Mean salary: $100,560
Median salary: $88,770 Veterinarians provide medical care to all kinds of critters, including household pets and farm animals. They perform surgeries, prescribe medication and treat injuries. They also euthanize animals when necessary. The profession requires a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree. Annual tuition for veterinarian graduate programs in the U.S. ranges from about $17,000 to about $56,000, according to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. There are 30 such programs in the country. The average annual cost of undergraduate tuition at U.S. nonprofit colleges ranges from about $10,000 (in-state) to $35,000 (private), according to the College Board. Learn more about veterinarians. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $101,170
Median salary: $89,820 Most magazines, movies, advertising agencies and websites have art directors, professionals whose creativity and eye for detail set visual standards for organizations. They often lead teams in creating work that expresses a particular point of view, represents a specific brand or conveys an artistic idea. Art directors typically have at least bachelor’s degrees, usually in a subject related to art or design. Learn more about art directors. (Sherwin-Williams via AP)
Sherwin-Williams via AP
Mean salary: $102,090
Median salary: $101,480 Examining patients, making diagnoses, writing prescriptions and providing treatment are all duties performed by physician assistants. These health care workers contribute to patient-care teams alongside doctors and nurses. Physician assistants need undergraduate degrees, plus master’s degrees in their field. On average, physician assistant graduate programs last 27 months and cost $71,369 for residents and $89,975 for non-residents, according to The Physician Assistant Life. Learn more about physician assistants.
Learn more about physician assistant programs. (Courtesy Whitman Walker Health)
Courtesy Whitman Walker Health
Mean salary: $104,610
Median salary: $100,910 These professionals bridge the gap between nurses and doctors, frequently performing the duties of both. In most states, they can prescribe medicine, diagnose illnesses and refer patients to specialists. They may focus on working with children, the elderly or people who have mental illness. Nurse practitioners earn master’s degrees and licenses after completing college. Annual tuition for a master’s degree in nursing ranges from about $10,000 to more than $45,000 a year. Learn more about nurse practitioners.
Learn more about nursing programs. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP Photo/Eric Risberg
Mean salary: $104,240
Median salary: $101,210 Companies rely on computer network architects to design, construct and maintain the digital resources employees use to communicate. They make sure the networks and intranets they create are secure and meet the particular needs of their clients. Computer network architects need bachelor’s degrees in computer science or a related field. They may also need master’s of business administration degrees. Annual MBA tuition ranges from about $10,000 to about $69,000. Learn more about computer network architects.
Discover 10 ways to find money to pay for an MBA. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $104,300
Median salary: $100,080 Software developers are building and changing the digital landscape every moment. These coders make smartphone applications, design websites and fix the bugs that interfere with online activity like reading the news, shopping and posting on social media platforms. Software developers typically have college degrees in computer science or a related discipline. This career is one of the 10 Best Jobs for Millennials. It’s also the best job of 2018. Learn more about software developers. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $104,570
Median salary: $82,760 Was your private office replaced by a cubicle to foster social interaction? Was your workspace replaced by a standing desk to encourage you to stretch your legs? Those changes may stem from research conducted by industrial psychologists, who study how people behave at work. Companies use their insights to boost morale and productivity and improve hiring and retention. After earning undergraduate degrees, industrial psychologists earn either master’s degrees or doctorates in the field. Median annual tuition for a resident master’s degree in psychology was $5,343 at public universities and $15,336 at private universities with master’s programs in 2009, according to the American Psychological Association. Median annual tuition for a resident doctoral degree in psychology was $7,104 at public universities and $27,072 at private universities in 2009, although many universities cover tuition costs for doctoral students. Learn more about industrial psychologists. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
Mean salary: $102,390
Median salary: $99,770 These registered nurses specialize in women’s health care. They give gynecological exams and deliver babies. Nurse midwives have degrees in nursing, either at the undergraduate or master’s level, plus master’s degrees in nursing midwifery. Annual tuition for a master’s degree in nursing ranges from about $10,000 to more than $45,000 a year. Learn more about nurse midwives.
Learn more about nurse midwifery programs. (Courtesy Danielle Hoch)
Courtesy Danielle Hoch
Median salary: $105,810 Some mathematicians work as teachers or researchers at academic institutions, devising and testing theories. Others apply their knowledge in practical ways, using data and statistics to advise businesses, governments and other organizations. Most mathematicians have master’s or doctoral degrees in addition to undergraduate degrees. Liberal arts graduate degrees can cost tens of thousands of dollars, although many universities cover tuition costs for doctoral students. Learn more about mathematicians. (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Mean salary: $109,370
Median salary: $96,540 Health care executives run hospitals, departments or medical practices, doing all the work behind the scenes that enables doctors to care for patients. Their duties might include creating work schedules, overseeing finances, training staff, maintaining records and complying with laws. Most medical and health services managers have at least a bachelor’s degree. Many also have master’s degrees in health administration, business administration or health management. Annual MBA tuition ranges from about $10,000 to about $69,000. Learn more about medical and health services managers.
Learn about healthcare management programs. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $112,250
Median salary: $114,290 Political scientists analyze government systems and study citizens’ political behavior. They gauge voter opinion using polls, make predictions ahead of elections and use data and theories to explain the outcome of those elections. Some of these professionals work for businesses, labor unions or other organizations to help promote particular policy agendas. Most political scientists earn master’s or doctoral degrees in the field after completing college. Liberal arts graduate degrees can cost tens of thousands of dollars, although many universities cover tuition costs for doctoral students. Learn more about political scientists. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Mean salary: $114,120
Median salary: $100,610 Managing risks is the goal of actuaries, business workers who use statistics and economics to help companies reduce the costs associated with liabilities. Insurance companies rely on them to study probabilities and set rates accordingly. Actuaries need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about actuaries. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $117,580
Median salary: $106,140 Optometrists specialize in human vision. They test patient eyesight, prescribe corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) and identify diseases like glaucoma. After graduating from college, optometrists spend four years earning doctor of optometry degrees. These programs charge annual tuition ranging from about $18,000 to about $52,000, according to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Learn more about optometrists. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Mean salary: $120,270
Median salary: $122,230 Patients pick up prescription medications from pharmacists, health care workers who specialize in filling orders and advising about their safe use. Pharmacists also offer health screenings and vaccines. These professionals earn doctor of pharmacy degrees from one of 128 accredited programs in the U.S. Some programs require a bachelor’s degree. Others accept students directly out of high school. Annual tuition for these programs ranges from about $5,000 to $74,000, according to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Learn more about pharmacists.
Learn more about pharmacy programs. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File
Mean salary: $122,090
Median salary: $99,310 Business operations managers take care of, well, business. They figure out how to meet company goals and organize workers to carry out those plans. They may be involved with hiring people, setting budgets, organizing departments and making other strategy decisions. Business operations managers need bachelor’s degrees and sometimes master’s of business administration degrees. Annual MBA tuition ranges from about $10,000 to about $69,000. Learn more about business operations managers.
Discover 10 ways to find money to pay for an MBA. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $123,100
Median salary: $90,530 If you’ve got a knack for handling money, you might be able to make a career out of helping other people manage theirs. Financial advisors help clients decide how to invest their resources in stocks, bonds and bank accounts; pay taxes, mortgages and bills for expenses like college tuition and prepare for life changes such as retirement or having children. These professionals typically need bachelor’s degrees. Learn more about financial advisors. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Mean salary: $135,090
Median salary: $117,960 Companies rely on sales managers to push out their products and bring in revenue. These professionals set sales goals, then train and motivate salespeople to meet those quotas. They may help resolve customer complaints and analyze data to develop discounts and other promotions. Some sales managers need bachelor’s degrees, but a high school diploma may suffice. Learn more about sales managers. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
AP Photo/Karim Kadim
Mean salary: $139,880
Median salary: $118,160 Lawyers help individuals, organizations and governments navigate laws and regulations. They also represent those entities during legal disputes, like lawsuits. Lawyers earn law degrees after completing college. Annual tuition for these programs ranges from about $11,400 to about $65,000; the average cost of tuition at the top 10 law schools as ranked by U.S. News is about $60,200. Learn more about lawyers.
Learn more about law schools. iStock/Thinkstock
Mean salary: $144,110
Median salary: $124,830 Few ailments disrupt daily life more than foot problems. Podiatrists are doctors trained to treat bone spurs, calluses, ingrown toenails, arthritis and sports injuries. They perform surgeries, recommend shoe inserts and prescribe medication. These health care professionals earn doctor of podiatric medicine degrees after finishing college. There are nine accredited institutions that offer this program, and their tuitions range from about $30,000 to about $42,000. Learn more about podiatrists. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa
Mean salary: $145,740
Median salary: $135,800 When the internet connection falters, work at many companies grinds to a halt. That’s when IT managers, who oversee information technology systems, step in to save the day. These secret superheroes install and upgrade computer, telephone and other hardware systems, manage security systems designed to thwart hackers and protect sensitive information, and help workers troubleshoot their technology problems. These professionals typically need bachelor’s degrees in computer science or a related field. Some jobs also require master’s of business administration degrees. Annual MBA tuition ranges from about $10,000 to about $69,000. Learn more about IT managers.
Discover 10 ways to find money to pay for an MBA. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
AP Photo/John Locher, File
Mean salary: $147,030
Median salary: $128,230 Mining energy resources beneath the earth’s surface is the specialty of petroleum engineers. They work with geologists to determine the best places to seek oil and gas, then design equipment and techniques for the task, which can take place on land or offshore in the middle of the ocean. Some also install this equipment. Petroleum engineers need bachelor’s degrees in the field. Learn more about petroleum engineers. (Guy Hayes/Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement via AP, File)
Guy Hayes/Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement via AP, File
Mean salary: $164,030
Median salary: $160,270 These health care workers are skilled nurses with special training in pain relief. They administer anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery and monitor vital signs — breathing, blood pressure, heart rate — to ensure patients are safe. Nurse anesthetists need bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Annual tuition for a master’s degree in nursing ranges from about $10,000 to more than $45,000 a year. Learn more about nurse anesthetists.
Learn more about nursing programs. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $200,220
Median salary: $194,740 As mental health doctors, psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, plus provide counseling and care to patients with anxiety and depression. Their techniques include behavioral therapy, personal counseling and prescribing medication. Psychiatrists must earn college and medical school degrees, then complete a residency. Annual medical school tuition costs between about $16,000 and $57,000, depending on institution and whether students are state residents. Learn more about psychiatrists.
Learn more about medical schools. (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Mean salary: $201,840
Median salary: $196,380 Physicians are doctors with specialties of all kinds, among them internal organs, skin, digestion, the brain, childbirth, the heart, reproduction and elder care. They may work independently or as part of teams, in their own practices or in large hospitals. Physicians need college and medical school degrees. Annual medical school tuition costs between about $16,000 and $57,000, depending on institution and whether students are state residents. Learn more about physicians.
Learn more about medical school programs in internal medicine.
Learn more about medical school programs in family medicine. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Mean salary: $269,600
Median salary: >$208,000 Anesthesiologists are doctors who have special training and expertise in using pain relief medication during operations. They deliver anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery, using either gas and/or intravenous methods. They monitor patients’ vital signs to keep them safe throughout these procedures. Anesthesiologists have undergraduate and medical school degrees, plus years of residency experience and licenses to operate. Annual medical school tuition costs between about $16,000 and $57,000, depending on institution and whether students are state residents. Learn more about anesthesiologists.
Learn more about medical schools. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
AP Photo/Karim Kadim
Want a career that fills your bank account? Look no further than these 25 jobs from the U.S. News Best Jobs of 2018 rankings, which pay, on average, six-figure salaries.
That $100,000 threshold is more than twice the U.S. median personal income, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated as $859 a week — or about $44,668 a year — in October 2017.
Keep in mind, though, that many jobs that pay well require a lot of investment, sometimes in the form of multiple educational degrees that take years to complete and cost thousands of dollars. Read on to learn about $100,000 jobs and what it takes to get them. They’re ranked by average salary; information about median salary is also provided.
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25 Best Jobs That Pay $100K originally appeared on usnews.com
