When you set out to choose a career, you’ll likely be considering three factors: is it personally and professionally rewarding? Is it exciting? And does it pay well? Well, these careers tick all three boxes, particularly the latter. In fact, they are the highest-paying jobs in the world. So, if you’re looking for some inspiration – whether you’re considering your options after school or toying with the idea of changing careers – you’ve come to the right place. Without further ado, these are the 20 best-paying jobs across the planet, along with what they entail and how much they pay.
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The Highest-Paying Jobs In The World
1. Anaesthesiologist
Salary potential: $411,000 (US) / $192,000 (UK) / C$408,000 (Canada)
Just like surgeons, anaesthesiologists are trained physicians who specialise in perioperative care. They play an instrumental role within a surgical procedure, as they must ensure that the patient receives the correct type and dosage of anaesthesia while under the scalpel.
Becoming an anaesthesiologist is quite a long and exhaustive process, which usually requires 12 to 13 years of medical training. It’s no wonder, then, that they’re the top earners in the world!
2. Surgeon
Salary potential: $496,000 (US) / £120,000 (UK) / C$180,000 (Canada)
Surgeons are highly regarded medical professionals. For them, a typical day at the office involves carrying out preoperative diagnoses, performing surgical procedures and checking in with patients, post-operation. This is not a career for the faint-hearted, as you are expected to work long hours, deal with life and death situations, and be always on call.
In order to become a surgeon, you not only need to complete medical training to become a doctor but also spend an additional amount of years specialising in a specific field.
3. Physician
Salary potential: $227,000 (US) / £102,000 (UK) / C$252,000 (Canada)
Physicians can be divided into two different categories: general practitioners and specialist physicians. The former is usually the first point of contact for patients. Their broad knowledge of different conditions allows them to help patients suffering from the simplest cold to a rare disease. Specialist physicians, on the other hand, focus on clinical medicine and have extensive knowledge in the area they specialise in.
In order to become a physician, you need to complete a medical degree and join a residency programme before obtaining your physician licence. It might seem like a long road, but it is undoubtedly a rewarding one!
4. Orthodontist
Salary potential: $304,000 (US) / £291,000 (UK) / C$245,000 (Canada)
Orthodontists specialise in fixing crooked smiles, aligning teeth and treating dental disorders. They examine patients and fit them with the appropriate braces and retainers, helping them adjust the structure of their teeth and jaw.
Orthodontists go through the same training procedure as dentists. That said, they also need to complete a postgraduate orthodontist course after their initial dental degree.
5. Dentist
Salary potential: $213,000 (US) / £98,000 (UK) / C$206,000 (Canada)
With a spot in the top five highest-earning careers, jobs in dentistry are experiencing substantial growth.
A dentist advises patients on good dental care, maintains their dental hygiene, and diagnoses and treats problems. When necessary, they also carry out minor procedures.
Once you’re a qualified dentist, you can also choose to specialise in a particular area, but to start, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in dentistry and complete all the necessary practical training.
6. Chief Executives
Chief executive officers (CEOs) provide the direction for the company, setting goals, creating policies, and generally steering the corporate ship. CEOs often report to boards of directors and manage other leaders such as chief operating officers (COOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs).
Fortune-500 CEOs make a mint; in 2018, the Associated Press reported that the average CEO compensation at top companies exceeded $11 million per year.
Salary: The BLS reports that chief executives earn a median annual salary of $184,460, while top executives as a whole earn $104,690 per year.
Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of top executives is expected to increase 4% over the next decade.
7. Airline Pilots
Airline pilot is one of the highest-paying jobs which does a lot more than just fly the plane. Typically, they’re also responsible for a lot of the hard work that goes into making sure the plane flies safely and smoothly, including submitting flight plans, performing pre-flight aircraft checks, navigating in the air, and responding to emergencies and other changes in flight.
Airline pilots typically have a bachelor’s degree and must have the appropriate licensure from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Most start their careers as commercial pilots.
Salary: The BLS reports that airline pilots earn a median annual salary of $121,430.
Job Outlook 2019-2029: Per the BLS, employment of airline pilots is expected to increase 5% over the next decade.
