Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Minnesota (2026)
The highest-paying job in Minnesota is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state-aggregated median salary of $306,770 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 1 BLS-tracked metro. Across all 64 occupations the average median is $119,127, with 45 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Minnesota's average cost-of-living index is 106, so the average median equates to $112,384 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Minnesota — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Minnesota's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Minnesota to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Minnesota
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Minnesota's single tracked metro.
State median $306,770 · 490 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($306,770)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Minnesota earn $306,770 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $306,770 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $283,060 · 1,120 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($283,060)
Family Medicine Physicians in Minnesota earn $283,060 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $283,060 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $226,280 · 600 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($226,280)
Pediatricians in Minnesota earn $226,280 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $226,280 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $219,980 · 1,760 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($219,980)
Dentists in Minnesota earn $219,980 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $219,980 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $178,080 · 8,780 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($178,080)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Minnesota earn $178,080 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $178,080 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $173,040 · 6,480 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($173,040)
Marketing Managers in Minnesota earn $173,040 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $173,040 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $165,620 · 12,460 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($165,620)
Financial Managers in Minnesota earn $165,620 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $165,620 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $160,990 · 4,160 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($160,990)
Pharmacists in Minnesota earn $160,990 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $160,990 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $159,790 · 470 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($159,790)
Optometrists in Minnesota earn $159,790 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $159,790 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $159,620 · 10,160 jobs · top metro: Minneapolis ($159,620)
Lawyers in Minnesota earn $159,620 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Minneapolis) pays $159,620 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 64 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $306,770 | Minneapolis | $306,770 | 490 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $283,060 | Minneapolis | $283,060 | 1,120 |
| 3 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $226,280 | Minneapolis | $226,280 | 600 |
| 4 | Dentist | Healthcare | $219,980 | Minneapolis | $219,980 | 1,760 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $178,080 | Minneapolis | $178,080 | 8,780 |
| 6 | Marketing Manager | Management | $173,040 | Minneapolis | $173,040 | 6,480 |
| 7 | Financial Manager | Finance | $165,620 | Minneapolis | $165,620 | 12,460 |
| 8 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $160,990 | Minneapolis | $160,990 | 4,160 |
| 9 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $159,790 | Minneapolis | $159,790 | 470 |
| 10 | Lawyer | Legal | $159,620 | Minneapolis | $159,620 | 10,160 |
| 11 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $159,390 | Minneapolis | $159,390 | 3,500 |
| 12 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $158,200 | Minneapolis | $158,200 | 1,470 |
| 13 | Sales Manager | Management | $158,100 | Minneapolis | $158,100 | 8,410 |
| 14 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $145,030 | Minneapolis | $145,030 | 2,340 |
| 15 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $135,880 | Minneapolis | $135,880 | 30 |
| 16 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $134,230 | Minneapolis | $134,230 | 1,670 |
| 17 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $133,370 | Minneapolis | $133,370 | 4,900 |
| 18 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,920 | Minneapolis | $130,920 | 27,410 |
| 19 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $130,710 | Minneapolis | $130,710 | 2,240 |
| 20 | Data Scientist | Technology | $129,780 | Minneapolis | $129,780 | 3,250 |
| 21 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $126,880 | Minneapolis | $126,880 | 7,350 |
| 22 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $120,040 | Minneapolis | $120,040 | 1,040 |
| 23 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $118,000 | Minneapolis | $118,000 | 1,570 |
| 24 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $117,230 | Minneapolis | $117,230 | 2,410 |
| 25 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $112,630 | Minneapolis | $112,630 | 2,590 |
| 26 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $112,090 | Minneapolis | $112,090 | 8,580 |
| 27 | Web Designer | Technology | $106,890 | Minneapolis | $106,890 | 800 |
| 28 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $104,940 | Minneapolis | $104,940 | 210 |
| 29 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $104,740 | Minneapolis | $104,740 | 3,350 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $104,730 | Minneapolis | $104,730 | 13,970 |
| 31 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $104,260 | Minneapolis | $104,260 | 940 |
| 32 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $103,570 | Minneapolis | $103,570 | 44,890 |
| 33 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $103,410 | Minneapolis | $103,410 | 4,150 |
| 34 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $103,350 | Minneapolis | $103,350 | 6,380 |
| 35 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $103,040 | Minneapolis | $103,040 | 43,600 |
| 36 | Network Architect | Technology | $102,790 | Minneapolis | $102,790 | 3,200 |
| 37 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $102,450 | Minneapolis | $102,450 | 3,360 |
| 38 | Loan Officer | Finance | $102,200 | Minneapolis | $102,200 | 3,910 |
| 39 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $102,130 | Minneapolis | $102,130 | 2,190 |
| 40 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $101,770 | Minneapolis | $101,770 | 560 |
| 41 | Plumber | Trades | $101,630 | Minneapolis | $101,630 | 6,730 |
| 42 | Database Architect | Technology | $101,610 | Minneapolis | $101,610 | 790 |
| 43 | Management Analyst | Management | $101,560 | Minneapolis | $101,560 | 16,630 |
| 44 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $101,180 | Minneapolis | $101,180 | 4,450 |
| 45 | Architect | Engineering | $100,960 | Minneapolis | $100,960 | 1,950 |
| 46 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $97,910 | Minneapolis | $97,910 | 16,760 |
| 47 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $95,450 | Minneapolis | $95,450 | 1,140 |
| 48 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $93,600 | Minneapolis | $93,600 | 2,590 |
| 49 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $93,370 | Minneapolis | $93,370 | 2,570 |
| 50 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $91,730 | Minneapolis | $91,730 | 3,500 |
| 51 | Accountant | Finance | $86,500 | Minneapolis | $86,500 | 21,820 |
| 52 | Electrician | Trades | $81,890 | Minneapolis | $81,890 | 8,810 |
| 53 | Web Developer | Technology | $81,730 | Minneapolis | $81,730 | 970 |
| 54 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $79,730 | Minneapolis | $79,730 | 16,990 |
| 55 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $79,010 | Minneapolis | $79,010 | 9,840 |
| 56 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $76,560 | Minneapolis | $76,560 | 2,040 |
| 57 | Writer/Author | Creative | $76,470 | Minneapolis | $76,470 | 570 |
| 58 | Paralegal | Legal | $76,220 | Minneapolis | $76,220 | 5,990 |
| 59 | Carpenter | Trades | $74,060 | Minneapolis | $74,060 | 10,200 |
| 60 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $73,780 | Minneapolis | $73,780 | 6,170 |
| 61 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $65,610 | Minneapolis | $65,610 | 3,690 |
| 62 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $65,210 | Minneapolis | $65,210 | 3,000 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $61,880 | Minneapolis | $61,880 | 4,600 |
| 64 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $60,490 | Minneapolis | $60,490 | 7,180 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Minnesota
Minnesota hosts a dense cluster of Fortune 500 headquarters (Target, UnitedHealth, 3M, General Mills) and a strong medical-device sector around Minneapolis. Pay distribution skews toward upper percentiles for management and healthcare roles.
$Minnesota tracks $1 BLS-published metros covering approximately $415,730 workers across the $64 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Obstetrician/Gynecologist top spot reflects Minneapolis pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Minnesota typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Minnesota, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Minnesota is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state median salary of $306,770. The top-paying metro for this role is Minneapolis at $306,770 median. The role employs roughly 490 workers across Minnesota.
45 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Minnesota have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Minnesota is $119,127. The figure is employment-weighted across 1 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $112,384.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Minnesota, this page aggregates Minneapolis. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced 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. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Minnesota.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Minnesota, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.