10 of the Highest Paying Careers in 2024
The first year or two of college is all about discovering what career you want to pursue. While some people know exactly what they want to do from a young age, other people are still searching for the perfect career path.
If you’re still on the fence, take a look at some of the top-paying career options out there.
1. Lawyer
Lawyers are one of the highest-paid professionals around. Being a lawyer requires going to law school, which is an additional three years after your four-year bachelor’s degree. The best part about becoming a lawyer is that there are several different branches you could work in.
Working for a firm such as Matthews Personal Injury Law can lead you to a job working as a personal injury lawyer. You’ll help individuals who have experienced any type of emotional, physical, or psychological injury.
Family lawyers, on the other hand, can assist with divorce cases, adoptions, guardianship, or welfare issues.
What type of lawyer you want to become all depends on your preference.
2. Anesthesiologists
One of the less acknowledged positions in the operating room is the anesthesiologist. They’re the one who administers anesthetics before, during, and after surgery.
It’s a critical role that requires extensive schooling. This includes a bachelor’s degree, medical degree, and a four-year residency. Working hours can be a bit sporadic as these professionals need to be available for both scheduled and emergency surgeries.
3. Marketing Manager
Business of all kinds need marketing to be successful. Marketing is simply used to describe elements of advertising. However, in the new digital age, there are several other elements a marketing manager must understand.
Social media and digital marketing require specialized skills that are equal parts analytical and creative. A marketing manager needs to be able to manage a team of individuals to cover a wide spectrum of both traditional and digital marketing needs.
Marketing is the lifeblood of every company it can make or break your business in a blink of an eye which is why it is one of the highest paid jobs in the creative industry make sure to check out vocationaltraininghq.com to learn more
4. Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is still relatively new but is taking the world by storm. Unlike the traditional U.S. currency, this digital currency uses cryptography to remain secure. It isn’t supported by the government or a bank – it’s traded through blockchain.
Careers in cryptocurrency range from software engineers to financial analysts. Because it’s such a new field, you’re not expected to know everything. Companies understand it’s a learning curve for you just as much as it is for them.
Click here to learn more about the different job options available in the cryptocurrency field.
5. Airline Pilot
Taking flight requires a special type of person. Aviation, in general, requires an immense amount of travel away from home, while also maintaining the safety of hundreds of people at a time.
To become an airline pilot, you’ll need to have completed your bachelor’s, as well as received your Airline Transport certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. You’ll need to clock thousands of hours working in the cockpit before you can be hired by an airline.
6. Psychiatrist
If you have a passion for helping others with their mental and emotional well-being, a psychiatrist could be an excellent route. There are several differences between counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
The main thing that sets psychiatry apart is that they are medical doctors and have completed their bachelor’s degree, medical degree, and four years of residency before being able to practice. This is because psychiatrists can prescribe medication that requires a medical degree.
7. Influencer
The digital age has completely changed the way entrepreneurs form their businesses. Influencers have become increasingly popular over the last few years in terms of affiliate marketing for businesses.
How influencers make money depends on their following and what services they offer. Micro-influencers may have around 10,000 followers whereas macro-influencers have roughly 500,000 to 1 million.
Businesses utilize influencers by tapping into their following to help their products and services reach a new audience. Influencers can make money by being paid for creating posts on social media or making commissions through affiliate links.
8. Dentist
Being a dentist is more of a general term, similar to a lawyer. There are several areas in which a dentist can practice, such as endodontists who perform medical procedures inside of the tooth, or an orthodontist who specializes in teeth alignment such as braces.
It typically takes eight years for someone to complete their education and begin practicing as a dentist. They’ll need a four-year bachelor’s degree and an additional four years at a dental school.
Upon completion, this will provide them with a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree.
9. Chief Executives
Becoming a CEO (chief executive) is one of the most prestigious roles in any industry. The CEO is responsible for handling the overall operations of a business, nonprofit, or institution.
These individuals will work with the board of directors, sponsors, and other important stakeholders that impact the success of the company.
They work long hours and have a wide range of important responsibilities, which is why their pay is so high. According to Investopedia, CEOs make roughly $197,840 per year.
10. Real Estate Broker
With the housing market as competitive as it is right now, there is no better time to become a real estate broker. There is a big difference between an agent and a broker. A broker has their license to start their own firm in which they’ll hire other agents to work for them.
Along with closing their own deals, they’ll also make a percentage of the commission from their other agents. This means less work and more pay. However, there are several other responsibilities, as you’ll be running your own business.
Summary
Choosing a career path can seem a bit daunting. When looking at some of these high-paying jobs, you’ll see it requires several years of attending higher education institutions.
You’ll want to make sure you’re on the right path, as to not waste eight years before you find out it’s not what you actually want to do.
Take a wide range of classes for your pre-requisites to help you explore the different options. Talk to people who work in industries you might be interested in and ask if you can shadow them for a few days. This can help to provide insight into the day-to-day life of someone in the field.
If you’re still not sure which career route is right for you, we always recommend working with a career advisor during your first year of college.
