How common is a 6 figure salary?
Landing a 6 figure job is a dream for many professionals.
And although it might seem like a difficult milestone to achieve, that is not the case.
A cumulative 5.4% of Americans make 6-figure salaries, among which, 15.5% earn between $100,000 and $149,999 and 10.3% make around $200,000.
With the right career path and dedication, you too can land 6 figure jobs.
For instance, doctors and lawyers generally earn a 6 figure salary after completing their education.
But, the options are not limited to conventional careers alone. With the boom of the internet, there are many new-age careers like YouTubers, Influencers, etc. that can help you earn a six-figure salary.
Read on to learn more about 6 figure jobs and related questions like the following:
- What is a six-figure salary?
- What are some jobs that pay 6 figures?
- Is financial advisor one of the top 6-figure jobs?
- What are some 6-figure jobs that don't require a degree?
What is a 6-figure salary?
A 6 figure salary basically refers to the annual income of an individual that can range anywhere from $100,000 to $999,999.
When broken down into monthly income, it comes down to around $8,334 and $83,333.
Since the range of a six-figure income is very extensive, professionals with 6 figure jobs can have a modest lifestyle or can also lead an indulgent one.
6 figure jobs can be roughly classified into the following 3 categories, depending on their exact income:
- Low range: $100,000 - $200,000
- Moderate range: $300,000 - $500,000
- High range: $600,000 - $999,999
It is important to understand that you don’t necessarily need a single 6 figure job to make a six-figure income.
Many individuals make this possible for themselves by taking on multiple side jobs, making the right investments, and freelancing.
Also read: What are some top salary negotiation strategies in 2023?
Best 6 Figure Jobs
While we all know that traditional careers such as surgeons, lawyers, engineers, and scientists are some of the 6 figure jobs, these are not the only options.
You can embark on an unconventional career and still earn a 6 figure income.
Given below are some of the top jobs that pay 6 figures:
Distribution Managers
As the title suggests, distribution managers oversee daily operations at warehouses and manage staff members.
A bachelor’s degree in supply chain management and 3 to 4 years of relevant experience are some of the common requirements for becoming a distribution manager.
Their annual median salary in the US is $100,740.
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants help doctors administer tests and treatments and run diagnoses.
Unlike physicians, they don’t require a medical degree but do need a master’s degree from an accredited college.
Additionally, the job outlook for physician assistants is great as the projected employment growth for these professionals is 37.3% by 2026.
The average annual salary for physician assistants is $104,760.
Human Resource Managers
HR managers are responsible for managing the human resource team and overseeing the hiring process of recruits.
To become a human resource manager, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and also have hands-on experience in the field.
They earn a 6 figure salary of $123,510 per annum in the US.
Also read: What is human resource management?
Financial Advisors
Financial advisors are one of the sought-after 6-figure jobs as these professionals earn $124,140 per annum for their work.
They advise their clients on asset management, insurance coverage, cash flow, liabilities, investments, and other financial transactions.
Along with relevant experience and extra certifications, aspiring financial advisors need to have a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or any other related field.
Also read: How to write a brilliant financial advisor resume in 2023?
Chief Executive Officers
Also known as C-suite positions, CEOs or chief executive officers is a 6 figure job that requires candidates to have extensive experience in their respective field.
They oversee the overall operations of a company and strategize plans to drive the profitability & growth of the business.
The salary of a Chief Executive Officer can range anywhere from $150,000 to $500,000 per annum.
Software Developers
It’s no surprise that the tech industry has plenty of 6 figure jobs. One of such positions is that of a software developer.
They are tasked with writing codes for various programs and applications that support internal business operations and cater to the needs of external clients.
While the average salary of software developers is $110,140, the highest-paid 25% of developers earned $140,470 in 2020.
Chief Information Officer
Landing a 6 figure job like CIO or Chief Information Officer can single-handedly make you a hefty amount of money.
The median salary for this position is $223,840 excluding bonuses and profit shares.
8 to 10 years of experience in the IT industry and a bachelor’s degree in computer science are some of the common requirements for becoming a CIO.
Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists make an annual 6-figure salary of $261,730 in the US and are tasked with providing anesthesia care and pain management for patients before, during, & after surgery.
You must have a formal medical degree (MBBS) to become an anesthesiologist.
Ethical Hacker
Ethical hackers are one of the most interesting 6-figure tech jobs with an average annual salary of $105,765.
They specialize in cybersecurity and coding to safeguard sensitive data as part of preventing cyber attacks on government agencies or private companies.
Commercial Pilots
If you want to earn a 6-figure salary while traveling the world, becoming a commercial pilot is a suitable career option for you.
On average, they make $160,970 per year in the US.
Aspiring candidates must graduate from a pilot school and get trained in the specific aircraft variation/s they want to fly.
Also read: How to write a resume for pilots in 2023?
6 Figure Jobs Without College Degree
Yes, not every 6 figure jobs require a four-year college degree.
Although some job profiles may require you to have ample years of work experience to make up for the lack of a college degree, there are a few new-age jobs that can help you earn 6 figure salaries within 2 to 3 years after starting out.
Given below are some of the best 6 figure jobs without a degree:
| Business Owner | Sales Consultant |
| Real Estate Broker | Virtual Assistant |
| Plumber | Site Manager |
| Radiologist | Head Chef |
| Freelance Writer | YouTuber |
| Blogger | Professional Athletes |
Also read: What are some resume tips for small business owners?
Key Points from the Blog
- A 6 figure salary refers to the annual income of an individual that can range anywhere from $100,000 to $999,999
- Distribution managers, physician assistants, financial advisors, and chief executive officers are some 6 figure jobs among many others
- Ethical hackers are one of the most interesting 6-figure tech jobs with an average annual salary of $105,765
- Business owners, sales consultants, bloggers, and YouTubers are some of the best 6 figure jobs that don’t require a college degree
Should you need expert guidance on landing 6 figure jobs, visit Hiration’s Career Activator Platform with 24x7 chat support. You can also write to us at support@hiration.com.
