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Rankings · United States · 2026

Highest-Paying Careers in the United States

A ranked list of the careers we cover that pay the most in the United States, ordered by the top of the typical salary range — what experienced practitioners earn around the 90th percentile. Figures are U.S. medians and ranges drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program, cross-referenced with industry compensation research surfaced through our source-research stage. "Highest-paying" here means highest at the top of the band, not the entry-level wage; early-career earnings for the same role can be a fraction of the upper figure. The ranking refreshes as new guides publish.

46 careers ranked

01 · RankingBy top of salary range, descending

  1. Renewable Energy Engineer

    $65k–$280k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Renewable energy engineers design, develop, and optimize systems that generate power from solar, wind, hydroelectric, and other clean sources.

  2. Cloud Solutions Architect

    $127k–$254k
    Strong demandBachelor

    Cloud Solutions Architects design, build, secure, and optimize cloud environments that help organizations meet business goals using platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

  3. Medical and Health Services Manager

    $68k–$217k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate healthcare operations, staff, and compliance in settings like hospitals, clinics, and nursing facilities.

  4. Data Warehousing Specialist

    $136k–$210k
    High demandBachelor

    Data Warehousing Specialists design, build, and support enterprise data warehouses that organize large-scale information for analytics and business decision-making.

  5. FinTech Engineer

    $95k–$200k
    Very high demandBachelor

    FinTech Engineers design, build, and maintain secure software systems for payments, banking, lending, investing, and other financial technologies.

  6. Machine Learning Engineer / AI Specialist

    $118k–$191k
    Very high demandMaster

    Machine Learning Engineers design, build, and deploy AI systems and production machine learning models that power prediction, automation, and recommendation features across industries.

  7. MLOps Engineer

    $130k–$185k
    Very high demandBachelor

    An MLOps Engineer deploys, monitors, maintains, and scales machine learning models in production using automation, DevOps practices, and cloud infrastructure.

  8. Blockchain Engineer

    $95k–$183k
    Strong demandBachelor

    Blockchain engineers design, build, test, and maintain decentralized applications and secure blockchain systems for industries such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain.

  9. Data Engineer

    $106k–$179k
    Strong demandBachelor

    Data engineers build and maintain the pipelines, databases, and cloud infrastructure that make data reliable and usable for analytics, AI, and business decisions.

  10. DevOps Engineer

    $76k–$168k
    Very high demandBachelor

    DevOps Engineers automate software delivery and cloud infrastructure so development and operations teams can release reliable applications faster with less downtime.

  11. Physician Assistant

    $120k–$165k
    Very high demandMaster

    Physician assistants diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and provide direct medical care under physician supervision across a wide range of healthcare settings.

  12. Data Governance Manager

    $115k–$165k
    Strong demandBachelor

    A Data Governance Manager creates and enforces policies, standards, and frameworks that keep organizational data accurate, secure, compliant, and useful.

  13. Artificial Intelligence Engineer

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Artificial Intelligence Engineers design, build, train, and maintain AI systems and machine learning models that solve real-world problems across industries.

  14. Artificial Intelligence Research Scientist

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandDoctorate

    AI Research Scientists advance artificial intelligence by developing new algorithms, running experiments, and publishing research that pushes the field forward.

  15. Big Data Specialist

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Big Data Specialists clean, process, and analyze massive datasets to build pipelines and generate insights that support business decisions across data-heavy industries.

  16. Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer

    $95k–$165k
    High demandBachelor

    Bioengineers and biomedical engineers apply engineering and life-science principles to design, develop, and improve medical devices, biological products, and health systems.

  17. Clinical and Counseling Psychologist

    $95k–$165k
    High demandDoctorate

    Clinical and counseling psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through psychotherapy, evaluation, research, and consultation in settings like hospitals, schools, and private practice.

  18. Data Scientist

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandMaster

    Data scientists use statistics, programming, and domain knowledge to analyze complex data, build models, and turn findings into decisions that improve business and technical outcomes.

  19. Generative AI Product Manager

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandBachelor

    A Generative AI Product Manager defines strategy, guides development, and launches AI-powered products by balancing user needs, business goals, technical feasibility, and responsible AI practices.

  20. Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher

    $95k–$165k
    High demandMaster

    Human Factors Engineers and UX Researchers use psychology, research, and design methods to improve how people interact with products, systems, and environments.

  21. Information Security Analyst

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Information Security Analysts protect organizations’ networks, systems, and data by monitoring for threats, investigating incidents, and strengthening security controls.

  22. Software Developer

    $95k–$165k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Software developers design, build, test, and maintain computer applications and programs, often working on teams across industries such as software publishing, manufacturing, and computer systems design.

  23. Artificial Intelligence Consultant

    $80k–$160k
    High demandBachelor

    Artificial Intelligence Consultants help organizations identify AI opportunities, design and implement solutions, train teams, and align AI use with business goals.

  24. Clinical Data Manager

    $69k–$159k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Clinical Data Managers collect, validate, analyze, and report clinical trial data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely database locks for research studies.

  25. Information Security Engineer

    $100k–$145k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Information Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain cybersecurity defenses that protect networks, systems, and data from digital threats.

  26. Physical Therapist

    $72k–$133k
    Very high demandDoctorate

    Physical therapists help patients improve movement, reduce pain, and recover function through exercise, manual therapy, and education.

  27. Nurse Practitioner

    $129k–$132k
    Very high demandMaster

    Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and manage care across primary and specialty settings.

  28. Speech-Language Pathologist

    $95k–$130k
    Very high demandMaster

    Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, swallowing, and communication disorders across the lifespan.

  29. Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse

    $93k–$129k
    Very high demandMaster

    Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses assess, diagnose, treat, and support people with mental health or substance use disorders through psychotherapy, medication management, education, and coordinated care.

  30. Health Informatics Specialist

    $67k–$129k
    High demandBachelor

    Health Informatics Specialists use health data, EHR systems, and analytics to improve healthcare operations, compliance, and patient care.

  31. UI/UX Designer

    $77k–$126k
    Strong demandBachelor

    UI/UX designers create intuitive digital products by combining user research, interface design, and testing to improve usability, accessibility, and visual clarity.

  32. Penetration Tester

    $68k–$125k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Penetration testers ethically simulate cyberattacks to find and report security weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications so organizations can strengthen their defenses.

  33. Registered Nurse

    $84k–$120k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Registered nurses assess patient needs, provide and coordinate care, educate patients and families, administer treatments, and collaborate with healthcare teams across many settings.

  34. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

    $89k–$119k
    Very high demandAssociate

    Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound equipment to create images of organs, tissues, and blood flow that help physicians diagnose and monitor medical conditions.

  35. Business Intelligence Analyst

    $72k–$118k
    High demandBachelor

    Business Intelligence Analysts query data, build reports and dashboards, and turn patterns and trends into insights that help leaders make business decisions.

  36. Digital Forensics Analyst

    $75k–$115k
    Very high demandBachelor

    Digital Forensics Analysts collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence from devices, logs, and networks to support investigations, cybersecurity response, and legal cases.

  37. Dental Hygienist

    $45k–$95k
    Very high demandAssociate

    Dental hygienists provide preventive oral healthcare by cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, applying fluoride or sealants, assessing oral health, and educating patients under dentist supervision.

  38. MRI Technologist

    $60k–$90k
    Strong demandAssociate

    MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging scanners, prepare patients, and produce high-quality diagnostic images that help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions.

  39. Wind Turbine Service Technician

    $47k–$90k
    Very high demandAssociate

    Wind turbine service technicians inspect, diagnose, adjust, and repair wind turbines to keep renewable energy systems running reliably.

  40. Occupational Therapy Assistant

    $49k–$89k
    Strong demandAssociate

    Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain daily living and work skills under the supervision of occupational therapists.

  41. Respiratory Therapist

    $61k–$80k
    Very high demandAssociate

    Respiratory Therapists diagnose, treat, and manage patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders using oxygen therapy, ventilators, diagnostic tests, and patient education.

  42. Dietitian / Nutritionist

    $66k–$74k
    High demandBachelor

    Dietitians and nutritionists assess nutrition needs, counsel patients, and create evidence-based food and medical nutrition plans to prevent and manage disease.

  43. Solar Photovoltaic Installer

    $48k–$72k
    Very high demandApprentice

    Solar photovoltaic installers assemble, mount, wire, and maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures to generate renewable electricity.

  44. Physical Therapist Assistant

    $52k–$68k
    Very high demandAssociate

    Physical therapist assistants help patients recover movement, reduce pain, and improve function by carrying out treatment plans under a physical therapist’s supervision.

  45. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor

    $37k–$67k
    Very high demandMaster

    Mental health and substance abuse counselors help clients manage addiction and mental health challenges through counseling, recovery planning, and ongoing support.

  46. Home Health and Personal Care Aide

    $33k–$35k
    Very high demandApprentice

    Home health and personal care aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related limitations with daily activities, personal care, and monitoring so they can stay safe and independent at home or in community settings.

02 · NotesHow to read this list

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This list updates automatically as new career guides are published. Salary bands reflect national U.S. figures; your local picture will differ.

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