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Best Paying Jobs in United States (2026)

Currency: USD · Updated for 2026

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Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in United States

1

Surgeons / Doctors

Salary Range: from 28,602 USD to 93,551 USD

Surgeons top the list of the highest paying careers due to the critical nature of their job. A surgeon's profession involves high risk and requires extensive knowledge and a long learning path; the necessary ingredients for a high paying career.

2

Judges

Salary Range: from 24,033 USD to 78,654 USD

Judges earn quite high salaries because of the huge responsibilities associated with their job. Deciding people's fates is not an easy task and the high wage is perfectly justified.

3

Lawyers

Salary Range: from 19,465 USD to 63,758 USD

The main reason that lawyers earn big wages is because of their high perceived value in the eyes of their clients. A successful lawyer can save/earn you tons of money or can possibly spare you a death sentence.

4

Bank Managers

Salary Range: from 18,333 USD to 59,984 USD

Being in charge of hundreds of millions in funds and investments with all the associated risks that come along makes managing a bank an extremely critical task worthy of a large salary.

5

Chief Executive Officers

Salary Range: from 17,181 USD to 56,210 USD

CEOs are primarily responsible for the success or failure of complete organizations. Their huge remuneration is due to the vast scope of impact as well as the risks involved.

6

Chief Financial Officers

Salary Range: from 16,029 USD to 52,436 USD

Any job that is about managing money automatically qualifies for high pay. CFOs manage budgets, spending, costs, and revenue which directly impacts the operations of the organization.

7

Orthodontists

Salary Range: from 15,453 USD to 50,649 USD

Orthodontists operate in an industry where people are willing to pay high costs for a service, which directly makes Orthodontists among the best paying jobs.

8

College Professors

Salary Range: from 13,745 USD to 44,889 USD

College professors are among the top-earning and most prestigious careers. Becoming a professor is not easy and requires persistence which is partly why they earn so high.

9

Pilots

Salary Range: from 11,461 USD to 37,540 USD

Probably the only career on the list that involves some kind of excitement, nevertheless; pilots undergo rigorous training programs and they are responsible for the safety of thousands of people every day.

10

Marketing Directors

Salary Range: from 10,308 USD to 33,766 USD

Marketing directors are in charge of increasing the revenue of their organizations. They are directly responsible for generating business and they are well paid for that reason.

Salary Overview — Top 10 Jobs

Monthly salary in USD· BestPayingJobs.net

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Best paying jobs in United States — top careers and salaries

Salary Data by City in United States

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Houston

major city

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major city

Philadelphia

major city

San Antonio

major city

San Diego

major city

Dallas

major city

San Jose

major city

Austin

major city

Jacksonville

major city

Fort Worth

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Columbus

major city

Charlotte

major city

Indianapolis

major city

San Francisco

major city

Seattle

major city

Denver

major city

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Jump to Job Category

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Job Categories in United States

Highest Paying Jobs in AI & Machine Learning in United States 2026
  • 1AI Research Scientist
    (USD 35,752)
  • 2Machine Learning Engineer
    (USD 33,369)
  • 3Deep Learning Engineer
    (USD 30,985)
  • 4Computer Vision Engineer
    (USD 28,602)
  • 5NLP Engineer
    (USD 27,410)
  • 6AI Product Manager
    (USD 26,218)
  • 7Data Scientist
    (USD 25,026)
  • 8AI Ethics Officer
    (USD 23,835)
  • 9ML Operations Engineer
    (USD 22,643)
  • 10Business Intelligence Developer
    (USD 21,451)
Highest paying AI & Machine Learning jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Finance & Accounting in United States 2026
  • 1Finance Director
    (USD 33,170)
  • 2Financial Manager
    (USD 31,581)
  • 3Investment Advisor
    (USD 29,992)
  • 4Risk Management Director
    (USD 27,013)
  • 5Economist
    (USD 26,218)
  • 6Tax Director
    (USD 26,020)
  • 7Audit Director
    (USD 25,821)
  • 8Investment Fund Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 9Accounting Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 10Auditing Manager
    (USD 23,437)
Highest paying Finance & Accounting jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Business Administration in United States 2026
  • 1Chief Executive Officer
    (USD 35,752)
  • 2Chairman of The Board
    (USD 34,759)
  • 3Chief Financial Officer
    (USD 32,971)
  • 4Regional Director
    (USD 31,780)
  • 5Executive Manager
    (USD 28,999)
  • 6Chief Corporate Officer
    (USD 28,800)
  • 7Managing Director
    (USD 28,602)
  • 8General Manager
    (USD 27,807)
  • 9Risk and Capital Manager
    (USD 27,013)
  • 10Chief Operating Officer
    (USD 26,814)
Highest paying Business Administration jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Advertising in United States 2026
  • 1Advertising Sales Director
    (USD 27,410)
  • 2Events Director
    (USD 26,814)
  • 3Advertising Manager
    (USD 25,622)
  • 4Product and Brand Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 5Sales Promotion Manager
    (USD 24,828)
  • 6Media Production Manager
    (USD 21,451)
  • 7Media Sales Executive
    (USD 20,458)
  • 8Social Media Manager
    (USD 20,259)
  • 9Digital Media Strategist
    (USD 19,564)
  • 10Advertising Account Manager
    (USD 19,088)
Highest paying Advertising jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Architecture in United States 2026
  • 1Architectural Manager
    (USD 28,602)
  • 2Architecture Consultant
    (USD 27,410)
  • 3Assistant Architectural Manager
    (USD 27,013)
  • 4Facilities and Project Manager
    (USD 26,218)
  • 5Design Manager
    (USD 25,821)
  • 6Landscape Architect
    (USD 22,246)
  • 7Architecture Estimating Manager
    (USD 21,451)
  • 8Architect
    (USD 19,088)
  • 9Architectural Designer
    (USD 18,134)
  • 10CAD Manager
    (USD 17,896)
Highest paying Architecture jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Automotive & Car Industry in United States 2026
  • 1Regional Manager
    (USD 30,985)
  • 2Automotive General Manager
    (USD 29,793)
  • 3Automotive Branch Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 4Automotive Purchase Manager
    (USD 23,437)
  • 5Purchasing Project Manager
    (USD 22,246)
  • 6Automotive Project Manager
    (USD 21,253)
  • 7Auto Parts Manager
    (USD 20,259)
  • 8Automotive Assembly Manager
    (USD 18,611)
  • 9Service Manager
    (USD 17,896)
  • 10Used Car Manager
    (USD 15,989)
Highest paying Automotive & Car Industry jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Aviation in United States 2026
  • 1Aviation Manager
    (USD 33,369)
  • 2Airport Services Manager
    (USD 32,971)
  • 3Airlines Sales Director
    (USD 32,177)
  • 4Aviation Safety Manager
    (USD 30,985)
  • 5Chief Pilot
    (USD 28,602)
  • 6Aircraft Pilot
    (USD 27,410)
  • 7Fleet Controller
    (USD 25,821)
  • 8Airfield Management Specialist
    (USD 24,629)
  • 9Aviation Analyst
    (USD 21,451)
  • 10Aerospace Engineer
    (USD 20,259)
Highest paying Aviation jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Banking in United States 2026
  • 1International Banking Manager
    (USD 35,752)
  • 2Group Branch Manager
    (USD 35,355)
  • 3Bank Regional Manager
    (USD 34,759)
  • 4Bank Operations Head
    (USD 34,163)
  • 5Capital Risk Manager
    (USD 33,170)
  • 6Credit Portfolio Manager
    (USD 32,773)
  • 7Internal Bank Audit Manager
    (USD 31,780)
  • 8Cash Management Manager
    (USD 30,588)
  • 9Online Banking Manager
    (USD 29,197)
  • 10Mortgage Operations Manager
    (USD 28,602)
Highest paying Banking jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Construction in United States 2026
  • 1Construction Manager
    (USD 27,410)
  • 2Construction Project Manager
    (USD 26,218)
  • 3Construction Operations Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 4Site Leader
    (USD 23,835)
  • 5Building Contracts Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 6Tender Manager
    (USD 21,650)
  • 7Building Sales Manager
    (USD 21,253)
  • 8Construction Quality Control Manager
    (USD 19,803)
  • 9Purchasing Manager
    (USD 17,896)
  • 10Installation Manager
    (USD 17,419)
Highest paying Construction jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Counseling in United States 2026
  • 1Psychologist
    (USD 26,218)
  • 2Director of Rehabilitation Services
    (USD 25,026)
  • 3Youth Development Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 4Guidance Director
    (USD 23,437)
  • 5Adoption Services Director
    (USD 22,444)
  • 6Mental Health Counselor
    (USD 21,451)
  • 7Supervising Counselor
    (USD 20,458)
  • 8Family Support Specialist
    (USD 20,259)
  • 9Youth Care Counselor
    (USD 20,061)
  • 10Employment Counselor
    (USD 19,088)
Highest paying Counseling jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Customer Service in United States 2026
  • 1Customer Service Manager
    (USD 21,451)
  • 2Service Delivery Manager
    (USD 21,054)
  • 3Regional Account Manager
    (USD 20,259)
  • 4Customer Success Manager
    (USD 19,564)
  • 5Call Center Manager
    (USD 19,088)
  • 6Client Relationship Executive
    (USD 18,611)
  • 7Operations Support Manager
    (USD 17,896)
  • 8Customer Service Executive
    (USD 14,321)
  • 9Customer Service Team Leader
    (USD 13,367)
  • 10Customer Service Advisor
    (USD 13,129)
Highest paying Customer Service jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Education & Teaching in United States 2026
  • 1College Dean
    (USD 30,985)
  • 2Dean of Faculty
    (USD 29,197)
  • 3Professor
    (USD 28,602)
  • 4Lecturer
    (USD 22,643)
  • 5Head of School
    (USD 21,848)
  • 6Post Doctoral Researcher
    (USD 20,855)
  • 7Educational Psychologist
    (USD 20,657)
  • 8Academic Manager
    (USD 20,061)
  • 9Clinical School Psychologist
    (USD 19,485)
  • 10Principal
    (USD 19,088)
Highest paying Education & Teaching jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Energy in United States 2026
  • 1Operations Manager
    (USD 33,369)
  • 2Geophysicist
    (USD 26,814)
  • 3Engineering Geologist
    (USD 26,218)
  • 4Exploration Manager
    (USD 25,622)
  • 5Energy Dispatch Director
    (USD 25,225)
  • 6Geothermal Production Manager
    (USD 24,629)
  • 7Mining Project Manager
    (USD 24,232)
  • 8Service Delivery Manager
    (USD 23,437)
  • 9Sustainability Specialist
    (USD 22,643)
  • 10Energy Advisor
    (USD 21,451)
Highest paying Energy jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Engineering in United States 2026
  • 1Director of Engineering
    (USD 28,602)
  • 2Engineering Production Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 3Field Engineering Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 4Electrical Engineering Manager
    (USD 21,451)
  • 5Engineering Key Account Manager
    (USD 21,054)
  • 6Engineering Project Manager
    (USD 19,803)
  • 7Mechanical Engineering Manager
    (USD 19,088)
  • 8Engineering Sales Manager
    (USD 18,611)
  • 9Engineering Consultant
    (USD 17,896)
  • 10Chief Engineer
    (USD 17,538)
Highest paying Engineering jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Manufacturing in United States 2026
  • 1Production Director
    (USD 27,410)
  • 2Director of Manufacturing
    (USD 26,814)
  • 3Industrial Production Manager
    (USD 25,821)
  • 4Operational Excellence General Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 5Technology Development Manager
    (USD 24,629)
  • 6Manufacturing Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 7Plant Manager
    (USD 23,437)
  • 8Product Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 9Shipping Manager
    (USD 22,246)
  • 10Key Account Manager
    (USD 21,451)
Highest paying Manufacturing jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Fitness & Sports in United States 2026
  • 1Sports Manager
    (USD 25,622)
  • 2Fitness Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 3Head Coach
    (USD 22,643)
  • 4Head Gymnastics Instructor
    (USD 15,512)
  • 5Ski Instructor
    (USD 13,367)
  • 6Assistant Coach
    (USD 13,129)
  • 7Swim Instructor
    (USD 12,652)
  • 8Personal Trainer
    (USD 12,176)
  • 9Game Manager
    (USD 11,699)
  • 10Fitness Trainer
    (USD 11,222)
Highest paying Fitness & Sports jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Hospitality in United States 2026
  • 1Hospitality Director
    (USD 29,793)
  • 2Hotel Manager
    (USD 28,602)
  • 3Fleet Manager
    (USD 24,629)
  • 4Cluster Director
    (USD 23,835)
  • 5Regional Restaurant Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 6Assistant Hospitality Manager
    (USD 21,650)
  • 7Hotel Sales Manager
    (USD 21,451)
  • 8Food Service Manager
    (USD 20,458)
  • 9Restaurant Manager
    (USD 19,326)
  • 10Room Reservations Manager
    (USD 19,088)
Highest paying Hospitality jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Healthcare in United States 2026
  • 1Surgeon - Heart Transplant
    (USD 71,504)
  • 2Chief of Surgery
    (USD 69,121)
  • 3Surgeon - Orthopedic
    (USD 66,737)
  • 4Surgeon - Plastic Reconstructive
    (USD 64,354)
  • 5Invasive Cardiologist
    (USD 63,559)
  • 6Surgeon - Neurology
    (USD 61,573)
  • 7Surgeon - Pediatric
    (USD 55,614)
  • 8Urologist
    (USD 53,032)
  • 9Internist
    (USD 49,656)
  • 10Chief of Psychology
    (USD 47,272)
Highest paying Healthcare jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Human Resources in United States 2026
  • 1Chief People Officer
    (USD 26,218)
  • 2Director of Talent Acquisition
    (USD 25,026)
  • 3Human Resources Vice President
    (USD 24,629)
  • 4Human Resources Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 5Recruiting Manager
    (USD 23,437)
  • 6Human Resources Development Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 7Benefits Manager
    (USD 20,855)
  • 8Labor Relations Director
    (USD 19,862)
  • 9Human Resources Consultant
    (USD 19,326)
  • 10Training Executive
    (USD 19,088)
Highest paying Human Resources jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Import & Export in United States 2026
  • 1Import and Export Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 2Exports Sales Manager
    (USD 24,629)
  • 3Export Logistics Manager
    (USD 22,047)
  • 4Import and Export Consultant
    (USD 19,862)
  • 5Importation Supervisor
    (USD 16,704)
  • 6Export Logistics Specialist
    (USD 14,797)
  • 7Export Supervisor
    (USD 14,321)
  • 8Logistics Analyst
    (USD 13,248)
  • 9Logistics Administrator
    (USD 12,652)
  • 10Global Forwarding Agent
    (USD 11,461)
Highest paying Import & Export jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Insurance in United States 2026
  • 1Risk Management Director
    (USD 30,985)
  • 2Risk Modeling Manager
    (USD 29,793)
  • 3Insurance Manager
    (USD 28,602)
  • 4Insurance Sales Director
    (USD 26,218)
  • 5Policy Change Director
    (USD 25,026)
  • 6Auditing Insurance Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 7Loss Prevention Manager
    (USD 23,437)
  • 8Claims Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 9Actuary
    (USD 21,451)
  • 10Insurance Program Manager
    (USD 21,054)
Highest paying Insurance jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Information Technology in United States 2026
  • 1Chief Information Officer
    (USD 26,218)
  • 2Online Banking Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 3Information Technology Project Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 4Enterprise Infrastructure Manager
    (USD 23,239)
  • 5Director of Application Development
    (USD 22,643)
  • 6Chief Information Security Officer
    (USD 22,246)
  • 7Web Security Manager
    (USD 22,047)
  • 8Business Intelligence Consultant
    (USD 21,650)
  • 9Technical Project Manager
    (USD 21,253)
  • 10Information Technology Sales Manager
    (USD 21,054)
Highest paying Information Technology jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Marketing in United States 2026
  • 1Brand Director
    (USD 29,793)
  • 2Chief Marketing Officer
    (USD 28,602)
  • 3Brand Manager
    (USD 27,410)
  • 4Marketing Manager
    (USD 26,218)
  • 5Chief Product Officer
    (USD 25,821)
  • 6Search Marketing Strategist
    (USD 23,437)
  • 7Market Development Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 8Product Manager
    (USD 22,246)
  • 9Digital Marketing Manager
    (USD 21,848)
  • 10Trade Marketing Executive
    (USD 21,451)
Highest paying Marketing jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology in United States 2026
  • 1Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Lead
    (USD 38,135)
  • 2Pharmaceutical Manager
    (USD 35,752)
  • 3Molecular and Cellular Biologist
    (USD 33,964)
  • 4Medical Affairs Director
    (USD 32,177)
  • 5Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager
    (USD 31,978)
  • 6Bioinformatics Scientist
    (USD 30,985)
  • 7Pharmaceutical Research Scientist
    (USD 30,588)
  • 8Pharmaceutical Sales Manager
    (USD 29,793)
  • 9Clinical Research Manager
    (USD 29,396)
  • 10Pharmacy Manager
    (USD 28,602)
Highest paying Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Public Relations in United States 2026
  • 1Head of Public Relations
    (USD 26,814)
  • 2Public Relations Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 3Director of Communications
    (USD 22,842)
  • 4Head of Communications
    (USD 22,246)
  • 5Marketing Communications Executive
    (USD 21,650)
  • 6Public Relations Executive
    (USD 21,054)
  • 7Media Relations Specialist
    (USD 19,803)
  • 8Communications Project Manager
    (USD 19,088)
  • 9Investor Relations Officer
    (USD 16,704)
  • 10Government Relations Officer
    (USD 14,917)
Highest paying Public Relations jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Procurement in United States 2026
  • 1Supply Chain Director
    (USD 29,793)
  • 2Procurement Manager
    (USD 28,602)
  • 3Distribution Manager
    (USD 27,410)
  • 4Warehouse Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 5Vendor Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 6Wholesale Buyer
    (USD 21,451)
  • 7Supply Chain Analyst
    (USD 20,259)
  • 8Purchasing Supervisor
    (USD 19,088)
  • 9Inventory Control Manager
    (USD 18,611)
  • 10Demand Planning Manager
    (USD 17,896)
Highest paying Procurement jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Quality Control in United States 2026
  • 1Quality Director
    (USD 26,218)
  • 2Quality Control Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 3Quality Assurance Executive
    (USD 23,835)
  • 4Six Sigma Black Belt
    (USD 20,657)
  • 5Product Quality Leader
    (USD 18,849)
  • 6Approval Team Manager
    (USD 18,690)
  • 7Quality Assurance Supervisor
    (USD 18,094)
  • 8Quality Trainer
    (USD 17,697)
  • 9Assistant Quality Manager
    (USD 17,181)
  • 10Quality Control Analyst
    (USD 16,347)
Highest paying Quality Control jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Real Estate in United States 2026
  • 1Portfolio Manager
    (USD 30,985)
  • 2Director of Real Estate
    (USD 29,793)
  • 3Shopping Center Manager
    (USD 28,602)
  • 4Town Planner
    (USD 28,006)
  • 5Property Operations Manager
    (USD 27,807)
  • 6Real Estate General Manager
    (USD 27,410)
  • 7Commercial Leasing Manager
    (USD 27,013)
  • 8Community Development Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 9Real Estate Project Manager
    (USD 23,835)
  • 10Property Manager
    (USD 19,862)
Highest paying Real Estate jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Sales in United States 2026
  • 1Wholesale Manager
    (USD 34,560)
  • 2National Sales Manager
    (USD 33,369)
  • 3Sales Director
    (USD 30,985)
  • 4Sales Executive
    (USD 28,602)
  • 5Sales Manager
    (USD 27,410)
  • 6National Account Manager
    (USD 25,026)
  • 7Head of Direct Sales
    (USD 23,835)
  • 8Head of Retail
    (USD 23,437)
  • 9Corporate Sales Manager
    (USD 22,643)
  • 10Relationship Manager
    (USD 22,047)
Highest paying Sales jobs in United States
Highest Paying Jobs in Telecommunications in United States 2026
  • 1Telecommunications Manager
    (USD 26,218)
  • 2Sales Director
    (USD 25,026)
  • 3Chief Technology Officer
    (USD 23,835)
  • 4Telecommunication Service Delivery Manager
    (USD 19,862)
  • 5Telecommunication Solution Architect
    (USD 18,889)
  • 6Telecommunication Consultant
    (USD 18,412)
  • 7Telecommunication Project Manager
    (USD 17,896)
  • 8Telecommunications Analyst
    (USD 17,697)
  • 9Telecommunication Technical Manager
    (USD 17,499)
  • 10Access Operation Team Leader
    (USD 16,903)
Highest paying Telecommunications jobs in United States

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Salary data on this page is based on research from the Economic Research Institute (ERI) and SalaryExpert. Figures are estimates and may vary based on experience, location, and industry.