3. General Practice Physician
General practice physicians earned an annual median wage of $180,180, just $700 less than the average psychiatrist. The growth outlook for this profession is also 18%. Since most people need a general practice physician regardless of health and age, the demand for them is expected to rise as more Americans gain access to health insurance.
2. Psychiatrist
In 2015, psychiatrists made an annual median wage of $181,880. Like surgeons, the 10-year projected growth rate for psychiatrists is 18%.
1. Surgeon
Surgeons command the highest median salary of all careers — both in and out of health care — likely because the job requires such specialized skills. While earnings depend on the type of surgery done, the annual median wage for surgeons was $352,000 in 2015, and the 10-year projected growth rate is 18%.