: $107,735
Job openings: 407
An application development manager is responsible for a team that designs, develops, monitors, and analyzes software applications.
Typically, application development managers are employed by a business, corporation, or organization, to manage the company’s web applications.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for applications development managers are:
- New York, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Miami, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Irving, TX
The BLS doesn’t offer data specific to applications development managers. See the software development manager above for more details.
13. Solutions Architect
Median base salary: $106,436
Job openings: 8,215
A solutions architect uses existing systems within an organization or creates new systems, to meet a specific need or address a problem.
The job title of solutions architect applies to various roles, but it traditionally encompasses the design and management of stable IT support systems within a company.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for solutions architects are:
- Dallas, TX
- Seattle, TA
- San Francisco, CA
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
The BLS doesn’t offer data specific to solution architects. See computer network architect above for more details.
14. Data Architect
Median base salary: $104,840
Job openings: 2,341
A data architect works with enterprises and companies in a similar capacity to solutions architects. But the two roles differ in terms of scope.
A data architect focuses more on how information moves across the system, whereas a solutions architect works with the overall IT environment within a company.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for data architects are:
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
The BLS doesn’t offer data specific to data architects. However, it shows a total of 116,900 jobs (filled roles) in the broader category of data administration. The field is projected to grow 9% between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than average.
15. Plant Manager
Median base salary: $104,817
Job openings: 1,186
A plant manager oversees the day-to-day operations of manufacturing. They typically hire and train workers, analyze the production, ensure that work stays on-time and on-budget, and streamline the production process wherever possible.
To become a plant manager, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, as well as experience in production and manufacturing.
The top cities (Glassdoor’s “hot cities”) for plant managers are:
- Indianapolis, IN
- Dallas, TX
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
The BLS shows that there are a total of 186,500 jobs (filled positions) in the occupation of industrial production manager. The career is projected to grow by only 1% between 2018 and 2028.
More of the Highest Paying Jobs in America
We’ve given you the top 15 highest paying jobs in America, according to the recent report by Glassdoor and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you want to see a full list of the highest paying jobs in America, visit Glassdoor’s list and the list provided by BLS.
How to Get One of the Highest Paying Jobs in America
To get one of the highest-paying jobs in America, you’ll typically need one of two things: years of advanced education and training, or years of on-the-job experience.
Roles in healthcare, for example, require many years of advanced study. High-paying jobs in finance and technology generally require extensive knowledge gained from experience in the industry.
If you want to get one of the highest paying jobs in America, you should expect to put in some time and show dedication to your career.
Additional Resources:
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