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The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

24. Nuclear engineer

Median base salary: $94,852

Number of job openings: 155

A nuclear engineer conducts research on nuclear engineering projects or applies principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

23. Financial planning and analysis manager

Median base salary: $94,862

Number of job openings: 501

A financial planning and analysis manager performs business and financial analysis to help the company measure its success and predict its needs.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

22. Scrum master

Median base salary: $95,167

Number of job openings: 2,072

A scrum master helps facilitate an agile development team.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

21. Plant manager

Median base salary: $97,189

Number of job openings: 1,286

A plant manager heads the daily operations of a manufacturing plant.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

20. Systems architect

Median base salary: $97,873

Number of job openings: 1,167

A systems architect is an IT professional who creates networking and computer systems. A systems architect is responsible for provisioning, configuring, and operating the network systems that form the backbone to a business. This involves offering technical support, or even research for a long-term improvement plan.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

19. User experience manager

Median base salary: $98,353

Number of job openings: 263

A UX manager heads a team of designers who improve the usability of a product.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

18. Information-technology-solutions manager

Median base salary: $98,883

Number of job openings: 250

An IT solutions manager runs a company's technology infrastructure.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

17. Actuary

Median base salary: $99,507

Number of job openings: 463

An actuary analyzes the financial consequences of risk and uncertainty. Actuaries look at uncertain future events, especially those related to insurance and pension programs. Many actuaries work for insurance companies, but are also needed at consulting firms, government, employee benefits departments of large corporations, hospitals, banks, and investment firms.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

16. Data architect

Median base salary: $102,091

Number of job openings: 1,438

A data architect integrates and maintains data relevant to the business. They understand how the data relates to business operations and the effects any future changes will have on the use of their data in the organization.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

15. Solutions architect

Median base salary: $102,678

Number of job openings: 4,174

A solutions architect collaborates on projects with colleagues and is responsible for the overall design of the company's application or product. They also meet with clients, turning requests into designs and recommending best practices.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

14. Nurse practitioner

Median base salary: $104,144

Number of job openings: 12,566

A nurse practitioner diagnoses and treats acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

13. Software architect

Median base salary: $104,754

Number of job openings: 1,147

A software architect provides a software development team with all of the tools they need to put together a great system and communicates the vision to stakeholders. They don't have to be expert programmers — they must understand what their systems are meant to provide solutions for.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

12. Information-technology architect

Median base salary: $105,303

Number of job openings: 250

An IT architect designs ways to upgrade an organization’s computer systems.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

11. Software engineering manager

Median base salary: $109,350

Number of job openings: 1,011

A software engineering manager heads a team of engineers that maintain and develop software.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

10. Corporate controller

Median base salary: $110,855

Number of job openings: 259

A corporate controller oversees an organization's accounting department.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

9. Research and development manager

Median base salary: $111,905

Number of job openings: 185

A research and development manager directs all research and company development programs and initiatives, which involves introducing new products into the business framework, and providing recommendations to update and improve existing infrastructure and products.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

8. Applications development manager

Median base salary: $112,045

Number of job openings: 516

An application development manager maintains business operations by planning, coordinating, and supervising all activities related to an organization's software applications. They also maintain support and upgrade existing systems and applications essential to the business.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

7. Physician assistant

Median base salary: $112,529

Number of job openings: 13,547

A physician assistant provides healthcare services typically performed by a physician including conduct complete physicals, providing treatment, and counseling patients.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

6. Enterprise architect

Median base salary: $112,560

Number of job openings: 1,320

An enterprise architect conceptualizes the structure and operation of an organization.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

5. Pharmacist

Median base salary: $125,847

Number of job openings: 5,496

A pharmacist dispenses prescription medications and provides information about those medications to patients.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

4. Medical science liason

Median base salary: $132,842

Number of job openings: 391

A medical science liason communicates to the public the scientific benefits of medical products.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

3. Patent attorney

Median base salary: $139,272

Number of job openings: 525

A patent attorney advises inventors, investors, and manufacturers about the laws related to patents.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

2. Pharmacy manager

Median base salary: $149,064

Number of job openings: 2,370

A pharmacy manager oversees and manages pharmacy operations.

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

The 25 highest-paying jobs in America in 2017

1. Physician

Median base salary: $187,876

Number of job openings: 7,770

A physician examines patients, prescribes medications, and treats injuries and illnesses.

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