20 Highest-Paying Jobs in the World and What to Study.

20 Highest-Paying Jobs in the World (And

What to Study to Get There)

Your Career Guide to Learning with Purpose and Earning with Impact

In an age of rapid innovation and global transformation, the highest-paying jobs aren’t always where you expect them. While medicine, law, and tech remain top earners, new roles are emerging in AI, finance, energy, and more. But here's the good news: with strategic learning—online or offline—you can prepare for any of them.

Whether you're just beginning your academic path or considering a career pivot, this guide reveals the 20 highest-paying jobs globally and what you should study to pursue them.

🔝 Top 20 High-Paying Careers & What to Study

1. Neurosurgeon

Average Salary: $400,000 – $600,000+

What to Study:

• Bachelor’s in Biology/Pre-Med


• Medical Degree (MD)


• Neurosurgical Residency (7+ years)

2. Anesthesiologist

Average Salary: $350,000 – $500,000

What to Study:

• Bachelor’s in Science


• Medical School (MD/DO)


• Residency in Anesthesiology

3. Corporate Lawyer

Average Salary: $200,000 – $400,000

What to Study:

• Bachelor’s in Law or Political Science


• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent


• Bar License

4. Software Architect / Lead Developer

Average Salary: $150,000 – $300,000

What to Study:

• Computer Science or Software Engineering


• Specialized certifications (AWS, Cloud, DevOps, AI)

5. AI Engineer / Machine Learning Expert

Average Salary: $140,000 – $300,000

What to Study:

• Computer Science, Data Science, or Mathematics


• Master’s or Certifications in AI/ML


• Tools: Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch

6. Investment Banker

Average Salary: $150,000 – $250,000+ (bonuses can be huge)

What to Study:

• Finance, Economics, Business


• MBA (optional but valuable)


• Certifications: CFA, Series 7

7. Petroleum Engineer

Average Salary: $130,000 – $250,000

What to Study:

• Petroleum Engineering or Chemical Engineering


• Certifications in oil and gas safety

8. Data Scientist

Average Salary: $120,000 – $200,000

What to Study:

• Statistics, Mathematics, or Data Science


• Learn R, SQL, Python


• Certifications: Google Data Analytics, IBM Data Science

9. Airline Pilot (Captain)

Average Salary: $100,000 – $250,000

What to Study:

• Aviation/Aeronautics degree


• Commercial Pilot License


• Flight hours + advanced training

10. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Average Salary: Varies widely ($150,000 to $1M+)

What to Study:

• Business, Economics, Engineering


• MBA or Executive Education (optional)


• Experience and leadership are critical

11. Orthodontist

Average Salary: $200,000 – $350,000

What to Study:

• Dental School (DDS or DMD)


• Specialized Orthodontics training

12. IT Systems Manager / CTO

Average Salary: $120,000 – $250,000

What to Study:

• Information Technology or Computer Science


• Cybersecurity or Cloud certifications


• MBA in IT Management (optional)

13. Psychiatrist

Average Salary: $180,000 – $300,000

What to Study:

• Pre-Med degree


• Medical School


• Psychiatry Residency

14. Blockchain Developer

Average Salary: $120,000 – $200,000

What to Study:

• Computer Science


• Blockchain programming (Solidity, Ethereum, etc.)


• Certifications (e.g., Certified Blockchain Developer)

15. Commercial Judge

Average Salary: $150,000 – $250,000

What to Study:

• Law Degree (LLB/JD)


• Legal Practice + years of experience

16. Marketing Director / CMO

Average Salary: $120,000 – $250,000+

What to Study:

• Marketing, Business, or Communications


• MBA or Digital Marketing Certifications


• Strong portfolio + leadership

17. Cloud Solutions Architect

Average Salary: $130,000 – $210,000

What to Study:

• IT, Networking, or Computer Science


• AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Certifications

18. Pharmacist

Average Salary: $110,000 – $160,000

What to Study:

• Bachelor’s + Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)


• Licensing Exams (NAPLEX, etc.)

19. Professional Athlete (Elite Level)

Average Salary: $100,000 – $20M+

What to Study:

• Sports Science, Nutrition (optional)


• Intense training, discipline, and coaching from an early age

20. Tech Entrepreneur

Average Salary: Unlimited (depends on your success)

What to Study:

• Any relevant tech, business, or design field


• Product development, startups, coding, or UX


• Real-world experience is key

🎓 What This Means for You

🔍 How to Choose What to Study

1. Start with your interests and strengths


2. Look at job market trends and salary data


3. Use online platforms to explore (Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning)


4. Test with micro-courses before committing to a full degree


5. Talk to professionals in the field

📚 Learn Anywhere, Rise Everywhere

Thanks to online education, you can begin your journey toward any of these high-paying careers from the comfort of your home. Whether it’s earning a certificate in data science or taking foundational law courses online, you’re no longer limited by geography.

Learn smart. Learn with purpose. And choose a path that helps you earn—not just money, but meaning.