Who doesn’t dream of earning big bucks? Snagging a 6-figure job is your ticket to financial security. But how do you actually land such a sweet gig? There are plenty of paths to make your dream job a reality. Keep reading, and you’ll discover how to make 500k a year.
High-paying jobs are out there in almost every industry. You just need to know where to look and how to get started.
This article dives into 15 lucrative careers and what you need to score them. We’ve also thrown in some profitable side hustles for those who aren’t quite ready to quit their day job. After all, who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
15 Jobs That Make 500K a Year
1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) sits at the top of the corporate food chain. CEOs steer the ship by crafting strategies and driving profits, all while juggling the demands of a role that keeps them glued to the decision-making hot seat. The choices they make ripple through every department, ensuring that the company’s grand plans don’t just stay on paper.
While the average CEO salary in the U.S. hovers around $800k, those leading S&P 500 companies are raking in a jaw-dropping $13.7 million on average—talk about an 8-figure salary pocket change for a yacht enthusiast!
Qualification Required
To join the CEO club, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a hefty dose of industry experience. But if you really want to impress the board, an MBA can be your golden ticket to the corner office.
Average Annual Salary: $798,373
2. Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeons dive headfirst into the complex world of brain surgery, tackling everything from benign cysts to intimidating tumors and aneurysms. Some of these brainy folks specialize in treating children, while others are versatile enough to take on both adult and pediatric cases.
Qualification Required
Becoming a neurosurgeon isn’t a walk in the park—it’s more like an 8-year hike up a very steep mountain. You’ll need to earn your MBBS degree, power through medical school, and then endure the rigorous internship and residency programs. But hey, after all that, you’ll have the certification to prove you’ve got the nerves of steel needed for the job!
Average Annual Salary: $644,001
3. Hedge Fund Manager
Hedge fund managers steer the ship when it comes to trading bonds, stocks, and other financial assets. They collaborate with traders and market analysts to ensure investors walk away with profits—because who doesn’t love seeing their money grow?
A hedge fund manager has the final say on whether security gets the green light or the boot.
Qualification Required
To dive into hedge fund management, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree—think of it as your ticket to the show. But if you really want to be the star of the financial world, a master’s degree in accounting or finance can give you that extra edge.
Average Annual Salary: $541,382
4. Orthopedic Surgeon
If your bones are creaking louder than your granddad’s rocking chair, an orthopedic surgeon is who you’ll want to see. These experts focus on fixing issues with your bones, muscles, joints, and tendons.
Whether you’ve sprained, strained, or downright broken something, they’re the ones who’ll diagnose the problem and suggest solutions—often involving surgery when needed.
Orthopedic surgeons often team up with neuro, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgeons to lend a hand (sometimes literally) during complex operations.
Qualification Required
To become an orthopedic surgeon, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a medical degree, and five years of orthopedic surgery residency—along with a good sense of humor to get through all those years of schooling!
Average Annual Salary: $513,430
5. Plastic Surgeon
Plastic surgeons don’t just play with scalpels; they master the art of reshaping lives. This career isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s all about staying cool under pressure and having the patience of a saint. The reward? A salary that’s as sharp as your surgical tools, typically landing in the mid-six figures.
Starting out, you’re already looking at a cool $350,000 per year, and that number only goes up as you perfect your craft.
Qualification Required
To join the ranks of professional plastic surgeons, you’ll need to hit the books—hard. That means a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, another 4 years in medical school, and at least 6 years cutting your teeth in specialized residency training.
Average Annual Salary: $457,407
6. Cardiologist
Cardiologists are the rockstars of the heart world. These specialists dive deep into cardiovascular diseases, cardiac arrhythmias, and perfusion like it’s their daily cardio routine.
Plus, if you’re dealing with congestive heart failure, angina, or any other chronic heart conditions, a cardiologist is the go-to person to keep your ticker in top shape.
Qualification Required
Becoming a cardiologist isn’t for the faint of heart (pun intended). Here’s the roadmap:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree – Think of this as your warm-up lap.
- Graduate from medical school with a focus on cardiology – Here’s where the real heart-pumping action begins.
- Get a medical license – Because no one wants an unlicensed heart mechanic!
- Complete the residency program – The final stretch before you’re officially crowned a heart whisperer.
Average Annual Salary: $449,592
7. Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists, as the name cheekily hints, are the pros who handle anesthesia like it’s second nature. They team up with surgeons to pinpoint the perfect anesthesia for each patient—no guessing games here!
Post-surgery, the anesthesiologist is your go-to person, ensuring you’re as comfortable as a cat in a sunbeam.
Qualification Required
Becoming an anesthesiologist isn’t a walk in the park. It takes a solid 4-year bachelor’s degree, followed by a medical degree, and then a rigorous residency program.
Average Annual Salary: $409,200
8. Gastroenterologist
Gastroenterologists are the heroes of the digestive system. They dive deep into the world of stomachs, livers, intestines, and other organs that make eating such an adventure, diagnosing and treating anything that goes off-track. If your tummy’s grumbling, these are the folks who know exactly what to do.
A good gastroenterologist isn’t just about medical know-how; it’s about making those awkward conversations a little less awkward. You’ve got to be able to talk about, well, poop, without anyone wanting to crawl under the exam table.
Qualification Required
To join the ranks of gastroenterologists, you’ll need a 4-year college degree, 4 years in med school, and a solid 3 years of training plus residency. That’s a lot of time spent in classrooms and hospitals, but hey, you’ll have a lot of digestive puns up your sleeve by the end of it!
Average Annual Salary: $406,000
9. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Managing a company’s finances isn’t exactly a walk in the park. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) shoulders a ton of responsibility—like directing investments, keeping a close eye on financial options, and making sure debts don’t spiral out of control.
Now, let’s be honest. Becoming a CFO is the dream gig for many in finance. Why? Well, the paychecks are pretty sweet. But don’t expect to waltz into the role straight out of college. This isn’t a job you land without putting in the years.
You’ll need a solid foundation of experience in finance and some serious analytical chops.
Qualification Required
First things first—education. To even think about becoming a CFO, you’ll need a bachelor’s and probably a master’s degree in accounting or something finance-related. No shortcuts here, folks.
Average Annual Salary: $393,337
10. Dermatologist
Dermatologists are skin specialists. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating all kinds of skin diseases.
The most common form of dermatology is cosmetic dermatology. One downside of this job is that you will be exposed to dangerous diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and other viruses that travel through open wounds.
On the positive side, you get a very handsome income, especially if you open your own clinic, build an excellent professional reputation, market your services well, and even create and merchandise your line of skin products.
More significantly, skin care and even cosmetic surgery have become imperative for an increasing number of people nowadays.
Qualification Required
You must have a Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree to continue studying dermatology. After that, you need an MD from medical school.
Once you have these 2 degrees, pass the state licensing exam and complete the residency program to become a dermatologist.
Average Annual Salary: $258,095
11. Oncologist
Oncologists are the unsung heroes battling cancer on the front lines. These dedicated professionals don’t just diagnose and treat conditions like leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and tumors—they give people a fighting chance to reclaim their lives.
In fact, oncologists are the ones who spot the early signs and nip cancer in the bud before it has a chance to spread. Let’s just say they don’t do half-measures; being an oncologist is more than a full-time job—it’s a full-time calling.
You’ve got to be all in. No half-hearted efforts allowed!
Qualification Required
First off, buckle up for some serious studying. You’ll need to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree (and yes, that means those all-nighters were just the beginning). Next up is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)—your ticket to medical school, which will take another 4 years of your life. But hey, who’s counting?
Finally, it’s time to tackle the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Pass that, and you’re one step closer to donning that white coat and saving lives.
Average Annual Salary: $251,446
12. Lawyer
Corporate lawyers rake in serious cash, handling everything from contract negotiations to business acquisitions and drafting important documents. Once you’ve jumped through the qualification hoops, the job doesn’t demand a ton of heavy lifting. Not bad, right?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for U.S. lawyers is pretty solid, but the top 1% of corporate lawyers are pulling in a cool $500,000 or more each year. Yes, you read that right—half a million bucks.
Now, the amount these legal eagles earn can vary based on where they’re perched, what they specialize in, and how much experience they’ve got under their belt.
But the real kicker? Their income also hinges on how they bill clients—whether it’s an hourly fee, a flat fee, a retainer, or the jackpot: contingent fees. With contingent fees, a lawyer can pocket 25-30% of any monetary judgment or settlement. Talk about a nice bonus!
Qualification Required
Following are some steps involved in qualifying for the corporate lawyer job:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Start by getting your undergrad degree. It’s your first step toward that lawyerly future.
- Apply for Law School: Next, it’s off to law school—time to buckle down and hit the books.
- Earn a Juris Doctor Degree: Once you’ve conquered law school, you’ll walk away with a shiny Juris Doctor degree.
- Pass the Bar Exam: Now for the big test—the bar exam. Pass this, and you’re almost there.
- Get Licensed: Finally, get your lawyer’s license, and boom—you’re ready to start cashing in!
Average Annual Salary: $127,990
13. Professional Athlete
If you want to score a cool $500K as a pro athlete, you’ll need more than just good looks and a killer smile. You’ve got to be at the top of your game—literally.
Whether you’re slamming dunks on the basketball court, scoring goals on the soccer field, or hitting sixes in cricket, the big bucks come to those who sweat the most. And yes, the workouts and training sessions aren’t for the faint of heart. But hey, who said getting rich was easy?
Qualification Required
Forget the PhDs and MBAs. Here, you don’t need a fancy degree. What you do need is the ability to outrun, outjump, and outplay the competition. So, if you’re physically fit and can dominate in your sport, you’re already halfway there.
Average Annual Salary: $112,955
14. Investment Banker
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a financial wizard? Look no further than investment bankers—they’re the stock market gurus who know the ins and outs of trading like the back of their hand. These folks don’t just play the market; they live and breathe it. And with perks like company cars and exclusive club memberships, they’re not exactly roughing it.
But the real magic happens when they turn their market smarts inward. By leveraging their deep knowledge of stocks, they can make personal investments that pay off big time.
Imagine stacking dividends on top of an already hefty salary—passive income that could multiply your earnings tenfold. Not a bad gig, right?
Qualification Required
Dreaming of joining the ranks? You’ll need more than just a sharp suit and a firm handshake. A college degree in economics or finance is your ticket in, but if you’re aiming to make the big bucks—say $500K a year—you’ll want to go further.
Think bachelor’s, master’s, and plenty of hands-on experience. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a six-figure salary.
Average Annual Salary: $67,152
15. Entrepreneur
So, you’ve decided to join the wild ride of entrepreneurship, huh? Strap in, because it’s going to be a journey full of twists, turns, and the occasional loop-de-loop.
Entrepreneurs aren’t just people who start companies—they’re the brave souls who dare to introduce something fresh to the market, whether it’s a game-changing product or a service you didn’t even know you needed until they showed up.
But here’s the kicker: if you want to make it big, you’ve got to solve a problem or meet a need. And no, I’m not talking about solving the mystery of why socks always disappear in the laundry. Your product or service needs to be something people can’t live without—something so useful that it practically becomes a habit.
Think of it this way: every dollar you earn is a vote from the world saying, “Yes, we need this!” It’s like being in a popularity contest, but instead of a shiny tiara, you get cold, hard cash. And who doesn’t love that?
Examples? Sure, there are full-time bloggers living the dream, folks selling products they’re passionate about, and service providers making people’s lives easier. These are just a few of the many faces of entrepreneurship.
Now, if your business really takes off—and we’re talking like a rocket here—those humble earnings can skyrocket to $500K or more. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Remember, this all depends on a cocktail of factors, including timing, luck, and a sprinkle of magic.
Qualification Required
Do you need a degree to be an entrepreneur? Not at all! But don’t think you can just wing it. You’ll need some serious high-income skills:
- Business Management Skills: Running a business without these is like trying to steer a ship without a rudder.
- Teamwork Skills: You’ve got to play nice with others or at least know how to keep the peace.
- Decision-Making and Analytical Skills: Making the right call at the right time can be the difference between boom and bust.
- Financial Skills: You’ll need to know your way around a balance sheet.
- Strategic Thinking and Planning Skills: The ability to see the big picture and plan your moves accordingly.
Average Annual Salary: $62,677
Side Hustles to Make More Money
Some jobs listed above might not make $500K for you at the beginning of your career. So, exploring other money-making opportunities is the best way to improve your overall income.
To earn extra money up to $500K, here are some of the side hustles that you can do:
- Participate in online surveys. You can get paid for taking surveys, one of the best ways to make money online. Earn cash or gift cards from survey sites like:
- Swagbucks. Signing up with Swagbucks is completely free. By browsing the web, shopping online, and taking surveys, this rewards program lets you earn points, which are convertible to gift cards or cash-backs. With their referral system, just refer a friend and earn 10% of your referral’s earnings. And you can earn money in a work-from-home setup too. Read our full Swagbucks review here.
- InboxDollars. Start doing online tasks and earn extra cash. Earn money online by signing up and going to the InboxDollars website. Take the surveys, redeem coupons, play games online, watch videos, and more. Read our full InboxDollars review here.
- Survey Junkie. You can earn extra cash through Survey Junkie by completing online surveys, participating in focus-group discussions, or sharing your data. You will be paid with gift cards or cash through Paypal. Read our full Survey Junkie review for more information.
- Become an online coach. Convert your knowledge, skills, and experience into an online course, help others as an online mentor, and earn extra cash. To get more inspiration, check out these online courses on proofreading and winning the money game.
- Start blogging. What may have started as a hobby can be monetized. You get to have your own business by doing something you love. Check this guide on how to start a blog and begin using BlueHost, which provides various feature-packed web hosting options for only $3.95, including a FREE domain name ($15 value).
- Build passive income by investing in real estate. As a passive income source, real estate increases in value over time. Earning extra income through real estate is a great way to build your bank account. But to make your real estate investment a consistent money-making source, you need to find a suitable app, such as Groundfloor and Fundrise, to help you navigate the field. Check our complete Groundfloor review and Fundrise review to get more information.
- Start a YouTube channel. Make money online by becoming a YouTuber. Find your niche, create your video content, build your subscriber list, and earn a lucrative income.
- Start your own online business. You can earn money in online stores or flea markets: declutter your home and sell your own preloved or unused goods; buy, curate, and then resell items at a profit. Or, sell your products, such as crafts, photos, art, etc. Online sites like Craigslist, Letgo, Decluttr, eBay, and Amazon let you earn cash this way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – How to Make 500K a Year?
How Do I Make 500K Fast?
Ready to make some serious cash? To rake in $500K quickly, try flipping items on platforms like Amazon or Craigslist. It’s a fast-paced game—just be careful not to get burned by scams. After all, the goal is to build your bank account, not drain it!
What Are the Best Jobs That Make 500K a Year?
The best jobs that can help you make $500K a year are:
- CEO: Because who doesn’t want to be the boss?
- Entrepreneur: Turn your big ideas into big bucks.
- Surgeon: If you’ve got the steady hands and the nerves of steel, the pay’s not too shabby.
- Lawyer: Arguing your way to half a million? Yes, please.
Can I Make $500K a Year Without a Degree?
No degree? No problem! You can still hit that $500K mark. Consider going pro as an athlete or diving into the entrepreneurial world. If those sound like a stretch, don’t sweat it. There are plenty of high-paying gigs that don’t require a degree:
- Plumber: Fixing pipes and cashing checks.
- Executive Assistant: Because keeping the CEO in line deserves a hefty reward.
- Sales Representative: Sell like a pro, earn like a CEO.
- Flight Attendant: Travel the world and bring home a solid paycheck.
- Electrician: Light up your career without the student loan baggage.
Conclusion – How to Make 500K a Year?
Hitting that $500K mark is absolutely possible—it’s not just a pipe dream. Plenty of people from various fields are pulling it off, whether they’re saving lives in the medical world or pulling off jaw-dropping feats on the sports field.
So, what’s the secret sauce? It boils down to hard work, seriously investing your time and energy, and staying relentless in honing the skills and experience you need. Whether you’re stitching up patients or scoring touchdowns, success loves those who grind for it.
Related reads:
Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Journalist
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content
Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Experience: Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform, and Spark Nomad, a travel platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.