Introduction
People many atimes choose a particular career due to its lucrative nature or the monetary value it brings.
They are tonnes of career courses available and offered by universities across the world. The study of these careers not only update the financial value of an individual, but they all play an important role in the development of any community, state or nation. Some of these high paying career courses are much sought after by prospective undergraduates, and they require a good level of expertise.
These twenty underlisted high paying courses shares similarities. They are mostly medical related careers, with only a single one being a petroleum industry career. Listed below are the entire list of twenty high paying course in the world.
20. Lawyer
Average Salary: $141,890
Starting the list for the highest paying careers in the world is Law. One who studies law, goes on to become a lawyer. These legal practitioners are widely known individuals in the society (and am pretty sure that almost every parent will want one of his/her to become one).
Becoming a lawyer is easier said than done: the system requires potential professionals to pass several exams after finishing college as well as having to wait for the bar call.
It might seem hefty and difficult to scale through the system, but it could be achieved through self determination and dedication.
If you like the sound of getting well paid allowances, bonuses and salaries in exchange for seeking Justice, then this is a go-to-course.
With an average salary of $141,890, this is the world’s 20th highest paying career.
19. Marketing Manager
Average Salary: $145,620
Coming right in after lawyer, Marketing Manager is one course that pays really well.
As many products and services floods the market, several major companies seeks to outmatch their competitors by implementing good marketing policies as well as taking well informed marketing decisions. Interestingly, the professionals called upon for the rescue mission are Marketing Managers.
These experts have the best marketing strategies that will boost sales and revenues but the degree of effectiveness is dependent on the level of expertise.
If you’re a professional in the field, more income, more bonuses, a well paid salary as well as other attached benefits beckons!
18. Podiatrist
Average Salary: $148,470
Coming in next on the list, Podiatrist is the 18th highest paying career in the world.
They deal intensively about foot and its equivalent problems. Professionals in this field test, diagnose, prevent and treat all abnormalities that comes as a result of that organ.
To get started, one needs to obtain a bachelor degree and go for a 4-year podiatry college.
Jobs are readily available and if you are a type that doesn’t like to work under people, then you can certainly be your own boss by setting up a podiatry centre of yours!
17. Petroleum Engineer
Average Salary: $154,780
Petroleum engineering is one of the most sought-after courses in the world.
It is the most sought-after career course in engineering and therefore, the admission process is always very selective.
This course deals with natural gas and oil and its syllabus is strongly connected to inorganic chemistry. Here, new techniques and technologies are developed towards safe natural oil and gas extraction.I f you’re interested in studying the course, then a strong knowledge in chemistry, physics and mathematics is necessary.
After completion, graduands normally seeks job in any natural oil/gas exploring industry.
The average salary for a petroleum engineer is $154,780.
16. IT Manager
Average Salary: $142,530
Next on the list, information technology manager is one of the most profitable careers in the world.
It is a subsidiary of computer science that majors in managing the IT framework and it is the backbone of any 21st century industry.
They are also good at fishing out hackers, preventing malware intrusion and providing strong and relaible security walls for computer networks.
A strong knowledge in software and hardware is required as this is the founding aspect of the field.
$142,530 is the average salary for the course but it could go higher than that depending on the level of experience.
15. Airline Pilot & Co-Pilot
Average Salary: $161,280
Airline Pilot & Co-Pilot is a good paying career but this comes with a very dangerous risk. Plane crash are known to be fatal and this is one reason that scares potential aspirants away.
If you have the courage and passion to pursue this dream, then you’ll definitely be happy with your degree of financial capacity in years to come.
This course requires intensive training and tutorage and physics is a must know core subject.
As new technologies are springing up in the aviation industry, professionals in this field of study must stay updated to latest trends and updates.
With an average salary of $161,280 and other attached benefits, it is one of the highest paying careers in the world.
14. Nurse Anesthesiologist
Average Salary: $169,450
With an average salary of $169,450, Nurse Anesthesiologist is the 14th highest paying career in the world.
They deal intensively on patient’s healthcare and safety.
In other words, a Nurse Anesthesiologist is responsible for the monitoring and control of patients during their healing period.
To become a full-fledged expert in this field of study, you need to foremostly become a registered nurse and obtain a master degree (Msc) from an accredited nurse anesthesia programme.
13. Dentist
Average Salary: $174,110
Dentistry is a high paying career path but it is widely underestimated.
They deal with teeths, gums and their equivalent problems that needs diagnosis.
People generally have one gum problem or the other and such, the services of a dentist is always in high demand.
If you’re willing to intensively learn the concept, master the foundation and advances in the study, then you’ll be on a good pay roll.
Salaries and bonuses vary but the decisive factor is the level of expertise.
Professionals enjoys an average salary of $174,110 but this could add up!
12. Pediatrician
Average Salary: $183,240
Coming in next on the list, Pediatrician is the 12th highest paying career in the world.
If you are a lover of children, then this course is definitely for you. It deals intensively with the diagnosis and treatment of biological abnormalities in children.
They also help kids with a retarded social life and mental thinking through the employment of techniques that heavily involves human psychology.
11. Prosthodontist
Average Salary: $196,960
Prosthodontist is a field of study that deals with the construction of oral prosthesis for the replacement of teeths.
It is very related to dentistry but it has more to do with construction of oral technologies as opposed to methodologies and applicable techniques.
Also known as “Dental Plastic Surgeons,” the course requires a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine (DMD) for practice qualifications.
Gaining a deep understanding of the course is very vital as the pay is based on the level of experience and expertise.
It is also heavily involved in cosmetic work and aims at ending oral deformities.
10. Internist
Average Salary: $198,370
Internist is one of the highest paying career.
It deals with the knowledge and application of techniques for diagnosis and treatment of injuries, aliments and diseases in the internal framework of the human body.
They do not perform surgery but study internal body organ and systems. However, most Internist specializes on a particular internal organ and offers professional services based on that field of expertise.
It has an average Salary of $198,370 with possibilities of growth depending on the degree of experience.
9. CEO
Average Salary: $200,140
CEO is an acronym for “Chief Operating Officer.”
The career path is very lucrative but quite difficult to attain.
This is because any company will only employ an experienced and professionally orientated person for the CEO position.
Their main work is to manage and drive a company towards achieving goals and objectives set aside by the institution. They do this with adherence to government policies, rules, regulations and guidelines.
Experience is the key factor for employing a CEO and such, aspiring individuals have to be fully involved in real life situations and managerial platforms.
8. General Practitioner (GP)
Average Salary: $208,560
Coming in next on the list, General Practitioner is the 8th highest paying career in the world.
Shortly abbreviated as GP, they are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of any health-related problems or complications.
If the problem is beyond their jurisdiction, they give recommendations on where the solution lies.
Being an expert in this field requires intensive education and experience which comes with real life practicals. Once you’re certified, then an average salary of $208,560 (and even more) awaits you!
7. Psychiatrist
Average Salary: $216,090
Psychiatrist is a profession that deals mainly with the human mind.
This employs the philosophy of rational thinking, idealism, logic and emotions in treating the negative aspect of anger, pain, frustration and so on.
The career path requires determination and patience as practitioners are subjected to patient’s problems on daily basis.
If you are passionate about the course, then begin by attending a medical training before majoring in psychiatriy.
6. Orthodontist
Average Salary: $228,500
Orthodontist is the third career path that relates to dentistry on the list.
It is the highest paying career in dental science and experts in the field are responsible for the examination and diagnosis of problems that relates to teeth and jaw positioning.
They do more of the complex work and the pay is very good.
To kick-start your career in the field, a dental degree is required and once this is acquired, a postgraduate certificate in Orthodontist study is needed for certification.
With the right work energy input and experience, your bank account will likely stay healthy!
5. Gynecologist
Average Salary: $235,240
Kicking off the top 5 spot on the list, Gynecologist is one of the highest paying careers.
The field deals intensively with the general health care of pregnant woman as well as the prevention of issues arising during childbirth.
In the broader Sense, experts in Gynecology are well vested with the knowledge on the various diseases and ailments of a woman as well as its equivalent prevention, diagnosis and treatment. They also perform laser surgery but most at times, they collaborate with surgeons.
Normally, $235,240 is the average salary for practisioners in this field nevertheless, the paying scale is measured by the degree of expertise.
4. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average Salary: $243,500
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon is the 4th highest paying career path in the world.
Practisioners in the field perform surgery pertaining to the face, mouth and jaw. However, these (surgery operations) focuses on hard and soft tissues in the body.
It is a complex field that requires aspirants to study for another 4 years after obtaining a degree in dentistry.
With an average salary of $243,500, it is one of the most lucrative and rewarding career.
3. Surgeon
Average Salary: $251,000
Surgeons are one of the highest paid medical practisioners in the world.
This field of study is very complex and requires intensive training on the various approach of surgery.
Becoming a doctor is the first step to Kick-start your career in the field. Next, you’ll need to do a lot of extra study and major in one particular field of expertise.
But just like most medical fields, the pay becomes greater with the level of expertise and experience.
2. Anesthesiologist
Average Salary: $265,000
Missing the top spot on the list, Anesthesiologist is the second highest paying career path in the world.
They administer anaesthetics to patients during the period of surgery. They are also involved in intensive medical care unit and are very helpful in critical conditions.
To become a professional in this field, one must first be a certified doctor before completing a 4-year anesthesiology residency program.
It could also happens that you might need to sit for a medical examination set by the country’s board of anesthesiology.
Once you survive the whole certification process and obtain the necessary experience, then you are in for lots of cash!
1. Neurosurgeon
Average Salary: $381,500
Topping the list, Neurosurgeon is the highest paying career in the world.
They are medical practisioners who bring their wealth of knowledge in surgeries related to both the peripheral and the central nervous system into act.
This course is highly technical and becoming an expert in it is easier said than done.
Neurosurgeons are highly in demand all year round and their work is very complicated.
To kick-start your career in the field, you’ll need to undergo 8 years of doctoral training, then afterwards a one-year internship in surgery before embarking on a neurosurgery program that may last between 5 – 7 years.
Conferences, seminars and programs are very important to attend but above all, practisioners should endeavour to stay updated to the latest trends and development in the career.
Neurosurgeon is a very technical and complex medical field but it is lucrative and rewarding. It seriously requires a good level of hard-work.
Conclusion
That is all on the list for the 20 highest paying careers in the world.
Medical fields expectedly dominates the list and they are rightly so considering the delicate and risky nature of their work.
If you are considering a career on any of the aforementioned fields of study, then be prepared to work extremely hard to earn its average salary.
Below is the quick look at the summary of it all:
S/N | Career | Average Salary |
1. | Neurosurgeon | $381,500 |
2. | Anesthesiologist | $265,000 |
3. | Surgeon | $251,000 |
4. | Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon | $243,500 |
5. | Gynaecologist | $235,240 |
6. | Orthodontist | $228,500 |
7. | Psychiatrist | $216,090 |
8. | General Practioner (GP) | $208,560 |
9. | CEO | $200,140 |
10. | Internist | $198,370 |
11. | Prosthodontist | $196,960 |
12. | Paediatrician | $183,240 |
13. | Dentist | $174,110 |
14. | Nurse Anaesthesiologist | $169,450 |
15. | Airline Pilot & Co-Pilot | $161,280 |
16. | IT Manager | $142,530 |
17. | Petroleum Engineer | $154,780 |
18. | Podiatrist | $148,470 |
19. | Marketing Manager | $145,620 |
20. | Lawyer | $141,890 |