Jobs that come with six-figure salaries in the United States span several sectors, including technology, healthcare, finance and law.
These industries not only promise high salaries, but also provide stability and long-term career prospects, making them attractive options for job seekers aiming to secure lucrative and rewarding positions.
It’s important to note that success and wealth in any career field require not only education and skills, but also hard work, perseverance and a willingness to seize opportunities and take calculated risks.
Moreover, individuals should carefully consider their interests, strengths and values when choosing a career path, as passion and alignment with personal values can contribute to long-term satisfaction and fulfillment in a chosen profession.
Jobs That Come With Six-Figure Salaries
Here are 10 six-figure jobs, along with their average base salaries—citing compensation data from Indeed—and general education and professional work experience requirements.
1. Software Developer
Average Base Salary: $105,331
Job Summary: A software developer is a professional who designs, creates and maintains software applications and systems.
Qualifications: Software developers typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or other related fields. To pursue a career in software development, it’s essential to have a strong understanding of programming languages. Four languages you may want to focus on mastering are Java, Python, C++ and Scala. Python is often regarded as one of the more accessible languages to learn, making it an excellent starting point for beginners in programming.
2. Financial Manager
Average Base Salary: $110,643
Job Summary: A financial manager is a professional who oversees the financial health and operations of an organization, including financial oversight, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, risk management, financial reporting, compliance and cash-flow management.
Qualifications: Financial managers are required to complete at minimum a bachelor’s degree. Popular majors for aspiring financial managers include finance, business, economics and accounting. Although licensure is not mandated, many employers may prefer a candidate who holds certifications in accounting, auditing or financial or management analysis. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, financial managers must have at least five years of relevant work experience as an accountant, auditor or financial analyst.
3. Airline Pilot
Average Base Salary: $110,816
Job Summary: An airline pilot is a professional responsible for flying and navigating airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft. Their duties include conducting pre-flight checks, developing flight plans, ensuring the safety and integrity of the aircraft and maintaining communication with the flight crew and air traffic controllers.
Qualifications: Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree, experience as a commercial or military pilot and must meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements, including completing 250 flight hours with a pilot ground school. After you have passed your written ground school test and logged your hours, you will need to pass a check-ride with the FAA.
4. Data Scientist
Average Base Salary: $123,039
Job Summary: A data scientist is an analytics professional who collects, analyzes and interprets large amounts of data to help organizations make better decisions, using advanced analytics techniques like machine learning and predictive modeling.
Qualifications: Data scientists generally hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or a related field. These professionals can focus on a specific industry or cultivate expertise in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, research or database management. Specializing in these areas can help you engage in meaningful work and acquire skills that distinguish you from other candidates.
Data scientists typically spend considerable time utilizing programming languages to process, analyze and manage large datasets. Common programming languages in data science include Python, R, SQL and SAS. Additionally, software frameworks, such as Hadoop and Apache Spark, are employed to handle big data processing.
5. Nurse Practitioner
Average Base Salary: $126,451
Job Summary: A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides a wide range of healthcare services, performing many of the same duties as doctors, including conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating common health conditions and prescribing medications.
Qualifications: A NP must first complete the necessary education to become a registered nurse. A bachelor of science in nursing is generally required for admission to graduate programs. NPs gain practical experience as RNs before pursuing further education. This experience can be valuable for developing clinical skills.
After completing a graduate degree, aspiring NPs must pass a national certification exam from organizations, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center or other specialty boards. This certification is necessary for obtaining an advanced practice nursing license. NPs must apply for licensure in the state they plan to practice. Each state has its own requirements.
NPs can specialize in various areas of healthcare, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, family medicine, oncology or mental health. Specialization may require additional training or certification.
6. Equity Research Analyst
Average Base Salary: $154,328
Job Summary: An equity research analyst is a financial professional who conducts in-depth analyses of financial data, market trends and economic factors to assess the performance and potential of stocks and securities. Based on their analyses, they provide recommendations on whether to buy, sell or hold specific securities.
Qualifications: Equity research analysts generally complete a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, business or business administration. They are required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to pass the Securities Industries Essentials exam, as well as the Series 86 and 87 exams.
7. General Counsel
Average Base Salary: $158,564
Job Summary: A general counsel, also known as chief counsel, is the senior attorney responsible for overseeing the legal affairs of a company or governmental department. They oversee legal issues across all departments, including engineering, design, marketing, sales, distribution, credit, finance, human resources and production. They serve as the primary legal adviser to the board of directors, CEO and other senior executives, providing guidance on legal matters and business strategies. The GC identifies and mitigates potential legal risks, ensuring that the company’s operations are legally sound and compliant with relevant laws and regulation.
Qualifications: The initial step to becoming a general counsel is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as law, business or economics. Following this, the next step is to attend law school to obtain a Juris Doctor degree. Once you have your JD, you must pass the bar exam in the state(s) where you intend to practice law.
To qualify for a general counsel position, you will need several years of legal experience. This typically involves working at a law firm or within a corporate legal department, where you can gain exposure to various areas of law. Having experience in a specific industry equips general counsel with a deeper understanding of the unique legal issues, regulations and best practices pertinent to that sector. Additionally, strong leadership skills are essential for roles in general counsel.
8. Physician
Average Base Salary: $194,306
Job Summary: A physician is a highly trained medical professional responsible for diagnosing, treating and managing patients’ health conditions. Physicians conduct physical examinations, take medical histories, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications and develop treatment plans for both acute and chronic conditions. Physicians also provide advice on healthy habits, preventative measures and lifestyle choices to promote overall health and well-being.
Qualifications: The path to becoming a doctor begins with earning a bachelor’s degree. While you can choose any major, it’s essential to complete prerequisite courses in subjects such as chemistry and biology to prepare for medical school.
The next crucial step is to take the Medical College Admission Test.
Following this, you will need to enroll in medical school, which typically lasts four years and includes both classroom learning and practical clinical experiences. Upon completion, you must pass the first two parts of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Part One, usually taken at the end of your second year, focuses on basic sciences, while Part Two, typically taken in your fourth year, is a two-day exam that emphasizes clinical sciences.
Once you pass these initial steps of the USMLE, you will select a medical specialty and enter a residency program, which provides extensive, hands-on experience in your chosen field and lasts between three to seven years, depending on the specialty. During residency, you will work with patients under the guidance of experienced physicians, further developing your skills and knowledge.
The final step of the USMLE, Part Three, is generally taken after your first year of residency and assesses your readiness to practice general medicine independently. After passing the USMLE, you will apply for medical licensure in your state. Achieving board certification requires passing both written and oral exams, demonstrating your dedication to providing the highest standard of care in your chosen specialty.
9. Surgeon
Average Base Salary: $285,665
Job Summary: A surgeon is a highly trained medical professional who performs surgical procedures to treat injuries, diseases, deformities and other medical conditions.
Qualifications: The educational path of an aspiring surgeon mirrors the same trajectory as a physician’s journey, which includes completing a bachelor’s degree, taking the MCAT, attending medical school, passing the USMLE, undergoing a residency program and obtaining state licensure.
Additionally, a fellowship program allows surgeons to acquire further experience in their selected surgical specialty. Hospitals provide fellowships in areas such as orthopedic, plastic, cardiothoracic and neurological surgery. By this stage, fellows have already completed the USMLE and obtained their medical license. While it is possible for surgeons to work as board-eligible surgeons, most respected employers expect them to achieve board certification shortly after completing their residency.
10. Anesthesiologist
Average Base Salary: $354,537
Job Summary: Anesthesiologists assess patients’ medical histories and physical conditions before surgery to determine the appropriate anesthetic plan. During a surgical procedure, they administer anesthesia and monitor patients’ vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. They are responsible for adjusting anesthesia levels as needed to maintain optimal conditions for both the patient and the surgical team. Anesthesiologists oversee patients’ recovery in the Postanesthesia Care Unit, ensuring they safely emerge from anesthesia and manage pain control. They determine when patients are stable enough to be discharged or transferred to a regular hospital room.
Qualifications: Start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree, ideally with a focus on science and math courses. After completing your undergraduate studies, you must pass the MCAT. After graduating from medical school, you will enter a residency program in anesthesiology, which usually lasts four years. During this time, you will gain hands-on experience in administering anesthesia and managing patient care before, during and after surgical procedures.
Throughout your training, you will need to pass the USMLE to become licensed to practice medicine. After residency, some anesthesiologists choose to complete a fellowship for additional training in a subspecialty, such as pain management or pediatric anesthesiology. Finally, you will need to pass the board certification exam from the American Board of Anesthesiology to practice as a certified anesthesiologist.
Source: Forbes
