17% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Healthcare (2026)
Pediatric Surgeon tops this list at $559,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +1.5% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
Every occupation in the two SOC groups that make up the medical field, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, and healthcare support occupations, ranked by national median wage.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $261,245
- Projected to grow
- 30 of 30
- Openings a year
- 94,700
From 923 in the bank
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How we built this list
- Included when the occupation sits in the "healthcare practitioners and technical" (29-0000) or "healthcare support" (31-0000) SOC major groups: the two groups that make up what people call the medical field.
- Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS, so physicians and surgeons fill most of the top of the list.
- Physician wages are what BLS reports for people employed in the occupation; they do not net out the years of training or the debt taken on to qualify.
- BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The top 30 highest-paying jobs in healthcare
1. Pediatric Surgeon
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $559,030
- Growth
- +1.5%
- Openings/yr
- 0
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, premature and newborn infants, children, and adolescents.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
2. Cardiologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $496,010
- Growth
- +4.1%
- Openings/yr
- 600
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent diseases or conditions of the cardiovascular system.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
3. Radiologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $420,860
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings/yr
- 800
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasounds.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
4. Anesthesiologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $391,490
- Growth
- +3.2%
- Openings/yr
- 1,300
- Education
- Doctorate
Administer anesthetics and analgesics for pain management prior to, during, or after surgery.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
5. Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $358,550
- Growth
- +4.1%
- Openings/yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
6. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $352,220
- Growth
- +4.1%
- Openings/yr
- 200
- Education
- Doctorate
Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
7. Emergency Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $335,550
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings/yr
- 1,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Make immediate medical decisions and act to prevent death or further disability.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
8. Dermatologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $328,730
- Growth
- +6.4%
- Openings/yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
9. Pathologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $312,400
- Growth
- +4.2%
- Openings/yr
- 400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose diseases and conduct lab tests using organs, body tissues, and fluids.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
10. Prosthodontist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $311,180
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings/yr
- 0
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, rehabilitate, design, and fit prostheses that maintain oral function, health, and appearance for patients with clinical conditions associated with teeth, oral and maxillofacial tissues, or the jaw.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
11. Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $300,080
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings/yr
- 300
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
12. Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $292,910
- Growth
- +1.2%
- Openings/yr
- 600
- Education
- Doctorate
Provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
13. Orthodontist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $289,140
- Growth
- +4.4%
- Openings/yr
- 200
- Education
- Doctorate
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
14. Psychiatrist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $281,870
- Growth
- +6.1%
- Openings/yr
- 900
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
15. Allergist and Immunologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $265,930
- Growth
- +2.5%
- Openings/yr
- 9,600
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent allergic diseases and disease processes affecting the immune system.
Allergist and Immunologist salary & outlook →16. General Internal Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $256,560
- Growth
- +3.3%
- Openings/yr
- 2,100
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and provide nonsurgical treatment for a wide range of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
17. Neurologist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $248,560
- Growth
- +5.4%
- Openings/yr
- 300
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, manage, and treat disorders and diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, with a primarily nonsurgical focus.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
18. Family Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $244,180
- Growth
- +2.7%
- Openings/yr
- 3,300
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
19. Nurse Anesthetist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $236,590
- Growth
- +8.6%
- Openings/yr
- 2,700
- Education
- Master's
Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
20. Pediatrician, General
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $210,040
- Growth
- +0.8%
- Openings/yr
- 1,200
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in children.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
21. Dentist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $170,950
- Growth
- +4.1%
- Openings/yr
- 3,900
- Education
- Doctorate
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.
Dentist salary & outlook →22. Podiatrist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $160,300
- Growth
- +1.8%
- Openings/yr
- 300
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
23. Medical Dosimetrist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $147,470
- Growth
- +3.5%
- Openings/yr
- 200
- Education
- Bachelor's
Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
24. Pharmacist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $140,910
- Growth
- +4.6%
- Openings/yr
- 14,200
- Education
- Doctorate
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use.
Pharmacist salary & outlook →25. Optometrist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $136,570
- Growth
- +8.0%
- Openings/yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
26. Physician Assistant
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $135,880
- Growth
- +20.4%
- Openings/yr
- 12,000
- Education
- Master's
Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician.
Physician Assistant salary & outlook →27. Nurse Midwife
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $134,040
- Growth
- +11.1%
- Openings/yr
- 500
- Education
- Master's
Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
28. Nurse Practitioner
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $132,300
- Growth
- +40.1%
- Openings/yr
- 29,500
- Education
- Master's
Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Nurse Practitioner salary & outlook →29. Veterinarian
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $130,100
- Growth
- +9.6%
- Openings/yr
- 3,000
- Education
- Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
30. Naturopathic Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Median pay
- $115,210
- Growth
- +2.0%
- Openings/yr
- 2,400
- Education
- Master's
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases using a system of practice that is based on the natural healing capacity of individuals.
Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Healthcare: FAQ
What is the top career on the highest-paying jobs in healthcare list?
Pediatric Surgeon leads the list with a median wage of $559,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +1.5% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is doctorate.
How was this list put together?
Every occupation in the two SOC groups that make up the medical field, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, and healthcare support occupations, ranked by national median wage. Included when the occupation sits in the "healthcare practitioners and technical" (29-0000) or "healthcare support" (31-0000) SOC major groups: the two groups that make up what people call the medical field. Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS, so physicians and surgeons fill most of the top of the list. Physician wages are what BLS reports for people employed in the occupation; they do not net out the years of training or the debt taken on to qualify. BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.
How much do highest-paying jobs in healthcare pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $261,245 a year, from $115,210 at the bottom to $559,030 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
None. BLS lists an associate's degree or higher as the typical entry requirement for all 30 careers on this list.