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.