The ‘Best Jobs’ with the highest salaries
One of the key traits of a great job is a fat paycheck. These 25 offered the highest average salary in 2015, the latest year for which data are available. Click on to see which job took the top spot for highest pay.
25. Medical and Health Services Manager
— Average Salary: $106,070
— Median Salary: $94,500
— Best Jobs Rank: 40
These health care professionals work behind the scenes to keep hospitals, nursing homes and health care centers operating effectively.
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24. Actuary
— Average Salary: $110,560
— Median Salary: $97,070
— Best Jobs Rank: 27
This numbers-focused profession involves measuring and analyzing the financial consequences of risk.
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23. Mathematician
— Average Salary: $112,560
— Median Salary: $111,110
— Best Jobs Rank: 20
Mathematicians crunch numbers and analyze outcomes while working in a range of math-related jobs, including teaching and research.
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22. Optometrist
— Average Salary: $115,750
— Median Salary: $103,900
— Best Jobs Rank: 11
These medical professionals specialize in diagnosing and treating eyesight issues and prescribe contact lenses and glasses.
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21. Financial Advisor
— Average Salary: $118,050
— Median Salary: $89,160
— Best Jobs Rank: 26
These professionals advise clients on their finances, from investing in a retirement plan to budgeting for a child’s education.
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20. Pharmacist
— Average Salary: $119,270
— Median Salary: $121,500
— Best Jobs Rank: 49
Pharmacists fill prescriptions, check for potential drug interactions and instruct patients on how to take medicine.
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19. Business Operations Manager
— Average Salary: $119,460
— Median Salary: $97,730
— Best Jobs Rank: 53
These corporate jacks-of-all-trades coordinate and strategize on various teams and projects, including hiring staff and addressing budget concerns.
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18. Sales Manager
— Average Salary: $130,400
— Median Salary: $113,860
— Best Jobs Rank: 99
These business professionals oversee and direct strategies for distributing their employers’ goods to customers.
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17. Financial Manager
— Average Salary: $134,330
— Median Salary: $117,990
— Best Jobs Rank: 48
These detail-oriented workers oversee finances, which includes producing financial reports and other documentation.
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16. Podiatrist
— Average Salary: $136,180
— Median Salary: $119,340
— Best Jobs Rank: 25
Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot and ankle.
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15. Lawyer
— Average Salary: $136,260
— Median Salary: $115,820
— Best Jobs Rank: 61
From courtroom sweet-talkers to tax buffs, lawyers advise and represent clients in criminal or civil legal matters.
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14. Marketing Manager
— Average Salary: $140,660
— Median Salary: $128,750
— Best Jobs Rank: 66
These business professionals help sell a company’s products to the public, doing everything from developing pricing strategies to creating advertisements.
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13. IT Manager
— Average Salary: $141,000
— Median Salary: $131,600
— Best Jobs Rank: 29
These computer-savvy professionals update and assist organizations with technology.
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12. Petroleum Engineer
— Average Salary: $149,590
— Median Salary: $129,990
— Best Jobs Rank: 83
Workers in this profession design tools that extract oil from reservoirs. Aspiring petroleum engineers need, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree to get started in the field.
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11. Nurse Anesthetist
— Average Salary: $160,250
— Median Salary: $157,140
— Best Jobs Rank: 6
These registered nurses complete specialized training to deliver drugs that minimize pain during medical procedures.
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10. Prosthodontist
— Average Salary: $161,020
— Median Salary: $119,740
— Best Jobs Rank: 21
Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing teeth to improve function and appearance.
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9. Dentist
— Average Salary: $172,350
— Median Salary: $152,700
— Best Jobs Rank: 1
These medical professionals monitor, diagnose and treat conditions of the mouth, including teeth and gums.
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8. Pediatrician
— Average Salary: $183,180
— Median Salary: $170,300
— Best Jobs Rank: 7
These doctors treat and diagnose health conditions in babies, children and young adults.
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7. Psychiatrist
— Average Salary: $193,680
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 17 (tie)
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in treating conditions of the mind.
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6. Physician
— Average Salary: $196,520
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 17 (tie)
These highly trained professionals diagnose, treat and monitor a variety of health conditions.
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5. Orthodontist
— Average Salary: $221,390
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 5
These specialists, who focus on straightening teeth and adjusting misaligned jaws, receive additional training on top of dental school.
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4. Obstetrician and Gynecologist
— Average Salary: $222,400
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 9 (tie)
OB-GYNs specialize in women’s reproductive health, including prescribing contraception and monitoring pregnancies.
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3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
— Average Salary: $233,900
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 9 (tie)
After completing both dental school and surgical training, these experts perform surgeries on the face, mouth and jaw.
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2. Surgeon
— Average Salary: $247,520
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 14
Surgeons are specially trained to operate on patients to fix health or cosmetic issues.
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1. Anesthesiologist
— Average Salary: $258,100
— Median Salary: >$187,199
— Best Jobs Rank: 17 (tie)
These medical school-educated experts have advanced training in administering medicine to reduce pain during medical procedures.
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