Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in the United States in 2013

6 min read
The highest paying jobs as depicted by a silhouette of a large group of people

“Money makes the world go round.” This is a cliché phrase that we’ve been hearing for decades. But it’s a powerful statement. Why? Because it has some truth in it. Money can affect a person’s decision. Like when our parents tell us, “Choose a profession that will get you paid well!” Or when we ask ourselves, “I need to pay off my student loans. What job would make me do that faster?” In these times, what we need to find out first are the top highest paying jobs that we can consider, provided if we are able to get into those careers.

This is called being practical. There’s nothing wrong with it. And besides, most professions that pay really good are well-respected. Sure it’s already given that it will be more stressful, but the rewards are worth it.

The 2013 Highest Paying Jobs in the United States

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2013,  these are the highest paying jobs that a student or career-changer should definitely consider.

20. Marketing Managers

Number twenty in the highest paying jobs list look for people who could design programs and layouts to promote interest in a product or service.

Median Wage: $93,880/yr or $45.13/hr
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 12%
The state with the Highest Employment: New York (4,300)
Highest Paying State: New York ($160,660)

19. Air Traffic Controllers

Number nineteen in the highest paying jobs list synchronize the movement of traffic to ensure that aircrafts are at safe distances from each other.

Median Wage: $121,280/yr or $58.31/hr
Educational Qualification: Associate’s Degree
Work Experience: None
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 1%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (2,290)
Highest Paying State: New Hampshire ($140,650)

18. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Number eighteen in the highest paying jobs list direct IT workers to make a company more efficient. They also coordinate with IT experts to create new computer products.

Median Wage: $123,950/yr or $59.59/hr
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 15%
State with the Highest Employment: California (46,150)
Highest Paying State: California ($155,020)

17. Prosthodontist

Number seventeen in the highest paying jobs list repair and change teeth in patients with partial or complete teeth loss.

Median Wage: $128,310/yr or $61.69/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 16%
Highest Paying State: New Hampshire ($244,990)

16. Architectural and Engineering Managers

Number sixteen in the highest paying jobs list review plans for the projects they oversee.

Median Wage: $128,170/yr or $61.62/hr
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 7%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (31,710)
Highest Paying State: California ($163,470)

15. Petroleum Engineer

Number fifteen in the highest paying jobs list make sure that equipment is installed, operated, and maintained properly.

Median Wage: $132,320/yr or $63.62/hr
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience: None
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 26%
The state with the Highest Employment: Texas (19,660)
Highest Paying State: Alaska ($160,340)

14. Dentists

Number fourteen in the highest paying jobs list diagnose  and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth.

Median Wage: $146,340/yr or $70.36/hr
Educational Qualification: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Work Experience: None
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 16%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (10,920)
Highest Paying State: New Hampshire ($229,040)

13. Nurse Anesthetists or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Number thirteen in the highest paying jobs list provide and coordinate patient care and they provide primary and specialty health care.

Median Wage: $151,090/yr or $72.64/hr
Educational Qualification: Master’s Degree
Work Experience: None
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 31%
The state with the Highest Employment: Texas (3,140)
Highest Paying State: Nevada ($221,240)

12. Pediatricians

Number twelve in the highest paying jobs list work with children by diagnosing illnesses and writing prescriptions.

Median Wage: $157,610/yr or $75.78/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 18%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (4,720)
Highest Paying State: Mississippi ($219,830)

11. Dentists, all other Specialists

Number eleven in the highest paying jobs list have more training than general dentists, but their duties differ differently. However, they are required to prepare patients and equipment for surgery.

Median Wage: $163,450/yr or $78.58/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Degree with additional education.
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 5%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (770)
Highest Paying State: Tennessee ($230,260)

10. Chief Executives

The highest level of management in an organization, and works closely with other executives and managers belong to the top ten highest paying jobs in the US this 2013.

Median Wage: $171,610/yr or $82.50/hr
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 11%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (29,320)
Highest Paying State: Delaware ($187,199 or greater)

9. Family and General Practitioners

Take care of the healthcare of families. They’re trained to tend to patients of all ages. Hence, they are number nine in the highest paying jobs list in the US this 2013.

Median Wage: $176,530/yr or $84.87/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 18%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (15,750)
Highest Paying State: Hawaii ($222,510)

8. General Internists

Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries or internal organ systems. So, they are number eight in the highest paying jobs list in the US this 2013.

Median Wage: $188,440/yr or $90.60/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 18%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (5,790)
Highest Paying State: South Dakota ($250,000)

7. Psychiatrists

The number seven in the highest paying jobs list in the US this 2013 diagnose and treat medical illnesses.

Median Wage: $178,950/yr or $86.03/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 24%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (4,460)
Highest Paying State: Maine ($232,310)

6. Orthodontists

Analyze and solve the dental problems of their patients and can get you to top six of the highest paying job list in the US in 2013.

Median Wage: $196,270/yr or $94.36/hr
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 24%
The state with the Highest Employment: Illinois (840)
Highest Paying State: Tennessee (Greater than $187,000)

5. Obstetrician and Gynecologists

The top 5 highest paying job in the list provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth. Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women.

Median Wage: $212,570/yr or $102.20/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 18%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (2,380)
Highest Paying State: Wisconsin (Greater than $187,199)

4. Physicians and Surgeons

Examine patients, obtain a medical history, and interpret the diagnostic test. Surgeons perform operations to patients to treat injuries. Such medical expertise make them the top 4 highest paying jobs in the US in 2013

Median Wage: $233,150/yr or $112.09/hr
Educational Qualification: Doctoral or Professional Degree
Work Experience: None
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 18%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (5,040)
Highest Paying State: Wyoming (Greater than $187,000)

3. Anesthesiologists

To belong to the third from the top highest paying jobs, you must know how to administer drugs that reduce or rid the pain a patient might feel during surgery or other medical procedure.

Median Wage: $235,070/yr or $113.01/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 20%
The state with the Highest Employment: California (2,980)
Highest Paying State: Wyoming (Greater than $187,000)

2. Physicians and Surgeons, All Other Specialties

There are many specialties under this category, and their job description differs. However, what’s clear is they belong to the cream of the crop highest paying jobs in the US this 2013.

Median Wage: above $187,200/yr or above $90/hr
Educational Qualification: Professional Medical Degree
Work Experience: 5 years or more
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 18%
The state with the Highest Employment: New York (40,000)
Highest Paying State: Mississippi ($240,510)

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

If you know how to operate on the mouths and jaws of their patients. Congratulations, you belong to the highest paying jobs in the US this 2013. Just make sure you do your job well, too!

Median Wage: $218,960/yr or above $105.27/hr
Educational Qualification: Medical Degree
Work Experience: At least 3 years
Job Outlook ’12-’22: 16%
The state with the Highest Employment: Florida (760)
Highest Paying State: Virginia (Greater than $187,199)

All the careers on this list are really good, right? They pay well, and benefits are sure to be spectacular. However, one must be thoughtful when applying for top paying careers such as these. You need to work hard and do everything you can to stand out from other applicants. So, if you’re aiming for high paying jobs, read our resume writing service reviews to find out whom you can work with to prepare your job hunt tools for your dream job.

Image Source: Sarah Pflug from Burst

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