Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
Six-Figure Jobs Paying $100K to $150K (2026)
32 U.S. occupations have a national median salary $100k to $150k based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS 2025 data, employing roughly 10,335,640 workers. The highest-paying role in this band is Lawyer ($146,574 median); the lowest is Registered Nurse ($100,797). Pay varies significantly by metro — top-paying cities can run 30–60% above the listed median for high-skill occupations.
These are the 32 BLS-tracked occupations with national median salaries between $100,000 and $150,000 — the entry-level six-figure tier. The list spans technology professionals, mid-level managers in finance and operations, mid-career healthcare specialists, and skilled engineering roles. Most entries here are achievable with a bachelor's degree plus 5–10 years of experience.
The $100K–$150K band is the single most-searched salary tier on the U.S. labor market — it is the threshold most bachelor's-degree professionals target by mid-career. Pay in this band is meaningfully driven by metro: high-cost coastal cities will frequently be 30–60% above the listed median, while lower-cost metros run 10–20% below.
Top 10 $100K to $150K Jobs
National median $146,574 · 572,910 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($301,320)
Lawyers earn $146,574 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 106% above the national median.
National median $146,529 · 195,450 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($199,040)
Pharmacists earn $146,529 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 36% above the national median.
National median $144,572 · 155,470 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($220,460)
Human Resources Managers earn $144,572 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 52% above the national median.
National median $143,181 · 422,030 jobs nationally · top metro: New York ($215,150)
Sales Managers earn $143,181 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 50% above the national median.
National median $140,192 · 23,240 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($218,420)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts earn $140,192 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 56% above the national median.
National median $139,903 · 27,300 jobs nationally · top metro: Seattle ($167,810)
Optometrists earn $139,903 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 20% above the national median.
National median $138,339 · 101,270 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($223,640)
Physician Assistants earn $138,339 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 62% above the national median.
National median $138,137 · 185,150 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($231,560)
Nurse Practitioners earn $138,137 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 68% above the national median.
National median $133,716 · 49,250 jobs nationally · top metro: San Francisco ($208,080)
Veterinarians earn $133,716 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 56% above the national median.
National median $132,684 · 1,225,060 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($213,110)
Software Developers earn $132,684 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 61% above the national median.
Full Ranking (32 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median Salary | Top Metro | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawyer | Legal | $146,574 | San Jose | 572,910 |
| 2 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $146,529 | San Jose | 195,450 |
| 3 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $144,572 | San Jose | 155,470 |
| 4 | Sales Manager | Management | $143,181 | New York | 422,030 |
| 5 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $140,192 | San Jose | 23,240 |
| 6 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $139,903 | Seattle | 27,300 |
| 7 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $138,339 | San Jose | 101,270 |
| 8 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $138,137 | San Jose | 185,150 |
| 9 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $133,716 | San Francisco | 49,250 |
| 10 | Software Developer | Technology | $132,684 | San Jose | 1,225,060 |
| 11 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $131,846 | San Jose | 122,730 |
| 12 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $124,396 | San Jose | 371,550 |
| 13 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $118,844 | San Jose | 128,950 |
| 14 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $117,606 | San Jose | 124,410 |
| 15 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $115,392 | San Jose | 97,960 |
| 16 | Data Scientist | Technology | $111,767 | San Jose | 188,180 |
| 17 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $111,190 | San Jose | 2,167,840 |
| 18 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $107,765 | San Jose | 276,600 |
| 19 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $107,372 | San Jose | 179,960 |
| 20 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $107,058 | San Jose | 353,660 |
| 21 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $107,025 | Anchorage | 221,440 |
| 22 | Database Architect | Technology | $106,424 | San Jose | 45,010 |
| 23 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $104,738 | San Francisco | 163,910 |
| 24 | Statistician | Technology | $103,212 | San Jose | 18,690 |
| 25 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $102,783 | San Jose | 99,840 |
| 26 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $102,203 | New York | 171,750 |
| 27 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $101,943 | San Jose | 132,070 |
| 28 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $101,468 | San Jose | 246,160 |
| 29 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $101,423 | San Francisco | 136,530 |
| 30 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $101,212 | San Jose | 50,250 |
| 31 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $101,041 | Anchorage | 45,760 |
| 32 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $100,797 | San Jose | 2,035,260 |
Education and Credentials Required
Most $100K–$150K occupations require a bachelor's degree; many are accessible without a graduate degree given 5–10 years of experience. Technology roles (software developer, data scientist, security analyst) and mid-level managers in operations, finance, and sales make up the bulk of the list.
How to Use This List
The figures above are national medians. Actual pay varies by metro area, employer size, and individual experience and credentials. For role-specific city data, click any occupation to see the full BLS percentile breakdown by metro. For pay benchmarking against your own offer, the salary percentile calculator places any number you enter into the BLS distribution.
For reaching this pay band, the practical path differs by occupation. Healthcare specialist roles in higher pay bands require specific licensure that takes years; technology roles often require demonstrated specialization plus a track record at well-paying employers; management roles require time-in-role plus willingness to take on scope. Each role page covers the typical credential and experience profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
32 BLS-tracked occupations have a national median salary $100k to $150k as of 2026 (BLS OEWS 2025 reference period). Total employment across these occupations is approximately 10,335,640 workers. The figures are base wages — bonus, equity, and other compensation are excluded.
The highest-paying role with a median $100k to $150k is Lawyer at $146,574. Top-paying metros for this role can pay materially more — see San Jose, CA ($301,320).
The figures listed are raw BLS national medians (employment-weighted across metros). Actual purchasing power depends on local cost of living — a salary in San Francisco or New York buys materially less than the same number in a low-cost metro. Each role page on this site shows COL-adjusted pay for every BLS-tracked metro.
Most $100K–$150K occupations require a bachelor's degree; many are accessible without a graduate degree given 5–10 years of experience. Technology roles (software developer, data scientist, security analyst) and mid-level managers in operations, finance, and sales make up the bulk of the list.
Every wage figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes annual percentile wages by occupation and metropolitan area; the figures on this page are national medians employment-weighted across all BLS-tracked metros.
Related Pages
National medians are employment-weighted across BLS-tracked metros, using OEWS 2025 data. Roles sorted by national median salary.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.