Which Jobs Will Pay the Most Money in 2012?

If you're wondering which jobs will pay the most money in 2012, you're definitely not alone. The recent economic downturn has caused individuals to seek out greater job security and higher salaries. Many individuals are also returning to school in hopes of obtaining a job with a higher salary after graduating. It may come as a surprise that the majority jobs with the highest median salaries are almost all in the medical field, although chief executives also bring home a substantial salary. It’s important to remember that obtaining a high salary job may require many years of education and experience.

Surgeons



Surgeons are a subset of physicians who have obtained the necessary training and licensure to operate on patients. Surgeons are generally taught how to perform various types of operations, such as fixing tissue and bone, removing cancerous cells, or repairing physical deformities. Salary.com indicates that general surgeons earned a median salary of $304,631, as of January 2012. Many surgeons decide to specialize in a particular area such as orthopedic surgery, neurological surgery, cardiovascular surgery, or plastic surgery. Orthopedic surgeons operate on the musculoskeletal system, while neurological surgeons operate on the brain and possibly the nervous system. Cardiovascular surgeons specialize in operating on the heart, while plastic surgeons restructure people’s faces after accidents or for vanity reasons.

Anesthesiologists



If you've ever undergone a surgical procedure, you've probably used the services of an anesthesiologist. These professionals are responsible for keeping your heart beating and your lungs breathing while you're undergoing surgery. They do so by monitoring your vital functions and accordingly adjusting the medicines that are put into your IV. In addition to putting people to sleep during surgery, anesthesiologists may administer medicine to patients in a variety of other settings, such as during labor, in an ICU, or during non-routine dental work. To become an anesthesiologist, you'll need to graduate from medical school, pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination, and become licensed. In 2012, the median reported salary for anesthesiologists was $335,294, according to Salary.com.

Physicians



Physicians diagnose and treat patients with diseases ranging from a common cold to a life-threatening emergency. They may work in emergency rooms, private practices, or at state funded institutions. To become a physician, individuals are required to complete medical school and become licensed by a national licensing board. According to Salary.com data obtained in 2012, physicians earn an average median salary of $166,232 per year. Similar to surgeons, physicians can increase their incomes as they gain experience or by specializing in a particular area. Specializations could include, gynecology, cardiology, radiology, pathology, or emergency medicine. For example, a medical practitioner specializing in obstetrics and gynecology earns a median salary of $252,660 per year, while emergency room physicians take home an average salary of $247,531 per year, according to 2012 reports from Salary.com.

Chief Executives

It should come as no surprise that chief executive officers (CEOs) are well paid. The average median salary of a CEO is $708,407, according to 2012 Salary.com report. CEOs perform a variety of tasks, depending on the sector in which they work. Almost all CEOs face extreme pressure, because they’re held responsible for the overall success or failure for the companies at which they’re employed. Furthermore, these top executives are generally excellent communicators and are able to work well in high-pressure conditions.