Top 10 Highest-Paid Occupations in USA in 2026 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The highest-paid job in America in 2026 is pediatric surgeon, with a median annual wage of $559,030. That is almost 11 times the $50,980 median across all US occupations—and independent practice can take around 15 years.
This ranking uses the US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates, released in May 2026. It ranks detailed occupations by median annual wage and reports the 90th-percentile wage—the threshold crossed by the highest-paid 10%—rather than confusing medians with averages. BLS says physician and surgeon wages are “among the highest of all occupations,” and every job in this top ten belongs to medicine or dental surgery.
#1. Pediatric Surgeons — Median Annual Wage: $559,030
Pediatric surgeons operate on newborns, children and teenagers, treating congenital conditions, tumors and serious injuries. Their median wage is $559,030, while the top 10% earn at least $726,660.
BLS counted only about 1,190 wage-and-salary positions, making this one of America’s smallest medical specialties, while an expected decline in the child population may constrain future demand. A bachelor’s degree, MD or DO, surgical residency and pediatric fellowship take roughly 14 to 15 years, with the first paid residency position normally beginning around year eight.
The Hidden Cost of This Salary: Full specialist pay arrives only after years on trainee wages. Tuition, examinations and delayed retirement saving make the lifetime financial advantage less spectacular than the annual salary suggests.
#2. Cardiologists — Median Annual Wage: $496,010
Cardiologists diagnose heart disease, interpret cardiac tests and, in some subspecialties, reopen blocked arteries in catheter laboratories. Their median annual wage is $496,010, while the top 10% earn at least $712,130.
BLS projects around 600 openings annually through 2034 and estimates that 4.7% of cardiologists are self-employed. College, medical school, internal-medicine residency and cardiology fellowship create a realistic 13- to 14-year path from university enrollment to independent practice.
The Hidden Cost of This Salary: Cardiology adds several training years after internal medicine, delaying full earnings while clinical responsibility continues to rise.
#3. Radiologists — Median Annual Wage: $420,860
Radiologists examine X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, often finding cancer, internal bleeding or stroke before another doctor can act. Their median wage is $420,860, while the top 10% earn at least $594,410.
BLS projects approximately 800 openings per year and employment growth of 2.7% through 2034. Medical school, internship, residency and often fellowship make radiology a 13- to 14-year journey rather than a quick escape into a high-income profession.
#4. Surgeons, All Other — Median Annual Wage: $414,010
This category covers surgical specialists who are not reported under another detailed BLS title, with working days divided between consultations, operating rooms and postoperative decisions. The median annual wage is $414,010, while the top-10% figure reaches $655,320.
Only 0.7% are listed as self-employed, despite the familiar image of the independent surgeon, and about 600 openings are projected annually. Training commonly takes between 13 and 16 years, depending on the residency and fellowship required.
#5. Anesthesiologists — Median Annual Wage: $391,490
Anesthesiologists keep patients unconscious, pain-controlled and medically stable before, during and immediately after surgery. Their work involves monitoring breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and drug response while being ready to react within seconds if a patient’s condition changes.
The BLS median annual wage for anesthesiologists is $391,490, while the top 10% earn at least $557,130. BLS projects approximately 1,300 job openings per year, giving anesthesiology one of the largest annual hiring flows among America’s five highest-paid occupations.
The salary comes with a demanding schedule. Emergency procedures, night shifts and on-call duties are common, and the specialty carries enormous responsibility because even a small error in medication or airway management can become life-threatening.
Students generally need four years of undergraduate education, four years of medical school and about four years of residency training. That places the realistic timeline from starting university to independent practice at roughly 12 years, although paid residency work usually begins after the first eight years.
#6. Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric — Median Annual Wage: $358,550
Orthopedic surgeons repair fractures, joints, ligaments and tendons, sometimes rebuilding a patient’s ability to walk in a single operation. Their median annual wage is $358,550, but the top 10% earn at least $659,290—more than the highest-paid tier of several occupations ranked above them.
BLS projects 4.1% employment growth and about 400 openings annually. Medical school, orthopedic residency and a possible fellowship require roughly 13 to 14 years from entering university.
#7. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons — Median Annual Wage: $352,220
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons remove difficult teeth, repair jaws and reconstruct faces where dentistry meets hospital surgery. Their median annual wage is $352,220, while the top-decile threshold is $622,640.
A striking 11.9% are self-employed, the highest rate among the occupations in this ranking. Unlike most top medical earners, these surgeons usually begin with a DDS or DMD dental degree followed by surgical residency, creating a total pathway of approximately 12 to 14 years.
#8. Emergency Medicine Physicians — Median Annual Wage: $335,550
Emergency physicians make rapid decisions about trauma, stroke, poisoning and breathing failure without knowing what the next ambulance will bring. Their median annual wage is $335,550, while the top 10% earn at least $495,910.
BLS projects about 1,000 openings annually, but irregular shifts can reduce the lifestyle value of that salary. Four years of college, medical school and a three- or four-year residency create one of the shorter routes in this ranking at approximately 11 to 12 years.
#9. Dermatologists — Median Annual Wage: $328,730
Dermatologists diagnose skin cancer and inflammatory disease while also performing biopsies, surgery and other procedures. Their median annual wage is $328,730, while the top 10% earn at least $578,560.
Dermatology has the fastest projected growth in this top ten at 6.4%, although BLS expects only about 400 openings per year because the profession remains small. The usual route through college, medical school, internship and residency takes around 12 years.
#10. Physicians, Pathologists — Median Annual Wage: $312,400
Pathologists diagnose disease through tissue, blood and laboratory evidence, often shaping cancer treatment before a patient meets the treating specialist. Their median annual wage is $312,400, while the top-10% wage reaches $449,970.
BLS projects 4.2% growth and approximately 400 openings per year. An MD or DO, pathology residency and possible fellowship produce an 11- to 13-year route to independent specialist practice.
What These Numbers Mean for International Students and Global Job-Seekers?
For people researching careers for international students in USA, immigration status and medical licensing are separate hurdles. Depending on individual eligibility, potential pathways include employer-sponsored H-1B status, O-1 classification for extraordinary ability and an EB-2 National Interest Waiver; USCIS also recognizes a physician NIW connected to service in qualifying shortage areas.
Foreign-trained doctors must still satisfy US examinations, residency requirements and state licensing rules. Radiology, anesthesiology and emergency medicine provide comparatively larger employment markets, but none offers a shortcut around professional licensing.
Highest-Paid Jobs in America in 2026: Salary Comparison
| Rank | Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Top 10% Wage | Typical Entry Education | BLS Job Outlook, 2024–2034 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatric Surgeons | $559,030 | $726,660 | MD or DO, residency and fellowship | 1.5% |
| 2 | Cardiologists | $496,010 | $712,130 | MD or DO, residency and fellowship | 4.1% |
| 3 | Radiologists | $420,860 | $594,410 | MD or DO, residency and possible fellowship | 2.7% |
| 4 | Surgeons, All Other | $414,010 | $655,320 | MD or DO, residency and possible fellowship | 3.9% |
| 5 | Anesthesiologists | $391,490 | $557,130 | MD or DO and residency | 3.2% |
| 6 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $358,550 | $659,290 | MD or DO, residency and possible fellowship | 4.1% |
| 7 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $352,220 | $622,640 | DDS or DMD and surgical residency | 4.1% |
| 8 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $335,550 | $495,910 | MD or DO and residency | 2.7% |
| 9 | Dermatologists | $328,730 | $578,560 | MD or DO and residency | 6.4% |
| 10 | Physicians, Pathologists | $312,400 | $449,970 | MD or DO, residency and possible fellowship | 4.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions About America’s Highest-Paid Jobs
What is the highest-paid job in America in 2026?
Pediatric surgeon leads this BLS median-wage ranking at $559,030 per year. Pediatric surgeons in the top 10% earn at least $726,660.
What jobs pay more than $500,000 a year in the United States?
Pediatric surgeons have a median wage above $500,000. Top earners in cardiology, radiology, anesthesiology and several surgical specialties may also cross $500,000, but these are experienced-worker figures rather than starting salaries.
Are America’s 10 highest-paid jobs all in healthcare?
Yes. Every occupation in this ranking is a medical or dental specialty, confirming that many of the best careers in the United States for maximum median pay also have unusually high educational barriers.
Can you get one of these jobs without a degree?
No. Every occupation listed requires a doctoral or professional degree, clinical training and professional licensing.
How long does it take to qualify for a high-paying medical career?
It usually takes between 11 and 15 years from starting university to independent specialist practice. BLS says physicians typically need a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, three to nine years of residency and sometimes another one to three years of fellowship training.
Which high-paying medical career has the shortest training route?
Emergency medicine is among the shorter pathways in this ranking. It generally requires about 11 to 12 years from entering college through completing residency.
Can international students work in America after graduating?
Eligible F-1 students may receive up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training, while graduates with qualifying STEM degrees may seek a 24-month STEM OPT extension. OPT permits eligible employment but does not replace medical licensing or residency requirements.
What does “top 10% wage” mean?
The top-10% wage is the 90th-percentile figure. It means 90% of workers in that occupation earn less, while 10% earn more.
Bottom Line
The highest paying jobs in America 2026 reward scarce expertise, long training and decisions with serious consequences. Before chasing the salary, map the education, licensing, immigration and financing route from where you stand now; that calculation—not the ranking—should determine your next move.