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By Leigh Goessl

Ten of the best paying jobs in the United States

Job seekers have many things in mind when looking to land that coveted position. Salary is one of the top considerations people have when choosing where to work. According to a 2016 Glassdoor survey, 68 percent said money is on their mind during a job hunt.

A number of well-paid jobs are available across the United States and quite a few of them are currently in high demand. Who makes the most in America? What are the best paying jobs in the United States?

1. Anesthesiologists, surgeons and physicians

The top earners in the U.S. specialize in anesthesiology, earning an average of $258,000 per year. Surgeons earn about $248,000 annually, while other physicians make between $180,000 and $221,000 per year depending on specialty (OB/GYNs typically make more than other specialties). Nurse anesthesiologists average an annual salary of $160,000.

Click here for available anesthesiologist jobs

Click here for available surgeon jobs

Click here for available physician jobs

2. Dental

Dentists and others working in related fields are also top earners. For instance, oral and maxillofacial surgeons make about $234,000 a year. Orthodontists make $221,000 annually, dentists earn approximately $170,000 and prosthodontists make $161,000 each year.

Click here for available oral surgeon jobs

Click here for available orthodontist jobs

Click here for available dentist jobs

Click here for available prosthodontist jobs

3. Chief executives

Business executives also rank amongst the highest salary earners in the United States. These jobs, on average, command about $186,000 per year.

Click here for available CEO jobs

4. Legal

People pursuing careers in law can usually get a nice return on the investment made in law school. Attorneys and judicial law clerks make between $136,000 and $145,000 a year. Judges and other related careers make about $135,000 per year. Teaching law is another good avenue to pursue, as it commands more than six figures a year.

Click here for available lawyer jobs

5. Petroleum engineers

Petroleum engineers earn about $150,000 a year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is anticipated to grow “faster than average” over the next several years.

Click here for available petroleum engineer jobs

6. Research and development managers

Although it typically requires a graduate degree and a lot experience in the field, people who advance to this level see their hard work pay off. The average research and development manager can expect to make about $142,000 a year.

Click here for available research and development manager jobs

7.Computer and information systems/software development managers

Technology continues to be one of the most in-demand skillsets, and managers in this field do well. Since these skills are not limited to tech companies, they are needed in all industries. IT managers take home about $140,000 a year and software development managers $132,000.

Click here for available information systems manager jobs

Click here for available software development manager jobs

8. Business managers

Those MBAs and other business degrees can bring a nice return. Some of the highest-paying jobs in America include marketing managers ($140,000 per year), financial managers ($134,000 per year) and sales managers ($134,000 per year).

Click here for available marketing manager jobs

Click here for available sales manager jobs

Click here for available financial manager jobs

9. Airline pilots, co-pilots and flight engineers

Flight is still a highly preferred method of travel for both business and pleasure. Those working as pilots, co-pilots and flight engineers earn an average of $136,000 per year in the United States. In a related occupation, air traffic controllers make about $119,000 a year.

Click here for available airline pilot jobs

Click here for available flight engineer jobs

10. Data scientists

Data scientists earn nicely and possess the highly needed skills employers seek. People working in this capacity can expect to bring home somewhere in the $110,000 to $120,000 range each year.

Click here for available data scientist jobs

Salaries for all jobs vary depending on location. Additionally, health care and tech jobs are projected to grow either “much faster” or “faster” than average through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While not many tech jobs made the top earners list, many of these salaries aren’t too shabby. If looking to marry salary with current demand and growth potential, opportunities in either health care or tech are a pretty good bet. While not many tech jobs made the top earners list, many of these salaries aren’t too shabby. If looking to marry salary with current demand and growth potential, opportunities in either health care or tech are a pretty good bet.

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