United States · USD · 2026
Salaries in the United States
What 35 careers pay in the United States, highest first. The middle of the table sits around $123,220 a year; surgeons lead at $369,540.
| # | Career | Industry | Entry | Median | Senior | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon | Healthcare | $84k | $369,540 | $641k | $178 |
| 2 | Nurse Anesthetist | Healthcare | $155k | $236,590 | $340k | $114 |
| 3 | Investment Banker | Finance | $125k | $200,000 | $685k | $96 |
| 4 | Quantitative Analyst | Finance | $115k | $180,000 | $525k | $86.50 |
| 5 | Dentist | Healthcare | $86k | $170,950 | $320k | $82 |
| 6 | Machine Learning Engineer | Technology | $115k | $165,000 | $340k | $79.50 |
| 7 | Lawyer | Legal | $78k | $159,670 | $352k | $77 |
| 8 | Air Traffic Controller | Aviation | $78k | $148,080 | $216k | $71 |
| 9 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $99k | $140,910 | $174k | $67.50 |
| 10 | Software Engineer | Technology | $82k | $135,980 | $215k | $65.50 |
| 11 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $99k | $135,880 | $190k | $65.50 |
| 12 | Aerospace Engineer | Aviation | $87k | $134,960 | $206k | $65 |
| 13 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $101k | $132,300 | $174k | $63.50 |
| 14 | Actuary | Finance | $79k | $130,000 | $215k | $62.50 |
| 15 | Product Manager | Technology | $90k | $130,000 | $250k | $62.50 |
| 16 | Cybersecurity Analyst | Technology | $75k | $129,180 | $200k | $62 |
| 17 | DevOps Engineer | Technology | $85k | $125,000 | $215k | $60 |
| 18 | Commercial Pilot | Aviation | $59k | $123,220 | $267k | $59 |
| 19 | Data Scientist | Technology | $67k | $120,230 | $199k | $58 |
| 20 | Elevator Technician | Skilled Trades | $59k | $109,910 | $159k | $53 |
| 21 | UX Designer | Technology | $54k | $104,000 | $202k | $50 |
| 22 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $64k | $102,740 | $181k | $49.50 |
| 23 | Project Manager | Technology | $62k | $102,320 | $168k | $49 |
| 24 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $75k | $98,100 | $126k | $47 |
| 25 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $69k | $97,550 | $137k | $47 |
| 26 | Data Analyst | Technology | $59k | $85,000 | $140k | $41 |
| 27 | Accountant | Finance | $56k | $83,680 | $144k | $40 |
| 28 | Compliance Officer | Legal | $48k | $80,730 | $134k | $39 |
| 29 | Aircraft Mechanic | Aviation | $49k | $79,870 | $129k | $38.50 |
| 30 | Plumber | Skilled Trades | $44k | $63,800 | $108k | $30.50 |
| 31 | Flight Attendant | Aviation | $35k | $63,580 | $136k | $30.50 |
| 32 | Electrician | Skilled Trades | $43k | $63,190 | $109k | $30.50 |
| 33 | Paralegal | Legal | $45k | $62,890 | $102k | $30 |
| 34 | HVAC Technician | Skilled Trades | $40k | $61,010 | $95k | $29.50 |
| 35 | Welder | Skilled Trades | $39k | $53,750 | $78k | $26 |
Gross annual pay before tax. Hourly rates assume a standard 40-hour week. How we estimate these figures.
Pay by state
Median pay for all jobs in each state (BLS, May 2025), with the highest-paid and most common jobs, take-home pay and what drives pay there.
- Alabama $45,670
- Arizona $50,060
- California $58,240
- Colorado $59,800
- Florida $47,880
- Georgia $48,170
- Illinois $51,960
- Indiana $47,860
- Maryland $59,510
- Massachusetts $63,590
- Michigan $49,270
- Missouri $47,800
- New York $59,670
- Ohio $49,380
- Oklahoma $45,600
- Tennessee $47,380
- Texas $48,620
- Utah $50,110
- Virginia $55,690
- Wisconsin $50,270
Working in the United States
For the same job, US pay runs well above the UK in official data: around 60% to 110% more for nurses, software engineers, pharmacists and lawyers, but only around 10% to 20% more in trades like electrical work, plumbing and welding (BLS and ONS medians at current exchange rates). The trade-offs are thinner employment protections, health insurance tied to your employer, and pay that varies wildly between states and cities.
Tax
Federal income tax plus state tax (0% in states like Texas and Florida, over 13% in California), and 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare (Social Security stops at a yearly earnings cap). Healthcare costs typically come out of your package.
Tools and guides for the United States
- Salary comparison by city: what a salary is worth in another city, and what your job pays there
- GS pay scale 2026: federal pay by grade, step and locality, with take-home pay
- Military pay chart 2026: basic pay by grade and years of service, drill pay and take-home
- Hourly to salary calculator: an hourly wage to yearly pay, with take-home pay in the United States
Questions about pay in the United States
What is the highest-paying job in the United States?
Of the 35 careers Paygrade tracks, surgeons earn the most in the United States, with a median of about $369,540 a year in 2026. Nurse anesthetists ($236,590) and investment bankers ($200,000) follow.
What is the best-paid job in the United States without a degree?
Air traffic controllers earn a median of about $148,080 a year in the United States, and the usual route in is certification rather than a university degree.
How much tax will I pay on a salary in the United States?
Federal income tax plus state tax (0% in states like Texas and Florida, over 13% in California), and 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare (Social Security stops at a yearly earnings cap). Healthcare costs typically come out of your package.