Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
Jobs Paying $75K to $100K a Year (2026)
14 U.S. occupations have a national median salary $75k to $100k based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS 2025 data, employing roughly 3,370,290 workers. The highest-paying role in this band is Architect ($99,726 median); the lowest is Market Research Analyst ($76,457). Pay varies significantly by metro — top-paying cities can run 30–60% above the listed median for high-skill occupations.
These are the 14 BLS-tracked occupations with national median salaries between $75,000 and $100,000 — the broad middle of the U.S. professional labor market. The list spans early-career professionals, skilled trades, mid-career healthcare workers, and many specialized technical roles.
The $75K–$100K band is where most U.S. workers with a bachelor's degree land within their first 5–7 years of work. It is also a common pay band for skilled-trade workers (electricians, plumbers, master mechanics) at the journeyman level, particularly in higher-cost metros.
Top 10 $75K to $100K Jobs
National median $99,726 · 81,180 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($129,640)
Architects earn $99,726 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 30% above the national median.
National median $99,384 · 626,700 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($136,670)
Management Analysts earn $99,384 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 38% above the national median.
National median $98,594 · 197,450 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($133,360)
Network Architects earn $98,594 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 35% above the national median.
National median $97,552 · 6,560 jobs nationally · top metro: Sacramento ($134,990)
Audiologists earn $97,552 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 38% above the national median.
National median $97,381 · 282,570 jobs nationally · top metro: Bridgeport ($158,310)
Financial Analysts earn $97,381 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 63% above the national median.
National median $96,848 · 113,720 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($132,720)
Speech-Language Pathologists earn $96,848 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 37% above the national median.
National median $91,323 · 84,180 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($201,260)
Web Developers earn $91,323 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 120% above the national median.
National median $91,214 · 49,480 jobs nationally · top metro: Washington ($157,560)
Financial Examiners earn $91,214 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 73% above the national median.
National median $90,762 · 77,630 jobs nationally · top metro: Colorado Springs ($140,590)
Operations Research Analysts earn $90,762 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 55% above the national median.
National median $90,307 · 40,920 jobs nationally · top metro: San Jose ($166,670)
Web Designers earn $90,307 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 85% above the national median.
Full Ranking (14 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median Salary | Top Metro | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architect | Engineering | $99,726 | San Jose | 81,180 |
| 2 | Management Analyst | Management | $99,384 | San Jose | 626,700 |
| 3 | Network Architect | Technology | $98,594 | San Jose | 197,450 |
| 4 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $97,552 | Sacramento | 6,560 |
| 5 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $97,381 | Bridgeport | 282,570 |
| 6 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $96,848 | San Jose | 113,720 |
| 7 | Web Developer | Technology | $91,323 | San Jose | 84,180 |
| 8 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $91,214 | Washington | 49,480 |
| 9 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $90,762 | Colorado Springs | 77,630 |
| 10 | Web Designer | Technology | $90,307 | San Jose | 40,920 |
| 11 | Accountant | Finance | $84,578 | San Jose | 970,460 |
| 12 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $77,419 | San Jose | 90,310 |
| 13 | Loan Officer | Finance | $76,540 | Bridgeport | 159,960 |
| 14 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $76,457 | San Jose | 589,170 |
Education and Credentials Required
Many roles in this band are accessible without a four-year degree — skilled trades, healthcare technologists, and several public-sector roles. Where a degree is required, it is typically a bachelor's; graduate education is less common at this pay band.
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
14 BLS-tracked occupations have a national median salary $75k to $100k as of 2026 (BLS OEWS 2025 reference period). Total employment across these occupations is approximately 3,370,290 workers. The figures are base wages — bonus, equity, and other compensation are excluded.
The highest-paying role with a median $75k to $100k is Architect at $99,726. Top-paying metros for this role can pay materially more — see San Jose, CA ($129,640).
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.
Many roles in this band are accessible without a four-year degree — skilled trades, healthcare technologists, and several public-sector roles. Where a degree is required, it is typically a bachelor's; graduate education is less common at this pay band.
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.