Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
Jobs That Pay Over $200,000 a Year (2026)
3 U.S. occupations have a national median salary over $200k based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS 2025 data, employing roughly 86,500 workers. The highest-paying role in this band is Obstetrician/Gynecologist ($279,676 median); the lowest is Pediatrician ($201,922). Pay varies significantly by metro — top-paying cities can run 30–60% above the listed median for high-skill occupations.
These are the 3 occupations tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics with national median salaries above $200,000. Reaching this pay level typically requires advanced credentials (M.D., J.D., advanced specialized degrees), executive scope, or top-tier specialized practice. The BLS median is half of workers in the field — actual top-of-field pay can run materially higher, particularly when bonus and equity compensation are added (BLS reports base wages only).
$200K is the threshold above which most U.S. occupations require specialized credentials, executive-level scope, or both. Searching for "jobs that pay $200K" usually means asking "what credentials would I need to reach this pay level" — the answer is in the role-by-role detail below. Each role page links to specific cities, percentile distributions, and the credential / experience profile typical at this pay tier.
Top 10 Over $200K Jobs
National median $279,676 · 9,950 jobs nationally · top metro: Riverside-San Bernardino ($375,400)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists earn $279,676 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 34% above the national median.
National median $257,072 · 50,640 jobs nationally · top metro: Oklahoma City ($481,870)
Family Medicine Physicians earn $257,072 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 87% above the national median.
National median $201,922 · 25,910 jobs nationally · top metro: Sacramento ($395,040)
Pediatricians earn $201,922 median nationally. Pay typically scales with experience and metro — top-paying metros for this role can pay 96% above the national median.
Full Ranking (3 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median Salary | Top Metro | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $279,676 | Riverside-San Bernardino | 9,950 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $257,072 | Oklahoma City | 50,640 |
| 3 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $201,922 | Sacramento | 25,910 |
Education and Credentials Required
Most $200K+ occupations require professional doctoral degrees (M.D., J.D., Pharm.D., D.D.S.) or substantial post-graduate specialization plus 10+ years of experience. The handful of bachelor's-level paths to $200K (engineering management, financial management, top tech specialist roles) require unusual scope or employer leverage and typically take 12+ years to reach.
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
3 BLS-tracked occupations have a national median salary over $200k as of 2026 (BLS OEWS 2025 reference period). Total employment across these occupations is approximately 86,500 workers. The figures are base wages — bonus, equity, and other compensation are excluded.
The highest-paying role with a median over $200k is Obstetrician/Gynecologist at $279,676. Top-paying metros for this role can pay materially more — see Riverside-San Bernardino, CA ($375,400).
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 $200K+ occupations require professional doctoral degrees (M.D., J.D., Pharm.D., D.D.S.) or substantial post-graduate specialization plus 10+ years of experience. The handful of bachelor's-level paths to $200K (engineering management, financial management, top tech specialist roles) require unusual scope or employer leverage and typically take 12+ years to reach.
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.