Forbes recently looked into the best- and worst-paying jobs in the U.S. using information gathered from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health-care occupations dominated the list of best-paying jobs, while service jobs made up the list worst-paying jobs.
Here’s the scoop on America’s five best-paying jobs and five worst-paying jobs.
The 5 Best-Paying Jobs
No. 1: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists are physicians who administer anesthetics to patients before, during or after surgery to prevent them from feeling pain. According to the BLS, the annual mean wage for this position is $235,070 and there are more than 30,000 anesthesiologists operating in the U.S.
No. 2: Surgeon
Surgeons perform operations on patients for a variety of reasons, including to fix injuries, treat diseases and correct deformities. They also diagnose illnesses or injuries, and often specialize in a specific organ, limb, joint or body system. The BLS found that annual mean wages for surgeons is $233,150 and there are more than 41,000 in the nation.
No. 3: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
These doctors specialize in performing surgeries and other procedures to treat or correct hard and soft tissues in the face, mouth and jaw. They may work with orthodontists to correct the appearance of these areas, or perform surgeries to treat injuries. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, they train in hospital-based residency programs for a minimum of four years. Their annual mean wages are $218,960.
No. 4: Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Obstetricians and gynecologists provide medical care to women related to pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive issues and the female reproductive system in general. Some may provide general health care to women as well. Their annual mean wages are $212,570.
No. 5: Orthodontist
Annual median wages for orthodontists are $196,270. Orthodontists diagnose and treat crooked teeth, bad bites and other anomalies involving the teeth and jaws. They design treatments involving braces, bands and other appliances to improve oral function and in some cases improve patients’ appearances. There are more than 5,500 in the field according to the BLS.
Worst-Paying Jobs
No. 1: Fast Food Cook
The worst-paying job on the list is fast food cook -- which may be why there is renewed national attention on the wages they get. According to the BLS, mean hourly wages for fast food cooks are $9.07 and mean annual wages are $18,870. There are more than a half-million fast food cooks in the nation.
No. 2: Combined Food Preparation and Serving Worker, Including Fast Food
This position includes preparing food in addition to serving it, and in some cases includes fast-food employees. Mean hourly wages for this position aren’t much better at $9.08. Mean annual wages total $18,880. The BLS says there are more than 3 million of these workers.
No. 3: Shampooer
Shampooers work in hair salons washing and rinsing customers’ hair. Mean hourly wages are $9.09 and mean annual wages are $18,910. According to the BLS, there are more than 15,000 shampooers working in the country.
No. 4: Dishwasher
Mean hourly wages for dishwashers is $9.22 and mean annual wages are $19,180. Dishwashers clean dishes and run dishwashing machines in restaurants and institutional settings. They also clean other kitchen and food-prep equipment and eating utensils. There are 498,110 dishwashers in the U.S.
No. 5: Counter Attendant, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
Workers in this field serve from a counter or a steam table in a restaurant or buffet setting. They don’t wait tables. Mean hourly wages are $9.45 and mean annual wages are $19,650. The BLS says there are more than 450,000 such workers.
