25. Political scientist
Mean salary: $115,300 per year
Industry: Social services
Education needed: Master’s degree
24. Actuary
Mean salary: $116,250 per year
Industry: Business
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
23. Optometrist
Mean salary: $119,980 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
22. Financial advisor
Mean salary: $121,770 per year
Industry: Business
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
21. Pharmacist
Mean salary: $123,670 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
20. Business operations manager
Mean salary: $123,880 per year
Industry: Business
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
19. Sales manager
Mean salary: $140,320 per year
Industry: Sales and marketing
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
18. Lawyer
Mean salary: $144,230 per year
Industry: Social services
Education needed: Doctorate degree
17. Pilot
Mean salary: $146,660 per year
Industry: Social services
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
16. Financial manager
Mean salary: $146,830 per year
Industry: Business
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
15. Marketing manager
Mean salary: $147,240 per year
Industry: Sales and marketing
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
14. Podiatrist
Mean salary: $148,220 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
13. IT manager
Mean salary: $152,860 per year
Industry: Technology
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
12. Petroleum engineer
Mean salary: $156,370 per year
Industry: Engineering
Education needed: Bachelor’s degree
11. Nurse anesthetist
Mean salary: $174,790 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Master’s degree
According to the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, as of January 1, 2025, all U.S. nurse anesthesia programs must award a doctoral degree for entry into nurse anesthesia practice.
10. Dentist
Mean salary: $175,840 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
9. Pediatrician
Mean salary: $183,240 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
8. Prosthodontist
Mean salary: $191,400 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
7. Physician
Mean salary: $196,490 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
6. Psychiatrist
Mean salary: $220,380 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
5. Orthodontist
Mean salary: $225,760 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
4. Obstetrician and gynecologist
Mean salary: $238,320 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
3. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Mean salary: $242,370 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
2. Surgeon
Mean salary: $255,110 per year
Industry: Health care
Education needed: Doctorate degree
1. Anesthesiologist
Mean salary:$267,020 per year
Industry:Health care
Education needed:Doctorate degree