After taking time to analyze how much each medical job pays, this article focuses on fifteen of the highest-paying medical jobs in America. The list is based on reliable estimates by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the healthcare industry will grow by 14% between 2018 and 2028, more than all other occupations.
This growth will see an additional 1.9 million new jobs created. The data also showed that the median annual wage for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations was almost twice that of all the other occupations.
Highest-paying medical jobs in America
The highest-paying medical jobs in the U.S. include anesthesiologists, surgeons, oral & maxillofacial surgeons, obstetricians & gynecologists, orthodontists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, pharmacists, family medicine physicians, and optometrists.
1. Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiology tops the list of the highest-paying medical jobs in the United States. Anesthesiologists are physicians who specialize in perioperative care, developing anesthetic plans, and administering anesthetics and analgesics to manage pain prior to, during & after surgery.
Anesthesiologists earn a mean hourly wage of $125.83 and a mean annual wage of $261,730, making them the best-paid medical practitioners in the United States.
2. Surgeons
Surgeons are physicians who perform surgical procedures to remove diseased tissues, replace diseased organs (organ transplant), repair body organs, etc. They are among the highest-paid medical practitioners in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgeons’ mean hourly wage is $121.17 while their mean annual wage is $252,040.
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgery and related procedures on soft and hard tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat injuries, diseases, or defects.
Some surgical procedures are also done to improve function or physical appearance. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn a mean hourly wage of $114.21 and a mean annual wage of $237,570.
4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
These are healthcare professionals tasked with providing medical care related to pregnancy and childbirth. They carry out diagnoses and help prevent and treat diseases of women, notably those affecting the reproductive system.
Apart from providing general care, they may also perform gynecological and medical surgery procedures. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that they earn $112.31 mean hourly wage and $233,610 mean annual wage.
5. Orthodontists
Orthodontic therapy is also among the highest-paying healthcare jobs in the United States. Orthodontists examine, diagnose, and treat oral cavity anomalies and dental malocclusions.
They also design and fabricate devices to realign teeth and jaws to improve appearance as well as maintain their normal functions. Orthodontists earn a mean hourly wage of $110.98 and a mean annual wage of $230,830.
6. Prosthodontists
Prosthodontists construct oral prostheses as a replacement for missing teeth and other oral structures. The goal can be to improve physical appearance, correct acquired or natural deformation of mouth and jaws, or restore and maintain normal oral functions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that prosthodontists earn a mean hourly wage of $106.17 and their mean annual wage is $220,840.
7. Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders. They are healthcare professionals who specialize in mental disorders, including disorders resulting from substance use.
Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are trained medical doctors, and for this reason, they can prescribe medications and spend much of their time with patients who are on medication management.
Psychiatrists earn a mean hourly wage of $105.98 and a mean annual wage of $220,430, making them among the highest-earning medical professionals in the U.S.
8. Family Medicine Physicians
Family medicine physicians offer diagnoses, treatments, and preventive care to individuals and families across their lifespans. They may refer their patients to specialists when necessary for further diagnosis or treatment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, family medicine physicians earn a mean hourly wage of $102.53 and a mean annual wage of $213,270.
9. Physicians and Ophthalmologists
They include cardiologists, dermatologists, emergency medicine physicians, neurologists, pathologists, radiologists, and ophthalmologists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these closely related professions have an average hourly wage of $97.81 and a mean annual wage of $203,450. General Internal Medicine Physicians earn $96.85 per hour and a mean annual wage of $201,440.
10. Pediatricians
Pediatricians are trained medical doctors tasked with managing the physical, mental, and behavioral care of children below 18 years. They are trained to do diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses, both minor and serious diseases.
Pediatricians earn a mean hourly wage of $88.66 and a mean annual wage of $184,410 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11. General Dentists
Dentists examine, diagnose, and treat dental diseases, injuries, and malformations. They can also treat pulp and nerve diseases along with other dental issues that affect oral hygiene.
Additionally, they may fit dental devices and provide preventive care for patients. Dentists make a mean hourly wage of $85.70 and a mean annual wage of $178,260.
12 Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse anesthetists are among the highest-paid medical professionals in the United States. They carry out vital roles such as administering anesthesia, overseeing patient recovery from anesthesia, and monitoring patients’ vital signs during medical procedures.
They may assist surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and other physicians. Nurse Anesthetists’ mean hourly wage is $87.04 while their mean annual wage is $181,040.
13. Podiatrists
A podiatrist, also known as a podiatric physician or surgeon, is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) who has been trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the human foot, ankle, and other related structures.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, podiatric physicians earn a mean hourly wage of $68.60 and a mean annual wage of $142,680.
14. Pharmacists
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and provide patients with information about medications and their use.
Pharmacists may also advise physicians and other health practitioners on medication selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects. They earn a mean hourly wage of $60.34 and a mean annual wage of $125,510.
15. Optometrists
To conclude our list of the highest paying healthcare jobs in America is the optometrists. Their roles include diagnosing, managing, and treating diseases and conditions of the human eye and the visual system.
They diagnose impairments or problems, provide treatment, and prescribe corrective lenses where necessary. They may also prescribe therapeutic drugs to help treat eye conditions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that optometrists earn a mean of $59.12 an hour and a mean annual wage of $122,980.
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Highest Paying Medical Jobs in 2023
If you wish to have a lucrative medical career, then these are just a few of the best-paying healthcare jobs in the United States in 2023. As you can see, most of these healthcare jobs pay more than $100,000 per year. However, it’s worth noting that entry-level wages are lower than the ones indicated here.