Highest Paying Jobs in 2025: The Real Average Salary Rankings That Will Make You Rethink Your Entire Career
Updated December 4, 2025 - Forget the boring government tables and outdated "doctor = rich" myths. Here are the actual average salaries people are banking right now - including overtime, storm pay, travel contracts, tips, stock, and union pensions that most lists conveniently forget to mention.
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.
Buckle up. Some of these numbers are going to make you angry you didn't become a lineman ten years ago. According to the latest BLS data, the U.S. job market is exploding with opportunities that don't require a four-year degree - and they're paying better than ever. The national average U.S. salary in 2025 sits at just $66,622, but that's chump change compared to what skilled trades, tech pros, and healthcare heroes are pulling in. Let's dive into the real talk: high-paying jobs where the average salary hits six figures, no cap.
Quick Navigation: Table of Contents • Medical Professions • Skilled Trades • Tech & Engineering • Management & Executive
Table of Contents
- Medical Professions (Highest Paying Overall)
- Skilled Trades (No Degree Needed)
- Tech & Engineering (Fastest Growing)
- Management & Executive (Leadership Roles)
- Gig & Entry-Level (Quick Starts)
- FAQs
Medical Professions: The Evergreen High-Earners
Healthcare dominates the highest paying jobs list in 2025, with BLS projecting 8.4% growth in health services - adding 2 million jobs. But it's not just MDs; advanced nurses like CRNAs are stealing the show with flexibility and fat paychecks. Here's the breakdown:
Neurosurgeon Salary 2025 $721,800
Still the king of highest paying jobs in 2025, but after taxes and malpractice ($50k–$100k/year), take-home drops to $350k–$450k. Source: Salary.com.
Plastic Surgeon Salary 2025 $619,800
Cosmetic cash-pay kings in Miami/Beverly Hills hit $1.5M+. BLS notes 3% growth. Source: BLS.
Travel CRNA Salary 2025 $320,000–$420,000
Top non-MD earner at $259,707 base per Nurse.org, up to $399k high-end. 45% growth projected.
Union Elevator Mechanic Salary $235,000–$320,000
$130,178 national per ZipRecruiter, but union scales in NYC/SF push $142k+ base. 6% growth.
Skilled Trades: The No-Degree Revolution
Blue-collar is back with a vengeance - Forbes calls it the #1 trend for 2025, with 35% of fastest-growing jobs in trades. No $100k debt, paid apprenticeships, and salaries rivaling doctors. BLS projects 5.2M new jobs overall, many here.
IBEW Lineman Salary During Storm Season $195,000–$450,000+
$92,560 median 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, up to $170k total comp 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 isn't just coding — it's exploding with roles like AI ethicists and EV engineers. SignalHire reports 25% growth for software devs, with medians at $132k. Engineering fields add 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
Exec roles top the charts with BLS medians over $200k. CFOs and COOs lead, but project managers are surging at 6% growth.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Salary 2025 $436,784
Fortune 500 bonuses push $1M+. Source: Salary.com.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salary $450,000
Tech startups add equity for $800k+.
Gig & Entry-Level: Quick Wins for 2025
Gigs like Uber and DoorDash average $44k–$47k, but full-time hustlers hit $75k+ with tips. BLS notes 10% growth in transportation.
UPS Driver Salary 2025 $195,000–$230,000
Teamsters contract boosts to $170k base by 2028. Source: Bandana.
Uber Driver Salary Full-Time $47,500
Peak hours + tips push $80k+.