Healthcare dominates the list of the highest-paid jobs in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data lists these annual mean wages: cardiologists at $353,970, anesthesiologists at $331,190, oral and maxillofacial surgeons at $311,460, emergency medicine physicians at $310,640, and orthopedic surgeons (except pediatric) at $306,220. These are mean wages, not medians, and they reflect 2021 data.
The same BLS release notes that nearly all of the top 25 highest-paying occupations are in healthcare. That concentration reflects years of education and training, high responsibility, and strong demand for medical services.
BLS employment projections for 2021 to 2031 show healthcare occupations adding about 2.05 million jobs, a 12.6 percent increase, the largest growth of any occupational group. Overall employment was projected to grow 5.3 percent in the same period. Population aging and the rising prevalence of chronic disease are the main drivers of healthcare demand.
High pay does not mean easy entry. Becoming a physician requires a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical school, and several years of residency, often followed by fellowship training. Specialists add still more years. The financial payoff comes after a long and expensive path.
Students interested in healthcare should research specific occupations on the BLS site before committing, since wages and projections change with each new data release. For career planning, see public health careers and their impact, how a master’s degree compares to a bachelor’s in salary, and whether a master’s degree increases salary. You may also find salary negotiation tips for master’s holders useful.

