In 2010 the median pay for the top 20 highest paying jobs in the United States was $103,910 per year (or, $49.98 per hour) and higher. Of those jobs, one required an associate’s degree, seven required a bachelor’s degree, and 11 required doctorate or professional degrees for entry-level positions.
The top 30 fastest growing jobs in 2010 had median annual incomes ranging from $19,640 (personal care aides) to $82,040 (veterinarians). Of those jobs, five required less than a high school degree, nine required a high school degree (or the equivalent), four required an associate’s degree, six required a bachelor’s degree, two required a master’s degree, and four required a doctorate or professional degree.
Job | 2010 Median Pay per year | 2010 Median Pay per hour | Number of Jobs in 2010 | Expected Growth by 2020 (14% is average) | Entry-Level Degree Required | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons1 | > 166,399 | > $80.00 | 155,700 | 2% | doctoral or professional |
2. | Physicians and Surgeons | > 166,400 | > $80.00 | 691,000 | 24% | doctoral or professional |
3. | Orthodontists | > 166,400 | > $80.00 | 155,700 | 2% | doctoral or professional |
4. | Chief Executives | $165,080 | $79.24 | 2,136,900 | 5% | bachelor’s or Master’s |
5. | Dentists, All Other Specialists | $161,020 | $77.29 | 155,700 | 2% | doctoral or professional |
6. | Dentists, General | $141,040 | $67.70 | 155,700 | 2% | doctoral or professional |
7. | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $119,270 | $57.25 | 62,700 | 7% | doctoral or professional |
8. | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $119,260 | $57.24 | 176,800 | 9% | bachelor’s |
9. | Prosthodontists2 | $118,400 | $56.83 | 155,700 | 2% | doctoral or professional |
10. | Podiatrists | $118,030 | $56.65 | 12,900 | 20% | doctoral or professional |
11. | Natural Sciences Managers | $116,020 | $55.69 | 49,300 | 8% | bachelor’s |
12. | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $115,780 | $55.57 | 307,900 | 18% | bachelor’s |
13. | Petroleum Engineers | $114,080 | $54.76 | 30,200 | 2% | bachelor’s |
14. | Marketing Managers | $112,800 | $54.14 | 216,800 | 14% | bachelor’s |
15. | Lawyers | $112,760 | $54.12 | 728,200 | 10% | doctoral or professional |
16. | Pharmacists | $111,570 | $53.55 | 274,900 | 25% | doctoral or professional |
17. | Air Traffic Controllers | $108,040 | $51.86 | 27,000 | -3% | associate's |
18. | Political Scientists | $107,420 | $51.56 | 5,600 | 8% | master's |
19. | Physicists | $106,370 | $51.06 | 20,600 | 14% | doctoral or professional |
20. | Financial Managers | $103,910 | $49.88 | 527,100 | 9% | bachelor's |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational and Employment Statistics,” www.bls.gov, Mar. 29, 2013
Job | 2010 Median Pay per year | 2010 Median Pay per hour | Number of Jobs in 2010 | Expected Growth by 2020 (14% is average) | Entry-Level Degree Required | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Personal Care Aides | $19,640 | $9.43 | 1,878,700 | 71% | less than high school |
2. | Home Health Aides | $20,560 | $9.87 | 1,878,700 | 69% | less than high school |
3. | Biomedical Engineers | $81,540 | $39.14 | 15,700 | 62% | bachelor’s |
4. | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | $27,780 | $13.33 | 1,250,200 | 60% | less than high school |
5. | Helpers--Carpenters | $25,760 | $12.36 | 1,250,200 | 56% | less than high school |
6. | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $29,710 | $14.26 | 80,200 | 52% | associate’s |
7. | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers | $38,430 | $18.45 | 19,100 | 49% | high school diploma or equivalent |
8. | Physical Therapist Assistants | $49,690 | $23.83 | 114,400 | 46% | high school diploma |
9. | Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $26,740 | $12.84 | 1,250,200 | 45% | less than high school |
10. | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $45,260 | $21.72 | 71,600 | 44% | bachelor’s |
11. | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers3 | $64,380 | $30.90 | 53,700 | 44% | associate’s |
12. | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $51,010 | $24.48 | 36,000 | 43% | high school diploma or equivalent |
13. | Physical Therapist Aides | $23,680 | $11.37 | 114,400 | 43% | high school diploma |
14. | Glaziers4 | $36,640 | $17.59 | 41,900 | 42% | high school diploma or equivalent |
15. | Interpreters and Translators | $43,300 | $20.78 | 58,400 | 42% | bachelor’s |
16. | Medical Secretaries | $30,530 | $14.65 | 4,010,200 | 41% | high school diploma or equivalent |
17. | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $60,570 | $29.07 | 282,700 | 41% | bachelor’s |
18. | Marriage and Family Therapists | $45,720 | $21.95 | 156,300 | 41% | master's |
19. | Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $46,930 | $22.53 | 104,800 | 41% | high school diploma or equivalent |
20. | Physical Therapists | $76,310 | $36.63 | 198,600 | 39% | doctoral or professional |
21. | Dental Hygienists | $68,250 | $32.76 | 181,800 | 38% | associate’s |
22. | Bicycle Repairers | $23,660 | $11.36 | 10,490 | 38% | high school diploma or equivalent |
23. | Audiologists5 | $66,660 | $32.00 | 13,000 | 37% | doctoral or professional |
24. | Health Educators | $45,830 | $22.00 | 63,400 | 37% | bachelor’s |
25. | Stonemasons | $37,180 | $17.85 | 104,800 | 37% | high school diploma or equivalent |
26. | Cost Estimators6 | $57,860 | $27.77 | 185,400 | 36% | bachelor’s |
27. | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $76,700 | $36.82 | 100,000 | 36% | doctoral or professional |
28. | Mental Health Counselors | $38,150 | $18.31 | 156,300 | 36% | master's |
29. | Pile-Driver Operators7 | $47,860 | $22.97 | 404,900 | 36% | high school diploma or equivalent |
30. | Veterinarians | $82,040 | $39.38 | 61,400 | 36% | doctoral or professional |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational and Employment Statistics,” www.bls.gov, Mar. 29, 2013
Photo Source: Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations, “Satellite [Image],” www.cdn.colorado.gov (accessed Oct. 25, 2013)
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