A 6-digit income starts out at an annual income of $100,000. There are many jobs in different fields that will hit six-figure earnings with enough experience or specialized skills. This guide on which jobs pay over $100,000 includes the minimum qualifications and how to position yourself to have a chance to make a six-figure salary.
What Makes a Job Pay Six Figures
There is a trend for high-paying jobs. High-paying jobs are usually those that need a specific skill and have a lot of responsibility or a lot of demand, but are in short supply. The Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of average wages for different types of jobs. Many jobs will pay you more than $100,000 once you have a few years of experience.
Typically, higher wages are correlated with education and credentials. However, they’re not your only option. Skilled trades, sales jobs, and technical jobs may all provide six-figure earnings without requiring a postgraduate degree. Knowing all of your options is very important rather than trying to follow a specific predetermined path in life.
An individual’s geographical position impacts his or her salary to a considerable degree. For instance, a software developer working in San Francisco will typically earn more than a software developer working in rural Kansas. However, there is a corresponding increase in the cost of living in San Francisco compared with the cost of living in rural Kansas and other areas as well. Therefore, when assessing job opportunities, be sure to take into consideration both the salary and the costs associated with living in the area.
Technology and Engineering Careers
The overwhelming majority of high-paying career lists tend to contain technology occupations (e.g., data analysts, cybersecurity analysts, and software developers), with tech workers generally receiving high salaries in the $100,000+ range. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2022, the median salary of those employed as software developers is $124,200. Additionally, senior-level and/or management roles provide greater compensation than that reported at the entry level.
There is a high demand for Cloud Computing experts. Businesses are also still shifting their infrastructure onto cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms. Cloud computing experts who design and manage these infrastructures can command significantly higher salaries than other IT professionals. The average salary for Cloud Architects, as reported from The Dice Annual Salary Survey, is approximately $155,000 per year.
Here are technology roles that frequently pay six figures:
- Software developer or engineer
- Data scientist
- Machine learning engineer
- Cloud architect
- Cybersecurity analyst
- DevOps engineer
- Product manager
- IT director
All of these job categories have common characteristics. They typically require a higher level of proficiency in technical skills through education, boot camp training, and/or self-study. Additionally, in many industries, having a strong ability to solve problems is generally more important than having actual credentials in these specific fields. Many companies also value proven abilities more than educational accomplishments for technology jobs.
Getting Started in Tech Without a Degree
Coding bootcamp programs provide an alternative to a four-year degree by giving you an accelerated rate of learning that takes anywhere from 12 to 24 weeks to complete. Upon completion, you will be able to start working full-time as a developer making between $60,000 – $80,000 annually, depending on where you live. If you gain several years of experience in the field after completing a bootcamp program, then you can definitely earn six figures annually as well.
Self-taught developers can still become successful. They have the opportunity for free resources to help them learn. Examples of these are found with free CodeCamp, Coursera, and YouTube. Developers create portfolios of projects to showcase their skills to potential employers. Although this self-directed route likely requires more discipline, it is also more affordable than obtaining an education through traditional means.
Healthcare Careers With High Pay
While healthcare offers several pathways to earning six-figure salaries, doctors typically pull down the most. Most medical specialists earn more than $300,000 a year, but you will be required to complete 11 years of post-high school education and training for this to occur. Other health-related fields have ways to get to a six-figure income faster.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners and physician assistants earn typical earnings exceeding $120,000 per year. The vast majority of these jobs require a master’s level education, which takes less time to complete than a doctoral degree. Furthermore, there are strong growth projections in the industry, making this position an attractive option.
On average, pharmacists make $128,570 each year. To become a pharmacist, one needs to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which usually takes approximately 4 years after completing a bachelor’s degree. Pharmacists who work in hospitals or other specialty areas generally make more than retail pharmacists.
Other healthcare careers approaching or exceeding six figures include:
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Dental hygienist (in high-paying states)
- Health services manager
- Medical and health services manager
- Podiatrist
- Optometrist
The healthcare administration field presents an attractive salary opportunity to those interested in a career with hospitals and health care organizations. In fact, the median compensation for hospital administrators and health services managers has grown to $104,830 as of 2022. Factors such as experience and employer size can drive up salaries.
Business and Finance Roles
For decades, finance positions have produced substantial income opportunities. For example, an Investment Banker, Financial Manager, or Actuary all make in excess of $100,000 annually. Each of these professions generally requires at least an undergraduate degree in finance, economics, or a finance-related field. Each will also generally have some type of professional certification.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary of Financial Managers is $139,790. Financial Managers are responsible for overseeing the organization’s investment activities, developing financial strategies, and assisting organizations in making decisions. Financial Managers are frequently hired by banks, insurance companies, and big companies.
Mathematics and statistics are the primary tools actuaries use to assess risk, and their expertise is invaluable to insurance companies. The average annual salary of an actuary is approximately $113,000, with some actuaries earning over $200,000 annually. An individual must pass a battery of rigorous examinations over a period of multiple years in order to become an actuary.
Organizations engage management consulting firms to develop leadership and operational strategies. The three most recognised management consulting firms pay entry-level salaries over $100,000 to MBA graduates. However, partners in these consulting firms can earn considerably more than their employees.
Sales Careers With Six-Figure Potential
Sales jobs can provide an opportunity for high earnings even without having a degree beyond high school. On top of a base salary, commission can provide many top sales professionals with compensation well above the base salary paid. Fields such as medical device sales, enterprise software sales, and pharmaceutical sales provide six-figure wage opportunities as potential earnings.
Enterprise Software Sales Representatives with companies such as Microsoft, Salesforce, and Oracle typically earn total compensation (salary, commissions, bonuses) of $150,000+ per year. An enterprise sales rep must build relationships with their clients, gain in-depth product knowledge, and work continually. Each enterprise sales representative has quotas that help create pressure, but also reward the sales representative for the success of reaching their quotas.
Active real estate markets provide brokers the opportunity to earn six-figure salaries through commissioned work and varying earnings depending on the rolling market. A home’s success depends on the broker’s years of hard work and relationship-building capacity with clients.
Skilled Trades and Construction
Many people don’t realise how lucrative being a tradesperson can actually be. Electricians, plumbers, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) workers are all capable of making a six-figure income. Many union jobs based in larger cities can pay upwards of $100,000 when factoring in fringe benefits and overtime pay.
The median income for elevator installers and repairers is (99,000), with many earning six-figure plus. Requires physical dexterity, understanding how elevators work, and working at heights. Training is typically done through apprenticeships that are paid for while training.
The construction manager manages a construction project through all stages of development, from conception to completion. Their salary is typically $101,480; most construction managers working on large commercial developments or in high-cost markets will have higher salaries than others. Many construction managers will find that their education is less important than their level of experience.
Other trades with six-figure potential include:
- Boilermaker
- Crane operator
- Power plant operator
- Commercial pilot
- Air traffic controller
Training and certifications are necessary for various professions. However, we provide excellent salaries while only requiring that you do not have a four-year degree. Depending on your preference & ability to perform physically, there may be different requirements for each career.
How to Reach a Six-Figure Salary
Achieving a six-figure income requires a strategic approach to career development, negotiation, and continuous improvement.
- Strategic Career Planning
- Identify Potential: Identify a field with high potential for income earning that also suits your interests.
- Develop Skills: After identifying these areas, begin to develop the necessary skills and credentials needed to pursue a career in the area of interest.
- Master Salary Negotiation
- Research Your Value: Lifetime earnings are significantly impacted by negotiations, as many people accept their first job offer without question.
- Gather Data: Use pay comparison sites such as Payscale, Glassdoor, and the BLS to gather information about salary ranges and understand your value before beginning negotiations.
- Embrace Geographic Flexibility
- Expand Opportunities: Geographic flexibility opens up new job opportunities, as regions pay differently for the same job code.
- Accelerate Growth: By being willing to relocate for a job, you can accelerate your salary growth. This also gives you access to more remote jobs than are available within your local area.
- Commit to Continuous Education and Experience
- Stay Relevant: Staying in touch with new information through constant education will enable you to compete in your industry, as markets change and skills that were previously unique become available to everyone.
- Invest in Knowledge: Invest time and energy each year towards obtaining new knowledge via various methods, including taking classes/adult education courses, completing continuing education credits, and staying engaged with ongoing research and best practices.
- Accumulate Value: Continuously provide yourself with additional value by remaining informed about advancements in your field and keeping abreast of changes in the job market.
- Obtain Experience: Obtain workplace experience (either in a volunteer capacity or casual employment) that would be viewed positively by employers when they eventually hire you.
Achieving a six-figure salary is an attainable goal that is no longer limited to a few specific professions or solely dependent on advanced degrees. High compensation is consistently driven by specialized skills, meeting market demand, and a strategic approach to career growth. Whether you are pursuing high-demand roles in Technology and Healthcare, leveraging expertise in Finance, or mastering a lucrative Skilled Trade, the path to $100,000 or more requires proactive planning. By continuously investing in your education, mastering the art of salary negotiation, and embracing geographic and professional flexibility, job seekers can successfully position themselves to command a top-tier income and build a high-earning career.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook salary data (www.bls.gov)
- Dice: Annual tech salary survey (www.dice.com)
- Glassdoor: Salary research data (www.glassdoor.com)
- Payscale: Compensation research (www.payscale.com)
