The Average Income Of These 10 Upper-Class Jobs

High pay is relative, but some roles consistently remain on the ladder's highest rung. But apart from money, what defines an "upper-class" job? According to a recent US wage report on the highest-paying American jobs, these roles are distinguished not only by substantial paychecks but also by significant responsibility, advanced skills, and strong market demand. Careers in medicine and finance, for instance, require years of rigorous, specialized training that ultimately commands six- or seven-figure incomes. While the conventional roadmap to a financially rewarding career has long been paved with extensive university education, this well-trodden path is no longer the only way to the top. Today's dynamic labor market offers numerous jobs that pay well without a college degree, proving that entrepreneurial drive can be as valuable as a diploma.

These high-paying jobs in the U.S. span the medical field, finance, and technology — each with immense earning potential. Of course, other occupations earn a similar amount of money, but the ones on this list stand firmly at the top. If you are looking for the best jobs for early retirement, the elite professions mentioned here may inspire you to pursue an alternative career path and begin a fresh chapter with a renewed purpose and focus. It is never too late to start anew. After all, if you want to have something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done.

How much money do investment bankers make? It depends on several factors, but in general, they earn more than a life-saving surgeon. An investment banker acts as a middleman for corporations, governments, and other large entities, offering capital raising and financial advisory services. Capital raising involves issuing stocks (equity) and bonds (debt) to investors, while the advisory aspect is most prominent in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Working in this field is exceptionally demanding, spanning intensive financial modeling, company valuation, market research, and the drafting of complex legal documents for transactions. The journey into and through capital allocation begins with a two-to-three-year analyst program after university. Upon completion, many analysts seek roles in private equity or at hedge funds. Others opt for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with the goal of returning to the banking sector and reaching a more senior "Associate" level.

In terms of income, a first-year analyst at a premier "bulge bracket" bank in a major financial hub like New York, such as Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan, expects a base salary of around $100,000, according to Wall Street Prep — perhaps not too much. But they also receive a year-end bonus ranging from $70,000 to $90,000, with top-ranked analysts reaching bonuses as high as $100,000. This results in a total all-in compensation package of $170,000 to $190,000 for a recent university graduate. But the real money comes with seniority. To illustrate, a Vice President (VP) with five to eight years of experience can expect a compensation upwards of $500,000, plus bonuses that are tied to the firm's profitability for that year.

The current technological boom of Artificial Intelligence demands seasoned professionals; AI engineers are stepping forward to address this immense task. An AI engineer role covers a hybrid of software development and data science to handle vast databases and sophisticated frameworks (e.g., PyTorch and TensorFlow). The primary goal is to create models that learn from data, make predictions, and automate tasks that previously required human intervention. In terms of payment, the field of artificial intelligence is the highest-paying and most in-demand specialty within technology today. This is driven by the explosive appetite for talent that far outstrips the available supply, an imbalance that commands premium paychecks.

Average annual base salaries for AI engineers, according to Zip Recruiter, are reported in the range of $134,000 to over $175,000, with other sources suggesting even $300,000 for experienced professionals at top firms.To work in this technological sector, a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field is the minimum entry requirement. However, because of the complexity and research-oriented nature of the job, many of the most sought-after neural network roles ask for a master's or PhD specializing in machine learning. The career path often starts with a role as a data scientist or software engineer. From there, it moves to senior AI engineer, lead AI engineer, and potentially to higher executive positions like Head of AI. But in this always-shifting environment, knowledge is never complete. Given the blistering pace of innovation, experts in this area must be engaged in continuous training to stay relevant and effective.

Within a company, holding the Chief Executive Officer title is the highest-ranking position. Vested with the main responsibility for success, the CEO's role dictates and shapes corporate policy, provides strategic direction, and oversees the organization's operational and financial health. Apart from linking the board of directors, shareholders, and the company's management, the CEO is also the public face of the organization — much like Elon Musk with Tesla and SpaceX. But these "fancy" duties carry direct accountability for performance; as a result, CEO compensation is directly tied to results. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $193,850 — a common figure for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) or non-profits — this number doesn't capture the reality for leaders of large, public corporations.

For CEOs of S&P 500 companies, total compensation packages are often in the multi-millions, composed of a base salary, annual bonuses, and substantial awards. A prime example is Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO, who, as reported by CNBC, made $10.73 million in 2024. But those astronomical figures hinge on the company's stock success and the achievement of key revenue targets. Now, contrary to medical or technological roles, there is no single, set-in-stone path to becoming a CEO. A professional with a bachelor's degree and an MBA can sit in the big chair, but a factory machine operator could do the job just as effectively. A low-ranking employee may climb the corporate ladder over decades of management experience, leadership, training, and a deep understanding of the business, from manufacturing to administration.

A pilot is a highly-trained professional in charge of the safe operation of an aircraft, whether carrying passengers or cargo. But their role involves more than just flying an air taxi. Before takeoff, pilots check the state of the airplane, analyze weather, and file a detailed flight plan. In the skies, they navigate complex routes, monitor all systems, and stay in constant touch with air traffic controllers. Being a pilot demands unwavering focus, rapid decision-making, and the ability to keep cool in high-stress situations; they have little time to think when they're flying 30,000 feet above the ground at over 800 km/h. To ascend in this career, you'll need a significant investment, a string of licenses, and thousands of flight hours.

The primary credential is the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which requires at least 1,500 hours of flight time. A pilot's professional journey starts with a private pilot license, followed by an instrument rating and a commercial pilot qualification. Talking about income, an airline pilot's salary is among the highest for professions not requiring a doctorate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual compensation for a pilot, copilot, and flight engineer is around $226,600 –– close to a cardiologist's. This compensation is based on an hourly rate and varies depending on the airline, the type of plane flown (e.g., a regional jet versus a wide-body plane), and the seniority. For example, pilots with a ton of experience under their belts and flying on international routes can earn over $350 per hour, resulting in salaries that exceed $500,000 or even $700,000 at the top of the pay scale. While airline pilots command high salaries, other aviation roles are also lucrative; for instance, the average income of a helicopter pilot reflects the high demand for specialized flying skills.

The practice of dermatology is unlike any other, as it combines medical, surgical, and aesthetic disciplines. Dermatologists are physicians who specialize in skin, hair, and nail health, addressing over 3,000 different diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema. But the bulk of their job focuses on detecting and fighting skin cancer, for which they train in Mohs surgery — a precise technique that removes cancerous tissue while preserving healthy skin. Another facet of dermatologists — perhaps the most profitable — involves a wide range of appearance-related services, including administering Botox and fillers, performing laser surgery to address wrinkles or sun damage, and treating esthetic concerns like acne scarring.

Expert surgical skills, high patient demand, and the lucrative nature of cosmetic procedures make dermatology one of the highest-paying medical specialties. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for dermatologists is about $239,200. However, ZipRecruiter reports higher figures, ranging from $376,749 to $400,000, and in some cases even more. As with other healthcare fields, qualifying as a dermatologist requires eight years of rigorous study to earn an M.D. or D.O. degree, followed by a one-year internship in a broad field like internal medicine or general surgery. And then residency, which lasts at least three years, where doctors gain expertise in diagnosing and treating skin conditions, interpreting biopsies, and performing surgical and cosmetic procedures. It's a challenging path, but those who dedicate their hearts and effort can ultimately reap the fruits of success.

The average income of a cardiologist will make you pause. Because of their extensive training and immense responsibility, the BLS places these medical specialists' annual pay at or above $239,200. However, Barton Associates cites the median compensation of $421,330, while Medscape finds the mean cardiologist salary to be $507,000. As highly specialized physicians, cardiologists diagnose, treat, and manage a wide spectrum of conditions affecting the circulatory system, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), and congenital heart defects. Their work is critical as heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. But their job is not limited to analyzing or treating. Cardiologists also perform complex invasive procedures, such as cardiac catheterization to clear blockages, or implant pacemakers and defibrillators to regulate heart rhythms.

The path to becoming a cardiologist is far from short or simple, requiring at least 14 years of post-secondary education and training. First, you need a four-year bachelor's degree followed by four years of medical school to earn either a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. After that, you must complete a three-year residency in internal medicine and then a three- to four-year fellowship in cardiovascular disease. Throughout this process, it's essential to pass all stages of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and obtain a state medical license. The last step is achieving certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in both internal medicine and cardiology — a rigorous expertise validation.

Surgery is a medical specialty that requires extensive knowledge with high levels of discipline and practice. But the immense weight of the role, coupled with life-or-death calls, is matched by a well-compensated remuneration. While the BLS lists the median annual pay for surgeons at around $297,800, more specific reports position them at a higher rank. Medscape shows the average income for surgeons at $402,000, but neurosurgeons often earn upwards of $700,000. A surgeon is a physician who treats diseases and deformities through operative procedures, leads surgical teams, and bears the ultimate responsibility for the patient's care. Before getting into the operating room, surgeons run a preoperative diagnosis to check the patient. During the procedure, they must make critical real-time decisions on the patient's health and safety while performing technically demanding tasks.

Becoming a surgeon takes between 13 and 17 years of extensive studies and hands-on work — one of the longest in medicine. First, they need a four-year bachelor's degree and four years of medical school. After those eight years, surgeons enter a surgical residency program, which lasts five years for general surgery and can extend to seven years for neurosurgery. After over a decade-plus of training, many surgeons pursue an additional three-year fellowship to sub-specialize in trauma, cardiothoracic, or pediatric surgery. This extensive journey highlights how long it can take for a doctor to start making money. If you're interested in this career, consider that beyond manual dexterity and medical knowledge, you should have a profound sense of leadership and communication skills to coordinate an entire surgical crew.

You might think that an anesthesiologist doesn't earn as much as a cardiologist or surgeon, but these top-tier specialized doctors also make a ton of money. An anesthesiologist's median salary is placed at around $339,470, as reported by BLS. But data from job market aggregator ZipRecruiter shows an even higher level of compensation, revealing $393,215 per year, with top earners easily surpassing the $400,000 barrier. Since the average American spends a significant amount on healthcare, it comes as no surprise that specialists who provide this care are also compensated accordingly. What is an anesthesiologist's day-to-day job? Before a surgical procedure, they conduct a thorough preoperative assessment to create a tailored anesthesia plan.

During the operation, they are the patient's guardian angels, administering drugs to manage pain and consciousness while monitoring vital signs, such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. If something goes wrong while in the operating room, anesthesiologists are trained to react in a flash to any complications. After the surgery, they oversee the patient's recovery as they emerge from anesthesia, managing any postoperative pain or side effects. When it comes to education, an anesthesiologist follows a similar path to surgeons or cardiologists: a four-year bachelor's degree program, four years of medical school, a four-year residency, a one-year internship, and three years of specialized clinical training. To practice in hospitals or private clinics, anesthesiologists must be licensed in their state and obtain certification from the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) or the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), which requires passing written and oral examinations.

The compensation for a Private Equity Partner comprises two main parts: a base salary with an annual bonus and a small share of the fund's profits — between 0.3% to 0.7% — known as carried interest. While the standard pay and bonus may range from $700,000 to over $2 million, these figures are dwarfed by what Partners can gain from that carried interest. PE firms traditionally receive 20% of a fund's profits after returning the initial capital to investors. For instance, if a successful $5 billion fund generates $5 billion in profit, the firm is entitled to $1 billion — meaning that a Partner might earn from $3 million to $7 million from that fund alone. Breaking into private equity begins with a two-year analyst program in investment banking, followed by a position as a PE Associate.

An MBA in finance, economics, and business from one of the world's most prestigious universities is often a critical step toward advancing to senior roles such as Vice President or Principal. Reaching the rank of Partner, however, is exceptionally difficult since it comes down to a trifecta of "politics, performance, and luck." It requires over a decade of proven record in sourcing, executing, and exiting profitable deals, as well as the right circumstances within the PE firm, like the retirement of an existing Partner or the launch of a new fund that creates a leadership opening. These hurdles should not be discouraging; on the contrary, they are powerful motivators to pursue the goal of becoming a PE Partner.

What a hedge fund manager can earn eclipses everything on this list, as their potential income is virtually uncapped. Top-performing portfolio managers, who run their own funds or administer vast sums of capital, can make millions in a single year. But how do they reach such insane figures? The answer lies in the compensation model known as the "2 and 20" fee structure — the primary driver for these earnings. The number "two" refers to the 2% management fee charged for running the fund regardless of the performance. For a manager of a $5 billion fund, this fee alone amounts to $100 million in one year. The "20" points to the 20% performance fee, tied directly to the returns the fund generates. For instance, if a fund makes $1 billion in profits, that fee would equal $200 million. This is a major incentive for delivering strong dividends.

A hedge fund manager is at the helm of a portfolio of investments, making decisions to yield high, or "alpha," returns for a pool of elite investors. Unlike mutual funds, hedge funds operate with fewer regulatory constraints, allowing for a wider array of complex and aggressive strategies, such as leverage (borrowed money), short-selling (betting against a stock), and investing in derivatives. To step into a hedge fund management role, you need a specific combination of analytical skills and a proven ability to generate returns. As for education, a background in finance, economics, mathematics, computer science, or even physics is highly valued. Early in their financial foray, many aspiring managers start on the "sell-side" as traders or research analysts at investment banks. This experience allows them to develop deep market knowledge before transitioning to the "buy-side" at a hedge fund.