Best Paid Careers for 2011 and Beyond Requiring a Degree

1. Doctors:  The medical field is expected to continue to grow as the population ages and more physicians opt out of nationalized health care by taking early retirement. It will take about twelve years of education and training, but surgeons, anesthesiologists, and obstetrician/gynecologists all earn in excess of $174,610 annually. Psychiatrists are also well paid ($151,380 per year) and the field is expected to grow at an above-average rate, a fact that probably comes as no surprise to anyone who keeps up with the news.
2. Dentist:  To qualify for the dental exams required by state licensing boards, dentists must complete a four-year dental school beyond undergraduate studies. While most dentists have earned their bachelor's before attending dental school, it is possible to gain admittance with only two or three years of college. There is a good deal of competition for admittance to dental schools, but less than there is for medical school. Dentists in all specialties earn a median annual income of around $140,000. Some specialists earn significantly more.
3. Lawyer:  The bar has historically provided some of the best paid careers in the country. Becoming a lawyer requires a four-year degree, followed by three years of law school. Admission to law school can be quite competitive. However, successful completion of the educational requirements and passing the licensing exam allows attorneys to choose from numerous forms of employment. They may specialize in trial law, corporate law, or numerous other areas. Salaries of lawyers cover a wide range, depending on the path they choose, but on average, attorneys earn about $110,590 annually.
4. Pharmacist:  Pharmacists earn a median annual wage of $106,630, and job opportunities are expected to grow much faster than the national average. Pharmacists dispense medications (and occasionally compound or mix medications) and counsel patients on the correct way to take their drugs. Becoming a pharmacist usually requires six years, which includes pharmacy school. They must then take a test to become certified in their state.