What 100 jobs really pay
Median yearly pay in the U.S., highest to lowest, from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Test yourself first
Guess five of these in today's Paycheck game before you peek.
Play Paycheck- Airline pilot$232,140
- CEO$213,990
- IT manager$175,140
- Dentist$170,950
- Lawyer$159,670
- Judge$153,990
- Air traffic controller$148,080
- Petroleum engineer$144,910
- Pharmacist$140,910
- Optometrist$136,570
- Software developer$135,980
- Physician assistant$135,880
- Nurse practitioner$132,300
- Veterinarian$130,100
- Actuary$130,000
- Cybersecurity analyst$129,180
- Astronomer$128,820
- Hospital administrator$123,860
- Nuclear reactor operator$122,890
- Elevator mechanic$109,910
- Financial advisor$105,070
- Physical therapist$102,760
- Civil engineer$100,840
- Meteorologist$99,070
- Dental hygienist$98,100
- Speech-language pathologist$97,870
- Registered nurse$97,550
- Theatrical makeup artist$97,150
- MRI technologist$95,480
- Power line worker$95,320
- Ship captain or pilot$92,460
- Accountant$83,680
- Train engineer$81,410
- Aircraft mechanic$79,870
- Railroad conductor$78,000
- Zoologist$76,780
- Police patrol officer$76,210
- Game warden$74,060
- Commercial diver$72,990
- High school teacher$72,040
- Librarian$68,270
- Crane operator$68,080
- Wind turbine technician$64,120
- Elementary school teacher$63,970
- Telecom installer$63,890
- Plumber$63,800
- Flight attendant$63,580
- Electrician$63,190
- Graphic designer$62,960
- Paralegal$62,890
- Head chef$62,470
- HVAC technician$61,010
- Paramedic$60,600
- Carpenter$60,580
- Mail carrier$60,550
- Interpreter or translator$60,170
- Water treatment operator$60,020
- Heavy equipment operator$59,850
- Firefighter$59,280
- Correctional officer$58,940
- Embalmer$58,780
- Title examiner$58,650
- Long-haul truck driver$58,640
- Massage therapist$58,450
- Tile setter$55,690
- Roofer$55,440
- Choreographer$55,310
- Funeral director$55,010
- Welder$53,750
- Real estate agent$52,830
- Private detective$51,220
- Auto mechanic$50,620
- Garbage collector$49,690
- Dental assistant$48,070
- School bus driver$47,920
- Sports coach or scout$47,320
- Fitness instructor$47,160
- Construction laborer$47,120
- Pharmacy technician$45,750
- Exterminator$45,250
- Customer service rep$44,770
- Photographer$44,660
- Forest conservation worker$43,680
- Nursing assistant$42,260
- Referee or umpire$40,710
- Butcher$40,140
- Animal trainer$39,990
- Barber$38,210
- Veterinary assistant$38,150
- Security guard$38,020
- Restaurant cook$37,390
- Baker$37,160
- Janitor$36,840
- Hairstylist$35,790
- Retail salesperson$35,410
- Waiter or waitress$35,230
- Childcare worker$34,980
- Bartender$34,340
- Cashier$32,880
- Fast food worker$31,200