Computer specialists top the list of the 25 highest-paying occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate’s degree, while technicians of various kinds dominate the list, according to a report by the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For a Limited Time receive a
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Get Your Report Now!Nine of the highest-paying occupations have “technicians” or “technologists,” in their titles, with nuclear medicine technologists (3rd on the list) the highest paid among these. Most of the occupations on the list require technical skills related to engineering, electronics, mathematics, mechanics, or science. The balance of the list—with a few notable exceptions—consists of occupations in the health care and medical industries, such as radiation therapists (2nd on the list), dental hygienists (4), registered nurses (8), and diagnostic medical sonographers (9).
The few highest-paying occupations that don’t fall into the above categories include fashion designers (7), insurance appraisers, auto damage, (14) , funeral directors (16) and commercial divers (21).
The chart below reflects the median hourly and annual wages in 2009 for the highest-paid occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate’s degree.
# |
Occupation |
Median Wages, 2009 |
Hourly |
Annual |
| 1 |
Computer Specialists, All Other |
$37.02 |
$77,600 |
| 2 |
Radiation Therapists |
$35.66 |
$74,200 |
| 3 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
$32.65 |
$67,900 |
| 4 |
Dental Hygienists |
$32.38 |
$67,400 |
| 5 |
Nuclear Technicians |
$32.37 |
$67,300 |
| 6 |
Commercial Pilots |
N/A |
$65,800 |
| 7 |
Fashion Designers |
$30.90 |
$64,300 |
| 8 |
Registered Nurses |
$30.65 |
$63,800 |
| 9 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers |
$30.30 |
$63,000 |
| 10 |
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay |
$29.94 |
$62,300 |
| 11 |
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
$27.66 |
$57,500 |
| 12 |
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians |
$27.39 |
$57,000 |
| 13 |
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers |
$26.71 |
$55,600 |
| 14 |
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage |
$26.63 |
$55,400 |
| 15 |
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians |
$26.36 |
$54,800 |
| 16 |
Funeral Directors |
$26.14 |
$54,400 |
| 17 |
Respiratory Therapists |
$25.64 |
$53,300 |
| 18 |
Geological and Petroleum Technicians |
$25.60 |
$53,200 |
| 19 |
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians |
$25.59 |
$53,200 |
| 20 |
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians |
$25.39 |
$52,800 |
| 21 |
Commercial Divers |
$25.26 |
$52,100 |
| 22 |
Electrical and Electronics Drafters |
$25.04 |
$52,100 |
| 23 |
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment |
$24.39 |
$50,700 |
| 24 |
Avionics Technicians |
$24.31 |
$50,600 |
| 25 |
Occupational Therapist Technicians |
$24.16 |
$50,300 |