It's no secret: Every prospective job seeker wants to find a role that brings in big bucks. While you could go to law school or medical school to increase the likelihood of a six-figure salary, those professions do have their own drawbacks (hello, long hours and thousands of dollars in student loan debt). If the medical and legal professions are not for you, you might want to consider one of nearly a dozen other professions—assembled by Glassdoor.com—that all compensate their employees with salaries well in the $100,000 range. Here, we present the employment site's list of 11 high paying careers—and some of the results just might surprise you.
1. Special agent
Median pay: $125,000
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in criminal justice; prior experience in law enforcement or the military; an affinity for criminal investigation and keeping unconventional hours
Median pay: $125,000
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in criminal justice; prior experience in law enforcement or the military; an affinity for criminal investigation and keeping unconventional hours
2. Airline pilot
Median pay: $134,000
What you need to succeed: An Airline Transport Pilot License (at the bare minimum); a bachelor's degree in physics or aviation; prior military experience; strong leadership and communication skills
Median pay: $134,000
What you need to succeed: An Airline Transport Pilot License (at the bare minimum); a bachelor's degree in physics or aviation; prior military experience; strong leadership and communication skills
3. Regional sales executive
Median pay: $103,500
What you need to succeed: Excellent communication skills; an encyclopedic knowledge of your company's products
Median pay: $103,500
What you need to succeed: Excellent communication skills; an encyclopedic knowledge of your company's products
4. Nurse practitioner
Median pay: $101,600
What you need to succeed: A master's degree in nursing; good bedside manner; depending on the state, additional degrees and certifications
Median pay: $101,600
What you need to succeed: A master's degree in nursing; good bedside manner; depending on the state, additional degrees and certifications
5. Reservoir engineer
Median pay: $143,000
What you need to succeed: A degree in chemical engineering; prior technical experience, particularly in extracting gas and oil from underground reserves
Median pay: $143,000
What you need to succeed: A degree in chemical engineering; prior technical experience, particularly in extracting gas and oil from underground reserves
6. Dentist
Median pay: $129,968
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in a pre-dentistry, science-related field; a high score on the Dental Acceptance Test given by the American Dental Association, and a doctoral degree in dentistry
Median pay: $129,968
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in a pre-dentistry, science-related field; a high score on the Dental Acceptance Test given by the American Dental Association, and a doctoral degree in dentistry
7. Equity research associate
Median pay: 100,000
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in economics, finance, or a related field; a keen interest in financial trends—and the prescience to predict them
Median pay: 100,000
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in economics, finance, or a related field; a keen interest in financial trends—and the prescience to predict them
8. Geophysicist
Median pay: 119,380
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's and/or master's degree in geology; experience conducting research and evaluating sites using gravity, seismic, magnetic, and electrical methods of study
Median pay: 119,380
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's and/or master's degree in geology; experience conducting research and evaluating sites using gravity, seismic, magnetic, and electrical methods of study
9. Physician's assistant
Median pay: 100,392
What you need to succeed: A master's degree in a medical-related field; strong communication skills and a willingness to collaborate with other medical professionals
Median pay: 100,392
What you need to succeed: A master's degree in a medical-related field; strong communication skills and a willingness to collaborate with other medical professionals
10. Drilling engineer
Median pay: 116,500
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in mechanical or petroleum engineering; excellent communication skills; a sharp eye for detail to keep projects running smoothly and guarantee safety
Median pay: 116,500
What you need to succeed: A bachelor's degree in mechanical or petroleum engineering; excellent communication skills; a sharp eye for detail to keep projects running smoothly and guarantee safety
11. Software architect
Median pay: 139,000
What you need to succeed: Either a bachelor's degree in math, software engineering, or computer science or coding skills acquired through an accelerated learning program (like an online boot camp); problem-solving skills and technical know-how; good communication and willingness to work long hours
Median pay: 139,000
What you need to succeed: Either a bachelor's degree in math, software engineering, or computer science or coding skills acquired through an accelerated learning program (like an online boot camp); problem-solving skills and technical know-how; good communication and willingness to work long hours
