All but one of the top 20 highest paying jobs in 2021 requires a doctorate or professional degree (such as an MD or RN), while only one of the fastest growing jobs require such a degree.
Conversely, two of the 27 fastest growing jobs require licensing or non-degree, 12 require a high school diploma (or GED) or no formal education, 11 require a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, and one requires a Master’s degree.
| Job | 2021 Annual Median Pay (equal to or greater than) | 2010 Hourly Median Pay (equal to or greater than) | Number of Jobs, 2021 | Expected Growth by 2031 (5% is average) | Entry-Level Degree Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmologists, except pediatric | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Physicians, all other | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Radiologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Psychiatrists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Physicians, pathologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Obstetricians and gynecologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Neurologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| General internal medicine physicians | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Family medicine physicians | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Emergency medicine physicians | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Dermatologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Cardiologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Anesthesiologists | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Orthodontists | $163,220 | $78.47 | 146,200 | 6% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Oral and maxillofacial surgeons | $163,220 | $78.47 | 146,200 | 6% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Surgeons, all other | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Pediatric surgeons | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric | $208,000 | $100.00 | 761,700 | 3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers | $134,630 | -- | 135,300 | 6% | Bachelor’s degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot |
| Nurse anesthetists | $123,780 | $59.51 | 300,000 | $40 | Master's degree |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Highest Paying Occupations,” bls.gov, Sep. 8, 2022
| Job | 2021 Annual Median Pay (equal to or greater than) | 2010 Hourly Median Pay (equal to or greater than) | Number of Jobs, 2021 | Expected Growth by 2031 (5% is average) | Entry-Level Degree Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse practitioners | $123,780 | $59.51 | 300,000 | 40% | Master’s degree |
| Information security analysts | $102,600 | $49.33 | 163,000 | 35% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Animal caretakers | $28,730 | $13.81 | 343,600 | 29% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Logisticians | $77,030 | $37.03 | 195,000 | 28% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Market research analysts and marketing specialists | $101,340 | $48.72 | 480,700 | 28% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Medical and health services managers | $101,340 | $48.72 | 480,700 | 28% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Home health and personal care aides | $29,430 | $14.15 | 3,636,900 | 25% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Software developers | $109,020 | $52.41 | 1,622,200 | 25% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors | $48,520 | $23.33 | 351,000 | 22% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors | $40,700 | $19.57 | 306,400 | 19% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Bartenders | $26,350 | $12.67 | 514,000 | 18% | No formal educational credential |
| Self-enrichment teachers | $43,580 | -- | 61,300 | 18% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Financial managers | $131,710 | $63.32 | 730,800 | 17% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Computer and information systems managers | $159,010 | $76.45 | 509,100 | 16% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Cooks, restaurant | $29,120 | $14.00 | 2,648,700 | 16% | No formal educational credential |
| Medical assistants | $37,190 | $17.88 | 743,500 | 16% | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Personal financial advisors | $94,170 | $45.27 | 330,300 | 15% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Preschool teachers, except special education | $30,210 | $14.52 | 483,100 | 15% | Associate’s degree |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | $59,380 | $28.55 | 483,200 | 14% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers | $36,570 | -- | 1,093,100 | 13% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $79,640 | -- | 1,324,000 | 12% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Social and human service assistants | $37,610 | $18.08 | 420,600 | 12% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Driver/sales workers | $36,660 | $17.62 | 1,640,600 | 11% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | $29,680 | $14.27 | 8,900 | 11% | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Management analysts | $93,000 | $44.71 | 950,600 | 11% | Bachelor’s degree |
| Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | $25,980 | $12.49 | 4,146,000 | 9% | No formal educational credential |
| Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | $25,980 | $12.49 | 4,146,000 | 9% | No formal educational credential |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupation Finder,” bls.gov, Sep. 8, 2021
| More College Debates |
|---|
| Should student loan debt be eliminated via forgiveness or bankruptcy? |
| Should public college be tuition-free? |
| Should colleges and universities pay athletes? |