29 Jobs That Pay Over $300k Per Year

Are there jobs that pay over 300k a year?

Assuming you have a 40-hour workweek (completing 50 weeks a year), a $300,000 yearly salary is about $145 to $150 per hour.

If you’re considering a course or career path, it may seem far-fetched to land 300k salary jobs after graduation. But, is it really?

These jobs prove that it’s possible. Hard, yes, but possible.

30 Jobs that Pay over 300k a Year across several Industries

There are many other 300k jobs, but these 30 job examples should give you an idea about the possible career paths you could pursue.

Medicine

The medical industry has the most number of jobs that pay over $300k. Some of them are:

1. Neurosurgeon ($363,000 to $510,000) – These doctors specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

2. Anesthesiologist ($278,000 to $349,000) – These medical professionals are physicians specializing in perioperative care, developing anesthetic plans, and the administration of anesthetics.

3. Radiologist ($380,000 to $505,000) – These doctors specialize in the diagnosis of diseases by using x-rays, fusion imaging, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound, and other medical imaging techniques.

4. Orthopedic Surgeon (around $306,000) – These medical doctors are trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the nerves, joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, and the entire musculoskeletal system.

5. Dermatologist ($313,000 to $425,000) – Dermatologists are medical doctors specializing in conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails.

6. Oncologist ($310,000 to $400,000) – These doctors specialize in all kinds of cancers. They can specialize in a particular group of cancer.

7. Cardiothoracic surgeon ($333,000 to $449,000) – These doctors operate on the organs located in the chest (cardiothoracic) cavity, so any disease and health condition of the heart or lungs falls under their responsibility.

8. Obstetrics and gynecology physician (OB/GYN) ($260,000 and $363,000) – These doctors specialize in female productive health, treating women with reproductive health issues and providing care to women throughout their pregnancies until delivery.

9. Urologist ($178,000 to 523,000) – Urologists examine, diagnose and treat conditions and disorders of the genitourinary tracts and organs.

10. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist ($276,000 to $320,000) – CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing specialty. They are trained and certified to administer anesthesia for surgery, labor, and delivery, emergency care, or pain management.

11. Cardiologist ($375,000 to $563,000) – These doctors specialize in the care of patients’ heart and blood vessels.

12. Plastic surgeon ($286,000 to $466,000) – These doctors are trained at performing reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.

13. Pediatrician ($170,000 to $395,000) – These medical doctors serve as the primary care providers of children from birth until 18 years old.

Law

14. Lawfirm Partner ($243,000 to $406,000) – This lawyer is a partial owner of the firm who generates revenue in exchange for a share of ownership and profits.

15. Chief legal officers (CLOs) ($207,000 to $338,000) – Also known as “general counsel”, these CLOs head the law departments of corporations.

Business

16. Investment banker ($300,000 to $10,000,000) – This banking professional works for a financial institution or corporation. He/she is responsible for raising capital for individuals or businesses by using their analytical prowess, industry expertise, and analysis.

Investment bankers could also serve as financial advisers to CEOs and other high-earning professionals.

17. Corporate Controller ($249,000 to $335,000) – This senior-level position is responsible for managing and reviewing the financial and accounting functions of any company. Corporate controllers oversee billing, accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, and more.

18. Senior Securities Trader ($197,000 to $300,000) – Also known as a share trader, stock investor, stock trader or equity trader, a senior securities trader is someone experienced in buying and selling tradable assets, such as bonds or stocks.

19. Mergers and Acquisitions banker ($300,000 to $550,000) – The role of mergers and acquisitions bankers is to advise companies and execute transactions such as selling businesses to buyers, acquiring smaller companies, or divesting specific divisions or assets from other companies.

Research and Education

20. Professor of medicine ($227,000 to $409,000) – This professor teaches medical students in a university setting the practical experience needed to become future doctors.

21. Microbiologist ($206,000 to $315,000) – Medical biologists identify, treat, and prevent infectious diseases from spreading.

Information Technology

22. T6 software engineer ($250,000 to $536,000) – T6 software engineers are software engineers who lead large teams in developing information systems, installing them, and providing support to the systems they designed.

23. Corporate technology consultant ($,000 to $,000) – Corporate technology consultants provide expert advice to businesses on how to best use technology and software that would benefit their business.

Sometimes, these consultants even help build feature-rich software and tools that are most appropriate for the business to be able to thrive and compete with continuous innovation.

24. Principal software architect ($260,000 to $400,000) – As high-level decision-makers, the principal software architects are responsible for the direction of software design, list of tools to use, and technical standards. They review projects based on customer specifications and work with product managers, engineering teams and clients to bring their architectural visions into reality.

25. Distinguished engineer ($270,000 to $600,000) – Distinguished Engineers are recognized experts in multiple technology domains. They are usually known as problem-solvers with a decade or two of experience. Very few people make it to the level of distinguished engineer.

Military

26. Flight Surgeon ($290,000 to $450,000) – The job of flight surgeons is exceptionally specific – they are the primary care physicians of military aviation personnel.

Sales

27. Freelance real estate agents ($175,000 to $300,000) – Not all real estate agents can say that their jobs pay 300k a year, but some do. If they’re located in a state with high-value real estate (such as New York, Vermont or Texas), they have a name that even regular folk know, their portfolio is extensive, and they own their real estate business, these real estate agents can take home $300k or more.

28. Enterprise IT/software sales ($172,000 to $303,000) – In sales, the more expensive the product or service you sell, the more money you tend to make. One of the most in-demand and high-paying industries salespeople can aim for is enterprise-level software/IT/SaaS and hardware, where average annual salaries are around $150k plus at least $150k as commissions.

29. Pharmaceutical sales representative ($365,000 to $500,000) – Like enterprise IT sales, salespeople involved in the pharmaceutical industry are able to take home over 300k a year thanks to the combination of their yearly salaries and commissions from every sale.

Because we know that big pharma makes billions of dollars each year, sales representatives working for major multinational companies have the capability of earning more than other sales jobs.

A Note about Leadership Jobs that Pay over 300k a Year

What kinds of jobs pay 300k per year?

As you can see from the list above, 300k-a-year jobs are more attainable to senior-level professionals (those who have been working on the same skilled job for over a decade). The qualifications or experience people need to land these jobs are not for fresh grads or entry-level positions.

CEOs, CFOs, managers, supervisors, and team leaders can easily fall under jobs that make 300k a year, but this still depends on the industry, the location of the job, and the person’s qualifications.

Make sure to check high-paying entry-level jobs if you’re looking at career options after high school, or the best jobs for the future if you’re worried about future-proofing.

If you’re looking for a change in your career, maybe these digital nomad jobs and non-phone jobs could help you get the ball running while you work on a better option.

Giant List of 25 Jobs that Pay $25 an Hour or More

Are you looking for jobs that pay 25 an hour?

As of 2022 Q4, only Washington DC has the highest minimum wage at $16.10 an hour, but while there are efforts to increase salaries across a dozen other states to $15/hour, the reality remains that many people still land jobs paid less than $12 an hour.

So is $25/hour even possible?

If you decide on a specific career path, YES! This post should help you in the right direction.

25 Jobs that Pay 25 an Hour

I intentionally didn’t include managers and supervisors from this list.

You can land jobs that pay 25 an hour even without a degree, but many jobs need certification.

Check out the list below:

1. Physical Therapist

  • Average salary: $44 an hour

The goal of physical therapists is to restore the movement of patients who suffered from injuries or degenerative diseases. They guide patients through physical movements and exercise as part of a treatment, rehabilitation, or preventative program.

2. Exercise physiologists

  • Average salary: $26 per hour

This job is similar to physical therapists, but exercise physiologists focus on relieving the symptoms of patients who suffered from injuries or degenerative diseases. They tailor a fitness program based on a patient’s potential risks, medical history, and unique case.

3. Culinary Chefs

  • Average salary: $26.80 per hour

Becoming a chef requires years of passion for preparing and presenting a wide range of culinary creations. You also need to supervise the entire kitchen operation, including your crew.

The job of a chef requires skills developed by experience and specific training, but a degree isn’t always necessary to land the position.

4. Education or Childcare Administrator

  • Average salary: $25.85 per hour

Administrators in the education industry design and oversee the learning and recreational activities of younger kids.

Whether you want a career in a childcare center or any other educational institution, you have to complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and have previous work experience in a similar field in order to land this position.

5. Corporate trainer

  • Average salary: $26 per hour

Corporate trainers are the teachers within a corporate work environment. They train employees and managers with their professional development, create training programs, find appropriate educational resources for the team, and more.

Qualifications for corporate trainers may vary, but a bachelor’s degree is often necessary along with an in-depth knowledge of their industry.

6. Researcher

  • Average salary: $28 an hour

Researchers collect, organize, examine and interpret information from a range of sources, and then assemble their researched data and present it to their employer.

The pathway to becoming a researcher varies. Some take up a degree in sociology or psychology to become social science researchers, while others complete a bachelor’s degree in economics or business administration to become a researcher for a corporate setting.

7. Industrial machinery mechanics

  • Average salary: $26 an hour

This type of mechanic operates and maintains industry machinery. He/she detects and corrects errors to prevent permanent damage to the machine or cause damage to the products processed by the machine.

Many mechanics complete a type of Industrial Maintenance Technology program, then land jobs at equipment manufacturers. Bachelor’s degree isn’t required, but certification may be needed.

8. Commercial Pilot

  • Average salary: $41 an hour

Commercial pilots are not licensed to fly a plane for airlines. Instead, they fly air ambulances, charter planes, agricultural flights, jump planes, and more.

Commercial pilots do not require a bachelor’s degree, but they require licensure via the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

9. Sheet Metal Fabricators

  • Average salary: $26 per hour

Sheet metal fabricators create products made from thinly manufactured sheets of metal. They utilize tools or work with their hands in order to manufacture products like air ducts for ventilation systems.

Aside from a high school diploma, those interested in this job often undergo apprenticeships for 3 to 5 years before becoming sheet metal fabricators themselves. An alternative is a program from a technical or vocational school.

10. Medical Repair Technicians

  • Average salary: $27 per hour

Also known as biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), medical equipment repair technicians are responsible for repairing various hydraulic, electronic, or electromechanical equipment used by health practitioners in hospitals or other medical settings.

Learning how to repair medical equipment such as ventilators, EKG machines, electroencephalogram machines, x-ray machines, etc. requires an associate’s degree in biomedical technology or engineering. Sometimes, a bachelor’s degree may be required.

11. HVAC Technicians

  • Average salary: $25.75 per hour

HVAC technicians install or repair the climate control systems (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) of homes, offices, factories, and other indoor settings.

While it is possible to start a career in this field without an HVAC degree, you have to complete an HVAC training program either at a vocational school, or take up an associate in science degree in RACH (refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating).

12. Mortgage broker

  • Average salary: $38 an hour

The job of a mortgage broker is to match home borrowers with potential lenders in hopes of getting the best possible mortgage terms for the borrower.

Mortgage brokers need to have a high school diploma and an individual license from the Nationwide Multi-State Licensing System and Registry (NMLS).

13. Real estate appraiser

  • Average salary: $41 an hour

Real estate appraisers are trained at providing an objective opinion and market value of a real estate property and other assets such as jewelry, art, or family heirlooms.

You’ll need to complete a 75-hour Trainee Appraiser course, and pass the required exams, which would lead to a trainee license from your state. It would take a year or two of work experience under a supervisor for one to become a real estate appraiser.

14. Computer programmer

  • Average salary: $38 an hour

Computer programmers write and test code so that computer applications and software programs function properly.

There are many pathways one could take to become a computer programmer. Formal training isn’t even required, but if you want, you can complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science or any similar course. Specialization in programming languages also helps.

15. Network and Computer Systems Administrators

  • Average salary: $38.75 an hour

Network and computer systems administrators organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems. This includes the day-to-day operations and maintenance of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.

Aside from a bachelor’s in IT, computer science, or computer engineering, someone interested in becoming a network and computer systems administrator should focus on working with computer hardware.

16. Database Administrators and Architects

  • Average salary: $47 an hour

Database administrators and architects ensure that an organization’s database is secured, updated, and organized. Databases are used in storing and securing data, such as customer information, financial information, product description and more.

A Bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field is often the pathway to this career.

17. Software developer

  • Average salary: $42 an hour

Software developers are responsible for developing, designing, and building computer programs.

Earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science. This role requires continuous learning as software updates at a fast pace.

18. Mobile App Developer

  • Average salary: $48 an hour

The demand for mobile app development is expected to grow up to 26% in the next few years.

As a mobile app developer, you get to create apps for Android, iOS, or other kinds of mobile devices.

You can study traditionally and earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science (or a similar field), or self-study all programming languages you can find and practice building apps constantly.

19. Firefighters

  • Average salary: $25.24 an hour

Essential first responders like firefighters are always in demand. They have a hazardous, but fulfilling profession.

Aside from having the physical stamina and mental capacity to be one, firefighters must also hold a high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, pass drug screening, and criminal background checks, then earn an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license and other appropriate certifications.

20. Traffic technician

  • Average salary: $25.60 an hour

Traffic technicians assist civil engineers in the maintenance of roads and traffic control equipment like stoplights.

To become a traffic technician, one needs to earn a high school diploma or pursue a degree in city planning or a vocational course with CAD mastery.

21. Bailiff

  • Average salary: $25 an hour

The bailiff or court security officer oversees the security in the courtroom and all participants, handles evidence, escorts inmates, and generally maintains order inside the courtroom.

You’ll need a high school diploma, a clean criminal record, and a law enforcement certification to become a bailiff.

22. Legal Secretary

  • Average salary: $27 an hour

Legal secretaries provide assistance to lawyers, from administrative duties to research and any other tasks necessary to support litigation or just the day-to-day operations of a law office/department, courts, banks, large corporations and other settings.

To become a legal secretary, one only needs a high school diploma, but applicants can get an edge if they have a legal secretary associate degree or certification.

23. Economist

  • Average salary: $41 per hour

Economists are responsible for studying and reviewing the economy, predicting consumer trends, and looking for new opportunities on behalf of a bank, or corporation.

Unlike other jobs that pay 25 an hour (or more) I listed here, economists require a Master’s degree in statistics, mathematics, finance, accounting, or other business courses.

24. Technical Writer

  • Average salary: $35 per hour

Technical writers are writers skilled in a specific field. They write informative documents, such as instruction manuals, technology reviews, or how-to guides.

Anyone with a flair for writing can be a technical writer, as long as written samples are available to gauge their skills. Traditional writing courses are also available if you wish to obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

25. Voiceover artist

  • Average salary: $30 per hour

Voiceover artists provide narration for different types of media, such as audiobooks, YouTube videos, animation, tutorials, and more.

Formal training isn’t necessary to become a voiceover artist, but you need to have the skills (“the voice”) to do the job and work experience.

How to Land Jobs that Pay 25 an Hour (or More)

$25 an hour jobs: how much is that in yearly salary?

The answer depends on whether you work part-time (30 hours a week) or full-time (40 hours a week). $25 an hour equals around $39,000 part-time to $52,000 full-time annually.

Note that the salaries of the jobs I listed above could still vary, depending on where you live.

As you can see, only a few jobs that pay 25 an hour are aimed at fresh graduates or entry-level positions.

In fact, manager or supervisor-level jobs paying 25 an hour are widely available. If you don’t have enough experience or the credentials to apply to a managerial position, your best bet is to find certificates you can add to your skillset to make your resume much more appealing.

Go here if you’re looking for high-paying entry-level jobs, or the best jobs for the future.

25 Quick Certifications that Pay Well to Check Out

Whether you’re looking to advance your career or jump into a new one entirely, this list of quick certifications that pay well will help you increase your pay grade.

Certifications are the best route for anyone who:

  • Wishes to gain more skills and knowledge about their field
  • Set themselves apart when aiming to land a new position (or get promoted), or
  • Switch to another profession without taking another 4-year course.

You can complete many of these certifications in under two years, so the investment is well worth the effort.

25 Quick Certifications that Pay Well

The following certifications range widely between industries. I’ve categorized them into 6 of the most common industries.

IT/TECH

Since technology evolves at such a rapid pace, it’s understandable that IT probably has the most number of quick certifications that pay well.

The following are just a tiny sample IT certifications available today:

1. Data Scientist

Data Science is a field in the tech world that combines machine learning, computer science, statistics, data mining, and business analytics, among others.

Data scientists earn between $35 and $60 an hour, depending on their specialization.

2. AI Specialist

Earning an average of $50/hour, Artificial Intelligence specialists may just be a subfield of computer science, but it tackles a wide range of hardware and software foundations from deep learning to data mining.

3. Cloud Computing Professional

Getting to know cloud computing in-depth can get you a job that earns at least $50 an hour.

This field is in demand since more and more companies are adapting to cloud technology.

You can begin with a Google Cloud Certification or Amazon’s AWS Certification.

4. Web Development

A career in web development doesn’t offer as high a salary as AI or Big Data, but it does offer stability (it has a job growth of 13% through 2028).

Web developers earn between $30 and $55 an hour, depending on specialization.

5. Programming Languages

As anyone who works in IT can attest, every programming language they learn increases their pay grade significantly.

There are plenty of options, from Python to Java, C++, C#, Ruby on Rails, and more. You can learn just one at a time and still be able to negotiate better pay or have an edge over your competition.

BUSINESS

These business certifications could be your solution for jump-starting your career or trying to bolster your credentials and experience.

6. Real Estate Agent or Broker

The certifications and designations in the real estate industry usually involve the completion of a course (or two), passing the exam, and paying dues annually.

The length of the course and the fees depend largely on the type of certifications you decided to take.

7. Business Analytics

Earning about $40 per hour, business analysts are experts in business process management, database management, and bridging the gap between IT and business using big data and analytics.

8. Digital Marketing

There are numerous areas to focus on in digital marketing, such as Search Engine Optimization, online advertising, email marketing, and social media marketing, among others. Fortunately, they can all be completed online.

The average digital marketer’s hourly salary is $60 per hour.

9. Salesforce Admin/Developer

Salesforce is the world’s #1 customer relationship management (CRM) platform, so if you’re in the sales, marketing, e-commerce and IT industry, becoming an expert in Salesforce could do your career a huge advantage.

The good news is, you don’t need to overwhelm yourself with options because Salesforce is the only focus of the certification.

10. Supply Chain Professional

Earning this certification can help in advancing your expertise in supply chain management. You can expect to earn between $50 and $65 per hour.

TRADES

If you decided trade for your career path, check out these quick certifications that pay well:

11. Welder

Welding is one of the most rewarding and quick certifications that pay well.

It takes several months to get this certification and work in sectors like engineering and construction, but you’d have to work your way up from apprentice to a senior welder.

12. HVACR Technician

Many states require that HVACR technicians have a license before they are able to work independently and earn from $28 to $32 an hour.

An HVACR certification not only ensures you have the skills and knowledge to become an HVACR technician, it also prepares you to take all the required exams.

13. Brick mason

Becoming a brick mason doesn’t lead to the highest-paying trade jobs around. But if you’re after a quick coursework, you can earn up to $25 an hour as a mason.

14. Carpenter

With time and effort, anyone can be a carpenter. But certifications serve as a guarantee to employers that you know your stuff.

Salaries of certified carpenters range from $25 to $35, depending on the level of experience or

15. Solar Photovoltaic Installer

This in-demand job earns $30 to $38 and requires only a high school diploma and certification from a trade school.

While it isn’t the highest-paid trade around, the job outlook is definitely more positive than others on this list.

LIFESTYLE

For people who would like a non-traditional job that doesn’t keep you boxed in a cubicle, these certifications could lead you to your dream job:

16. Firefighter

Firefighting isn’t just about putting out fires, but getting certifications is the easiest way to learn or improve safety knowledge, rescue skills, and medical care the right way. As a firefighter, you then get to earn from $28 to $38 an hour.

17. Flight Attendant

Flight attendant salaries are different from ordinary jobs because they use “guaranteed hours per month” (about 70 to 80 hours) with an average of $45 per hour, plus free travel, paid vacation and health insurance.

On top of flight attendant school, there are certifications that allow you to do your job more efficiently. First Aid, Certified Travel Associate (sales), dispatch, and management are useful certifications to check out.

18. Makeup Artist

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a growth in jobs in the field of beauty over the next couple of years.

As aspiring makeup artists, several types of certifications can be beneficial to your profession. It could increase your rate from the $64/hour average wage for a freelance make-up artist to about $83/hour for cinema makeup.

19. Air Traffic Controller

The job of an air traffic controller may seem simple, but coordinating the movement of aircraft is a skill that ensures the safety of thousands of people each day. It’s no wonder they’re paid a premium (sometimes about $80 an hour).

The most up-to-date certifications for air traffic controllers are available at the Federal Aviation Administration.

20. Choreographer

Choreographers earn around $50 to $100 per hour, but those who develop their original work earn higher.

While many choreographers get to their positions by slowly rising through the ranks, certifications and formal training are also good pathways.

MEDICAL

Medical certifications are often sought after by medical professionals eager to switch careers within the medical field or increase their pay grades. Like IT, this industry has a lot of quick certifications that pay well. Here are several examples:

21. Ultrasound technician

Ultrasonographers or ultrasound technicians earn starting from $50 an hour. It is one of the most in-demand and quick certifications that pay well with a 15% job outlook through 2031.

The most popular certifications include The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

22. Dental Hygienist

To assist dentists, dental hygienists require certifications (either online or offline) in order to earn $43/hour.

The career path toward a dental hygienist job is longer than other certifications on this list, but professionals who choose this career usually do so because they’re already working within a dental clinic.

23. Radiation therapist

A radiation therapist certification provides radiation therapists with the necessary training and knowledge they need to administer radiation therapy accurately.

It is not uncommon for experienced radiation therapists to make up to $130,000 a year (about $40 to $60 an hour).

24. Certified Nurse Assistant

CNA certifications are available in various institutions like local hospitals and schools (community colleges, high schools, vocational or technical schools). The courses range from several months to 2 years with fees that start at $1,000.

25. MRI technologist

The cool thing about careers that focus on one particular machine, program, or subspecialization is that the path toward that profession is more straightforward than jobs with a ton of certification options.

To become an MRI technologist and provide diagnostic imaging for patients and doctors, one has to get certified at the national level via the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT).

Cost of Quick Certifications that Pay Well

The goal is for these certifications to lead to a better-paying or high-paying job, but you have to invest money upfront first.

The certifications above cost between $1,000 and $60,000 (some higher). The good news is they don’t last for over two years, which means you can complete them quicker and for less money than you’d spend obtaining a four-year Bachelor’s degree or a significantly more expensive Master’s degree.

If you need a side gig while you’re completing any of these courses, check out these no-brainer gigs that you can squeeze into your schedule:

Of course, these gigs cannot replace what a 9-to-5 salary provides. I recommend supplementing with these side hustles only until you achieve your original goal.