The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published its most recent list of National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates on March 20, 2018, based on data from May 2017. Hedge fund managers get all the attention, but when you look at mean salaries, jobs in the health care field dominate this list. For comparison, we also provide data from the 2017 list, which is based on data from May 2016. Healthcare jobs topped the list, and the sector's future is very bright. According to the BLS, employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026 - adding about 2.4 million new jobs. The BLS notes, "This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services." Read on:
Top 10 Highest Paying USA Jobs of 2018
1. Anesthesiologists
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $265,990
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $232,280
The BLS defines anesthesiologists as, "Physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery, or other medical procedures." Anesthesiologists were ranked first the previous year as well. There are approximately 32,590 anesthesiologists in the U.S., per the most recent BLS data.
2. Surgeons
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $251,890
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $252,910
The BLS defines this category as: "Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation." There are approximately 38,600 surgeons in the U.S., according to the most recent BLS data.
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $242,740
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $232,870
According to the Labor Department-affiliated job database, this is what a maxillofacial surgeon is responsible for: Administer general and local anesthetics, Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants, and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments. Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
4. Ob/Gyn
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $235,240
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $234,310
Obstetricians and gynecologists, the doctors specializing in female reproductive health and childbirth, dropped one spot from the 2013 data, swapping places with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
5. Orthodontists
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $229,380
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $228,780
Orthodontists, who specialize in braces and other corrective measures for the teeth, moved up one spot from the 2013 data. There are about 5080 orthodontists in the U.S.
6. Psychiatrists
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $216,090
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $200,220
Psychiatrists, a specialty falling under the M.D. category (as opposed to psychologists), rose from ninth place to sixth place between 2013 and 2018. Their salary got a significant bump; inflation rose 6.6% between the years from which the data is taken, whereas the salary went up 33%.
7. Physicians and Surgeons
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $214,700
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $210,170
This includes the broad category comprising physicians and surgeons. Per the BLS, employment in this field is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, "due to increased demand for healthcare services by the growing and aging population."
8. Family and General Practitioners
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $208,560
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $200,810
The BLS defines this category as, "Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment."
9. Internists, General
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $198,370
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $201,840
The BLS defines an internist as, "Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs."
10. Prosthodontists
- 2018 report mean annual wage: $196,960
- 2017 report mean annual wage: $168,140
According to the BLS, prosthodontists "construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures to correct natural and acquired deformation of mouth and jaws, to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking, and to improve appearance." There are only about 430 prosthodontists in the U.S.
