Best Paying Non-Medical Jobs

Entering the workforce or seeking a career change presents a wide array of opportunities outside the medical field that offer lucrative salaries. This blog explores the top ten non-medical jobs that not only provide substantial financial rewards but also span various industries and specialties.

Chief Executives

• Average Salary: $160,440
• Job Description: Chief executives oversee the strategic direction and overall operation of companies, making key decisions that affect the company’s direction, profitability, and growth.
• Responsibilities: Developing policies, setting strategic goals, and ensuring the company’s financial health.
• Required Education: Varied educational backgrounds, but extensive management experience is crucial.

Lawyers

• Average Salary: $124,750
• Job Description: Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters and disputes, encompassing a wide range of areas from corporate law to criminal defense.
• Responsibilities: Researching laws, representing clients in court, and providing legal advice.
• Required Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and passing the bar exam.

Natural Sciences Managers

• Average Salary: $123,140
• Job Description: These professionals oversee the work of scientists in fields such as biology, chemistry, and physics, ensuring research and projects are on track.
• Responsibilities: Overseeing research and development projects, managing teams of scientists, and coordinating with other departments.
• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in a natural science, often a master’s degree in a related field.

Engineering Managers

• Average Salary: $120,580
• Job Description: Engineering managers lead and oversee engineering projects and teams, ensuring projects meet technical standards and are completed on time and within budget.
• Responsibilities: Planning and directing engineering projects, supervising engineers, and coordinating with other departments.
• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, often with a master’s degree in engineering management or a related field.

Airline Pilots

• Average Salary: $119,750
• Job Description: Airline pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
• Responsibilities: Ensuring the safe operation of aircraft, navigating flights, and monitoring aircraft systems.
• Required Education: Pilot’s license and flight training; many also have a bachelor’s degree.

Petroleum Engineers

• Average Salary: $119,140
• Job Description: Petroleum engineers devise methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.
• Responsibilities: Designing equipment, developing plans for drilling, and ensuring efficient and safe extraction processes.
• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

• Average Salary: $118,710
• Job Description: These managers plan, coordinate, and oversee computer-related activities in an organization, ensuring that IT goals align with the organization’s goals.
• Responsibilities: Overseeing IT projects, managing IT teams, and ensuring the security of an organization’s digital assets.
• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer or information science, often coupled with an MBA.

Marketing Managers

• Average Salary: $118,160
• Job Description: Marketing managers plan, direct, and coordinate marketing efforts, including market research and marketing strategy.
• Responsibilities: Developing marketing plans, overseeing marketing campaigns, and analyzing market trends.
• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field.

Financial Managers

• Average Salary: $110,640
• Job Description: Financial managers are responsible for the financial health of an organization, overseeing investment activities, and developing strategies for long-term financial goals.
• Responsibilities: Preparing financial statements, directing investment activities, and developing financial strategies.
• Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration; many also have an MBA.

Sales Managers

• Average Salary: $110,390
• Job Description: Sales managers direct an organization’s sales teams, setting sales goals, analyzing data, and developing training programs for sales representatives.
• Responsibilities: Setting sales goals, analyzing sales data, and developing sales training programs.
• Required Education: Many sales managers have a bachelor’s degree, although experience in sales and management is highly valued.

Final Thoughts

The landscape of high-paying, non-medical careers is diverse, offering opportunities across various industries for individuals with different skills and educational backgrounds. Whether your strengths lie in leadership, creativity, technical expertise, or strategic thinking, there’s a rewarding career path waiting for you outside the medical field.

Other Jobs in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

• Best Paying Jobs in Medical/Dental Instruments
• Best Paying Chemistry Jobs
• Best Paying CNA Jobs
• Best Paying EMT Jobs
• See All High-Paying Career Opportunities By Industry

Sources

• https://www.fiscaltiger.com/highest-paying-non-medical-jobs/
• https://www.themuse.com/advice/low-stress-high-paying-jobs
• https://careertrend.com/top-10-highest-paying-non-medical-careers-13654511.html

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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