High Paying Jobs In USA – Jobs in USA For Immigrants
What are the highest paying jobs in the U.S., based on median annual salaries? We checked with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to get the lowdown, and the top ten occupations are listed below. Some of the jobs aren’t unexpected, but some may surprise you — as it turns out, CEOs aren’t #1 on the list. See the full details on each job in the list below, and get the skinny on what it takes to qualify for the job.
Lawyer
Lawyers must have a law degree and must also typically pass a state’s written bar examination.
Lawyers must have a law degree and must also typically pass a state’s written bar examination.
Lawyers (also known as attorneys) act as both advocates and advisors in our society. As advocates, they represent one of the parties in criminal and civil trials by presenting evidence and arguing in court to support their client. As advisors, lawyers counsel their clients about their legal rights and obligations and suggest particular courses of action in business and personal matters. Whether acting as an advocate or an advisor, all attorneys research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and apply the law to the specific circumstances faced by their clients.
About 26 percent of lawyers are self-employed, either as partners in law firms or solo practices.
Competition for admission to most law schools is intense.
Competition for job openings should be keen because of the large number of students graduating from law school each year.
Typical Training: a 4-year college degree, 3 years of law school, and a passing score on a written bar examination (required to be licensed).
Median Annual Salary: $120,910
Top Annual Salary: $182,490+
Related: Unleash your career potential and get customized job recommendations based on your military experience and personality traits.
Airline Pilot, Copilot, and Flight Engineer
Commercial pilots typically require a high school diploma or equivalent while airline pilots typically require a bachelor’s degree. All pilots who are paid to fly must have at least a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Commercial pilots typically require a high school diploma or equivalent while airline pilots typically require a bachelor’s degree. All pilots who are paid to fly must have at least a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Pilots are highly trained professionals who fly airplanes or helicopters to carry out a wide variety of tasks. Most are airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers who transport passengers and cargo. However, 34 percent are commercial pilots involved in dusting crops, spreading seed for reforestation, testing aircraft, flying passengers and cargo to areas not served by regular airlines, directing firefighting efforts, tracking criminals, monitoring traffic, and rescuing and evacuating injured persons.
Regional and low-cost airlines offer the best opportunities; pilots face strong competition for jobs at the major airlines, which offer better pay and benefits.
Many pilots have learned to fly in the military, but growing numbers have college degrees with flight training from civilian flying schools that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Newly hired pilots at major airlines typically have about 4,000 hours of flight experience
Training Needed: 2-4 years of college education, at least 250 hours (4,000 hours for commercial airlines) of flight experience, and a passing grade on the FAA written test (required to be licensed).
Median Annual Salary: $130,059
Top Annual Salary: $146,834+
Air Traffic Controller
An elite group of more than 14,000 FAA air traffic control specialists provides a vital public service to guide pilots, their planes, and 2.2 million daily passengers from taxi to takeoff, through the air, and back safely on the ground.
An elite group of more than 14,000 FAA air traffic control specialists provides a vital public service to guide pilots, their planes, and 2.2 million daily passengers from taxi to takeoff, through the air, and back safely on the ground.
Air traffic controllers work within the National Airspace System (NAS) to coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. Their immediate concern is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently to minimize delays. Some regulate airport traffic through designated airspaces; others regulate airport arrivals and departures.
The vast majority of air traffic controllers are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an agency of the Federal Government.
Applicants without prior air traffic control experience must be 30 years of age or younger.
Replacement needs will continue to account for most job openings, reflecting the large number of air traffic controllers who will be eligible to retire over the next decade.
Competition for jobs will remain keen.
Training Needed: Prior experience through FAA or Dept of Defense, 4-year degree, or 2-4 year specialized AT-CTI program degree. 2-4 years of on-the-job controller training is then required.
Median Annual Salary: $122,990
Top Annual Salary: $172,590+
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Typically, candidates need a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science and related work experience. Many computer and information systems managers also have graduate degrees.
Typically, candidates need a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science and related work experience. Many computer and information systems managers also have graduate degrees.
Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the implementation and administration of technology within their organizations. They plan, coordinate, and direct research on the computer-related activities of firms. In consultation with other managers, they help determine the goals of an organization and then implement technology to meet those goals. They oversee all technical aspects of an organization, such as software development, network security, and Internet operations.
Employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
Many managers possess advanced technical knowledge gained from working in a computer occupation.
Job prospects should be excellent
Training Needed: 4-year bachelor’s degree, 2-year MBA, or graduate degree (for best advancement opportunities).
Median Annual Salary: $146,360
Top Annual Salary: $208,00+
Natural Sciences Manager
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Natural sciences managers oversee the work of life and physical scientists, including agricultural scientists, chemists, biologists, geologists, medical scientists, and physicists. These managers direct research and development projects and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production. They may work on basic research projects or commercial activities. Science managers sometimes conduct their research in addition to managing the work of others.
Most engineering and natural sciences managers have formal education and work experience as engineers, scientists, or mathematicians.
Opportunities will be best for scientists and engineers with strong communication and business management skills.
Thirty-six percent of jobs are in manufacturing industries, and 33 percent are in professional, scientific, and technical services
Training Needed: 4-year bachelor’s degree in science, several years experience as a scientist (specialist in field), and graduate or Ph.D. in a scientific field (for best advancement opportunities).
Median Annual Salary: $129,100
Top Annual Salary: $208,000+
FAQs
What are some of the highest-paying jobs in the USA for immigrants?
Some of the highest-paying jobs in the USA for immigrants include careers in medicine such as doctors and surgeons, technology fields like software engineering and data science, finance roles such as investment banking and financial analysis, and engineering positions in petroleum, civil, and electrical engineering. Additionally, management roles such as project managers and executives also offer competitive salaries.
Do immigrants need to revalidate their degrees to work in high-paying jobs in the USA?
Yes, in most cases immigrants need to have their foreign degrees evaluated and sometimes revalidated to meet U.S. standards, especially in regulated fields such as healthcare, law, and education. This may involve credential evaluation services, licensing exams, or additional certifications before being eligible for professional practice.
Are there high-paying jobs available for immigrants without a college degree?
Yes, immigrants without a college degree can still access high-paying jobs in certain industries. For example, truck drivers, construction supervisors, electricians, and skilled tradespeople often earn good salaries. Some manufacturing, logistics, and tech support roles also offer competitive pay and opportunities for career advancement through vocational training.
What factors determine how much an immigrant can earn in the USA?
Several factors influence earnings for immigrants in the USA including education level, professional certifications, English language proficiency, work experience, and industry demand. Location also matters, as salaries are often higher in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago due to cost of living and competitive labor markets. Networking, adaptability, and continuous skill development also play a big role in career success.
