Careers and what they pay
Each career has a pay page (pay in every state, metro areas, employers, trend, outlook) and a step-by-step guide to getting into it. Click a column heading to sort.
| Guide | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $83,680 | $40.23 | 1,449,500 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% | How to become one |
| Actuary | $130,000 | $62.50 | 26,670 | Bachelor's degree | +9.2% | How to become one |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 | $64.89 | 67,710 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% | How to become one |
| Air Traffic Controller | $148,080 | $71.19 | 22,510 | Associate's degree | +1.7% | How to become one |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 | $38.40 | 138,090 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.4% | How to become one |
| Airline Pilot | $232,140 | — | 103,560 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% | How to become one |
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 | $188.22 | 38,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +3.6% | How to become one |
| Architect | $99,280 | $47.73 | 106,770 | Bachelor's degree | +4.3% | How to become one |
| Athletic Trainer | $62,520 | — | 30,500 | Master's degree | +12.7% | How to become one |
| Audiologist | $95,780 | $46.05 | 13,660 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.0% | How to become one |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,620 | $24.34 | 704,640 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% | How to become one |
| Barber | $38,210 | $18.37 | 15,000 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.3% | How to become one |
| Bartender | $34,340 | $16.51 | 756,390 | No formal educational credential | +5.0% | How to become one |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,370 | $52.58 | 23,480 | Bachelor's degree | +7.6% | How to become one |
| Bus Driver | $59,050 | $28.39 | 159,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.1% | How to become one |
| Business Analyst | $101,860 | $48.97 | 898,280 | Bachelor's degree | +10.1% | How to become one |
| Cardiologist | $496,010 | $238.47 | 17,290 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.8% | How to become one |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $74,310 | $35.73 | 62,960 | Associate's degree | +3.7% | How to become one |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | $29.12 | 670,090 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% | How to become one |
| Chef | $62,470 | $30.03 | 200,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.6% | How to become one |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,040 | $60.12 | 21,070 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% | How to become one |
| Chiropractor | $79,200 | $38.08 | 39,630 | Doctoral or professional degree | +8.7% | How to become one |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 | $48.48 | 367,840 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% | How to become one |
| Claims Adjuster | $78,000 | $37.50 | 324,230 | High school diploma or equivalent | −5.5% | How to become one |
| CNA | $42,260 | $20.32 | 1,448,910 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% | How to become one |
| College Professor (compares 13 occupations) | $63.8K–$129K | — | 1,370,560 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Commercial Pilot | $123,220 | — | 47,630 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.2% | How to become one |
| Computer Engineer | $161,740 | $77.76 | 76,660 | Bachelor's degree | +9.1% | How to become one |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 | $55.28 | 380,360 | Bachelor's degree | +9.1% | How to become one |
| Construction Worker | $47,120 | $22.66 | 1,096,780 | No formal educational credential | +7.3% | How to become one |
| Correctional Officer | $58,940 | $28.34 | 380,500 | High school diploma or equivalent | −7.4% | How to become one |
| Cosmetologist | $35,790 | $17.21 | 305,710 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.7% | How to become one |
| Court Reporter | $72,420 | $34.82 | 12,870 | Postsecondary nondegree award | −0.1% | How to become one |
| Crane Operator | $68,080 | $32.73 | 42,890 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% | How to become one |
| CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) | $236,590 | $113.75 | 51,840 | Master's degree | +9.7% | How to become one |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $129,180 | $62.11 | 190,650 | Bachelor's degree | +21.0% | How to become one |
| Data Analyst (compares 5 occupations) | $78.8K–$120K | — | 262,440 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 | $57.80 | 262,440 | Bachelor's degree | +34.6% | How to become one |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | $23.11 | 387,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% | How to become one |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | $47.16 | 222,740 | Associate's degree | +8.0% | How to become one |
| Dentist | $170,950 | $82.19 | 124,390 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.7% | How to become one |
| Dermatologist | $328,730 | $158.04 | 11,370 | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.8% | How to become one |
| Detective | $93,790 | $45.09 | 114,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.2% | How to become one |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,770 | $29.70 | 289,960 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% | How to become one |
| Doctor (compares 10 occupations) | $210K–$496K | — | 107,510 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 | $58.00 | 198,750 | Bachelor's degree | +9.9% | How to become one |
| Electrician | $63,190 | $30.38 | 757,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% | How to become one |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,970 | — | 1,388,390 | Bachelor's degree | −0.4% | How to become one |
| Elevator Mechanic | $109,910 | $52.84 | 23,790 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.7% | How to become one |
| EMT | $44,470 | $21.38 | 180,510 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% | How to become one |
| Engineer (compares 7 occupations) | $101K–$162K | — | 367,840 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Esthetician | $45,330 | $21.79 | 72,890 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +8.8% | How to become one |
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 | $50.51 | 266,800 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% | How to become one |
| Financial Analyst | $102,740 | $49.40 | 361,980 | Bachelor's degree | +7.2% | How to become one |
| Firefighter | $59,280 | $28.50 | 345,990 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.7% | How to become one |
| Flight Attendant | $63,580 | — | 131,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.8% | How to become one |
| Forensic Scientist | $72,060 | $34.65 | 19,120 | Bachelor's degree | +13.3% | How to become one |
| Garbage Collector | $49,690 | $23.89 | 147,240 | No formal educational credential | +2.1% | How to become one |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 | 197,830 | Bachelor's degree | −1.7% | How to become one |
| Healthcare Administrator | $123,860 | $59.55 | 597,080 | Bachelor's degree | +24.2% | How to become one |
| High School Teacher | $72,040 | — | 1,065,210 | Bachelor's degree | −0.2% | How to become one |
| HR Manager | $149,280 | $71.77 | 220,660 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% | How to become one |
| HR Specialist | $75,940 | $36.51 | 912,430 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% | How to become one |
| HVAC Technician | $61,010 | $29.33 | 409,670 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +10.9% | How to become one |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $97,550 | $46.90 | 3,379,720 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% | How to become one |
| Insurance Agent | $62,280 | $29.94 | 479,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.3% | How to become one |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | $32.31 | 71,500 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% | How to become one |
| IT Support Specialist | $61,860 | $29.74 | 717,190 | Some college, no degree | −3.5% | How to become one |
| Judge | $153,990 | $74.03 | 24,030 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.8% | How to become one |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $97,550 | $46.90 | 3,379,720 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% | How to become one |
| Lawyer | $159,670 | $76.76 | 754,500 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.7% | How to become one |
| Librarian | $68,270 | $32.82 | 133,790 | Master's degree | +2.6% | How to become one |
| Lineman | $95,320 | $45.83 | 131,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.3% | How to become one |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 | $36.87 | 274,330 | Bachelor's degree | +1.1% | How to become one |
| LPN | $64,400 | $30.96 | 648,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% | How to become one |
| Mail Carrier | $60,550 | $29.11 | 328,820 | No formal educational credential | −0.3% | How to become one |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $76,780 | $36.91 | 18,120 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% | How to become one |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 | $80.19 | 395,240 | Bachelor's degree | +6.9% | How to become one |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | $32.18 | 66,740 | Master's degree | +13.5% | How to become one |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | $28.10 | 98,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% | How to become one |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 | $50.05 | 296,810 | Bachelor's degree | +11.2% | How to become one |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | $21.97 | 817,870 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% | How to become one |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $51,140 | $24.59 | 194,720 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% | How to become one |
| Medical Lab Technician | $62,930 | $30.26 | 332,940 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% | How to become one |
| Mental Health Counselor | $59,350 | $28.53 | 491,930 | Master's degree | +18.4% | How to become one |
| Meteorologist | $99,070 | $47.63 | 10,000 | Bachelor's degree | +2.6% | How to become one |
| Mortician | $55,010 | $26.45 | 25,100 | Associate's degree | +3.0% | How to become one |
| MRI Technician | $95,480 | $45.91 | 43,390 | Associate's degree | +7.7% | How to become one |
| Nail Technician | $35,760 | $17.19 | 152,770 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +9.2% | How to become one |
| Network Engineer | $134,050 | $64.45 | 179,740 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% | How to become one |
| Neurologist | $248,560 | $119.50 | 10,590 | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.4% | How to become one |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $97,550 | $46.90 | 3,379,720 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% | How to become one |
| Nurse (compares 6 occupations) | $42.3K–$237K | — | 3,379,720 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Nurse Midwife | $134,040 | $64.44 | 7,920 | Master's degree | +11.5% | How to become one |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 | 323,040 | Master's degree | +41.0% | How to become one |
| Nutritionist and Dietitian | $76,400 | $36.73 | 77,570 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% | How to become one |
| OB-GYN | $292,910 | $140.82 | 21,260 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.7% | How to become one |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 | $48.24 | 162,450 | Master's degree | +14.8% | How to become one |
| Operations Manager | $105,770 | $50.85 | 3,503,020 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% | How to become one |
| Optometrist | $136,570 | $65.66 | 42,790 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.5% | How to become one |
| Orthodontist | $289,140 | $139.01 | 6,210 | Doctoral or professional degree | +6.0% | How to become one |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $358,550 | $172.38 | 14,100 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.0% | How to become one |
| Paralegal | $62,890 | $30.24 | 392,880 | Associate's degree | −0.3% | How to become one |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | $29.13 | 100,610 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% | How to become one |
| Pathologist | $312,400 | $150.19 | 11,110 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.8% | How to become one |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $97,550 | $46.90 | 3,379,720 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% | How to become one |
| Pediatrician | $210,040 | $100.98 | 39,390 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.5% | How to become one |
| Personal Trainer | $47,160 | $22.67 | 322,930 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.3% | How to become one |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 | 321,970 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.2% | How to become one |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | $22.00 | 471,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% | How to become one |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | $21.75 | 143,540 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% | How to become one |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | $49.40 | 267,330 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% | How to become one |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,380 | $32.88 | 112,430 | Associate's degree | +23.0% | How to become one |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | $65.33 | 162,150 | Master's degree | +21.1% | How to become one |
| Pilot (compares 2 occupations) | $123K–$232K | — | 103,560 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Plumber | $63,800 | $30.67 | 465,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.8% | How to become one |
| Police Officer | $76,210 | $36.64 | 670,520 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% | How to become one |
| Private Investigator | $51,220 | $24.62 | 35,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.5% | How to become one |
| Project Manager | $102,320 | $49.19 | 1,066,670 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% | How to become one |
| Psychiatrist | $281,870 | $135.51 | 27,980 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% | How to become one |
| Psychologist | $100,580 | $48.36 | 75,990 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.7% | How to become one |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | $50.63 | 17,070 | Associate's degree | +2.8% | How to become one |
| Radiologist | $420,860 | $202.34 | 26,770 | Doctoral or professional degree | +3.4% | How to become one |
| Radiology Technician | $80,110 | $38.52 | 230,490 | Associate's degree | +5.0% | How to become one |
| Real Estate Agent | $52,830 | $25.40 | 193,370 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.7% | How to become one |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | $46.90 | 3,379,720 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% | How to become one |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | $39.56 | 139,790 | Associate's degree | +8.5% | How to become one |
| School Counselor | $64,330 | $30.93 | 353,310 | Master's degree | +2.9% | How to become one |
| School Principal | $105,870 | — | 328,330 | Master's degree | −0.3% | How to become one |
| School Psychologist | $95,990 | $46.15 | 63,940 | Master's degree | +0.8% | How to become one |
| Social Worker (compares 4 occupations) | $59.5K–$71.9K | — | 392,550 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Software Engineer | $135,980 | $65.38 | 1,687,890 | Bachelor's degree | +10.2% | How to become one |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | $47.05 | 183,390 | Master's degree | +16.6% | How to become one |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $47,700 | $22.93 | 77,420 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% | How to become one |
| Substitute Teacher | $41,670 | $20.03 | 524,770 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% | How to become one |
| Surgeon (compares 4 occupations) | $300K–$559K | — | 8,950 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Surgical Technician | $64,650 | $31.08 | 117,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% | How to become one |
| Teacher (compares 6 occupations) | $38.1K–$72.0K | — | 478,780 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Therapist (compares 6 occupations) | $59.4K–$101K | — | 491,930 | Varies by type | — | How to become one |
| Train Conductor | $78,000 | $37.50 | 46,440 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% | How to become one |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $97,550 | $46.90 | 3,379,720 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% | How to become one |
| Truck Driver | $58,640 | $28.19 | 2,062,040 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.8% | How to become one |
| TSA Officer | $66,770 | $32.10 | 50,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | −4.2% | How to become one |
| Ultrasound Technician | $96,590 | $46.44 | 90,160 | Associate's degree | +13.9% | How to become one |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $72,990 | $35.09 | 3,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.8% | How to become one |
| UX Designer | $104,000 | $50.00 | 113,330 | Bachelor's degree | +6.0% | How to become one |
| Vet Tech | $47,380 | $22.78 | 129,140 | Associate's degree | +9.4% | How to become one |
| Veterinarian | $130,100 | $62.55 | 83,900 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.4% | How to become one |
| Web Developer | $92,650 | $44.54 | 70,190 | Bachelor's degree | +3.8% | How to become one |
| Welder | $53,750 | $25.84 | 416,210 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.4% | How to become one |
BLS OEWS, May 2025; entry education and growth from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Broad titles such as nurse or engineer show the range of medians across the occupations they compare; specialty pages use their parent occupation's pay, as labeled.