In the United States in 2023, the careers with highest salary jobs are primarily within the healthcare industry. Due to an aging population, these jobs are in high demand and projected to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029. This growth rate is further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has emphasized the importance of healthcare jobs.
The highest paying jobs and the salaries associated with them will change from year to year. The following list of the top 10 careers in the highlights the highest-paying skilled jobs in the U.S. using the median or average salary from the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) as an indicator.
Top 10 Careers with Highest Salary in 2023 (USA)
1. Anesthesiologists – $261,730
Anesthesiologists are physicians who “administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.” Due to a demanding schedule, education required, and level of specialization, this profession has topped the highest-paying jobs list for 3 years in a row. To become an anesthesiologist, you must complete medical school and a four-year residency in anesthesiology. The BLS anticipates employment to remain steady for anesthesiologists over the next few years.
2. Surgeons – $252,040
Surgeons perform operations to treat broken bones and diseases, such as cancer, as well as help manage the patient’s care before and after surgery. Surgeons also often work long, irregular hours and require several years of specialized training. Like an anesthesiologist, you must complete medical school, a multi-year residency program, and sometimes a specialized fellowship in order to become a surgeon. The BLS anticipates employment for surgeons to decline at 2% over the next decade.
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – $237,570
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat diseases, injuries, and defects in and around the mouth and jaw. Problems they are likely to manage include problematic wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, tumors, and cysts of the jaw and mouth. To become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you typically need an undergraduate degree, four-year dental degree, and at least four years of residency. The BLS predicts employment for this profession to grow at 2% over the next few years.
4. Obstetricians – Gynecologists – $233,610
Obstetricians – Gynecologists, or OB-GYNs, specialize in vaginal, ovarian, uterine, and cervical reproductive health, as well as childbirth. They may also work irregular hours and require specialized education. To become an OB-GYN, you must complete medical school, an obstetrics program, and a gynecology residency program. The number of OB-GYN jobs is expected to decrease by 1% by 2029, according to the BLS
5. Orthodontists – $230,830
Orthodontists perform corrective measures on teeth, frequently taking X-rays, applying braces, creating mouth guards, and performing other procedures as needed. Some work for large orthodontic offices, while others own their own practice, which requires strong management skills. Orthodontists must complete a college degree, dental school, a specialized residency, and a licensing exam before starting to practice. The BLS anticipates the number of orthodontic jobs in the U.S. to increase by 2% by 2029.
6. Prosthodontists – $220,840
Prosthodontists fix damaged teeth or missing teeth with artificial devices such as dental implants, dentures, bridges, crowns, and veneers. To get started, they require a college degree, completion of a dental school program, completion of a residency program, and certification from the American Board of Prosthodontics. The BLS expects the number of prosthodontist jobs to stay flat over the next few years.
7. Psychiatrists – $220,430
Psychiatrists help treat mental health issues and may specialize in one particular area, such as child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, or addiction psychiatry. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are classified as medical doctors. To become a psychiatrist, you must complete an undergraduate degree, medical school, and a residency program. Psychology is expected to be one of the fastest-growing specialties, growing at 12% from 2019 to 2029.
8. Family Medicine Physicians (Family and General Practitioners) – $213,270
These physicians are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and helping to prevent diseases and injuries that occur in the general population. Typically, these doctors refer patients to specialists for advanced treatments. Once again, family medicine physicians must graduate from medical school and complete a residency program. The BLS expects employment among family medicine doctors to grow 6% by 2029.
9. Physicians (Other) – $206,500
This category includes jobs as varied as allergists, cardiologists, dermatologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, and ophthalmologists. Any medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine must complete medical school after attaining a bachelor’s degree. Most clinical professions also require the completion of a residency program as well. According to BLS, total employment among all physicians is expected to increase 4% by 2029.
10. Internal Medicine Physicians – $201,440
Internists often serve as primary care doctors or hospitalists, treating ailments such as asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Internists must also complete medical school and a residency program to become certified, and some also pursue more specialized training. The BLS expects the employment of general medicine internists to drop by 1% by 2029.
That wraps up our list for the top careers with highest salary in USA for 2023.
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