SalaryTruthBLS DATA

Career Planning

Highest-Paying Careers Beyond Medicine and Law

When people think "high-paying career," they default to doctors and lawyers. But dozens of occupations pay six figures without the decade of training and hundreds of thousands in student debt. Here are the highest-paying careers ranked by real BLS median salary data.

Technology: The Broadest Path to Six Figures

Technology roles dominate the high-pay, high-growth quadrant. Median salaries for core tech roles exceed $100,000 nationally, and p75 figures in major tech hubs reach $180,000-$250,000+ before equity.

  • Software Developers: ~$127,000 median nationally, +25% projected growth
  • Data Scientists: ~$103,000 median, +35% growth — one of the fastest-growing high-pay roles
  • Information Security Analysts: ~$112,000 median, +32% growth
  • Cloud/DevOps Engineers: ~$120,000+ median in major metros
  • IT Managers: ~$164,000 median — the management track payoff in tech

The tech career path is also notable for not requiring a specific degree: many employers accept demonstrated skills, bootcamp credentials, or relevant certifications alongside or instead of a CS degree.

Finance and Business Management

Corporate management and finance roles offer some of the highest median salaries outside tech and healthcare:

  • Financial Managers: ~$139,000 median, covering controllers, treasurers, and credit managers
  • Marketing Managers: ~$140,000 median — higher in tech and finance industries
  • Sales Managers: ~$131,000 median, plus commissions that can double total comp
  • Management Analysts (Consultants): ~$95,000 median, with p90 exceeding $160,000
  • Actuaries: ~$113,000 median with exceptional job security

Engineering: Steady, High-Floor Careers

Engineering disciplines offer high medians with relatively compressed wage distributions — meaning even entry-level engineers earn well, though the ceiling may be lower than tech or finance:

  • Petroleum Engineers: ~$131,000 median (highest non-management engineering)
  • Aerospace Engineers: ~$126,000 median
  • Chemical Engineers: ~$106,000 median
  • Electrical Engineers: ~$104,000 median

Skilled Trades: The Overlooked High-Earners

The p90 for many skilled trades exceeds $100,000, especially in high-cost metros and union environments — often with no student debt:

  • Elevator Installers: ~$99,000 median, p90 ~$130,000+
  • Electrical Power-Line Workers: ~$82,000 median, p90 ~$110,000
  • Plumbers/Pipefitters: ~$60,000 median nationally, but p90 in union metros exceeds $100,000

How to Use This Data

High median salary is only one factor. Also consider:

  • Growth outlook: A high-paying occupation with negative growth means fewer opportunities
  • p10 to p90 range: A wide range means high upside but also higher variance
  • Geographic flexibility: Some roles pay well everywhere; others only in specific cities
  • Education investment: Compare the cost and time of required education against the pay premium
  • Career trajectory: Where does the salary go after 10 years? Some roles plateau early

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

According to BLS data, dozens of occupations have median salaries exceeding $100,000. The highest-paying non-medical, non-legal roles include software developers ($127,000 median), financial managers ($139,000), IT managers ($164,000), marketing managers ($140,000), and data scientists ($103,000). Many engineering specializations also exceed $100K median.

Not always. Several high-paying paths don't require a traditional 4-year degree: software development (many employers accept bootcamp or self-taught), skilled trades (electricians p90 exceeds $100K in many metros), sales (enterprise sales reps routinely earn $150K+ with commission), and real estate (top agents earn $100K+). However, a degree often accelerates earnings growth and provides a higher floor.

The sweet spot is high pay plus strong growth outlook. BLS projects the fastest growth in: nurse practitioners (median $121K, +45% growth), data scientists (median $103K, +35%), information security analysts (median $112K, +32%), software developers (median $127K, +25%), and physician assistants (median $126K, +28%). These roles combine above-average pay with strong demand.