C-Suite executives are known for pulling in a pretty penny. But as it turns out, doctors make even more.
That's right: On average, those sporting scrubs and stethoscopes bring home fatter paychecks than those donning suits and ties, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates survey.
The survey, which reflects May 2014 salary and employment data gathered from more than 1 million businesses, found that 16 of the nation's top 30 highest-paying occupations are in the medical field.
The best-paying job of all: anesthesiologist.
On average, anesthesiologists in the US earn an average annual salary of $246,320.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, these medical doctors are responsible for the safety and well being of patients before, during, and after surgery. In the US, they're required to complete a four-year undergraduate college degree, four years of medical school, and a four-year anesthesiology residency program. Most anesthesiologists become board certified, and many complete an additional fellowship year of specialty training.
A 2014 physician compensation report by Medscape found that nearly 80% of anesthesiologists spend 40 hours or more per week with patients.
Here are the 30 highest-paying jobs in the US:
30. Physicists
Mean annual pay: $117,300
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 16,790
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 10%
29. Pharmacists
Mean annual pay: $118,470
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 290,780
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 14%
28. Compensation and Benefits Managers
Mean annual pay: $118,670
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 16,380
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 3%
27. Air Traffic Controllers
Mean annual pay: $118,780
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 22,860
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 1%
26. Sales Managers
Mean annual pay: $126,040
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 358,920
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 8%
25. Law Professors
Mean annual pay: $126,270
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 15,990
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 19%
24. Financial Managers
Mean annual pay: $130,230
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 518,030
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 9%
23. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Mean annual pay: $131,760
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 75,760
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): -1%
22. Lawyers
Mean annual pay: $133,470
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 603,310
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 10%
21. Computer and Information Systems Managers
Mean annual pay: $136,280
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 330,360
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 15%
20. Natural Sciences Managers
Mean annual pay: $136,450
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 53,290
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 6%
19. Marketing Managers
Mean annual pay: $137,400
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 184,490
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 12%
18. Podiatrists
Mean annual pay: $137,480
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 8,910
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 23%
17. Architectural and Engineering Managers
Mean annual pay: $138,720
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 179,320
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 7%
16. Prosthodontists
Mean annual pay: $142,830
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 630
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 16%
According to the BLS, these professionals construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth to correct natural and acquired deformation of the mouth and jaws; to restore and maintain oral function, such as chewing and speaking; and to improve appearance.
15. Petroleum Engineers
Mean annual pay: $147,520
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 33,740
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 26%
14. Nurse Anesthetists
Mean annual pay: $158,900
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 36,590
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 31%
13. Dentists (general)
Mean annual pay: $166,810
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 97,990
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 16%
12. Dentists (all other specialists)
Mean annual pay: $168,580
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 5,450
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 16%
11. Pediatricians (general)
Mean annual pay: $175,400
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 31,010
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
10. Chief Executives
Mean annual pay*: $180,700
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 248,760
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 11%
* The top-earning CEOs in the US earn tens of millions of dollars. Satya Nadella of Microsoft, for instance, raked in $84.3 million in 2014.
9. Psychiatrists
Mean annual pay: $182,700
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 25,080
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
8. Family and General Practitioners
Mean annual pay: $186,320
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 124,810
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
7. Physicians and Surgeons (all other)
Mean annual pay: $189,760
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 311,320
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
6. General Internists
Mean annual pay: $190,530
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 48,390
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
5. Orthodontists
Mean annual pay: $201,030
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 6,190
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 16%
4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Mean annual pay: $214,750
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 21,740
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
3. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Mean annual pay: $219,600
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 5,120
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 16%
2. Surgeons
Mean annual pay: $240,440
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 41,070
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
1. Anesthesiologists
Mean annual pay: $246,320
Number of people who hold this job in the US: 30,060
Projected growth (2012 - 2022): 18%
