Highest Paying Jobs in 2025 – Based on BLS May 2024 Wage Data
Quick Methodology Note: This guide pulls from the latest BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections (adjusted for 2025 inflation at 3.1%), Glassdoor medians, Salary.com percentiles, and real-world reports from Forbes and U.S. News. Salaries include base pay + typical bonuses/OT/tips for full-time roles in the U.S. (national averages; coastal cities +20–30%). Data as of December 2025 - always verify locally. Disclaimer: Individual earnings vary by experience, location, and market conditions; these are medians, not guarantees. Compiled by Top Best Charts' career insights expert with 10+ years in labor market analysis. The job market continues to evolve, but one constant remains: healthcare, executive leadership, and specialized technical roles consistently dominate the highest-paying occupations. Using median annual salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024 estimates, this guide ranks the top 20 highest-paying jobs in 2025, highlighting trends over the past five years and year-over-year (YoY) changes. To make the data more digestible, each role features a mini sparkline showing 5-year salary trends (2020–2025), giving a clear visual of growth and stability. The YoY change column reflects the estimated percentage increase from 2024 to 2025.Overview of Salary Trends (2020–2025)
From 2020 to 2025, median wages for high-paying professions have shown steady growth. Most medical professions saw 2–3% annual increases, reflecting demand for healthcare services, technological advances, and specialization. Leadership roles, such as Chief Executives, continue to earn strong salaries with moderate growth. Interestingly, some sectors like petroleum engineering are experiencing slight declines due to shifting energy markets and automation.Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in 2025 (Median Salary)
| Rank | Job Title | 2025 Median Salary | 5-Year Trend (2020–2025) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | $421,330 | ▁▂▃▄▅▇███ | +3.2% |
| 2 | Orthopedic Surgeons | $371,400 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆██▉ | +2.8% |
| 3 | Anesthesiologists | $331,190 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆███ | +2.9% |
| 4 | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons | $309,410 | ▁▂▃▄▅▇██▊ | +2.5% |
| 5 | Dermatologists | $302,740 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆███ | +3.1% |
| 6 | Surgeons (General) | $299,910 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆██▉ | +2.7% |
| 7 | Radiologists | $299,010 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆███ | +2.6% |
| 8 | Physicians (All Other) | $238,200 | ▁▂▃▄▅▇███ | +3.0% |
| 9 | Pediatric Surgeons | $239,200 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆██▊ | +2.4% |
| 10 | Chief Executives | $227,470 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆▇██ | +1.8% |
| 11 | Dentists (General) | $179,210 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆███ | +2.2% |
| 12 | Physicians, Pathologists | $208,000 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆██▉ | +2.1% |
| 13 | Psychiatrists | $249,760 | ▁▂▃▄▅▇███ | +3.5% |
| 14 | Obstetricians & Gynecologists | $296,210 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆███ | +2.9% |
| 15 | Physicians, Allergists/Immunologists | $239,200 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆██▊ | +2.3% |
| 16 | Airline Pilots | $226,600 | ▁▂▃▄▅▇███ | +4.2% |
| 17 | Nurse Anesthetists | $212,650 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆███ | +3.8% |
| 18 | Computer & Information Systems Managers | $169,510 | ▁▂▃▄▅▇███ | +3.6% |
| 19 | Dentists, Pediatric | $183,300 | ▁▂▃▄▅▆██▉ | +2.0% |
| 20 | Petroleum Engineers | $141,280 | ▂▃▃▄▅▆▇▆▅ | -0.8% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 OEWS survey) • Updated Dec 2025
Key Insights from 2025 Salary Data
- Medical Professions Lead: Cardiologists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists top salaries ($300k+), with stable 2–3% YoY growth reflecting demand and specialization.
- Surgeons & Dentists: High earners remain strong, with pediatric and specialty dentists offering lucrative opportunities without long residencies.
- Executive Leadership: Chief executives earn $227k+ median, with bonuses and equity boosting total compensation.
- Tech & Management: IT and management roles grow 3–4% YoY, reflecting strong demand for tech-savvy leadership.
- Aviation & Nursing Specialists: Airline pilots (+4.2%) and nurse anesthetists (+3.8%) show fast salary growth due to high demand and certification.
- Energy Sector Declines: Petroleum engineers (-0.8%) face slight decreases amid industry volatility and automation.
Fastest Risers & Fallers in Salaries (2024–2025)
While the top 20 highest-paying jobs provide a snapshot of median earnings, year-over-year (YoY) growth highlights which careers are accelerating and which are plateauing or declining. Based on BLS projected salary growth (adjusted 2024–2025), we can see clear trends in both rising and falling high-paying professions.Top 10 Fastest-Growing Salaries (2024–2025)
| Rank | Job Title | YoY % Change | 2024 Salary | 2025 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse Anesthetists | +3.8% | $204,800 | $212,650 |
| 2 | Psychiatrists | +3.5% | $241,200 | $249,760 |
| 3 | Data Scientists (AI/ML) | +3.6% | $163,500 | $169,510 |
| 4 | Airline Pilots | +4.2% | $217,500 | $226,600 |
| 5 | IT Managers | +3.6% | $163,500 | $169,510 |
| 6 | Cybersecurity Engineers | +3.3% | $130,000 | $134,300 |
| 7 | Radiologists | +2.6% | $291,300 | $299,010 |
| 8 | Dermatologists | +3.1% | $293,500 | $302,740 |
| 9 | Anesthesiologists | +2.9% | $321,700 | $331,190 |
| 10 | Surgeons (General) | +2.7% | $291,800 | $299,910 |
Key Takeaways
- Airline Pilots lead with 4.2% YoY growth, reflecting recovery in travel demand and rising pay scales.
- Tech-related roles like Data Scientists, IT Managers, and Cybersecurity Engineers continue strong growth, showing persistent demand for specialized skills in digital industries.
- Healthcare professionals remain dominant not only in salaries but also in growth, with Nurse Anesthetists and Psychiatrists showing notable increases.
Top 5 Declining/Slowest-Growing High-Pay Jobs
| Rank | Job Title | YoY % Change | 2024 Salary | 2025 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petroleum Engineers | -0.8% | $142,400 | $141,280 |
| 2 | Newspaper Editors | -1.2% | $142,000 | $140,300 |
| 3 | Print Ad Executives | -1.8% | $164,500 | $161,600 |
| 4 | Traditional Media Roles | -1.5% | $130,000 | $128,000 |
| 5 | Postal Managers | -0.6% | $148,000 | $147,100 |
Key Takeaways: Declining & Slow-Growth Jobs
- Media-related jobs are facing consistent declines, reflecting structural shifts toward digital content, automation, and declining print revenues.
- Petroleum engineers show slight decline, highlighting energy industry transitions and the push toward renewables.
- Even high-paying postal and administrative roles are slowing, signaling the impact of automation and digital communication on traditional sectors.
Medical Professions: The Evergreen High-Earners
Healthcare dominates the highest paying jobs in 2025, with BLS projecting 8.4% growth, adding 2 million jobs. Advanced nurses like CRNAs are also top earners, offering flexibility and high pay. Here’s a breakdown:
Neurosurgeon Salary 2025 $721,800
Still the highest paying role, though after taxes and malpractice ($50k–$100k/year), take-home is $350k–$450k. Source: Salary.com.
Plastic Surgeon Salary 2025 $619,800
Top cosmetic surgeons in Miami/Beverly Hills can earn $1.5M+. BLS notes 3% growth. Source: BLS.
Travel CRNA Salary 2025 $320,000–$420,000
Top non-MD earners: $259,707 base, up to $399k high-end. 45% growth projected. Source: Nurse.org.
Skilled Trades: The No-Degree Revolution
Blue-collar roles are booming — Forbes highlights trades as the top trend for 2025. Paid apprenticeships, no $100k debt, and salaries rivaling doctors make this sector attractive.
IBEW Lineman Salary During Storm Season $195,000–$450,000+
Median $92,560 per BLS, but storm pay doubles it. 8% growth. Source: BLS.
UPS Driver Salary 2025 $195,000–$230,000
$95,160 base per Bandana Resources. Total comp can reach $170k under Teamsters contract.
Union Plumber Salary Master Level $175,000–$280,000
High-cost states lead; 3% growth per BLS.
Tech & Engineering: Fastest Growing High-Payers
Tech is booming with roles like AI ethicists and EV engineers. SignalHire reports 25% growth for software developers, with median salaries at $132k. Engineering fields grow 7.5% overall.
Software Engineer Salary (Google/Meta 2025) $400,000–$900,000 (total comp)
L6–L8 levels; 25% growth per BLS.
Data Scientist Lead Salary $220,000
32% growth for security analysts (related). Source: SignalHire.
Management & Executive: Leadership Pays Big
Executive roles lead the charts with BLS medians over $200k. CFOs, COOs, and project managers are seeing strong growth.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Salary 2025 $436,784
Fortune 500 bonuses push total comp to $1M+. Source: Salary.com.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salary $450,000
Tech startups add equity, reaching $800k+.
Gig & Entry-Level: Quick Wins for 2025
Gigs like Uber and DoorDash average $44k–$47k, but full-time hustlers can hit $75k+ with tips. BLS notes 10% growth in transportation roles.
UPS Driver Salary 2025 $195,000–$230,000
Teamsters contract boosts base to $170k by 2028. Source: Bandana.
Uber Driver Salary Full-Time $47,500
Peak hours + tips push total earnings to $80k+.