You could be a teenager trying to choose a career, someone in their 20s feeling lost because they just realized they picked the wrong profession, or a person in their 50s wondering what pays well these days. Whatever the reason may be, you're in the right place.

Unlike film and television stars, singers, and professional sportspersons, who certainly have worked hard to reach stardom, the professions in this list required years and years of education, professional training and experience, and even licenses in some cases. Without further ado, let's look at 40 of the world's best-paying jobs, which can typically credit six-figure sums to your bank account each year.

Surgery - $398,843

Performing surgery on a breathing being is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging jobs in the world. It requires years of education, more years of practice, and a whole lot of concentration. Unlike most of our jobs, a surgeon cannot make a mistake even once in a blue moon, or he/she would end up in courts.

However, the countless years of college, training, sleepless nights and the risk seem worth it because they are on the top of the world's highest-paid professions. A surgeon's salary lies somewhere between $337,292 and $473,368 per annum, making the average $398,843.

Psychiatrist - $231,334

According to the American Psychological Association, mental illnesses among American youngsters have risen substantially in the last decade. Adults are no strangers to disorders like depression, PTSD, anxiety too. With that said, you can understand why psychiatrists are becoming more and more sought after every day.

Somehow, their professional titles don't come easy. Like any other doctor, psychiatrists, too, have to complete a lengthy process of education and years of medical residency, which most likely do a number on their mental health during the time. Nevertheless, it all seems worth it as they tend to take home an average annual salary of $231,334.

Physician/Specialist - $239,456

More often than not, a person going to "the doctor" is actually going to see a physician. Physicians are medical practitioners who generally allocate their focus towards non-surgical treatments of the sicknesses of patients. As with most other doctoral titles, physicians also spent over a decade in school and training.

Even though those pursuing this profession will have their student loans going through the roof, it won't take too long for them to pay it all off. As per the international employment website Indeed, physicians tend to bag a median income of $239,456 per annum.

Oral Medicine - $208,000

Even though most people don't comprehend the seriousness of oral health until they become victims themselves, it is one of medicine's major specialties. Orthodontists are a type of dental specialists tasked with correcting dispositioned teeth and jaws.

They also tend to make more money than the average dentist (who makes approximately $155,600 per annum). In 2019, the average salary of an orthodontist was around $208,000, according to US News. Even though we average folks have to break the bank when it comes to dental health, professionals in the field are becoming wealthier.

Nurse Anesthetist - $188,051

While anesthesiologists make income figures as high as $393,800 per annum, nurse anesthetists barely make half of it. However, it's still a pretty hefty salary check that could range between $172,823 and $205,144, making the median somewhere along the lines of $188,051.

A nurse anesthetist's job description mainly revolves around determining the type and amount of anesthesia, administering anesthesia, and monitoring vitals. They usually work under medical doctors and must have a master's degree and national certification to practice. However, according to All Nursing Schools, the prerequisites will go up in 2025 when a doctorate may be required to become a certified nurse anesthetist.

Computer Network Architect - $109,020

We can't even begin to stress the importance of communication within businesses. Without proper communication, companies will see their downfalls very quickly. Since we live in the 21st century, that's where data communication networks within organizations will come to play.

It's the job of computer network architects to design layouts for data communication and implement and maintain them. Of course, this means they are required to have extensive knowledge about computer operations and security systems. It looks like they take home a hefty sum, which lies around $109,020. As with many jobs, the numbers will grow with the increase in experience.

IT Manager - $124,799

As human resources departments have HR managers, IT departments of mostly medium to large scale companies have IT managers. IT managers are generally in charge of managing the functions of their respective divisions, maintaining and implementing technological strategies, and keeping the technicians, analysts, and other subordinates in check.

When a person reaches the top levels of an organization's hierarchy, the stress levels, almost as much as the responsibilities and accountability, rises. It only seems fair that he/she gets paid accordingly, and we guess an approximate sum of $124,799 will do the trick.

Pharmacist - $137,923

You'd think that a pharmacist's job is pretty simple as he/she only has to give medications to patients as prescribed by a doctor. However, it's far more challenging and stressful than that. They cannot make any mistakes while interpreting the prescriptions and make sure to pack the right dosage and label them accurately.

A minor error can cost a patient his/her life and put the pharmacist behind bars. A risky and demanding job like this doesn't come easy. It requires many years of education and practice, which will financially pay off in the end as they make an average annual salary of $137,923.

Petroleum Engineer - $137,720

When you see the word "engineer" on a job title, you already know it's going to be a well-paid one. Among the leading ones in the list are petroleum engineers, who must find ways to search for and extract oil and gas.

According to Career Explorer, the minimum requirements to become a petroleum engineer are a bachelor's degree, become members of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and have 4+ years of work experience. It's no piece of cake, but their specialized skills can earn them somewhere around $137,720 every year.

Nurse Practitioner - $116,661

If you go to your local family clinic and find more nurse practitioners than doctors, know that you're in safe hands. In 20 American states, nurse practitioners have the freedom to work without a doctor's supervision, which makes sense as they go to school for many years to learn pretty much everything physicians know.

To build a career as an NP, they are required to obtain a license to practice and a master's degree in the discipline. As for registered nurses, the hours could often become a lot to handle, but hey, when a rough sum of $116,661 hits your bank account, it'll be worth it.

Physician Assistant - $112,260

Physician assistants are often mistaken for physician's assistants, but the former is almost as qualified as medical doctors. How? Because they can do many things that doctors do. For instance, physician assistants can diagnose illnesses, create and control treatment plans, prescribe drugs, and serve as someone's primary healthcare provider.

They cover an extensive syllabus during their education and will most likely require a master's degree to work as one. Since they usually have prior experience working as registered nurses or paramedics, physician assistants bank an average annual sum of $112,260 annually.

Nurse Midwife - $111,561

Among the many specialized pathways that practicing nurses can take is midwifery, a rewarding profession in more than one way. Nurse-midwives are specially trained to attend to pregnant women. They provide care to mothers both before and after birth and are even qualified to help with things like family planning and gynecological health.

It's the ideal job for naturally caregiving and maternal females who are looking for fulfillment in their work. Seeing as the salary stubs come big (approximately $111,561) every year, it could be a dream come true.

Actuary - $116,298

Actuaries are well-educated and experienced professionals who calculate the consequences of business risks and opportunities. It sounds like a challenging job, and well, it is. When it comes to numbers, they must be brainiacs because they use mathematical, statistical, economic, and financial to analyze outcomes.

Given the job scope, not many people graduate to become actuaries, which means it will be a job in-demand even in the future. If you are good at working with numbers, are happy to have job security, and don't mind about $116,298 hitting your bank account every year, then this is the job for you.

Lawyer - $122,960

You might think that there are too many lawyers in society, but who's to say we don't need them? They are required in pretty much every aspect of a country—whether for business, government, crime, healthcare, or family.

There are dozens of specializations for law professionals, from civil rights to intellectual property to immigration. While those practicing independently may charge by the hour, others who are employed can easily make around $122,960 and could even double it up once they gain more experience and reputation. However, it takes at least seven years of education to become a member of the Bar.

Operations Research Analyst - $84,810

Operations Research Analysts are somewhat similar to actuaries. They, too, apply mathematics and statistics to analyze data relating to business problems to find viable solutions. Technically, if you are a genius when it comes to numbers, a high-paying job isn't tough to find.

According to The Balance Careers, a master's degree in math, engineering, computer science, or physics can land you a job as an operations research analyst. However, you could even get by with a bachelor's degree. ORA's can make up to $147,785, with an average annual salary of $84,810.

Veterinarian - $100,708

If you ask a room full of kids what they want to be when they grow up, you'll at least come across a few whose answer is a veterinarian. Their hearts may be in the right place with wanting to help animals, but the job is actually much more complicated than petting fluffy animals.

They treat diseases and injuries, prescribe medications, and even perform surgeries on animals. Our friendly neighborhood cat and dog aren't the only ones they treat. They care for zoo and laboratory animals and even livestock. According to Indeed, it only seems right that they make as much as they do, which is about $100,708 per year.

Construction Manager - $113,410

Since building and rebuilding sites aren't likely to stop anytime soon in the future, construction workers have nothing to worry about when it comes to their job security. So is the case for construction managers, who are responsible for working with contractors, coordinating and overseeing the workflow of sites, and making sure to complete projects within budget and on time.

This is one of the best-paid professions that anyone can pursue without specialized education. However, work experience is a must if you want to do well. An average construction manager makes around $113,410 every year.

Psychologist - $104,904

Even though it sounds similar, the job descriptions of psychiatrists and psychologists are very different. The latter aren't medical doctors but are rather professionally trained individuals who provide talk therapy. You can often find them working in hospitals, mental healthcare facilities, and even running their own practice.

One of the major differences between the two professions is that psychologists cannot prescribe medications. Nevertheless, we can't deny that they provide an immense service by boosting humans' mental health. Their average annual salary, which is $104,904, seems very reasonable considering their impact on society's betterment.

Business Operations Manager - $100,780

Business Operations Managers have to do it all regarding the day-to-day operations of an organization. Regardless of the company's size, these managers are expected to identify, analyze and solve internal problems, motivate and lead subordinates, and report about the overall movement and progress to his/her seniors, who are often the CEO.

It is a C-Level executive job that comes with a lot of demands and stress. Somehow, the right person with the right level of education and experience can fulfill the duties effectively. After all, they do bag $100,780 (give or take) each year.

Statistician - $123,514

As the name itself suggests, statisticians are yet again another category of skilled workers who deal with numbers for a living. Their job description usually entails the application of statistical methods and models to real-world problems. They collect, process, and interpret data to help with workplace decisions.

If you have ever taken a statistics class, we don't have to tell you how tricky it can get. Anyone who excels in the subject enough to make a living out of it is undoubtedly worth every penny they get paid. Lately, their salary figure could lie somewhere along the lines of $123,514.

Database Administrator - $121,958

Remember the days when offices had rooms full of files and folders stacked in every corner? Luckily, everything is confined to a smaller space now, thanks to computerization. Unlike utilizing computers for personal use, larger businesses need proper software to store customer, supplier, organizational, financial, and employee data.

This cannot be efficiently done without database administrators' help, whose main job is designing software and building databases. They also must ensure the security of sensitive information as such and maintain backup and recovery procedures. Knowing all that, their average annual income of $121,958 seems well worth it.

Industrial Psychologist - $124,781

There used to be a time when productivity and maximum efficiency at the workplace was something employees had to figure out themselves. Their decision-making skills, experience, and even luck had a say in the final output. However, things have changed for the better now.

There is a whole profession (industrial psychology) that revolves around studying the employee behavioral patterns and general workflow to research and develop novel ways to improve the capacity, internal and external communication, workplace safety, and achieve overall satisfaction and fulfillment. Paying someone $124,781 to achieve optimum workplace productivity seems worth it.

Information Security Analyst - $99,730

We cannot stress the importance of information security systems in the modern day and age. With the rapid advancement of technology in the last couple of decades, cybercrime has also progressed at an equally fast pace. It only seems right that a job is created to keep businesses safe from such crime.

Before you look elsewhere, information security analysts are well-paid individuals who carry the burden of safeguarding an organization's data. They work with special software and build firewalls to keep hackers and cyber attackers away. Seeing as a breached system could cost a business thousands if not millions of dollars, paying a professional $99,730 seems like the better option.

Financial Manager/Analyst - $129,890/$81,590

Since financial managers/analysts are technically planning for a company's future success and well-being, it's safe to say that they deserve a salary of $129,890. The job descriptions of a financial manager and analyst go hand in hand. The latter analyzes past financial information and current events in the global economy to guide future commercial decisions. Meanwhile, the former maintains smooth financial operations and clean records.

Either way, both of these professions require business degrees, preferably majored in finance. You might want to move towards financial management because their average salary is $129,890 compared to $81,590 for analysts.

Software Developer - $107,510

When a company needs a new software or computer program, software developers are who they turn to. They usually have specialized education and skills in the field, most likely a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or something close. If anyone intends to climb up the hierarchy, seeking a managerial position, a master's degree may be required, though.

Since these developers have to design, build, launch, test, and maintain programs, work experience will come in handy, even more so than education. Either way, such expertise comes with years of trial and error, and therefore, can credit around $107,510 to your bank account every year.

Physical Therapist - $89,440

The most basic things we take for granted, like eyesight, hearing, or even the ability to move freely, haunts a good percentage of people in the world. When anyone needs help with physical mobility, that's where physical therapists come to save the day.

Anything from an injury to disease to old age can affect a person's limbs. Physical therapists become guardian angels when they aid improve patients' quality of life with exercises, education, and care. They can help restore bodily functions, prevent immobility, or even minimize pain with their expertise. Even though $89,440 is more than double the average annual salary in America, it still seems less considering their work.

Mechanical Engineer - $95,752

Instead of roads and buildings, mechanical engineers' main task is to design and build power-producing machines like electric generators, internal combustion engines, and gas turbines. However, it doesn't stop there. They also work with fellow civil engineers incorporate electric machinery like elevators and escalators inside buildings.

As in any other specialist field, mechanical engineers also need to pursue higher education and earn at least a bachelor's degree. They can make an average annual salary of $95,752, which can soar with the years of experience and further education they secure.

Radioactive Medicine Technicians - $85,560

Radioactive medicine, also known as nuclear medicine, is a special expertise area of radiology. It utilizes minute amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to examine abnormal areas of the body. Those working in the field aren't limited to one job title. Radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiologists, and MRI technologists are only some of the industry's best-paid professionals.

Their levels of education, technical skills, and salaries vary with the scope of their work. For instance, a radiologist makes an average of $420,090 per annum, whereas a radiation therapist, only $85,560. At the end of the day, they are all respected careers that help people identify and beat illnesses.

Computer Systems Analyst - $90,920

Like computer network architects, we looked at the top of the list; computer systems analysts also work with networks and computer systems at workplaces. Their main job is to study the systems already in place and develop solutions to help the company operate at its optimum productivity and capacity.

They calculate costs against the gains to calculate the viability of implementing novel technology into their current systems. Yes, it sounds scary for a layperson. However, once you earn a degree in the subject and add years of experience to your resume, you'll be making lumps of cash ($90,920) in no time.

Compliance Officer - $82,630

A compliance officer isn't a job title that you often come across, especially not in smaller businesses. However, as firms grow in size, the need for an extra person to ensure that it is abiding by both domestic and global (if application) rules and regulations would arise.

Compliance officers carry the burden of minimizing financial crime and avoiding errors, which, if not done right, can result in large sums in fines, legal damages, as well as a tarnished reputation. Since their job is to didge such costs, companies are willing to pay approximately $82,630 to hire one.

Occupational Therapist - $89,722

The work of occupational therapists goes hand-in-hand with that of physical therapists (discussed above). Both professions aid injured, ill, or disabled people to gradually earn back their physical fitness. The only difference would be that the latter helps patients improve their capabilities with everyday activities such as feeding, dressing, and writing.

The process of obtaining an education in the field can take at least five years, according to Seek. Furthermore, they need to fulfill the minimum training hours and obtain a license to practice in their respective state. All of the initial struggles seem worth it as they can make around $89,722 per annum.

Medical and Health Services Manager - $100,980

There's no question about the fact that healthcare is one of the best-paying industries with maximum job security. Plus, you get the bonus of self-satisfaction by being able to help or even save people's lives. Somehow, we understand that becoming a doctor, nurse, or specialist isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Luckily, they can consider pursuing a career as medical and health services managers, who contribute behind the scenes, without experiencing the terror of the emergency room. In simple terms, they are responsible for the smooth operations of healthcare organizations and bank a decent buck ($100,980) for it.

Orthotist and Prosthetist - $80,898

Whether a person is born with a physical flaw or he/she encounters a tragic accident that causes the loss of limbs, the fast-developing expertise of orthotists and prosthetists can help improve their quality of life. How? These professionals design and build medical support devices that can replace the missing or malfunctioning part of one's body.

The devised prosthetics can come in the former of artificial limbs, braces, or other orthotics. Of course, such expertise comes with years and years of education, training, residency, and a hefty price tag. Nevertheless, they get a bang for their buck with an annual salary of $80,898.

Civil Engineer - $87,060

Civil engineers and mechanical engineers make up for most of the world's jobs in the field. We've already looked at the latter, but who are civil engineers? If you are someone who does well with numbers and is fascinated by buildings, bridges, and other marvelous architecture pieces, then this is the job for you.

Civil engineering is studying building, constructing, and maintaining projects that can range anywhere from highways to airports to skyscrapers to bridges. In simple words, they bring architects' designs to life. They get paid about $87,060 for it, which makes the challenges worth it.

Marketing Manager - $106,549

Running a company is becoming more and more challenging every year. A business's downfall can happen as quickly as its uprise, and the fine line between the two is marketing. It is, without a doubt, one of the most important departments of a firm, and as expected, the marketing manager is the head of the herd.

Since the subject's concepts change rapidly, it is the manager's responsibility to be updated and educate his/her subordinates. For instance, in the last few years, digital marketing has become an increasingly expanding field of work. It's a great job, which is why you can earn about $106,549 per annum.

Registered Nurse - $73,300

The service of medical doctors never goes unappreciated. However, registered nurses play the biggest role in the healthcare industry because no patient would survive without the care of one. RNs work tirelessly, sometimes taking on 12+ hour shifts to fulfill their duties.

While some of them may be paid per hour, the average annual salary of full-time registered nurses can be in the range of $73,300. With the increase in experience, the sum can even exceed $100,000. Since medical care is a delicate subject, becoming an RN requires a nursing degree and a license. You'll have job security for life with ethics and hard work.

Epidemiologist/Medical Scientist - $98,355

Epidemiologist/medical scientist are the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. Why? Because none of the work that doctors and nurses do would succeed without an idea about the origins, pace of spread, and newfound disease patterns. In 2020, epidemiologists were in very high demand as every nation attempted to learn more about COVID-19.

Whenever the public is in crisis, suffering from chronic illnesses, these are the heroes who literally come to the rescue. They put in years of research and even work in hazardous environments to save the world, and for that, they make almost six-figure sums that average at $98,355.

Chiropractor - $152,565

You would hardly understand the importance of chiropractors unless they are in chronic pain themselves. One wrong move and humans can end up with dislocated joints, problems with the nervous and musculoskeletal system, or even initially disregarded problems like severe headaches, back, neck and, muscle pains, etc.

The minimum requirements to become a chiropractor would be obtaining a doctor of chiropractic degree from a Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) accredited college and a license to practice. The degree itself requires four years, which means it's time-consuming. However, like a light at the end of the tunnel, you can make approximately $152,565 every year.

School Psychologist - $78,200

If you enjoy working with children and are keen on helping them do better in school and life, becoming a school psychologist will be your best bet. They may not make as much money as others running their own practice, but they can find solace knowing that they are helping build a better next generation. Anyway, $78,200 is not a low income at all.

A big part of their job is helping kids with mental illness and disabilities to survive in school. Furthermore, they address more complicated issues such as grief or distress (that can be caused by family problems) or school-wide problems like bullying and discipline.

Speech-Language Pathologist - $79,120

Speech-language pathologists, also addressed as speech therapists, are specialized professionals in human communication and its development and disorders. They assess speech, language, cognitive-communication abilities, and even oral skills like swallowing, locate the difficulties, and determine possible solutions and treatments.

They make approximately $79,120, which is almost double the average American yearly income, but it doesn't come easy. According to Loyola University Maryland, earning a master's degree, finishing a clinical fellowship, passing the Praxis exam, and obtaining certification to practice professionally are some of the steps that can take many years before making a good salary.