Is a $45 hourly wage good? Here's what you need to know

With the cost of living continuing to rise and a shortage of skilled workers in some industries, wages for entry-level positions have been gradually increasing. However, wages aren’t growing at the same pace everywhere. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10 highest paying jobs in America in 2019 pay an average annual wage of $109,520 or more.

That being said, not all jobs are created equal. For example, in many industries such as healthcare and social assistance, median hourly wages are significantly lower than the national average of $16.98 per hour. In fact, there are numerous jobs that can pay as little as $7 per hour or less — even when you factor in commission.

While this information may seem disheartening at first glance, it doesn’t necessarily mean that any given industry isn’t worth your time. Rather than focusing on only the lowest paying job opportunities available to you today, let’s take a deeper look at whether or not any of these could be a good fit for your future career:

8 of the Highest Paying Jobs in America Based on Salary

Let’s kick things off with a quick overview of the top 8 highest paying jobs in America based on salary. While other data points will be explored in greater detail, this information is meant to provide you with some perspective on just how much money you could be bringing home with the right training and experience.

This list is ranked by annual salary and includes data on the number of jobs in each field, the projected number of job openings in the field between 2018 and 2028, and the average hourly rate for jobs in the field.

Healthcare professionals

• Annual Salary: $87,090
• Number of Jobs: 1,080,580
• Projected Job Openings: 522,110
• Average Hourly Rate: $29.64

Healthcare professionals are people who work in the medical field, providing patients with rehabilitation services, assisting with surgeries, or even conducting scientific research. Because the demand for healthcare services and professionals is expected to continue to rise, there are many opportunities for the right individuals in this field.

Registered nurses

• Annual Salary: $87,040
• Number of Jobs: 3,038,610
• Projected Job Openings: 875,100
• Average Hourly Rate: $31.52

Registered nurses are responsible for assisting doctors with patient care or administering medical treatment to patients, including administering medications and providing instructions on proper care. Because the aging population will continue to require medical assistance, the need for registered nurses is expected to increase significantly in the next decade.

Computer software developers

• Annual Salary: $85,800
• Number of Jobs: 880,860
• Projected Job Openings: 595,330
• Average Hourly Rate: $36.87

Computer software developers are engineers who design, create, and test computer software for use in a variety of industries. The field is expected to continue growing as technology makes greater inroads in the fields of medicine and transportation.

Aerospace engineers

• Annual Salary: $85,060
• Number of Jobs: 61,710
• Projected Job Openings: 36,280
• Average Hourly Rate: $48.30

Aerospace engineers design and develop planes, spacecraft, and other aerospace vehicles. As the number of companies involved in space travel, commercial jet travel, and military aviation continues to rise, the demand for aerospace engineers is expected to increase significantly.

Actuaries

• Annual Salary: $85,000
• Number of Jobs: 10,420
• Projected Job Openings: 4,260
• Average Hourly Rate: $37.64

Actuaries are professionals who use mathematics and statistics to assess risk in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, insurance, and finance. The actuarial field is expected to continue growing as the world becomes increasingly interconnected.

Economist

• Annual Salary: $82,090
• Number of Jobs: 31,440
• Projected Job Openings: 19,030
• Average Hourly Rate: $49.82

Economists study and analyze the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in an economy, with the aim of providing advice for policymakers. The field is expected to grow as the world continues to become increasingly interconnected and as emerging economies such as China continue to grow in power.

Statistician

• Annual Salary: $81,900
• Number of Jobs: 39,480
• Projected Job Openings: 27,990
• Average Hourly Rate: $40.91

Statisticians use mathematical and statistical methods to collect and interpret data in a wide variety of fields, including healthcare, marketing, engineering, and sports. The field is expected to grow as companies continue to rely on data analysis in order to make better decisions.

While the cost of living continues to rise, it’s important to remember that not all jobs will pay well. In fact, there are numerous positions available to today’s workers that can pay as little as $7 per hour or less — even when you factor in commission.

While it’s important to factor in salary when considering a new career path, it’s also important to consider other aspects of the job, such as your long-term earning potential and the demand for your services in the field.