The average American makes around $66,621 a year, according to the Social Security Administration, though just how much you make will depend on the market and location you reside in.

Investopedia analyzed information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the occupations that got the highest pay in 2024.
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The personal finance website discovered that healthcare occupations dominate the list of highest-paying jobs, especially in specialized locations. The ranking also consists of occupations beyond health care, such as airline company pilots, copilots, and flight engineers.

Occupations on the list reflect high abilities and education coupled with intense obligations.

Here are the 25 tasks with the highest average annual salaries:

1. Pediatric Surgeons: $450,810

Pediatric cosmetic surgeons perform detailed surgeries on infants, kids and teenagers.

2. Cardiologists: $432,490

Cardiologists specialize in dealing with heart-related conditions and may concentrate on areas such as electrophysiology or treatments, consisting of stent placements. They typically operate in doctors' offices, medical facilities, outpatient care centers, or academic organizations.

3. Surgeons, All other: $371,280

This classification includes specialized cosmetic surgeons who do not fall under more directly defined functions. Salaries differ by state and show the intricacy of the procedures they carry out, as well as the degree of their training.

4. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric: $365,060

These cosmetic surgeons concentrate on bones, joints, and muscles, frequently carrying out hip and knee replacements, as well as spine treatments. As with other surgery specializeds, their work often combines arranged operations with emergency injury cases.

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $360,240

Dental specialists carry out surgical treatments on the mouth, jaw, and face to treat impacted teeth, facial injury or for cosmetic reasons. A lot of them operate personal practices or work in medical facilities.

6. Radiologists: $359,820

Radiologists use imaging innovations such as MRIs and CT scans to detect and deal with diseases and injuries. While much of their work is diagnostic, interventional radiologists also carry out minimally intrusive treatments.

7. Surgeons: $354,760

General cosmetic surgeons carry out a series of operations from appendectomies to cancer resections.

8. Dermatologists: $347,810

Dermatologists detect and deal with skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, and vitiligo, in addition to over 3,000 various illness. Some might likewise perform cosmetic or surgical procedures.

9. Anesthesiologists: $336,640

Anesthesiologists are specialized medical doctors who supply discomfort relief previously, during, and after surgical treatments, making them vital to ensuring patient safety. They are often on-call and should respond rapidly to emergency situations in surgical environments.

10. Emergency Medicine Physicians: $320,700

These medical professionals deal with trauma and severe health problems, making vital decisions in fast-paced emergency situation spaces. Medical emergency situations' nature may need them to work nights, weekends, and vacations.

11. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric: $301,500

Ophthalmologists detect and treat eye conditions and carry out surgical treatments such as cataract elimination or LASIK. Many integrate surgical treatments with regular eye care in outpatient clinics.

12. Neurologists: $286,310

Neurologists diagnose and deal with conditions impacting the brain and nerve system, consisting of Alzheimer's illness and epilepsy. Their work includes complex diagnostics and long-term patient care.

13. Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $281,130

OB-GYNs concentrate on reproductive health and childbirth, stabilizing arranged appointments with unpredictable deliveries. They are frequently on-call to manage labor and emergency situation surgeries, in addition to supplying basic care to females.

14. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: $280,570

Aviation specialists play a vital function in ensuring that flights operate securely and on schedule, whether for guests or freight. Due to the always-on nature of airline company travel, they typically work irregular hours and across different time-zones.

15. Physicians: $272,320

This classification includes physicians who do not belong to specialized groups. Many work as primary care doctors or in medical facility settings.

16. Psychiatrists: $269,120

Psychiatrists concentrate on treating mental health conditions and prescribe medication, setting them apart from psychologists. Many operate in personal practices or in health center systems.

17. Physicians, Pathologists: $266,020

Pathologists operate in health center laboratories to carry out lab tests on organs, tissues, and fluids to help in disease medical diagnosis.

18. Chief Executives: $262,930

CEOs are accountable for leading organizations and making strategic decisions that impact organization operations. While they are the highest-ranking people in a business, they usually report to and are chosen by a board of directors and the board chair.

19. General Internal Medicine Physicians: $262,710

Internists treat both persistent and intense conditions in adult patients, often functioning as main care service providers. Their extensive medical competence includes a large variety of issues, from infections to hypertension.

20. Athletes and Sports Competitors: $259,750

This high-paying, nonmedical category includes elite professional athletes who earn considerable incomes through agreements, endorsements, and cash prize. Their revenues can differ considerably depending on performance and sport.

21. Prosthodontists: $258,660

Prosthodontists design and fit artificial replacements for teeth and oral structures to boost function and look. Unlike orthodontists, who straighten teeth and right jaw issues, prosthodontists focus on changing missing teeth with crowns or veneers and fixing broken structures.

22. Family Medicine Physicians: $256,830

These doctors offer comprehensive take care of any ages, covering routine examinations, chronic illness management, and recommendations to professionals when required. Many establish long-lasting relationships with families.

23. Orthodontists: $254,620

Orthodontists focus on examining and fixing misaligned teeth and jaws. Part of their work may include taking X-rays, developing and developing home appliances to straighten teeth, and applying braces or aligners. They typically run personal practices and see patients frequently throughout the course of long treatment periods.

24. Physicians, All Other: $253,470

This broad classification consists of specialists in emerging or less typical medical fields not listed independently by the BLS.

25. Dentists, All Other Specialists: $246,530

Specialist dentists, such as endodontists and periodontists, perform root canals and gum surgeries. Most of them operate in private practices and earn above-average payment in dentistry.

Which jobs have the highest pay in Alabama?

While a lot of the highest-paying tasks in Alabama mirror the national rankings, there are some notable distinctions in both the positions and income figures. These specialists often require college and extensive training. Below are the professions with the top salaries in the state:

1. Physicians, Pathologists: $238,020

2. Dentists, All Other Specialists: $229,820

3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $222,010

4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $204,570

5. Pediatricians, General: $202,330

Stories by Diane Mwai
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