When deciding on what to study, it helps to know which jobs offer the highest salaries. Of course, the exact salary depends a lot on where you’re based, how much experience you have, and the company you’re working for. But overall, data from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, Forbes Advisor, and Euronews points us to certain careers — especially in medicine, technology, and executive leadership.
6 highest-paid careers in the world
Here are seven high-paying careers in different fields:
1. Specialist medical doctors
- Degree required: Medical degree, specialisation training, residency experience
- Skills required: Medical knowledge, attention to detail, problem-solving
- Years of study and experience: At least 10-15 years
Becoming a doctor takes long years of study, work experience, and dedication. The exact job path depends a lot on the country, but it usually includes finishing a general medical training and then specialising in a certain area. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, specialist roles such as psychiatrists, surgeons, dermatologists, and anesthesiologists can earn around $239,200 per year in the US.
2. Airline pilots
- Degree required: Bachelor’s in Aviation, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, as well as local licenses
- Skills required: Strong decision-making, teamwork, and leadership
- Years of study and experience: 3-6 years to become a pilot and 10-15 years to become a captain
Airline pilots usually start as co-pilots and have to complete a certain number of flight hours. The job requires strong technical knowledge, continuous training, and a strong sense of responsibility, all of which contribute to the high salaries in this career. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, median pay for pilots in 2024 was $226,600 per year in the US.
3. Executives
- Degree required: Bachelor’s in Business, Finance, or Economics. MBA and DBA are often preferred.
- Skills required: Strategic thinking, leadership, communication, financial management
- Years of study and experience: 10+ years
Especially in global companies, top executives like CEOs and COOs are among the highest-paid professionals worldwide. Their decisions not only affect the company, but also their employees, company stocks, investors, and more. Many executives start their careers in entry-level business, finance, or management roles. Holding an MBA isn’t always necessary, but it could be a huge advantage.
4. IT and tech leaders
- Degree required: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field. Often followed by a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or Engineering
- Skills required: Leadership, programming, system design, AI, and data management
- Years of study and experience: At least 6-10 years
Senior roles in IT, including Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), data scientists, and engineering managers, have high salaries because they combine advanced technical expertise with leadership. To get there, you’ll likely complete undergraduate and postgraduate education, hold junior engineering roles, and work your way up.
5. Lawyers
- Degree required: Bachelor’s in Law (LLB) or equivalent. Master of Laws (LLM) or Juris Doctor (JD) for certain countries. Bar exam and legal certification
- Skills required: Analytical thinking, communication, negotiation, research
- Years of study and experience: 6-8 years, including law school and training
When you finish your LLB, LLM, or JD education and become a lawyer, there are many high-paying legal careers you can pursue. Some examples are corporate law, criminal law, and tax law. Especially if you’re working in a major city or an international company, salaries can be very high.
6. Engineers
- Degree required: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering
- Skills required: Analytical and design thinking, project management and problem-solving, mathematics
- Years of study and experience: 4-8 years, including education and practical experience
Certain branches of engineering, such as petroleum or software engineering, regularly rank among the top-paying jobs. There are also lots of emerging careers within the field, often related to AI or machine learning.
How salaries vary around the world
The same job can pay very differently depending on where you live and work. For example, a software engineer in the US usually earns more than one in Southern Europe. Factors like cost of living, job demand, taxes, company size, and benefits all make a difference.
To get a better idea, check websites like Numbeo for cost of living, the US Bureau of Labour Statistics for US salaries, or Eurostat for European data.
Other factors to consider when choosing a career
While salary is important, it shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing your career. Consider the following:
- Opportunities: Once you have a few careers in mind, check how many jobs are available in the country where you want to live. For example, opportunities in fields like aerospace engineering may be limited in smaller countries.
- Work-life balance: Some well-paid careers, like surgery or corporate law, can come with long hours, on-call shifts, or tight deadlines. Make sure you’re comfortable with the lifestyle.
- Job satisfaction: Think about whether the day-to-day tasks match your interests and how the job fits your long-term goals.
- Flexibility: If you want to set your own schedule or work remotely, make sure your career also allows this.
- Career growth: Consider whether the field offers clear paths for promotion, professional development, or any other factors that will help you feel motivated and fulfilled at work.
Explore degrees that lead to high-paying careers
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