Did you know that some careers pay as much as $500,000 a year?  A good example is a hedge fund manager. According to a 2018 report published by Financial Samurai, the managers of top-tier hedge funds make as much as $1.17M per year, with those managing mid-tier portfolios earning a decent $718k per year (after bonuses).

Essentially, there are plenty of career choices available to you. Below we’ll take a look at the top 10 careers you could consider getting into.

10 of the Best Paying Careers to Pursue

1. Anesthesiology ($266,000)

Anesthesiologists are medical doctors that focus on the care of surgical patients and ensure pain relief by administering anesthesia. Some of the primary responsibilities of these professionals include: meeting with patients to determine the best type of anesthesia to use, communicating appropriate treatment with all the relevant medical practitioners, and administering anesthetic medication. You must complete a premedical program and pass a Medical Training Admissions Test (MCAT) to become an anesthesiologist.

1. Surgeons ($251,900)

Surgeons are also medical doctors who specialize in performing operations to treat injuries, diseases, and deformities. A majority of surgeons perform general surgery. However, the best-paid surgeons are those who’ve specialized in a certain area. Orthopedic surgeons, for instance, specialize in correcting musculoskeletal system problems. Some of the responsibilities of a surgeon include: examining patients, performing diagnostic tests, and discussing treatment options with patients. To maximize your earnings, you need to attain a Masters degree and accumulate plenty of practical hours.

1. Dentists ($200,000)

Dentists diagnose and treat oral problems such as gum and teeth issues. They also advise patients on proper brushing, flossing, and dieting habits to help maintain oral hygiene and avoid dental problems. Dentists also regularly perform different types of minor surgery, like dental implants, and administer anesthetics, and write prescriptions.

1. Financial management ($143,500)

Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of their companies or organizations. They develop strategies and plans for long-term financial goals, direct investments, and produce financial reports to evaluate the growth of their organizations. Today’s financial managers also do a lot of data analysis and even advise managers on ways to maximize profits. Analyzing market trends to find opportunities for expansion and ensuring compliance with legal obligations are the other duties of a financial manager.

1. Pilots ($161,300)

The most well-known pilots are those who work for airline companies, flying passengers across the country and around the globe. Their primary responsibility is operating aircraft. However, they also spend plenty of time checking the weather and confirming flight plans before departure. A pilot is also required to perform a pre-flight inspection and check flight logs before they take off. During the flight, pilots remain in constant contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel on the ground. You must, however, acquire an aviation degree if you want to become a professional pilot.

10 of the Best Paying Careers to Pursue

1. Public relations management ($127,700)

As the name suggests, public relations managers are tasked with creating and maintaining a favorable public image for their clients. They respond to media questions, pitch stories to the media, organize press conferences and prepare media kits. Additionally, PR managers also help in putting together press releases, speeches, articles, and develop advertising and marketing communication material.

1. Petroleum engineers ($154,800)

A petroleum engineer is responsible for locating petroleum deposits. After that, they work together with geologists to determine the rock properties, decide on the best drilling approach, and monitor the drilling process. Some petroleum engineers also work for manufacturing firms where they design equipment to be used in oil extraction. Then there are also those who design recovery methods to ensure efficiency throughout the drilling process.

1. Computer scientists ($149,700)

This category includes computer scientists and information system managers. These professionals work either as theorists or practicing engineers. Theoretical computer scientists work long hours applying their knowledge and skills to develop new technology. This includes those working at top laboratories to develop new hardware, programming languages, and complexity theory. Practical computer scientists, meanwhile, apply the hypotheses developed by theorists to develop solutions that can be used by the end consumer.

1. Architecture ($146,300)

Architects primarily design buildings. Just about any building that you see around you was probably designed by an architect. “Design” means to create a plan. Before a building can be constructed, a plan is always created to guide the technicians. Architects apply their knowledge, skills, and imagination to draw up these plans. Some of the things an architect has to keep in mind when creating building plans are: function, plumbing, wiring, safety, and style.  

1. Pharmacists ($121,700)

Pharmacists dispense prescription drugs. They are also required by law to advise patients on dosage and the side effects of the prescribed drugs. For medical conditions that may take a long time to heal, a pharmacist is also expected to monitor the patient’s health condition and ensure that they’re taking enough medication. As a pharmacist, you can work in a hospital, community pharmacy, home health care facility, or your own drug store. Some pharmacists also choose to pursue pharmaceutical research careers. Whatever the case may be, it’s an incredibly demanding field.

Patience is Key

If you want a fulfilling career that pays well, there is a lot to think about. For example, lawyers make around $80k with $5k in bonuses in their first year as an undergrad. However, once you become a junior partner, which typically happens within 6-8 years of obtaining an MBA, your salary increases to a hefty $320-400k with up to $500k in bonuses!

In summary, there are plenty of opportunities to pursue a career that pays well. It’s just a matter of working out what field you have a passion for, studying for it, and then apply yourself.