Top Paying Jobs in America of 2022

• Salary usually depends on a mixture of factors, including the level of education, experience, and the field one pursues.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below is a list of some of the highest-paying jobs in the United States in 2022.
• Although these jobs have high salaries, many of them are accompanied by high student loan debt.

There are many different career paths a person can choose from in pursuit of attaining a high-paying job. The exact salary will differ depending on the field of work, experience, and level of education.

Below is a list of some of the highest-paying jobs in the U.S. in 2022. We also provide the description of each position, the level of education required for said job, and the average salary according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, since many high-paying jobs require a high level of education, such as a master's or doctoral degree, we cover the average amount of student loans debt accumulated to complete each job's education.

9. Petroleum Engineer

Average Salary: $137,330

Job Description: A petroleum engineer’s main job is to find new places where gas and oil can be dug up so that the government can use the resources for their daily activities. 

Education Level Required: Must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Depending on the job, it may also be required to have a master’s degree too.

Average Amount of Student Loans: A petroleum engineer incurs around $23,000 in student loan debt.

8. Marketing Manager

Average Salary: $153,440

Job Description: A marketing manager’s primary focus is to develop marketing

strategies to help a company maximize profits and expose the company to as many customers as possible.

Education Level Required: Must pursue post-secondary education and receive a Bachelor’s degree. Once this degree is obtained, they are eligible to become a marketing manager. 

Average Amount of Student Loans: The amount of student loans taken out to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree is around $27,000.

7. Financial Manager

Average Salary: $153,460

Job Description: A financial manager analyzes financial data and reports to senior management with new ways of improving or increasing profitability. 

Education Level Required: Must pursue post-secondary education and receive a bachelor’s degree. 

Average Amount of Student Loans: Student loan debt will be around $27,000.

6. Nurse Anesthetists

Average Salary: $202,470

Job Description: A nurse anesthetist is responsible for administering various medications to patients before, during, and after surgery. 

Education Level Required: A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is initially required to become a registered nurse. While gaining experience as a registered nurse, one must then receive a Masters in Nursing, which is when they can become certified as a nurse anesthetist.

Average Amount of Student Loans: For those attending medical school, the average amount of student debt incurred is between $200,000 and $250,000.

5. General Surgeon

Average Salary: $208,000

Job Description: A general surgeon specializes in surgical procedures, such as removing disease and repairing injuries; provides guidance on the need for surgery.

Education Level Required: One must first complete a bachelor’s degree, then finish medical school, followed by a five-year surgery residency. 

Average Amount of Student Loans: Between $200,000 and $250,000. 

4. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Average Salary: $213,020

Job Description: Chief executives oversee a business and make executive decisions that will benefit the company in the best way possible. 

Education Level Required: The education level is different for most, but the most common education amongst chief executives is having a Bachelor of Business Administration and at least five years of management experience.

Average Amount of Student Loans: $27,000

3. Pediatric Surgeon

Average Salary: $290,310

Job Description: A pediatric surgeon is a surgeon specializing in operations on children from when they are a newborn until their teenage years. 

Education Level Required: Firstly, a person pursuing becoming a pediatric surgeon must get a Bachelor’s degree in biology, English, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, or biochemistry. Then, after a person completes their Bachelor’s degree, they must receive their Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Lastly, they have to complete their residency program. Once that has been done, they must pass a standardized national license exam to begin working as a pediatric surgeon. 

Average Amount of Student Loans: Between $200,000 and $250,000 

2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Average Salary: $311,460

Job Description: An oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializes in conducting medical procedures on the head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face of a person. 

Education Level Required: Most oral and maxillofacial surgeons hold a Bachelor’s Degree, though it is not required. However, they are required to attend four years of dental school. 

Average Amount of Student Loans: Between $200,000 and $250,000

1.Cardiologist

Average Salary: $353,970

Job Description: A cardiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating patients with diseases found within their cardiovascular system.

Education Level Required: Must obtain a Bachelor’s Degree, followed by four years of medical school, after which they must pass a certification exam.

Average Amount of Student Loans: Between $200,000 and $250,000 

Paying off Student Loans

As the highest paying careers are located within the medical field, many must partake in nearly a decade of post-secondary education for their roles. Thus, the debt incurred over the years began to add up, which could have consequences on one’s financial situation. 

Recommended Read: How to Pay Back Student Loans After Loan Relief Period Ends

Regardless of your starting salary, you will want to put together a plan to aggressively pay off or lower your student loans because by paying off your debt sooner, it means less money paid towards interest. Also, prolonged periods of debt can have a strain on your mental health. Overall, you should enjoy the fruits of your labor, but be careful not to fall into having poor spending habits with a nice salary.