Salary Data for Every Career
Real median salaries for 244+ careers across all 50 US states. Entry-level to senior ranges, hourly rates, and state breakdowns — all free, all sourced from BLS.
Quick Answer
The highest-paying career in the US is Orthopedic Surgeon at a median of $526,000/year. The most searched careers on SalaryMap are Software Engineer ($124K), Registered Nurse ($85K), and Lawyer ($145K). All data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Browse by Category
Select a field to see all salaries, state breakdowns, and career paths.
Aviation
Pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants
Business
Accountants, analysts, managers, finance professionals
Creative
Designers, writers, journalists, content creators
Design
Architects, interior designers, graphic artists
Education
Teachers, professors, administrators, counselors
Engineering
Civil, mechanical, electrical, aerospace engineers
Fitness
Personal trainers, coaches, athletic trainers
Government
Federal, state, and municipal government roles
Healthcare
Nurses, doctors, therapists, technicians and more
Hospitality
Chefs, hotel managers, event planners, travel agents
Legal
Lawyers, paralegals, court reporters, judges
Personal Services
Cosmetologists, massage therapists, stylists
Public Safety
Police officers, firefighters, correctional officers
Science
Biologists, chemists, geologists, researchers
Social Services
Social workers, counselors, community health workers
Technology
Software engineers, data scientists, product managers
Trades
Electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest paying career in the US?
Orthopedic Surgeon is one of the highest paying careers, with a median salary of $526,000 per year. Other top-paying careers include Radiologist ($302K), Anesthesiologist ($331K), and CRNA ($203K).
Where does SalaryMap get its salary data?
All career salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program — the most comprehensive source of wage data in the US, updated annually from hundreds of thousands of employers.
How do I find out if I am underpaid?
Use our Am I Underpaid? calculator — enter your job title, state, years of experience, and current salary to see exactly where you rank against market data for your role.
What careers pay over $100,000 per year?
Many careers pay over $100K including Software Engineer ($124K), Nurse Practitioner ($121K), Lawyer ($145K), Pharmacist ($132K), Air Traffic Controller ($137K), and most healthcare specialties. Browse the Technology, Healthcare, and Legal categories to see more.
Do salaries vary by state?
Yes — significantly. A Software Engineer in California earns ~$171K vs ~$104K in Arkansas. Every salary page on SalaryMap includes a full 50-state breakdown adjusted for local cost of living.
Not sure what you should be making?
Use our free salary tools to check if you're underpaid, evaluate a job offer, or prep for your next negotiation.