What each profession pays at the top of its own ladder, ranked. Peak figures are not starting figures, and the years and cost it takes to reach them vary enormously — the entry barrier is on each profession's own page.
1💹
Investment BankerBusiness & Finance
$1.5M+at peak
2🫀
SurgeonMedicine & Life
$558kat peak
3🤖
AI ResearcherEngineering & Technology
$1M–$10M+at peak
4✈️
PilotFrontier & Field
$450k+at peak
5🔌
Semiconductor EngineerEngineering & Technology
$300k+at peak
6🧠
PsychiatristMedicine & Life
$350k+at peak
7🩺
PhysicianMedicine & Life
$400k+at peak
8💻
Software EngineerEngineering & Technology
$400k+at peak
9⚖️
JudgeLaw & Public Service
£232kat peak
10🛰️
Aerospace EngineerEngineering & Technology
$220k+at peak
11💊
PharmacistMedicine & Life
$168k+at peak
12👔
LawyerLaw & Public Service
$239,200+at peak
13🦾
Robotics EngineerEngineering & Technology
$220k+at peak
14📊
Data ScientistScience & Research
$280k–$400k+at peak
15💱
EconomistBusiness & Finance
$500k+at peak
16🚀
EntrepreneurBusiness & Finance
$1M–$1B+at peak
17🗺️
Product ManagerBusiness & Finance
$400k+at peak
18🏅
AthleteMedia & Performance
$50M–$260Mat peak
19🧮
MathematicianScience & Research
$450k+at peak
20🌉
Civil EngineerEngineering & Technology
$200k+at peak
21🎮
Game DesignerArts & Creation
$250kat peak
22🧾
AccountantBusiness & Finance
$500k+at peak
23📣
MarketerBusiness & Finance
$350k+at peak
24🧩
PsychologistEducation & Humanities
$190k+at peak
25⚓
Ship CaptainFrontier & Field
$215kat peak
26🕹️
Esports ProMedia & Performance
$3M–5M+ (rep.)at peak
27⚛️
PhysicistScience & Research
$300k+at peak
28🎬
Film DirectorArts & Creation
$10M–$25M+at peak
29🎓
ProfessorEducation & Humanities
~$160kat peak
30🐾
VeterinarianMedicine & Life
$212,890+at peak
31🧪
ChemistScience & Research
$210k+at peak
32🔭
AstronomerScience & Research
$190k+at peak
33👨🚀
AstronautFrontier & Field
≈$190kat peak
34💉
NurseMedicine & Life
$212kat peak
35🕊️
DiplomatLaw & Public Service
$203kat peak
36🏗️
ArchitectArts & Creation
$159,800+at peak
37🎭
ActorMedia & Performance
$20M+/filmat peak
38🧬
BiologistScience & Research
$250k+at peak
39🚒
FirefighterLaw & Public Service
$150k+at peak
40📜
HistorianEducation & Humanities
$200k+at peak
41🪚
CarpenterCraft & Trade
$150kat peak
42🍷
SommelierCraft & Trade
$160kat peak
43🏔️
Mountain GuideFrontier & Field
$130k+at peak
44⌚
WatchmakerCraft & Trade
$130k+at peak
45🎞️
AnimatorMedia & Performance
$180k–$250k+at peak
46📋
Civil ServantLaw & Public Service
~£200kat peak
47🚓
Police OfficerLaw & Public Service
$180kat peak
48🏫
TeacherEducation & Humanities
€120k+at peak
49🍳
ChefCraft & Trade
$250k+at peak
50🧵
TailorCraft & Trade
£150k+at peak
51🌐
TranslatorEducation & Humanities
$120kat peak
52📖
LibrarianEducation & Humanities
$130k+at peak
53🏺
ArchaeologistFrontier & Field
$130kat peak
54📰
JournalistMedia & Performance
$250k+at peak
55📷
PhotographerMedia & Performance
$500k+at peak
56🌾
FarmerFrontier & Field
$250k+at peak
57🎻
MusicianArts & Creation
$250k+at peak
58🖌️
PainterArts & Creation
$1M+at peak
59🔥
BlacksmithCraft & Trade
$150k+at peak
60✍️
NovelistArts & Creation
$1M+/yrat peak
Figures are typical peak earnings in the market named on each profession's page, not global averages.