Job zone 5: Extensive preparation needed
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- On-the-job training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
152 occupations in this zone
Highest median pay first.
Pediatric SurgeonsExtensive preparation needed · 1,190 employed$559,030median / yrCardiologistsExtensive preparation needed · 17,290 employed$496,010median / yrRadiologistsExtensive preparation needed · 26,770 employed$420,860median / yrAnesthesiologistsExtensive preparation needed · 38,760 employed$391,490median / yrOrthopedic Surgeons, Except PediatricExtensive preparation needed · 14,100 employed$358,550median / yrOral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsExtensive preparation needed · 4,910 employed$352,220median / yrEmergency Medicine PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 32,880 employed$335,550median / yrDermatologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 11,370 employed$328,730median / yrPhysicians, PathologistsExtensive preparation needed · 11,110 employed$312,400median / yrProsthodontistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 870 employed$311,180median / yrOphthalmologists, Except PediatricExtensive preparation needed · 8,950 employed$300,080median / yrObstetricians and GynecologistsExtensive preparation needed · 21,260 employed$292,910median / yrOrthodontistsExtensive preparation needed · 6,210 employed$289,140median / yrPsychiatristsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 27,980 employed$281,870median / yrAllergists and ImmunologistsExtensive preparation needed · 342,720 employed$265,930median / yrHospitalistsExtensive preparation needed · 342,720 employed$265,930median / yrUrologistsExtensive preparation needed · 342,720 employed$265,930median / yrPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 342,720 employed$265,930median / yrPreventive Medicine PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 342,720 employed$265,930median / yrSports Medicine PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 342,720 employed$265,930median / yrGeneral Internal Medicine PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 67,150 employed$256,560median / yrNeurologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 10,590 employed$248,560median / yrFamily Medicine PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 107,510 employed$244,180median / yrNurse AnesthetistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 51,840 employed$236,590median / yrChief ExecutivesExtensive preparation needed · 204,350 employed$213,990median / yrChief Sustainability OfficersExtensive preparation needed · 204,350 employed$213,990median / yrPediatricians, GeneralExtensive preparation needed · 39,390 employed$210,040median / yrIndustrial-Organizational PsychologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 790 employed$193,950median / yrPhysicistsExtensive preparation needed · 20,430 employed$172,250median / yrArchitectural and Engineering ManagersExtensive preparation needed · 220,260 employed$171,270median / yrDentists, GeneralExtensive preparation needed · 124,390 employed$170,950median / yrNatural Sciences ManagersExtensive preparation needed · 108,690 employed$167,220median / yrInvestment Fund ManagersGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 841,710 employed$166,570median / yrPodiatristsExtensive preparation needed · 9,680 employed$160,300median / yrLawyersExtensive preparation needed · 754,500 employed$159,670median / yrJudges, Magistrate Judges, and MagistratesExtensive preparation needed · 24,030 employed$153,990median / yrPolitical ScientistsExtensive preparation needed · 5,540 employed$142,080median / yrPharmacistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 321,970 employed$140,910median / yrComputer and Information Research ScientistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 37,200 employed$140,300median / yrOptometristsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 42,790 employed$136,570median / yrPhysician AssistantsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 162,150 employed$135,880median / yrAnesthesiologist AssistantsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 162,150 employed$135,880median / yrNurse MidwivesGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 7,920 employed$134,040median / yrNurse PractitionersGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 323,040 employed$132,300median / yrVeterinariansGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 83,900 employed$130,100median / yrAstronomersExtensive preparation needed · 2,120 employed$128,820median / yrLaw Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 20,060 employed$128,500median / yrBiochemists and BiophysicistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 33,830 employed$127,410median / yrMathematiciansExtensive preparation needed · 2,030 employed$126,710median / yrEconomistsExtensive preparation needed · 17,790 employed$124,720median / yrEnvironmental EconomistsExtensive preparation needed · 17,790 employed$124,720median / yrEconomics Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 11,560 employed$123,920median / yrMicrosystems EngineersExtensive preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrNanosystems EngineersExtensive preparation needed · 154,070 employed$122,930median / yrAdministrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing OfficersExtensive preparation needed · 16,370 employed$117,860median / yrNaturopathic PhysiciansExtensive preparation needed · 28,630 employed$115,210median / yrOrthoptistsExtensive preparation needed · 28,630 employed$115,210median / yrNeuropsychologistsExtensive preparation needed · 18,820 employed$110,840median / yrClinical NeuropsychologistsExtensive preparation needed · 18,820 employed$110,840median / yrEngineering Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 40,270 employed$109,270median / yrHealth Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 221,270 employed$107,310median / yrSociologistsExtensive preparation needed · 2,260 employed$106,030median / yrEducation Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 328,330 employed$105,870median / yrHealth Informatics SpecialistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 519,530 employed$105,850median / yrStatisticiansGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 29,030 employed$105,650median / yrBiostatisticiansGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 29,030 employed$105,650median / yrEducation Administrators, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 180,470 employed$104,590median / yrMedical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 172,340 employed$103,410median / yrAtmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 9,900 employed$103,170median / yrPhysical TherapistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 267,330 employed$102,760median / yrHuman Factors Engineers and ErgonomistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 365,740 employed$102,440median / yrForestry and Conservation Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 1,520 employed$101,420median / yrClinical and Counseling PsychologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 75,990 employed$100,580median / yrOccupational TherapistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 162,450 employed$100,330median / yrLow Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation TherapistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 162,450 employed$100,330median / yrPhysics Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 13,090 employed$100,310median / yrGenetic CounselorsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 3,740 employed$100,040median / yrAnthropology and Archeology Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 5,240 employed$99,650median / yrArchitects, Except Landscape and NavalExtensive preparation needed · 106,770 employed$99,280median / yrBusiness Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 82,150 employed$99,080median / yrBioinformatics ScientistsExtensive preparation needed · 55,850 employed$98,920median / yrMolecular and Cellular BiologistsExtensive preparation needed · 55,850 employed$98,920median / yrGeneticistsExtensive preparation needed · 55,850 employed$98,920median / yrBiologistsExtensive preparation needed · 55,850 employed$98,920median / yrAgricultural Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 8,920 employed$98,700median / yrPolitical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 16,970 employed$98,070median / yrSpeech-Language PathologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 183,390 employed$97,870median / yrGeography Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 3,330 employed$97,590median / yrAdvanced Practice Psychiatric NursesGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 3,379,720 employed$97,550median / yrClinical Nurse SpecialistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 3,379,720 employed$97,550median / yrComputer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 35,480 employed$96,980median / yrArchitecture Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 7,700 employed$96,870median / yrSchool PsychologistsExtensive preparation needed · 63,940 employed$95,990median / yrAudiologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 13,660 employed$95,780median / yrEnvironmental Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 6,690 employed$94,980median / yrChemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 19,980 employed$93,250median / yrUrban and Regional PlannersExtensive preparation needed · 44,230 employed$89,320median / yrOperations Research AnalystsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 108,510 employed$88,940median / yrEpidemiologistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 12,090 employed$87,220median / yrArea, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 11,300 employed$85,020median / yrBiological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 50,190 employed$84,620median / yrSociology Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 11,850 employed$84,290median / yrHistory Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 18,790 employed$83,820median / yrClimate Change Policy AnalystsExtensive preparation needed · 89,250 employed$82,220median / yrEnvironmental Restoration PlannersExtensive preparation needed · 89,250 employed$82,220median / yrIndustrial EcologistsExtensive preparation needed · 89,250 employed$82,220median / yrOrthotists and ProsthetistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 9,390 employed$81,110median / yrFinancial Quantitative AnalystsExtensive preparation needed · 132,130 employed$81,100median / yrPsychology Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 41,530 employed$80,340median / yrLibrary Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 3,630 employed$80,340median / yrPhilosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 20,460 employed$80,260median / yrNursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 77,960 employed$80,250median / yrMathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 47,670 employed$79,940median / yrForeign Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 19,830 employed$79,350median / yrChiropractorsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 39,630 employed$79,200median / yrSoil and Plant ScientistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 15,730 employed$78,850median / yrEnglish Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 57,720 employed$78,760median / yrArt, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 93,560 employed$78,620median / yrCommunications Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 29,420 employed$78,580median / yrArt TherapistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 22,640 employed$77,930median / yrSocial Work Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 12,610 employed$77,570median / yrInstructional CoordinatorsExtensive preparation needed · 227,760 employed$77,440median / yrRecreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 12,630 employed$77,270median / yrHistoriansExtensive preparation needed · 3,450 employed$76,750median / yrCriminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 13,150 employed$76,590median / yrDietitians and NutritionistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 77,570 employed$76,400median / yrAcupuncturistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 7,830 employed$76,040median / yrFamily and Consumer Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 2,770 employed$75,870median / yrArbitrators, Mediators, and ConciliatorsExtensive preparation needed · 9,210 employed$75,530median / yrEducation Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 60,830 employed$75,350median / yrSet and Exhibit DesignersExtensive preparation needed · 10,630 employed$75,240median / yrAnthropologists and ArcheologistsExtensive preparation needed · 8,990 employed$70,770median / yrSurvey ResearchersExtensive preparation needed · 8,290 employed$69,460median / yrAnimal ScientistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 3,100 employed$68,940median / yrLibrarians and Media Collections SpecialistsExtensive preparation needed · 133,790 employed$68,270median / yrHealthcare Social WorkersGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 187,630 employed$67,880median / yrMarriage and Family TherapistsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 66,740 employed$66,940median / yrMidwivesExtensive preparation needed · 35,010 employed$65,790median / yrJudicial Law ClerksExtensive preparation needed · 13,290 employed$64,920median / yrArchivistsExtensive preparation needed · 7,970 employed$64,550median / yrEducational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsExtensive preparation needed · 353,310 employed$64,330median / yrCuratorsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 12,150 employed$63,420median / yrCytotechnologistsExtensive preparation needed · 332,940 employed$62,930median / yrAthletic TrainersGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 30,500 employed$62,520median / yrClergyExtensive preparation needed · 57,200 employed$60,810median / yrMental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 132,810 employed$60,280median / yrFarm and Home Management EducatorsExtensive preparation needed · 8,220 employed$60,220median / yrMuseum Technicians and ConservatorsGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 12,310 employed$51,440median / yrRehabilitation CounselorsExtensive preparation needed · 94,740 employed$46,850median / yrTeaching Assistants, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 164,090 employed$42,910median / yrSubstance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder CounselorsGrowingExtensive preparation needed—median / yrMental Health CounselorsGrowingExtensive preparation needed—median / yr