Six figures, demystified
A six-figure salary — meaning $100,000 or more — remains a meaningful career milestone in the U.S. labor market. According to BLS data, fewer than one in five American workers earns at this level. But the path is more accessible than most people realize, and the routes go far beyond Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
Below are 20 occupations where the median salary clears or hovers near $100,000, organized by industry, with the realistic education and experience required to get there.
Technology and engineering
1. Software developer — $124,200 median
Still the most common entry point into six figures for people without graduate degrees. Bootcamps, self-study, or a four-year computer science degree all work.
2. Cloud architect — $130,000–$155,000
Designs cloud-based infrastructure for enterprises. Requires deep AWS, Azure, or GCP experience plus systems-design judgment.
3. Data scientist — $108,000+
Combines statistics, programming, and business communication. Strong demand across every sector that touches data.
4. Cybersecurity analyst — $112,000 median
Information security analysts have one of the strongest growth outlooks in the entire economy — 32% through 2032.
5. Machine learning engineer — $150,000+
Builds and deploys ML models at production scale. Among the highest-paid technical roles for early-career talent.
Healthcare
6. Pharmacist — $128,570 average
Requires a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), a four-year graduate program after undergrad.
7. Nurse practitioner / physician assistant — $120,000+
A master’s-level path into clinical practice that takes far less time than an MD.
8. Health services manager — $104,830 median
Manages clinics, hospital departments, and physician practices. Experience often trumps credentials.
9. Physical therapist — $97,720–$110,000
Doctorate-level training for clinic and hospital roles.
Finance and business
10. Financial manager — $139,790 median
Oversees corporate finance, investments, or treasury operations.
11. Actuary — ~$113,000
Risk modeling for insurance and pensions. Pay scales steeply with each professional exam passed.
12. Enterprise software sales — $150,000+ OTE
Commission-driven roles where top performers can clear $250,000 or more.
13. Investment banker — $100,000+ base, large bonus
Long hours, intense pace, but reliable six-figure compensation from year one.
Skilled trades
14. Electrician — $100,000+ with overtime
Especially union members and those who own their own contracting businesses.
15. Plumber — $100,000+ with experience
Self-employed master plumbers in major metros routinely clear six figures.
16. Elevator installer / repairer — $99,000 median
One of the highest-paid trades. Apprenticeship training is paid.
17. Construction manager — $101,480 median
Coordinates entire build projects. Field experience often counts more than a degree.
18. Crane operator — $100,000+ certified
Certification-based; high demand at large construction sites.
19. HVAC technician — $95,000–$110,000 senior
Commercial refrigeration specialists earn the most.
20. Power plant operator — $100,000+
Six-figure compensation with strong benefits and union representation.
How to choose your path
- If you have time and tolerance for school: healthcare and pharmacy
- If you want six figures without a four-year degree: skilled trades and tech bootcamps
- If you’re analytically wired: data, finance, and actuarial paths
- If you’re a strong communicator: enterprise software sales
FAQ
Do all these jobs require a four-year degree?
No. Software development, every skilled trade, and many finance/sales paths can be entered without one.
How long until I reach six figures?
Tech: often within 5–7 years. Trades: 7–10 years post-apprenticeship. Healthcare: 6–8 years including school.
Are these salaries before or after tax?
All figures are gross annual salary before tax.
Conclusion
Six-figure income is no longer reserved for a narrow slice of the workforce. The fastest paths today combine demand (where employers are hiring) with skill stacking (combining technical ability with business judgment). Start with what you’re good at, then narrow to the highest-paid roles in that lane.
Browse high-paying jobs across every category on ScrollJob.
