Careers

Find yourself. Or at least find a job.

BROWSE BY SALARY

Sometimes, it’s all about the Benjamins. And you know what? That’s okay. Take a look at the expected earnings—by year and by life—for all of our careers.

Career First Year's Earnings Total Lifetime Earnings
ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) Agent$77,120$2,061,000
Accountant, Certified and Public$63,550$2,653,000
Actor$51,880$2,166,000
Actuary$93,680$3,911,000
Acupuncturist$85,740$3,579,474
Adminstrative Assistant$35,330$1,475,000
Adventure Travel Leader$38,260$1,597,278
Advertising Sales Representative$46,290$1,932,000
Advice Columnist$52,810$2,204,712
Aerospace Engineer$103,720$4,330,000
Air Marshal$65,000$2,713,620
Air Tanker Pilot$48,000$2,003,904
Air Traffic Controller$122,530$5,115,000
Aircraft Mechanic$55,230$2,306,000
Amusement Arcade Worker$29,770$1,243,000
Anesthesiologist$300,000$12,524,400
Animal Control Worker$34,370$1,434,879
Animal Trainer$25,270$1,055,000
Anthropologist$57,420$2,397,000
Antiques Dealer$45,000$1,878,660
Appraiser$55,400$2,312,839
Arbitrator$76,840$3,207,916
Arborist$39,000$1,628,000
Archaeologist$57,420$2,397,000
Architect$73,090$3,051,000
Archivist$52,930$2,209,722
Art Director$80,880$3,377,000
Art Therapist$68,900$2,876,437
Astronaut$82,700$2,902,000
Astronomer$106,000$4,425,288
Astrophysicist$106,360$4,440,317
Athletic Coach$39,590$1,653,000
Au Pair/Nanny$20,000$500,000
Auctioneer$46,000$1,920,408
Audio Engineer$46,000$1,920,408
Audiologist$69,720$2,911,000
Auto Mechanic$37,000$1,544,676
Aviation Safety Inspector$87,000$3,632,076
B&B Owner$60,000$2,600,000
Baggage Handler$37,000$1,544,676
Bailiff$37,000$1,544,676
Baker$23,140$966,000
Ballerina$40,000$1,669,920
Band Manager$71,340$2,978,000
Barista$22,000$918,456
Bartender$26,000$1,085,448
Baseball Manager$825,000$3,300,000
Baseball Player$3,730,000$155,720,040
Basketball Player$5,200,000$24,960,000
Beautician/Cosmetologist$25,000$1,043,700
Beekeeper$70,110$2,927,000
Bellboy$21,000$876,708
Bike Messenger$25,000$1,043,700
Biological Scientist$75,160$3,138,000
Biosystems Engineer$60,000$2,504,880
Blacksmith$51,981$2,170,000
Bookie$21,810$910,524
Bookkeeper$35,170$1,468,277
Border Patrol Agent$70,910$1,664,000
Botanist$62,400$2,605,000
Boxer$75,760$3,162,828
Brain Surgeon$393,000$16,406,964
Brewer$35,000$1,461,180
Bus Driver$34,000$1,419,432
Butcher$28,660$1,196,498
CIA Clandestine Services Operation Officer$70,000$1,495,000
Caddie$52,000$2,170,896
Camp Counselor$1,880$78,486
Cancer Biologist$79,840$3,333,160
Car Sales Agent$42,000$1,753,416
Cardiologist$300,000$12,524,400
Carpenter$39,940$1,667,000
Cartographer$57,440$2,398,005
Cartoonist$45,000$1,878,660
Cashier$18,970$792,000
Caterer$53,000$2,212,644
Cattle Rancher$40,401$1,687,000
Celebrity Personal Assistant$80,000$3,339,840
Chauffeur$42,000$1,753,416
Cheerleader$3,000$125,244
Chef$47,000$1,962,156
Chemical Engineer$94,350$3,939,000
Chemist$71,770$2,996,000
Child Psychologist$68,000$2,838,864
Chiropractor$60,000$2,504,880
Choreographer$44,130$1,842,000
Cinematographer$51,300$2,142,000
Civil Engineer$79,340$3,312,000
Clown$36,000$1,502,928
Coast Guard$75,000$3,131,100
Coder$74,280$3,101,000
College Admissions Officer$38,570$1,610,220
Commercial Airline Pilot$115,000$4,801,020
Commercial Bank Manager$56,000$2,337,888
Commercial Diver$45,890$1,915,816
Computer Animator$61,370$2,562,000
Computer Programmer$74,280$3,101,000
Computer Repair Technician$36,620$1,529,000
Computer Scientist$102,190$4,266,000
Concert/Event Promoter$48,360$2,019,000
Concierge Doctor$225,000$9,393,300
Conservationist$61,100$2,551,000
Consumer Safety Inspector$41,000$1,711,668
Container Ship Sailor$40,970$1,710,416
Copy Editor$53,880$2,249,000
Coroner$65,000$2,713,620
Corporate Events Manager$45,810$1,912,000
Corporate Lawyer$98,290$4,103,000
Corporate Relocation Specialist$50,000$2,087,400
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager$108,000$4,508,784
Correctional Institution Administrator$55,000$2,296,140
Correctional Officer/Prison Guard$38,970$1,627,000
Cosmetic Surgeon (Beverly Hills)$408,000$17,033,184
Cosmetic Surgeon (Charitable)$75,000$3,131,100
Costume Designer$39,540$1,651,000
Country Club Manager$55,000$2,296,140
Credit Analyst$75,970$3,171,596
Criminal Investigator$74,300$3,102,000
Criminal Justice Lawyer$78,500$3,277,000
Crop Farmer$70,110$2,927,000
Crossword Puzzle Writer$10,000$40,000
Cryptographer$100,000$4,174,800
Curator$49,590$2,070,000
Customer Service Rep$33,000$1,377,684
Customs and Immigration Inspector$76,730$3,203,324
Cytogenetic Technologist$59,000$2,463,132
DMV Worker$35,000$1,461,180
Dancer$30,720$1,283,000
Database Administrator$80,280$3,351,529
Day Care Operator$40,880$1,707,000
Daycare Worker$28,377$1,184,683
Dean of Students$62,000$2,588,376
Deejay$38,200$1,595,000
Defense Engineer$77,120$3,220,000
Delta Force$68,300$2,577,000
Demolition Contractor$48,000$2,003,904
Dental Assistant$34,500$1,440,000
Dental Hygienist$51,000$2,129,148
Dentist$149,310$5,550,000
Dermatologist$306,210$10,695,000
Dietitian$55,240$2,306,000
Diplomat$52,572$2,102,880
Doctor Without Borders$18,252$761,984
Dolphin Trainer$30,000$1,252,440
Dredge Operator$45,000$1,878,660
EMT$31,020$1,295,000
EPA Scientist$95,190$2,509,000
Ecologist$50,520$2,109,000
Economist$91,860$3,835,000
Editor$53,880$2,249,000
Educational Psychologist$72,710$3,035,497
Egyptologist$57,420$2,397,000
Electrical Engineer$89,630$3,741,873
Electrician$49,840$2,081,000
Elementary, Middle or High School Teacher$56,380$2,354,000
Elevator Install/Repair$78,620$3,282,228
Elf in Santa's Workshop$35,360$1,476,209
Embalmer$45,060$1,881,165
Emergency Management Specialist$52,590$2,195,527
Endocrinologist$179,291$7,485,040
Endoscopy Technician$34,078$1,422,688
Energy Auditor$67,280$2,808,805
Energy Broker$61,960$2,586,706
Entertainment Lawyer$113,530$4,740,000
Entrepreneur - Silicon Valley$65,000$2,600,000
Entrepreneur - Small Business$74,460$3,108,000
Environmental Scientist$63,570$2,654,000
Epidemiologist$73,000$3,047,604
Equal Rights Opportunity Officer$64,950$2,711,533
Esthetician$28,640$1,195,663
Etsy Crafter$44,380$1,852,776
Exercise Physiologist$46,020$1,921,243
FBI Agent$106,310$2,776,000
FDA Scientist$86,040$3,592,000
Farm Research Scientist$58,610$2,446,850
Farrier$73,108$3,052,113
Fashion Designer$62,860$2,624,000
Fashion Photographer$59,000$2,463,132
Fast Food Franchise Owner$66,000$2,755,368
Federal Prosecutor$95,000$3,966,060
Fighter Pilot$87,350$3,297,000
Figure Skater$20,000$834,960
Film Critic$56,000$2,337,888
Film Director$71,350$2,979,000
Film Distribution Agent$60,000$2,504,880
Film Editor$51,300$2,142,000
Film Producer$71,350$2,979,000
Film Score Composer$119,000$4,968,012
Financial Analyst$76,950$3,212,000
Fire Fighter$45,250$1,889,000
Fire Investigator$58,980$2,462,297
Fish Hatchery Worker$35,000$1,461,180
Fisherman$33,430$1,395,636
Fitness Instructor$31,720$1,324,247
Flight Attendant$37,240$1,555,000
Flight Instructor$93,340$3,897,000
Floriculturist$46,000$1,920,408
Florist$24,750$1,033,263
Food Scientist$58,610$2,446,850
Food Service Manager/Entrepreneur (Pizza Parlor)$46,360$1,935,437
Football Player$770,000$2,695,000
Foreign Language Teacher$43,510$1,816,000
Foreign Missionary$49,800$2,100,000
Foreign Service Officer$88,000$3,673,824
Forensic Scientist$52,840$2,206,000
Fuel Cell Engineer$79,230$3,307,694
Funeral Director$46,840$1,955,000
Furniture Maker$28,440$1,187,313
Furniture Salesman$30,000$1,252,440
Game Warden$53,260$2,223,498
Gardener$26,000$1,085,448
Gemologist$40,000$1,669,920
General Practitioner$176,530$6,168,000
Geneticist$74,504$3,110,393
Geologist$96,000$4,008,000
Geothermal Engineer$87,000$3,632,076
Geriatrician$183,523$7,661,718
Glass Blower$29,790$1,243,673
Glazier$42,500$1,774,290
Golfer$322,491$13,463,354
Grant Writer$42,000$1,753,416
Graphic Designer$44,150$1,843,000
Green Grocer Manager$54,000$2,254,392
Greenskeeper$18,000$751,464
Greeting Card Writer$1,500$62,622
Grief Counselor$41,500$1,732,542
Gun Store Owner$38,000$1,586,424
Gymnast$30,000$1,252,440
HMO Executive$250,000$10,437,000
HR Director$99,720$4,163,000
HVACR Technician$41,000$1,711,668
Hair & Makeup Designer$47,210$1,971,000
Headhunter$47,500$1,983,000
Hedge Fund Manager$312,330$13,039,000
Herpetologist$63,000$2,630,124
High School College Counselor$60,560$2,528,000
Highway Maintenance Worker$37,910$1,582,667
Historian$55,870$2,332,460
Hockey Player$1,150,000$6,325,000
Holistic Medicine Practitioner$86,729$3,620,762
Home Care Nurse$62,090$2,592,133
Horologist$38,000$1,586,424
Horticulturist$40,470$1,689,000
Hospice Worker$45,760$1,910,000
Hotel Chain Owner$50,000$2,087,400
Hotel Manager$51,827$2,163,674
Housekeeper$19,570$817,008
Hunter/Trapper$33,000$1,377,684
IOS/Android Developer$78,000$3,256,344
IRS Auditor$59,310$2,476,000
IRS Special Agent$91,507$3,820,234
IT Manager$102,000$4,258,000
Illustrator$44,850$1,872,000
Immunologist$225,540$7,877,000
Industrial Truck/Tractor Operator$34,000$1,419,432
Insurance Claims Adjuster$59,850$2,499,000
Insurance Sales Agent$48,150$2,010,000
Intellectual Property Lawyer$150,362$6,277,313
Interior Designer$47,600$1,987,000
International Aid Worker$30,000$1,600,000
International Sales$77,490$3,235,000
Investment Banker$99,940$4,172,000
Janitor$22,320$931,815
Jewelry Designer$49,345$2,060,055
Jockey$20,000$834,960
Journalist$35,600$1,486,000
Judge$102,980$4,299,000
Justice of the Peace$97,000$4,049,556
Landscaper$23,940$999,000
Law Professor$152,900$6,383,000
Lawyer for a Tobacco Company$156,150$6,158,000
Lawyer, General$113,530$4,740,000
Librarian$55,370$2,312,000
Life Coach$62,000$2,588,376
Lifeguard$20,268$846,148
Lighting Designer$52,000$2,170,896
Limnologist$75,530$3,153,000
Linguist$70,000$2,922,360
Liquor Distributor$44,000$1,836,912
Literary Agent$60,000$2,600,000
Loan Officer$65,000$2,713,620
Local Politician$61,706$2,576,102
Locksmith$40,620$1,695,804
Logistician$72,780$3,038,419
MMA Fighter$34,000$1,419,432
Machinist$41,000$1,711,668
Magician$49,000$2,045,652
Mall Cop$25,000$1,044,000
Mall Kiosk Worker$20,000$834,960
Mall Santa$9,000$375,732
Management Consultant$78,600$3,281,000
Manicurist$22,000$918,456
Marine Biologist$51,180$2,137,000
Market Research Analyst$60,000$2,517,000
Marketing Manager$119,480$4,988,000
Marriage and Family Therapist$46,670$1,948,000
Massage Therapist$35,970$1,502,000
Matchmaker$38,000$1,586,424
Materials Engineer$85,000$3,548,580
Mathematician$100,000$4,174,800
Mechanical Engineer$66,437$2,773,612
Medical Assistant$29,370$1,226,000
Medical Transcriptionist$34,000$1,419,432
Medical Writer$88,000$3,674,000
Meteorologist$92,920$3,879,000
Microbiologist$75,230$3,140,702
Midwife$93,000$3,882,564
Military Battlefield Surgeon$87,350$3,297,000
Millwright$54,000$2,254,392
Mine Safety Inspector$44,000$1,836,912
Mortgage Broker$52,981$2,211,851
Music Producer$48,900$2,042,000
Music Teacher$45,000$1,878,660
Music Therapist$45,000$1,879,000
Musical Theater Performer$51,880$2,166,000
Musician or Singer$39,550$1,651,000
Mutual Fund Manager$115,200$4,809,000
Mystery Shopper$14,000$584,472
NASCAR Racecar Driver$500,000$12,500,000
NIH Scientist$93,300$3,895,000
Navy Seal$68,300$2,577,000
Nephrologist$224,827$9,386,078
Network Administrator$75,790$3,164,081
Neurologist$230,000$9,602,040
Newspaper Reporter$35,870$1,497,000
Niche Food Entrepreneur$68,000$2,838,864
Nuclear Engineer$104,270$4,353,000
Nuclear Materials Courier$45,000$1,878,660
Nun/Monk$0$0
Nurse$65,470$2,733,000
Obstetrician$187,200$6,538,000
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$66,790$2,788,349
Occupational Therapist$73,000$3,047,604
Oceanographer$108,420$4,526,318
Oil Rig Worker$90,000$3,757,000
Oil Tycoon$15,000,000$626,220,000
Oncologist$237,803$9,927,800
Opera Singer$40,000$1,669,920
Ophthalmologist$263,322$10,993,166
Optician$44,881$1,873,692
Optometrist$97,820$4,084,000
Oral Surgeon$220,000$9,184,560
Orchestra Conductor$47,350$1,976,768
Orderly$23,990$1,001,535
Orthodontist$200,000$8,349,600
Orthoptist$73,400$3,064,303
Painter$42,610$1,779,000
Paleontologist$60,000$2,504,880
Paralegal, Not “Two Legals”$46,990$1,962,000
Park Ranger$33,890$1,415,000
Parole Officer$52,280$2,183,000
Pathologist$258,000$10,770,984
Pediatrician$157,610$5,858,000
Personal Financial Advisor/Private Wealth Manager$67,520$2,819,000
Personal Trainer$31,720$1,324,000
Pesticide Scientist$49,000$2,045,652
Pet Groomer$19,910$831,203
Pet Sitter$48,640$2,030,000
Pharmaceutical Rep$70,000$2,922,000
Pharmaceutical Scientist$149,400$6,237,000
Pharmacist$116,670$4,871,000
Pharmacy Technician$29,000$1,210,692
Phlebotomist$29,730$1,241,168
Photographer, Still Frame$31,200$1,302,538
Physical Therapist$79,860$3,334,000
Physicist$106,840$4,460,000
Piano Shop Owner$55,000$2,296,140
Plumber$49,140$2,051,000
Podiatrist$116,440$4,861,000
Poet$35,000$1,500,000
Poker Player$15,000$626,220
Police Officer$55,270$2,307,000
Political Campaign Manager$80,000$3,300,000
Political Scientist$102,000$4,258,000
Polygraph Examiner$75,000$3,131,100
Postal Worker$56,490$2,358,345
Postsecondary Teacher - History Professor$66,790$2,788,000
Potter$31,000$1,294,188
Poultry Processor CEO$1,000,000$41,748,000
Preschool Teacher$27,130$1,133,000
President of the United States$400,000$1,600,000
Priest$43,950$1,834,825
Private Detective$45,740$1,910,000
Proctologist$245,620$8,036,000
Production Designer$130,000$5,427,240
Production Sound Mixer$46,870$1,957,000
Professional Gamer$60,000$300,000
Property Manager$52,610$2,196,000
Psychiatrist$178,950$6,250,000
Psychologist$69,280$2,892,000
Public Administrator$59,000$2,463,132
Public Defender$51,190$2,137,000
Public Relations$54,170$2,261,000
Pyrotechnician$45,000$1,878,660
Rabbi$140,000$5,844,720
Radiologist$375,000$15,655,500
Railroad Safety Inspector$70,820$2,956,593
Rare Book Dealer$40,000$1,669,920
Real Estate Broker$41,990$1,753,000
Real Estate Developer$80,000$3,339,840
Recycling Plant Manager$60,366$2,520,160
Rehabilitation Counselor$33,880$1,414,000
Repo Man$32,480$1,356,000
Restaurant Critic$59,290$2,475,000
Retail Nurseryman$43,564$1,818,709
Roadie$57,000$2,379,636
Robotics Engineer$94,310$3,937,254
Rock Star$20,000$834,960
Roller Coaster Designer$75,000$3,131,100
Roofer$35,800$1,494,578
Rugby Player$70,000$2,922,360
SCUBA Instructor$25,000$1,000,000
Sales Worker Supervisor$42,000$1,753,416
Sanitation Worker$27,000$1,127,000
School Principal$88,000$3,673,824
Screenwriter$200,000$8,349,600
Sculptor$43,890$1,832,320
Secret Service Agent$60,370$2,336,000
Security Guard$23,970$1,001,000
Seismologist$98,130$4,097,000
Senator$174,000$2,088,000
Sex Education Teacher$53,430$2,231,000
Ship Captain$72,000$3,005,856
Shipwright$94,040$3,925,982
Sketch Artist$44,380$1,852,776
Soccer Player$100,000$320,000
Social Worker$44,200$1,845,000
Solar Energy Engineer$90,580$3,781,534
Sommelier$46,260$1,931,000
Sorority President$0$0
Sound Editor$52,000$2,170,896
Spa Manager$34,000$1,419,000
Special Education Teacher$55,000$2,296,140
Speech Therapist$65,000$2,713,620
Sports Agent$100,000$4,000,000
Sports Announcer$54,020$2,255,000
Sports Camera Operator$33,130$1,383,000
Sports Physician$203,300$8,487,000
Sportscaster$79,050$3,300,179
Stand-up Comedian$20,000$700,000
Statistician$75,560$3,154,000
Stem Cell Biologist$76,000$3,172,848
Stenographer$53,000$2,212,644
Stockbroker/Financial Services Sales Agent$71,720$2,994,000
Stonemason$37,350$1,559,288
Studio Musician$65,000$2,713,620
Stunt Performer$70,000$2,900,000
Submarine Commander$90,000$3,757,320
Substitute Teacher$29,600$1,235,741
Supreme Court Justice$213,900$8,930,000
Surgeon, General to Specific$233,150$7,628,000
Surgical Assistant$75,000$3,131,100
Surveyor$56,230$2,347,000
Swimming Instructor$22,000$918,456
TV Commercial Director$71,350$2,979,000
TV Reporter$37,674$1,572,814
TV Writer$76,000$3,172,848
Tailor$28,000$1,168,944
Talent Agent$64,490$2,692,000
Talent Manager$75,000$3,131,000
Tank Commander$76,320$2,880,000
Taxi Driver$22,820$953,000
Taxidermist$51,390$2,145,000
Tea Plantation Owner$25,000$1,000,000
Technical Writer$65,500$2,734,000
Telecommunications Technician$50,000$2,087,400
Tennis Player$400,000$6,000,000
Theatre Director$49,690$2,074,000
Toll Booth Operator$34,000$1,419,432
Tour Guide$23,770$992,350
Toxicologist$79,000$3,298,092
Toy Designer$64,180$2,679,000
Train Conductor$55,000$2,296,140
Translator$45,000$1,878,660
Travel Agent$34,600$1,444,000
Trial Lawyer$114,300$4,772,000
Truck Driver$38,200$1,595,000
Ultrasound Technician$65,840$2,748,688
Umpire$50,000$1,200,000
Union Head$300,000$3,000,000
Upholsterer$33,280$1,389,373
Urban Planner$65,230$2,723,000
Urologist$396,233$16,541,935
Usher$20,608$860,343
Vegas Dealer$20,210$844,000
Veterinarian$84,460$3,526,000
Vice Principal$80,000$3,339,840
Video Game Designer$62,310$2,601,000
Waiter$18,540$774,000
Water Polo Player$55,000$2,296,140
Web Designer$62,500$2,609,000
Web Product Manager$100,000$4,175,000
Wedding Planner$32,000$1,336,000
Welder$36,395$1,519,418
Wildlife Rescuer$20,000$834,960
Wind Farm Operator$45,000$1,878,660
Woodworker$28,440$1,187,313
Wrestler$50,000$2,087,400
Writer$55,940$2,335,000
Yoga Instructor$34,000$1,419,432
YouTube Personality$100$4,175
Zamboni Operator$31,000$1,294,188
Zookeeper$26,000$1,085,000
Zoologist$57,710$2,409,000