We just went over the reader stats for this website and discovered that by far most readers are from the United States, but approximately half as many are from the United Kingdom. We are very happy with the increasing readership numbers (Thank You for stopping by!), so as a little treat we want to compare the Top 5 best-paid jobs in both countries.

Oh and sorry, Canada. You came in as third. Better luck next time!

United States

1.  Physicians and Surgeons

Really, it pays to be a doctor in America. When you look at the Top 20 in yearly earnings, you’ll find that most of the jobs in there require a medical degree. The average pay reaches $150.000 per year.

2.  Aircraft Pilots

One of many boys’ dream jobs is actually also one of the highest paying ones. Let’s hope they don’t invent automatic airplanes soon, cause right now you can make around $135.000 per year flying airliners.

3.  Chief Executives

Those guys run companies and make around $120.000 per year. Remember, those are average numbers. I’m sure you’ll find many that make far less, and some that make far more. Like one hundred times more.

4.  Electrical and Electronic Engineers

As this is my personal background, I am very happy to see that engineers have made it into the Top 5. Without those guys the people in the other professions would have a much more difficult job. Or no job at all. $115.000 average pay here.

5.  Lawyers and Judges

I really thought those would rank higher. I think after boxing movies, lawyer movies are the most common things you can watch in the cinema. And those lawyers are always loaded. But I’m sure, when you’re clever (and potentially ruthless), the average $100.000 can still mean you drive a Ferrari to work.

United Kingdom

Okay, now let’s take a look at Europe. Specifically, at the UK. This time our numbers are expressed in British Pounds, but we’ll just use today’s currency exchange rates and make them US dollars.

Interestingly the list looks quite a bit different.

1.  Chief Executives

Bad news for doctors, very good news for MBAs. This is the highest paying job in Great Britain. Overseeing and running a company pays very well. The average pay is $280.000!

2.  Physicians and Surgeons

Still, not bad if you’re a doctor in the UK. You’re part of the paycheck-elite. The average income is around $135.000. Say “Aaaaah”!

3.  Brokers and Financial Managers

These guys manage finances for clients and companies. Trading stocks and bonds is a profitable business. They wear ties and sometimes jump out of the window. That is worth $130.000.

4.  Civil Servants

These people administer the system. Those bureaucrats make a living by helping ministers implement legislation, figure out policies, collect your taxes and so forth. Their annual pay (if they work there long enough at least) averages around $120.000. I suppose this also includes Lawyers and Judges.

5.  Aircraft Pilots

Aircraft Pilots come in at position 5. It’s also a dream job in Europe and so is the pay: $100.000. Considerably less than in America, but still not bad.

In the United Kingdom the average salary is somewhere between $32.000 and $49.000. So all of the above jobs are at least double that amount. For the United States it is between $32.000 and $43.000.

Finally I want to know what engineers make in the UK.. Let me check..

Oh.

I just did. And it’s not pretty. I’d rather spare you the details.

Did you like this article? Subscribe to our career advice RSS-Feed.

Comments are closed.