Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in Phoenix
The GDP per capita in Phoenix, Arizona is expected to reach $44,592 by the end of 2022. This number has held relatively steady for quite some time, and the job market in this city is not as promising as it is in some other parts of the United States.
At the same time, though, there are still some high-paying jobs worth considering in Phoenix, both for students who are planning their careers and current professionals looking to make a career change.
If you’re interested in finding one of the highest-paying jobs in Phoenix, you’re in luck.
This guide provides lots of valuable information, including a breakdown of the top 20 best-paid jobs in the city, the highest-paying jobs in Phoenix for fresh graduates, and the highest-paying industries in Phoenix. You’ll learn about the kinds of degrees that can help you qualify for high-paying jobs, too.
What Salary Is Considered Rich in Phoenix?
Before we dive into the best-paid jobs in Phoenix, let’s address the general cost of living and what kind of salary would be considered “rich” here.
Phoenix has a lower cost of living than many other cities in the United States. The average salary is a bit higher, though at $59,794 per year. By comparison, the average salary in the U.S. of $66,665 per year.
For a family of 4 in Phoenix, their estimated monthly expenses (not including rent) are about $3,273.83. A single person’s estimated monthly expenses, on the other hand, are just $932.13. Rental prices are relatively low here, too — 56.88 percent lower than those in New York.
With this information in mind, a salary of over $100,000 per year would likely allow someone to transition into the “rich” category in Phoenix. Because the cost of living is lower here, you don’t need to earn as much per year as you do in some other places to live comfortably and have plenty of disposable income.
What Is the #1 Highest-Paid Position in Phoenix?
Now, let’s break down some of the best-paid jobs in Phoenix, starting with the city’s number one highest-paid position: Psychiatrist.
Psychiatrists are both medical doctors and licensed mental health professionals. They are responsible for prescribing medications and helping patients to overcome conditions like depression and anxiety.
As a psychiatrist in Phoenix, you can earn an average salary of $248,840 per year. That’s more than 4 times the average salary for a Phoenix resident. The entry-level salary for psychiatrists here is quite promising, too, at $147,730 per year.
If a career as a psychiatrist doesn’t appeal to you, you have plenty of other high-paid options to consider in Phoenix. Listed below are the top 20 highest-paying jobs in this city, ranked from lowest to highest salary.
20. Aerospace Engineers: Average Salary $129,120 per year
19. Sales Managers: Average Salary $130,200 per year
18. Marketing Managers: Average Salary $134,140 per year
17. Financial Managers: Average Salary $134,270 per year
16. Physical Scientists: Average Salary $138,050 per year
15. Sales Engineers: Average Salary $140,090 per year
14. Lawyers: Average Salary $143,300 per year
13. Computer and Information Research Scientists: Average Salary $145,870 per year
12. Computer and Information Systems Managers: Average Salary $146,490 per year
11. Podiatrists: Average Salary $156,570 per year
10. Architectural and Engineering Managers: Average Salary $159,910 per year
9. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: Average Salary $165,910 per year
8. Nurse Anesthetists: Average Salary $175,650 per year
7. General Dentists: Average Salary $203,410 per year
6. General Pediatricians: Average Salary $204,820 per year
5. Chief Executives: Average Salary $206,290 per year
4. Family Medicine Physicians: Average Salary $220,040 per year
3. Other Physicians and Ophthalmologists: Average Salary $244,270 per year
2. General Internal Medicine Physicians: Average Salary $244,800 per year
1. Psychiatrists: Average Salary $248,840 per year
Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries in Phoenix
For those who are looking to make career changes, as well as those who are still deciding what kind of career path they want to pursue, it’s helpful to know about the highest-paying industries in Phoenix as well as the highest-paying jobs.
Listed below are the top 5 highest-paying industries in this city, along with a list of the top 3 careers in each field and a breakdown of the current job prospects.
For those who want to earn a high salary in Phoenix, the healthcare industry is one of the best ones to work in. Surgeons, doctors, nurses, and many other medical professionals can all earn above-average salaries in Phoenix when they’re part of this field.
Top 3 Careers
- Psychiatrists: Average Salary $248,840 per year
- General Internal Medicine Physicians: Average Salary $244,800 per year
- Other Physicians: Average Salary $244,270 per year
Job Prospects: The job prospects for professionals who work in the healthcare industry are very promising in Phoenix. There’s a significant demand for medical professionals in this area (and throughout the United States) right now, which means that if you have a background in healthcare, you’ll likely be able to get hired very quickly here.
Lots of corporations have offices in the Phoenix area, including Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, and Verizon. As a result, there are plenty of high-paying opportunities for professionals in the business sector here. This is especially true for those who want to work in management positions.
Top 3 Careers
- Chief Executive Officers: Average Salary $206,290 per year
- Marketing Managers: Average Salary $134,140 per year
- Sales Managers: Average Salary $130,200 per year
Job Prospects: Because there are so many businesses operating out of Phoenix (both large corporations and a variety of small- and medium-sized businesses), the job prospects for professionals in the industry are fairly promising. If you have a business background and want to earn a high salary in this part of the country, you’ll likely be able to find a job that aligns with your needs and experience quite easily.
Throughout the United States, the engineering industry is another very profitable industry. Phoenix is no exception to this rule. There are lots of high-paying engineering jobs to be found here, for all kinds of engineers.
Top 3 Careers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers: Average Salary $159,910 per year
- Aerospace Engineers: Average Salary $129,120 per year
- Electronics Engineers: Average Salary $117,130 per year
Job Prospects: The engineering industry — including the engineering industry in Phoenix — typically provides very good job prospects. If you want to find work as an engineer here, you will probably be able to get hired and start earning a high salary right away.
The information technology industry is another one of Phoenix’s highest-paying industries. It’s also one of the fastest-growing industries in the city. For those who have a background in computer science, software development, or a related field, there are plenty of jobs available in this field.
Top 3 Careers
- Computer and Information Systems Managers: Average Salary $146,490 per year
- Computer and Information Research Scientists: Average Salary $145,870 per year
- Computer Network Architects: Average Salary $113,010 per year
Job Prospects: The job prospects for a professional in the information technology industry are very promising. Because this industry is growing so rapidly, there are lots of jobs available in Phoenix. Many local businesses are looking for help from IT experts, and plenty of global businesses are also hiring remote employees who can work out of Phoenix for companies all over the world.
The finance industry is also a high-paying industry in Phoenix. For those who have experience or education in the financial world (accounting, financial advisement, etc.), it’s relatively easy to find a high-paying job in this sector here.
Top 3 Careers
- Financial Managers: Average Salary $134,270 per year
- Certified Public Accountant: Average Salary $96,544 per year
- Personal Financial Advisors: Average Salary $95,130 per year
Job Prospects: If you want to find a job in the finance industry, you’ll find that there are lots of openings and opportunities in the Phoenix area. Plenty of businesses and individuals need help managing their finances and making wise investment decisions, so you’ll probably be able to get hired quickly once you start your job search here.
Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Phoenix for Fresh Graduates
When it comes to finding the highest-paying jobs in Phoenix for fresh graduates, it’s important to note that the list of the best-paid jobs is a bit different than the top 20 list featured above.
If you want to earn a great deal of money fresh out of school, some of the careers on that list might not be ideal for you, as they require several years of working your way up before you can earn a high salary.
For those who want to maximize their earnings right out of the gate, here are 5 of the best jobs to consider:
A general internal medicine physician is a healthcare professional who diagnoses, treats, and prevents diseases that affect the internal organs. They are some of the highest earners in Phoenix, and even their entry-level salaries are far above average at $160,010 per year (nearly 3 times the average salary for a Phoenix resident).
Because the medical industry is one of the highest-paying industries in the city, it makes sense that general internal medicine physicians would be one of the best jobs to consider, even for fresh graduates.
It’s true that it takes quite a while to become a general internal medicine physician. You must complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree, 4 years of medical school, and a 3-year residency. Although you have to put a lot of work in upfront, you’ll be rewarded with a high salary as soon as your residency has ended, so all the initial time and effort with be worthwhile.
Psychiatrists are the highest-paid professionals in Phoenix, and entry-level psychiatrists also enjoy very high salaries — the average salary is $147,730 per year.
Psychiatrists play an important role in keeping Phoenix residents mentally healthy, as they prescribe medicine and offer counseling recommendations to those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other conditions. Because they do such essential work and are in relatively high demand here, it makes sense that psychiatrists would be paid well for their time and talents.
As is the case with other medical professionals, it takes a long time to become a psychiatrist.
In addition to completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree and 4 years of medical school, you’ll also need to complete a 4-year residency program. Once you’ve completed all of this schooling, though, you’ll be rewarded with a six-figure salary as soon as you graduate.
A nurse anesthetist works alongside other medical professionals, including anesthesiologists and surgeons, to administer anesthesia and keep patients sedated and pain-free during surgery. They play an essential role in helping operations take place safely, so it’s understandable that they are paid above-average salaries for their hard work.
The average entry-level salary for a nurse anesthetist is $139,830 per year. Over time, they can earn a lot more, too — $175,650 per year on average.
Not only are nurse anesthetists paid well, but they also don’t have to spend as much time in school as some other medical professionals. They only need a bachelor’s of science in nursing and a master’s degree to start practicing. This allows them to begin earning a high salary much sooner than many of their peers.
For those who aren’t interested in a career in healthcare, a job as a computer and information research scientist might be more up your alley.
Computer and information research scientists are responsible for creating and improving computer hardware and software. They work to increase computer system efficiency, increase information security, and more.
The average entry-level salary for a computer and information research scientist is $108,730 per year, which is well above average for the Phoenix area. Over time, you can earn much more, too — the average salary for an experienced professional is $145,870 per year.
To become a computer and information research scientist, you also don’t need a ton of extra schooling. Most just have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, although some do go on to earn a master’s degree as well.
Finally, general dentists also get to enjoy high salaries right out of school. They perform a very important job, after all, and there’s always a demand for professionals who can help people take care of their teeth.
The average entry-level salary for a general dentist is $106,700 per year. This is just the beginning, though. With time, they can earn a much higher average salary of $203,410 per year.
To become a general dentist, you’ll spend about 8 years in school — 4 years earning a bachelor’s degree and then 4 years earning your DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) degree.
There is no difference between these two degrees when it comes to training and education, and both those with DDSs and DMDs are equally qualified to perform dental procedures after graduating and passing their exams.
What Degree Pays the Most in Phoenix?
Of course, to land one of the best-paid jobs in Phoenix, you will need a college degree (at least a bachelor’s degree if not something higher). The table below lists to best degree types for students to consider earning, along with the potential salary you can expect after obtaining one of them.
Degree Type | Potential Salary |
Medical – Psychiatry | $248,840 per year |
Medical | $244,800 per year |
Dentistry | $203,410 per year |
Nursing | $175,650 per year |
Computer Science | $145,870 per year |
In general, a college degree will almost always increase your earning potential. These degrees are some of the best options for those who want to earn a very high salary, though.
While there’s no guarantee that you can bring in the salary mentioned in the table above just because you earned a specific degree, your chances are much better than if you didn’t have a college education working in your favor.
Which of the Highest-Paying Jobs in Phoenix Is Right for You?
Are you ready to start working toward one of the highest-paying jobs in Phoenix? Whether you’re interested in healthcare or engineering, there are lots of highly paid jobs in this city worth pursuing. Start developing your skills today so you can qualify for them.
When you’re ready to begin applying for jobs, be sure to use GrabJobs’ convenient and free search tool.
We make it easy for you to search for jobs based on a variety of criteria, from salary and education requirements to job type and experience needs. We’ll help you find a high-paying position that aligns with your goals and skill set in no time.
