The average American makes around $66,621 a year, according to the Social Security Administration, though how much you make will depend on the market and area you live in.
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Investopedia evaluated data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the professions that got the highest pay in 2024.
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The individual finance website discovered that health care occupations dominate the list of highest-paying jobs, especially in specialized locations. The ranking also consists of occupations outside of healthcare, such as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers.

Occupations on the list show high skills and education combined with intense obligations.

Here are the 25 jobs with the highest typical annual wages:

1. Pediatric Surgeons: $450,810

Pediatric surgeons perform elaborate surgeries on infants, children and adolescents.

2. Cardiologists: $432,490

Cardiologists focus on dealing with heart-related conditions and might concentrate on areas such as electrophysiology or procedures, including stent placements. They typically operate in physicians' workplaces, healthcare facilities, outpatient care centers, or instructional institutions.

3. Surgeons, All other: $371,280

This category consists of specialized surgeons who don't fall under more directly defined roles. Salaries differ by state and show the intricacy of the procedures they carry out, along with the degree of their training.

4. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: $365,060

These surgeons specialize in bones, joints, and muscles, often carrying out hip and knee replacements, along with spinal treatments. As with other surgery specializeds, their work frequently combines set up operations with emergency situation injury cases.

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $360,240

Dental experts perform surgical treatments on the mouth, jaw, and face to deal with affected teeth, facial injury or for cosmetic factors. Many of them run private practices or operate in medical facilities.

6. Radiologists: $359,820

Radiologists utilize imaging innovations such as MRIs and CT scans to diagnose and deal with illness and injuries. While much of their work is diagnostic, interventional radiologists also perform minimally intrusive procedures.

7. Surgeons: $354,760

General cosmetic surgeons carry out a series of operations from appendectomies to cancer resections.

8. Dermatologists: $347,810

Dermatologists diagnose and deal with skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and vitiligo, along with over 3,000 different illness. Some might also perform cosmetic or surgeries.

9. Anesthesiologists: $336,640

Anesthesiologists are specialized medical doctors who offer pain relief previously, throughout, and after surgical treatments, making them important to guaranteeing client safety. They are often on-call and must respond quickly to emergency situations in surgical environments.

10. Emergency Medicine Physicians: $320,700

These physicians handle trauma and severe health problems, making crucial choices in busy emergency clinic. Medical emergency situations' unforeseeable nature might need them to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

11. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric: $301,500

Ophthalmologists detect and treat eye conditions and carry out surgical treatments such as cataract elimination or LASIK. Many integrate surgeries with regular eye care in outpatient centers.

12. Neurologists: $286,310

Neurologists diagnose and treat conditions impacting the brain and nervous system, including Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. Their work involves intricate diagnostics and long-term patient care.

13. Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $281,130

OB-GYNs specialize in reproductive health and childbirth, stabilizing set up appointments with unpredictable deliveries. They are often on-call to handle labor and emergency situation surgical treatments, in addition to supplying basic care to females.

14. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: $280,570

Aviation specialists play a vital role in guaranteeing that flights run safely and on schedule, whether for travelers or freight. Due to the always-on nature of airline company travel, they often work irregular hours and across various time-zones.

15. Physicians: $272,320

This category includes physicians who do not come from specialized groups. Many work as main care physicians or in healthcare facility settings.

16. Psychiatrists: $269,120

Psychiatrists specialize in dealing with psychological health conditions and recommend medication, setting them apart from psychologists. Many operate in personal practices or in healthcare facility systems.

17. Physicians, Pathologists: $266,020

Pathologists operate in health center laboratories to carry out laboratory tests on organs, tissues, and fluids to help in illness diagnosis.

18. Chief Executives: $262,930

CEOs are accountable for leading organizations and making strategic choices that affect service operations. While they are the highest-ranking people in a business, they generally report to and are chosen by a board of directors and the board chair.

19. General Internal Medicine Physicians: $262,710

Internists treat both persistent and acute conditions in adult patients, often operating as medical care companies. Their substantial medical proficiency includes a wide variety of problems, from infections to hypertension.

20. Athletes and Sports Competitors: $259,750

This high-paying, nonmedical classification includes elite expert athletes who make considerable earnings through agreements, endorsements, and cash prize. Their earnings can vary considerably depending on performance and sport.

21. Prosthodontists: $258,660

Prosthodontists design and fit artificial replacements for teeth and oral structures to enhance function and look. Unlike orthodontists, who realign teeth and appropriate jaw problems, prosthodontists concentrate on replacing missing teeth with crowns or veneers and fixing damaged structures.

22. Family Medicine Physicians: $256,830

These physicians use detailed care for all ages, covering regular checkups, chronic disease management, and referrals to professionals when needed. Many establish long-term relationships with families.

23. Orthodontists: $254,620

Orthodontists focus on taking a look at and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. Part of their work might consist of taking X-rays, developing and developing home appliances to realign teeth, and applying braces or aligners. They typically run private practices and see clients regularly throughout the course of long treatment durations.

24. Physicians, All Other: $253,470

This broad classification includes professionals in emerging or less typical medical fields not noted by the BLS.

25. Dentists, All Other Specialists: $246,530

Specialist dental practitioners, such as endodontists and periodontists, perform root canals and gum surgeries. Most of them operate in personal practices and make above-average payment in dentistry.

Which jobs have the highest pay in Alabama?

While much of the highest-paying jobs in Alabama mirror the nationwide rankings, there are some significant distinctions in both the positions and wage figures. These experts typically require college and extensive training. Below are the occupations with the top wages in the state:

1. Physicians, Pathologists: $238,020

2. Dentists, All Other Specialists: $229,820

3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $222,010

4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $204,570

5. Pediatricians, General: $202,330

Stories by Diane Mwai

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