What Are the Best-Paying Jobs in the U.S. Right Now?

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: