10 Dream Jobs That Come With a Huge Paycheck

It’s very important to pick a job that makes you happy and keeps you fulfilled. Every career expert will tell you this is what makes a satisfying career. But most people also want to be successful. And why can’t you have both? There are dream jobs out there that will make you financially comfortable and emotionally fulfilled. Here are 10 good places to start.

1. Petroleum Engineer

Probably not your first thought, but these jobs have a median pay of almost $110k and employees report a high satisfaction rate. These jobs are also currently in high demand.

2. Dentist

If you can get through all the school and training required, you might find this career to be intensely rewarding—on all fronts. Your work is part medicine, part engineering, and part artistry. The hours are good; you’re in control of your schedule. And you’re literally making people smile. Median pay? Around $130k.

3. Surgeon

Surgeons are extremely well paid. Sure, they have to go through a ton of expensive schooling and training and licensing to get where they are, but once they’re there, they make almost $300k per year in median pay. Neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons make even more.

4. Pediatrician

If you’re going the medical route and feel that you really would like to work with children, then this might be a good route. Median salary is about $147k and you get the satisfaction of helping to heal the whole family. Or you could make about the same and go into Obstetrics and Gynecology—with satisfaction rates almost equal, or even become a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife).

5. Anesthesiologist

One last job in health care: anesthesiologists do crucial work in surgical settings but don’t do any of the slicing and dicing. Their median pay is nearly $300k.

6. Product Manager

Product Managers need a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or another field. They lead the teams advertising a product and liaise with the public or target audience. You’ll want to make sure you’re passionate about the product first, and that you have the required experience. Average salary: about $120k.

7. VP of Sales

To be the VP of anything is probably a lucrative bet—and will require a great deal of working your way up. But everyone needs to have a goal, right? You can net an average salary well over $150k and be a major part of your company.

8. Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Chief Technology Officers make an average salary of about $150k. They need a Bachelor’s degree in IT or Business/Finance, but they are really instrumental in making sure a company runs smoothly.

9. Account Manager

You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in Business or Accounting or another related field, though entry-level positions might only require an Associate’s. But if you’re meticulous and have strong finance skills, this could be a great career for you.

10. Senior Software Engineer

If you’re good with computers, this could be the gig for you. The average salary is over $90k per year, and you get to be in charge of making sure the technology in your company runs the way it’s supposed to.