A well-paying job means that you can achieve financial freedom and stability. Depending on your career goals, many occupations pay well above $200 000 annually. Jobs in health and medicine can be very lucrative, and preparing yourself for a job in this field requires a solid education. You can attend an online school that offers many perks including a flexible schedule, iPads and laptops for students, and the ability to connect and network with like-minded students, professors, and alumni.
Best-Paying Jobs in the U.S. Right Now
- Anesthesiologist
When you’re are an anesthesiologist, you apply anesthetics before, during, and after a medical procedure, including surgery. An anesthetic is any substance that a physician administers to a patient to deaden the pain.
An anesthesiologist’s primary role is to lessen the pain before, during, and after a surgical operation. Other responsibilities include patient control and advice, critical care, and obstetrics.
Qualifications
- 4-year bachelor’s degree
- 4 years of medical school
- 4 years in an anesthesiology residency recovery program
- Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
Average Annual Salary $261,730
- Surgeon
If you’re interested in fighting diseases, help people recover from illnesses, treat injuries and deformities through surgical approaches, then being a surgeon is the right occupation for you. Your main responsibilities will include:
- Diagnose a patient before an operation
- Perform the operation
- Provide the patient with surgical care and treatment after the medical procedure.
Qualifications
- 5-year degree in medicine
- 2-year foundation program training
- 2-year of core surgical training in a hospital
Average Annual Salary: $252,024
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
In this role, you’ll be specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. You’ll perform surgery on diverse health conditions and injuries affecting the face, jaw, head, neck. Other roles include reconstructive surgery, such as facial trauma surgery and also facial cosmetic surgery.
Qualifications
- 2–4-years undergraduate study (BS, BA, or equivalent degree)
- 4 years dental (DMD, BDent, DDs, or BDS)
- 4-6 years residency training
Annual Salary: $237, 570
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist
As an obstetrician and gynecologist physician, you’ll provide medical care to pregnant women and those giving birth. You’ll also diagnose, treat and help prevent diseases affecting them.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s in medicine
- An MBBS or equivalent
- Pass the medical college admission (MCAT) qualification
- 2-year foundation program
- 4 years of residency training
- State license to practice
Average Annual Salary: $ 233,610
- Orthodontist
Your job as an orthodontist involves examining, diagnosing, and treating dental malocclusion and oral cavity problems.
Qualifications
- An undergraduate degree
- Pass the Dental Admission Test to qualify for dental school
- Get a license to practice as an orthodontist
Average Annual Salary: $ 230,830
- Prosthodontist
The job is concerned with constructing oral prosthetics to replace missing teeth. Prosthodontists use artificial devices such as veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and dentures to restore damaged or missing teeth.
Qualifications
- Take the Dental Admission Test
- Doctoral degree plus residency training
- Obtain a license
Average Annual Salary: $220,840
- Psychiatrist
With mental health cases on the rise, psychiatrists play a significant role. They diagnose, treat, and help people struggling with mental disorders.
Qualifications
- 5-year degree in medicine
- 2-year foundation of general training
- 3 years of core training in psychiatry
- 3 years of training in a specialty
Average Annual Salary: $220,430
- Family Medicine Physician
As a family medicine physician, you’ll diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries and diseases affecting the general public. Other responsibilities include:
- Providing healthcare to patients
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Advising patients on health changes
- Monitoring patient progress and reports
Qualifications
- Complete a bachelor’s degree
- Pass the MCAT exam
- Complete 4 years of medical school
- Be licensed after completing your residency
Average Annual Salary: $213,270
