The Most Popular $150K Jobs

Friday, May 20, 2016

GoLocalPDX Business Team & Graphiq

For most of us, six-figure salaries are nothing more than a pipe dream. Last year, the average annual compensation for someone with an advanced degree was just over $60,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, meaning it'll take a significant amount of extra schooling to reach the six-figure mark.

Still, there are plenty of lucrative careers to be had. With this in mind, CareerTrends has ranked the most popular jobs with a mean salary of $150K or higher. We ranked the $150K occupations by the number of people employed, and all but one are in the healthcare field. Five of the jobs have over 40,000 full-time employees, including surgeons and general internists, though neither of them are in the top three. The mean annual salaries of the careers on this list range from $220K to over $258K, which would probably make all those extra years of medical schooling worth it.

It's important to note that working in the field of medicine is not the only route to a high-paying career. There are other jobs that can pay six-figure salaries with only a graduate degree, but to reach the even-more-elite $150K level, a more advanced education level is required.

Note: We excluded one BLS career bucket — Physicians and Surgeons, All Other — because it is a collection of highly specialized jobs that do not fit in any other BLS bucket.

#10. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Total employment: 20,090

Mean salary: $222,400
Job description: Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women.

#9. Psychiatrists

Total employment: 24,060

Mean salary: $193,680
Job description: Diagnose, treat and help prevent disorders of the mind.

#8. General Pediatricians

Total employment: 28,660

Mean salary: $183,180
Job description: Diagnose, treat and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

#7. Anesthesiologists

Total employment: 29,220

Mean salary: $258,100
Job description: Administer anesthetics prior to, during or after surgery or other medical procedures.

#6. Nurse Anesthetists

Total employment: 39,410

Mean salary: $160,250
Job description: Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

#5. Surgeons

Total employment: 41,600

Mean salary: $247,520
Job description: Treat diseases, injuries and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive or non-invasive surgical methods.

#4. General Internists

Total employment: 48,920

Mean salary: $196,520
Job description: Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.

#3. General Dentists

Total employment: 100,080

Mean salary: $172,350
Job description: Examine, diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

#2. Family and General Practitioners

Total employment: 127,430

Mean salary: $192,120
Job description: Diagnose, treat and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

#1. Chief Executives

Total employment: 238,940

Mean salary: $185,850
Job description: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Research More Occupational Data at CareerTrends

Related Slideshow: Oregon Business Rankings in US

See how Oregon stacked up against the other states in the U.S.

Prev Next

ThumbTack

Oregon gets a C+ for small business friendliness from Thumbtack, in conjunction with the Kauffman Foundation.

According to the ranking:

Overall friendliness C+

Ease of starting a business B
Ease of hiring D+
Regulations D
Health & safety D
Employment, labor & hiring D
Tax code D+
Licensing C-
Environmental D
Zoning D+
Training & networking programs B+