What are the Top 3 Highest Paying Jobs?

As an employee or job-seeker, salary is essential for many reasons. Your salary and benefits package should meet your basic needs and help you live comfortably now and in the future. 

You must go into the job search knowing what you want and what is fair in your industry. Research your position and how the company’s salary compares to similar companies. Health insurance benefits, vacation time, sick days, and retirement plans are a few things you should consider. 

Unsurprisingly, the highest-paying jobs of 2023 land in the medical field and include the following.

Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists specialize in anesthesia care, pain management, and critical care medicine. They have the necessary knowledge to understand and treat the entire human body.  On average, Anesthesiologists have about 14 years of education, including medical school, and 12,000 to 16,000 hours of clinical training. 

Anesthesiologists are in charge of general anesthesia, monitored anesthesia or IV sedation, regional anesthesia, and local anesthesia. 

The average Anesthesiologist's salary in the United States is $418,100 as of 2023 but can range between $362,200 and $473,900 annually, depending on education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years spent in your profession. 

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) surgeons treat all kinds of pathology, defects, and injuries to the face, jaws, and teeth. 

After completing an undergraduate degree and doctoral study in dentistry, OMFS surgeons continue on to complete four to six years of advanced surgical training. These additional training years of education allow them to offer various treatment options for patients who have experienced trauma, significant dental misalignment, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and other serious oral health concerns that may need surgical treatment for optimal care. 

OMFS surgeons make a median salary of $335,093 annually as of 2023, but top earners can make nearly $400,000 year-over-year across the US. 

Orthodontist

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that aligns your bite and straightens your teeth. You might need to see an orthodontist if you have crooked, overlapped, twisted, or gapped teeth. Common orthopedic treatments include braces, clear aligners, and removable retainers. 

Becoming an Orthodontist takes 10 to 11 years after high school graduation, including four years of undergraduate, four years of dental school, and two to three years of an Orthodontic graduate program. 

The pay for an Orthodontist in the US is $304,337 annually, but some make up to $400,500 annually.