The 30 highest-paying jobs in America

Average annual salary: $124,140

Number of people employed: 200,920

What they do: Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate.

Average annual salary: $127,690

Number of people employed: 67,300

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image, raise issue awareness, or raise funds for their organization or client.

Average annual salary: $129,840

Number of people employed: 16,900

What they do: Teach courses in law.

Average annual salary: $130,010

Number of people employed: 15,520

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate the compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

Average annual salary: $133,670

Number of people employed: 56,210

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Average annual salary: $136,650

Number of people employed: 371,410

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer.

Average annual salary: $141,890

Number of people employed: 628,370

What they do: Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions.

Average annual salary: $143,530

Number of people employed: 569,380

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities.

Average annual salary: $145,620

Number of people employed: 218,970

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs.

Average annual salary: $146,290

Number of people employed: 179,990

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering.

Average annual salary: $148,470

Number of people employed: 9,670

What they do: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.

Average annual salary: $149,730

Number of people employed: 365,690

What they do: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Average annual salary: $154,780

Number of people employed: 32,010

What they do: Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production.

Average annual salary: $161,280

Number of people employed: 84,070

What they do: Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft (usually on scheduled air carrier routes) for the transport of passengers and cargo.

Average annual salary: $169,450

Number of people employed: 42,620

What they do: Administer anesthesia, monitor patients' vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia.

Average annual salary: $174,110

Number of people employed: 110,400

What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.

Average annual salary: $187,540

Number of people employed: 28,990

What they do: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries.

Average annual salary: $196,050

Number of people employed: 210,160

What they do: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body.

Average annual salary: $196,960

Number of people employed: 430

What they do: Construct oral prostheses to replace missing teeth and other oral structures.

Average annual salary: $198,370

Number of people employed: 42,280

What they do: Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems.

Average annual salary: $199,980

Number of people employed: 4,590

What they do: Various dental specializations.

Average annual salary: $208,560

Number of people employed: 126,440

What they do: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population.

Average annual salary: $211,390

Number of people employed: 355,460

What they do: Various medical specialties.

Average annual salary: $216,090

Number of people employed: 25,250

What they do: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

Average annual salary: $229,380

Number of people employed: 5,080

What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies.

Average annual salary: $235,240

Number of people employed: 18,880

What they do: Physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women.

Average annual salary: $242,740

Number of people employed: 4,800

What they do: Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions.

Average annual salary: $251,890

Number of people employed: 38,600

What they do: Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods.

Average annual salary: $265,990

Number of people employed: 30,590

What they do: Physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.