The State of American Wages
A plain-English, data-driven look at what America actually earns - the highest-paying jobs, the best careers without a degree, and the fastest-growing occupations. Built entirely on official government data, free to read, cite, and embed.
Key findings this quarter
Highest-paying occupations in America
Ranked by average annual wage, 2025 national data (BLS OEWS).
| # | Occupation | Avg. wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pediatric Surgeons | $502,050 |
| 2 | Cardiologists | $454,940 |
| 3 | Radiologists | $381,530 |
| 4 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $373,570 |
| 5 | Surgeons | $363,939 |
| 6 | Anesthesiologists | $360,570 |
| 7 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $346,490 |
| 8 | Dermatologists | $323,530 |
| 9 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $317,480 |
| 10 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $303,076 |
Best-paying jobs without a degree
High-wage occupations that don't typically require a four-year degree, 2025 national data.
| # | Occupation | Avg. wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athletes and Sports Competitors | $206,180 |
| 2 | Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | $121,380 |
| 3 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $119,855 |
| 4 | First Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $112,187 |
| 5 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $110,446 |
| 6 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $109,614 |
| 7 | Gambling Managers | $103,050 |
| 8 | Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $101,435 |
| 9 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $99,507 |
| 10 | Power Plant Operators | $99,190 |
Fastest-growing & in-demand careers
Featured high-growth occupations from BLS Employment Projections.
Methodology & sources
Wage figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program (2025). Growth signals draw on BLS Employment Projections. Cost-of-living adjustments, where shown elsewhere on Wage Atlas, use BEA Regional Price Parities. "Without a degree" reflects BLS typical entry-level education classifications. Figures are averages and medians; individual pay varies by employer, experience and metro area.
Wage Atlas. "The State of American Wages (Q3 2026 Edition)." Wage Atlas, 2026-07-28. https://wageatlas.com/state-of-american-wages/
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