In this article, we will discuss the 30 highest-paying jobs in the world in 2024. You can skip our detailed discussion of the job market in the US and Europe, and check out the 5 Highest Paying Jobs in the World in 2024.
In 2023, inflation decreased significantly in the US, which was encouraging as it coincided with a reduction in job openings rather than a spike in unemployment. However, recent research suggests that the economy in the US might be near a tipping point. If job openings continue to decline, unemployment could rise more rapidly.
In a new study presented at the Kansas City Fed’s annual conference, economists highlighted the relationship between job openings and unemployment. When the ratio of job openings to job seekers is close to balance, as it is now at 1.2-to-1, the risk of rising unemployment increases. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure has already dropped to 2.5% from a high of over 7% in June 2022, while the unemployment rate has remained under 4%.
On the other hand, the European job market is faced with a critical skills shortage, which is particularly pronounced in Germany and Greece, where 82% of employers struggle to fill positions, compared to 59% in Finland. The aging population and declining birth rates in Europe are further worsening the problem and reducing the available pool of skilled labour.
Speaking of skills, Creative thinking is increasingly becoming one of the most demanded skills in the modern workforce. In 2024, 73% of organizations surveyed by the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey highlighted that creative thinking has become a top priority when evaluating talent. This focus on creative skills is not just a passing trend but a critical necessity for career and organizational success.
It is also worth noting that most of the highly demanded skills or jobs are the ones that are also highly paid. Interestingly, according to a recent Ladders report, there has been a 20% increase in six-figure job roles during the second quarter of 2024 in the US. Science and education, legal, operations and general management sectors have observed the highest rise in job postings.
READ ALSO 20 High-Paying Entry-Level Jobs in the US and 30 Highest-Paid Jobs and Occupations in the US.
Now let’s look at the companies hiring for the highest-paying jobs in 2024.
Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is currently on the lookout for a Business Solutions Advisor and Financial Center manager in the US with salaries higher than $100,000 annually. It is also true that Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) pays the highest-paid employees over $330,000 a year, while the lowest-paid employees are paid less than $76,500. Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is one of the Largest Banks in the US by Customers.
Similarly, Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) is currently hiring for multiple senior-level positions such as Transformations Excellence Managers. It is worth highlighting that working at Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) also offers comprehensive support for both personal and professional well-being. Financially, Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) provides a lucrative compensation package that includes base pay, bonuses, a 401(k) match, and a Voluntary Equity Investment Program (VEIP) where employees can invest in company shares with a 50% matching grant. Employees also benefit from paid time off (PTO), ranging from 13 to 27 days annually based on tenure, alongside different leave programs to accommodate personal needs.
While we acknowledge the potential of Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Our Methodology
We found the 30 highest-paying jobs in the world after researching the highest-paying professions in the US, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan. Then we listed the 50 frequently highest-paying jobs in ascending order based on their average salaries and the top 30 have been highlighted below. The salary data for each job from each country was sourced from the ERI and our salary database and then averaged to obtain an average salary number.
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30. IT Systems Architect
Average Salary: $98,000
To become an IT Systems Architect, you need strong skills in system design, network architecture, and cloud computing. Proficiency in programming languages (like Python, Java) and experience with databases and cybersecurity are equally essential. With an average salary of $98,000, this is one of the highest-paying jobs in 2024.
29. Investment Banker
Average Salary: $99,814
Investment bankers tend to enjoy a lucrative and dynamic career, with an average salary of $118,200 per year in the US as of January 2024, according to Payscale. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 7% growth in securities, commodities, and financial services sales careers from 2022 to 2032, making investment banking one of the best jobs to consider in 2024.
28. Mechanical Engineers
Average Salary: $103,620
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 286,100 mechanical engineering jobs in the US in 2022. The job outlook for this field is strong, with a projected 10% growth from 2022 to 2032 in America.
27. DevOps Engineer
Average Salary: $107,165
DevOps engineers bridge the gap between development and operations by enabling faster, more reliable software delivery. The average salary of these engineers worldwide is $107,165.
26. IT Managers
Average Salary: $111,562
The global shortage of IT management skills is expected to impact over 90% of organizations by 2026, with potential losses reaching $5.5 trillion due to product delays, reduced competitiveness, and missed revenue opportunities, per IDC. The IDC survey revealed that two-thirds of North American IT leaders have already experienced revenue shortfalls, quality issues, and customer dissatisfaction due to the skills gap.
25. Pharmacists
Average Salary: $112,164
To practice as a foreign pharmacist in Germany, you need to obtain approval, known as “approbation,” from the competent authorities in the respective German state.
To read more about pharmacists, see the highest-paying countries for pharmacists.
24. Cyber Security Specialists
Average Salary: $112,294
The demand for cybersecurity jobs is growing as there are nearly 4 million vacancies globally, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum. In the US alone, there are around 750,000 unfilled positions. This demand is driven by the rising threat of cyberattacks, evolving regulatory requirements, and digital transformation across industries.
23. Full Stack Developer
Average Salary: $112,409
Full stack developers handle everything from visual design to backend coding, server management, database creation, and client-facing tasks. Companies like Capital One, Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT), and General Motors actively hire for these roles. The average base salary for full-stack developers in the US is $124,305, with the highest pay in cities like San Francisco ($150,709), Irving ($145,274), and Atlanta ($138,169).
22. Machine Learning Engineer
Average Salary: $114,280
According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, the jobs of Machine learning (ML) and AI specialists are expected to grow by 40% over the next five years and thus, will translate into 1 million new jobs.
21. Software Engineers
Average Salary: $115,116
With an average salary of $115,116, software engineers not only one of the highest paying jobs in the world but also one of the best careers to pursue in 2024.
20. Management Consultants
Average Salary: $115,433
With an average salary of $115,433, management consultants have one of the top 20 highest-paying jobs in the world in 2024. A management consultant needs strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess business issues and develop strategic solutions.
19. Blockchain Developers
Average Salary: $117,719
Blockchain developers have one of the highest-paid jobs in the future with an average salary of $117,719 in 2024. Radity GmbH is one of the well-paying companies for blockchain developers in Switzerland.
18. Enterprise Architects
Average Salary: $124,994
Enterprise architects are often employed in industries that require complex IT systems and strategic technology planning, such as banking, insurance, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
17. Aerospace Engineers
Average Salary: $126,178
The job of an aerospace engineer is critical for national defence, space exploration, and aviation safety and often requires top-tier problem-solving skills and innovation. The high level of responsibility, the need for precision, and the rigorous educational background—often including advanced degrees—explain their high earning potential.
16. Air Traffic Controller
Average Salary: $129,113
With an average salary of $129,113, an air traffic controller is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world without a degree. To read more about such jobs, see the 40 Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree in the US.
15. Data Scientist
Average Salary: $130,520
It is also worth noting that technology, finance, and healthcare are the highest-paying industries for data scientists. With an average salary of $130,520, data scientists also have one of the highest-paying jobs in the world in the future.
14. Pilots
Average Salary: $135,000
The aviation industry projections indicate a global deficit of up to 50,000 pilots by 2025. This shortfall is driven by factors such as increased retirements, the rapid rebound in air travel post-pandemic, and costly training.
13. Marketing Manager
Average Salary: $140,976
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers earned a median salary of $156,580 annually in 2023 in the US. As of 2022, BLS reported that there were 389,000 jobs in this profession, and employment is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032. Hence, with high growth and an average salary of $140,976, it is also expected to be one of the highest-paid jobs in 2025.
12. Actuaries
Average Salary: $144,300
Actuaries have one of the relatively low-stress jobs. The Labor Department’s Occupational Information Network evaluated 873 occupations based on stress tolerance, which measures how much a job “requires accepting criticism and handling high-pressure situations calmly and effectively.” Jobs were ranked on a scale from 0 (least stressful) to 100 (most stressful), and actuaries scored 57.
11. Petroleum Engineer
Average Salary: $146,524
While petroleum engineering jobs are very well paid, for some, the work environment and demands of a petroleum engineer may be considered drawbacks. Since oil and gas operations are usually concentrated in specific regions, the job often requires relocation or extended stays in temporary housing. This means that as a petroleum engineer, you might spend long periods away from home and loved ones. It is also quite common for petroleum engineers to work more than 40 hours a week.
10. Corporate Lawyer
Average Salary: $155,200
Corporate lawyers often work closely with executives and thus, may potentially impact the direction of entire industries. Hence, it is often considered one of the most powerful jobs in the world.
9. Nurse Anesthetists
Average Salary: $171,242
To become a Nurse Anesthetist, first, one needs to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and become a Registered Nurse (RN). Then, they gain at least one year of experience in an acute care setting, such as an ICU. Then, they pursue a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Nurse Anesthesia from an accredited program, which typically takes 2-3 years.
8. Psychiatrists
Average Salary: $248,220
With an average salary of $248,220, psychiatrists have one of the jobs with the highest salary in the world. With rising mental-health awareness, the market prospects for psychiatrists are expected to improve dramatically.
7. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Average Salary: $250,000
There is no doubt that healthcare is one of the best industries to work for in 2024, owing to the high demand and salaries worldwide. Speaking of demand, from 2011 to 2021, 25% of rural hospitals with obstetrics units were closed in the US and in 2023, a 5.2% decline in OB-GYN residency applications nationwide further confirmed a growing shortage of these professionals.
6. Orthodontist
Average Salary: $298,000
With an average salary of $298,000, orthodontists have one of the highest-paying jobs in the world in 2024.
Speaking of this dentistry profession, it is worth mentioning that a groundbreaking technological advancement in dentistry has been achieved with the completion of the world’s first fully automated dental procedure by the US-based company Perceptive. With a combination of a robotic arm, artificial intelligence, and 3D imaging, the robot performed the procedure with high precision and efficiency.
5. Orthopaedic Surgeon
Average Salary: $315,000
With an average salary of $315,000, orthopedic surgeons have one of the top 5 highest-paying jobs in the world in 2024.
4. Anesthesiologists
Average Salary: $345,203
According to the US Anesthesia Partners, the demand for anesthesiologists in the country has grown as job openings have increased by 150% in recent years, driven by a 17% annual growth rate. Despite the rising demand, the supply of qualified candidates hasn’t kept pace. Currently, there are over 14,400 open positions out of approximately 100,000 full-time roles.
3. Cardiologist
Average Salary: $346,594
With an average salary of $346,594, cardiologists are ranked #3 in our list of the highest-paying jobs in the world in 2024.
2. Chief Executive Officer
Average Salary: $398,016
In the US, public company CEOs earn nearly 200 times more than the average worker, largely due to equity-based incentives like stock options, which far exceed those in other countries. Base salaries and short-term bonuses are similar to global peers, but the massive upside comes from these equity incentives. This also explains why CEOs have one of the most profitable professions in the world.
1. Neurosurgeon
Average Salary: $487,848
Neurosurgery often involves life-saving procedures that demand precision and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure. The stakes are incredibly high, and the margin for error is minimal. Moreover, in countries with advanced healthcare systems like the US, Switzerland, and Germany, there is a high demand for neurosurgical services due to aging populations and the prevalence of neurological disorders. With an average salary of $487,848, neurosurgeons have the highest-paying job in the world in 2024.
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Disclosure: None. 30 Highest Paying Jobs in the World in 2024 was originally published at Insider Monkey.