25 Best Paid Jobs in America

Salary is definitely something most of us would consider when applying for a job. Who doesn’t want to be part of a company with a nice and satisfying compensation? Glassdoor recently came up with a list of 25 of the highest paying job in America for 2018. The list was based on various factors including the 2018 Salary reports submitted by employees, the median annual based salary, the number of job openings available and active job listings.

Interestingly, 13 out of the 25 jobs listed are in tech field where most receive 5 to 6 figure salary. Five jobs from the list belong to health care field. Without further ado, here are the Best paid jobs in America for 2018.

1. Physician

Median Base Salary : $195,842

Job Openings : 3,038

Topping the list are the physicians with monthly base salary playing around $195k. Physicians are responsible for examining patients, taking medical histories, prescribing medications , diagnosing , performing surgeries and treating illnesses. Earnings vary in terms of their number of years in the service, geographic region of practice, hours worked, skill, personality and professional reputation.

2. Pharmacy Manager

Median Base Salary : $146,412

Job Openings : 2,009

A pharmacy manager is responsible for overseeing day to day operations of the pharmacy. The position is usually achieved by promoting from within  the pharmacy or the parent company. An outside pharmacist who has more experience may also fill the position.

3. Pharmacist

Median Base Salary : $127,120

Job Openings : 2,534

Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 14% from 2012 to 2022. The demand for pharmacist is more likely to increase in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals and clinics. These facilities will need more pharmacists to oversee the medications given to patients and to provide patient care.

4. Enterprise Architect

Median Base Salary : $155,944

Job Openings : 1,097

Architects remain to be one of the highest earning jobs for 2018. Enterprise Architects are the one responsible for making sure that a company’s business strategy uses proper technology systems  architecture to achieve its goals.

5. Corporate Counsel

Median Base Salary : $115,580

Job Openings : 693

Corporate counsels are the chief legal officers who are responsible of handling civil claims against the city in some US Municipal and county jurisdictions. This includes negotiating settlements and depending the city when it is sued. It may not be the most in-demand but definitely one of the highest paid jobs in the US today.

6. Software Development Manager

Median Base Salary : $108,879

Job Openings : 1,064

With the rise of innovative technologies, the demand for software developers are drastically increasing too. They are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some of them develop applications that allow people to do specific tasks on computer or other devices.

7. Physician Assistant

Median Base Salary : $108,761

Job Openings : 8,616

Much like the physicians, the role of the physician assistants are equally challenging. PA always work in collaboration with a licensed physician to provide medical care to patients. The demand for PAs is also dramatically increasing every year.

8. Software Engineering Manager

Median Base Salary : $107,479

Job Openings : 1,105

A software engineer manager’s role is highly important in any technological service company that deals with software. They are responsible of assembling a team of software engineers that can work quickly and successfully on a certain software product.

9. Nurse Practitioner

Median Base Salary : $106,962

Job Openings : 14,931

One of the newest additions in this survey are the Nurse Practitioners. They are considered as advanced practice registered nurses who can give patient care and provide primary and special health care. The scope of their practice will vary from state to state.

10. Software Architect

Median Base Salary : $105,329

Job Openings : 1,130

Software architects are software experts who make high level design choices and dictates technical standards including the software coding standards, tools and platforms. A software engineer’s average salary can range from $99k to $105k which is higher than other technology occupations.

11. Engineering Manager

Median Base Salary : $105,260

Job Openings : 4,738

The main role of engineering managers is to plan , coordinate and direct activities in architectural and engineering companies. These jobs especially those at higher levels often receive more benefits including expense accounts and bonuses.

12. Applications Development Manager

Median Base Salary : $104,048

Job Openings : 360

They are responsible for managing  a team of analysts or developers for the organization’s application development and analysis function. They usually evaluate existing applications to determine technical changes, resources, and monitors project timeline and more. Salary ranges vary depending on many factors including education, certifications, additional skills and tenuity.

13. Plant Manager

Median Base Salary : $103,892

Job Openings : 1,182

Another highly compensated job is the plant manager. Their job is to oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. Depending on the size of the plant, plant managers may oversee the entire plant or a specific area of production.

14. IT Program Manager

Median Base Salary : $102,969

Job Openings : 218

Most of the top paying jobs in America belongs to tech field and IT Program Manager is one of them. As IT Program Manager, your job is to oversee and handle a team of Information system professionals who are engaged in various projects.

15. Solutions Architect

Median Base Salary : $102,160

Job Openings : 5,899

The demands for Solution Architect is notably increasing. Their main role is to design, describe, and manage the solution engineering in relation to specific business programs. In rapidly changing tech environment, some organizations face the need to change their system and process to meet the emerging business requirements and that’s where Solutions Architects come in rescue!

16. Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Median Base Salary : $102,155

Job Openings : 108

Financial Planning and Analysis Manager or simply FP&A Managers are in charge of business forecasting. The job is to oversee company’s finances with a critical eye and also to introduce strategies for improvement. For small companies, the role is being handled by the business owner but as the company grows, a full time FP&A Manager is definitely a must!

17. Data Architect

Median Base Salary : $101,900

Job Openings : 1,472

A data architect is responsible for designing, creating, deploying and managing an organization's data architecture. It remains to be one of the highest paying technology related occupations in the US and the demand is notably increasing every year.

18. Strategy Manager

Median Base Salary : $101,754

Job Openings : 2,641

One of the newest additions in this year’s survey are the Strategy Managers. Their main role is to handle various projects that can contribute to the company’s success. They focus on achieving business results, improving customer satisfaction, beating the competition and creating long term solutions for the company.

19. Systems Architect

Median Base Salary : $100,984

Job Openings : 1,146

They are the technology professionals who develop and implement computer systems and networks for an organization. Their job is to define the architecture of a system in order to fulfill certain requirements. In US, a senior system architect salary can go up to $119,455 but will still depend on level of expertise and number of years in service.

20. Scrum Master

Median Base Salary : $98,239

Job Openings : 1,876

Scrum masters are the facilitators in agile development team that manage the process for how information is exchanged. Although the term sounds powerful, scrum masters are not project managers or leaders and they are not accountable for the outcomes.

21. Consulting Manager

Median Base Salary : $97,154

Job Openings : 1,536

Management consultants can help businesses improve their performance and grow by solving problems and finding new and better ways of doing things.They earn an average of $90k per year but will still vary in terms of their level of expertise and number of years in the business. A Senior Consultant for instance can earn up to $111k.

22. Attorney

Median Base Salary : $96,678

Job Openings : 903

A majority of lawyers work in private and corporate legal offices.  Some are also employed in local, state and federal governments. Salaries of experienced lawyers will vary according to the type, size, and location of their employer. Lawyers who own their own practices usually earn less than those who are partners in law firms.

23. Cloud Engineer

Median Base Salary : $96,449

Job Openings : 1,077

Cloud engineers are responsible for bringing a systematic approach to concerns of commercialization, standardization and governance of cloud computing applications. This new and growing field has an average salary of $96k  and the demand for cloud engineers are notably increasing every year.

24. Tax Manager

Median Base Salary : $96,175

Job Openings : 3,690

Tax managers are responsible for keeping businesses complaint with various local, state and federal tax regulations. Their role is to perform estimations, analysis, planning, and research and oversee audits. The salary will vary depending on how huge their employers are and also depends on their level of expertise and number of years in service.

25. Data Scientist

Median Base Salary : $96,116

Job Openings : 4,986

Data Scientist use statistical methods to collect and analyze data and help solve real world problems in business, engineering , sciences and other fields. Data Scientist is truly a hard role to fill and it is not really surprising why they get paid so much.