Surgeons Ranking 1
Median Salary	$225,390 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Anesthesiologist Ranking 2
Median Salary	$220,100 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	a physician who completed an accredited residency program in anesthesiology. Anesthesiology is a branch of medicine that focuses on pain relief during and after surgery.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons Ranking 3
Median Salary	$214,120 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Oral and maxillofacial surgery is surgery to treat many diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral (mouth) and Cranio-maxillofacial (jaws and face) region. It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Obstetricians and gynecologist Ranking 4
Median Salary	$210,340 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	An obstetrician is a physician who has successfully completed specialized education and training in the management of pregnancy, labor, and pueperium (the time-period directly following childbirth).
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Orthodontists Ranking 5
Median Salary	$200,290 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	A gynecologist is a physician who has a successfully completed specialized education and training in the health of the female reproductive system, including the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Internist Ranking 6
Median Salary	$189,480 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	An internist, also called a general internist or doctor of internal medicine, is a medical doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and medical (nonsurgical) treatment of adults. Internists provide long-term, comprehensive care and manage both common and complex diseases. An internist can serve as a primary care physician or as a consultant to other medical specialists. Many internists also are involved in research and teaching.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Physicians Ranking 7
Median Salary	$180,870 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses. Physicians examine patients; take medical histories; prescribe medications; and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive healthcare. Surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries, such as broken bones; diseases, such as cancerous tumors; and deformities, such as cleft palates.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Family and general practitioners Ranking 8
Median Salary	$173,860 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Chief Executives Ranking 9
Median Salary	$173,350 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Living the Dream	Top executives work in nearly every industry. They work for large and small businesses, ranging from one-person companies to firms with thousands of employees. Top executives often work many hours, including evenings and weekends. In 2012, about half work
Reaching the Dream	Although education and training requirements vary widely by position and industry, many top executives have at least a bachelor’s degree and a considerable amount of work experience.

Psychiatrist Ranking 10
Median Salary	$167,610 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Psychiatrists are medical doctors who must evaluate patients to determine whether or not their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental, or a strictly psychiatric one. As part of the clinical assessment process they may employ a mental status examination, a physical examination, brain imaging such as computerized tomography (CT/CAT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, and blood testing. Psychiatrists prescribe medicine, and may also use psychotherapy, although the vast majority do medical management and refer to a psychologist or another specialized therapist for weekly to bi-monthly psychotherapy.
Living the Dream	NA
Reaching the Dream	NA

Pediatricians Ranking 11
Median Salary	$165,720 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	A pediatrician is a child's physician who provides: prventive health maintenance for healthy children and medical care for children who are actutely or chronically ill.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Dentists Ranking 12
Median Salary	$158,770 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Dentists diagnose and treat problems with a patient’s teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
Living the Dream	Some dentists own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff.
Reaching the Dream	Dentists must be licensed in all states; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license in most states, applicants must graduate from an accredited dental school and pass written and practical exams.

Prosthodontists Ranking 13
Median Salary	$139,620 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Prosthodontics, also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry, is the area of dentistry that focuses on dental prostheses.
Living the Dream	Some dentists own their own businesses and work alone or with a small staff.
Reaching the Dream	Dentists must be licensed in all states; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license in most states, applicants must graduate from an accredited dental school and pass written and practical exams.

Podiatrists Ranking 14
Median Salary	$133,000 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Podiatry or podiatric medicine is a branch of medicine devoted to the study of diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity.
Living the Dream	Many physicians work in private offices or clinics, often with administrative and healthcare personnel.
Reaching the Dream	Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 8 years in internship and residency pro

Lawyers Ranking 15
Median Salary	$129,440 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Doctorate
Exploring the Dream	Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes
Living the Dream	The majority of lawyers work in private and corporate legal offices. Some work for local, state, and federal governments. The majority work full time, and many work long hours.
Reaching the Dream	All lawyers must have a law degree and must also typically pass a state’s written bar examination.

Natural science managers Ranking 16
Median Salary	$129,320 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists. They direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Living the Dream	Natural sciences managers spend most of their time in offices, but they also may spend time in laboratories. Most natural sciences managers work full time.
Reaching the Dream	Natural sciences managers need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or a related field. Most natural sciences managers work as scientists before becoming managers.

Petroleum engineers Ranking 17
Median Salary	$127,970 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.
Living the Dream	Petroleum engineers generally work in offices or in research laboratories. However, they also must spend time at drilling sites, often for long periods of time.
Reaching the Dream	Petroleum engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in petroleum engineering. However, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering may also suffice. Employers also value work experience, so cooperative engineering pr

Architectural and engineering managers Ranking 18
Median Salary	$125,900 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Architectural and engineering managers plan, coordinate, and direct activities in architectural and engineering companies.
Living the Dream	Most architectural and engineering managers spend their workday in an office. Some also may work in industrial plants and laboratories or at construction sites.
Reaching the Dream	Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and considerable work experience as an architect or engineer.

Computer and information system managers Ranking 19
Median Salary	$123,280 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers or IT project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
Living the Dream	Most computer and information systems managers work full time. In 2012, about one third worked more than 40 hours per week.
Reaching the Dream	Typically, a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science, plus related work experience, is required. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree.

Marketing managers Ranking 20
Median Salary	$122,720 (Do Not Chase the Dollar - Chase Your Passion)
Educational Requirements	Bachelors
Exploring the Dream	Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in a product or service. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.
Living the Dream	About 24 percent of advertising and promotions managers worked for advertising agencies in 2012. About 16 percent of marketing managers worked in the management of companies and enterprises industry.
Reaching the Dream	A bachelor’s degree is required for most advertising, promotions, and marketing management positions. These managers typically have work experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, or sales.