CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — College graduates looking to earn at the top of the pay scale should consider seeking an advanced degree to achieve a six-figure salary, according to a new report on the highest paying jobs from CareerCast.
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Seven of CareerCast's 10 best-paying jobs are in the healthcare industry and require completion of a secondary degree. Surgeon, the highest paid career with an average annual salary of $233,150, can require more than a decade of preparation, from undergraduate studies through medical school and the completion of a residency program. General practice physicians, who average $187,200 in annual salary, must also complete similar requirements.
"Many of these high-paycheck jobs require an extensive and specialized graduate school education," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast. "Of course, graduates seeking these incomes should have their eyes wide open and realize the trade-off can be a six-figure student loan debt."
The Association of American Medical Colleges found the Class of 2013 left with a median debt of $175,000, and 86% of all medical program graduates left with some educational debt, so earning a high salary initially is necessary just to repay large student loans.
Attorney is another top-paying field at $113,530 annually, and also requires a post-graduate degree followed by the passing of state bar exams. For those who choose a different path to attain one of the best-paying jobs, be prepared to exchange paychecks for a high level of stress. Air traffic controllers, for example, earn $122,530 annually, but face some of the most stressful working conditions. The field requires keen attention to detail and mettle under great pressure.
High paychecks are compensation for the dedication required, the stress inherent with the job, the level of skill needed and the monetary investment required just to pursue it.
Here are the top 10 best-paying jobs, per the Jobs Rated report and data culled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
SURGEON
Annual Average Salary: $233,150
Projected Growth by 2022: 18%
PHYSICIAN (GENERAL PRACTICE)
Annual Average Salary: $187,200
Projected Growth by 2022: 18%
PSYCHIATRIST
Annual Average Salary: $178,950
Projected Growth by 2022: 18%
ORTHODONTIST
Annual Average Salary: $149,310
Projected Growth by 2022: 16%
DENTIST
Annual Average Salary: $146,340
Projected Growth by 2022: 16%
PETROLEUM ENGINEER
Annual Average Salary: $130,280
Projected Growth by 2022: 26%
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
Annual Average Salary: $122,530
Projected Growth by 2022: 1%
PHARMACIST
Annual Average Salary: $116,670
Projected Growth by 2022: 14%
PODIATRIST
Annual Average Salary: $116,440
Projected Growth by 2022: 23%
ATTORNEY
Annual Average Salary: $113,530
Projected Growth by 2022: 10%
To see the full report, go to http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/best-paying-jobs-2014
About CareerCast.com
CareerCast.com, created by Adicio, is a job search portal that offers extensive local, niche and national job listings from across North America; job-hunting, career-management and HR-focused editorial content; and videos and blogs; and provides recruiters with the ability to post jobs directly to more than 800 niche career sites. CareerCast.com also compiles the Jobs Rated Report (www.jobsrated.com), where 200 jobs across North America are ranked based on detailed analysis of specific careers factors.
Editor's Note: Infographic is available. This material may be published with a link to http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/best-paying-jobs-2014
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Beth Brody, Brody PR
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