So, you’re looking for a way to make a lot money? Well, unless you’re in line for a big inheritance from a long-lost relative, your best bet lies within the job market. We all know that jobs are not created equal when it comes to making money. There are low-paying jobs and good-paying jobs. Then, there are highest-paying jobs. Those are the ones we’re most interested in right now.

Choosing a lucrative career path can mean having the means to enjoy the finer things in life, like taking luxury vacations, wearing designer clothes, and never having to check a price tag. But the road to get there isn’t paved with gold.

Sure, there are high-paying jobs you can get without a college degree, or even with an associate degree, but the highest-paying jobs of all typically require higher education and many years of experience (read: lots of work). If one thing’s for sure, though, it’s that the jobs that pay the most are definitely worth your efforts.

A Quick Note About High Salaries

Salaries for the highest-paying jobs largely depend on your specialty, experience level, and where in the country you're employed. For example, a surgeon salary in Pasadena, California, is 4% higher than the national median; a marketing manager salary in New Britain, Connecticut, is 7% higher than the national median; and a petroleum engineer salary in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is 18% higher than the national median.

You’ll notice many of the jobs on the list can be found in health care, with anesthesiologists, surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons (we looked it up for you: specializing in the jaw and face), OBGYNs, and orthodontists topping the list. Beyond health care, you’ll find that the best paying jobs also include occupations for engineers, executives, pilots, and financial professionals.

Check out the full list of highest-paying jobs below to see if applying to one of these jobs would be worth your while.

Get One of the Highest-Paying Jobs

If you've got your eyes on big money, you should know that securing one of the highest-paying jobs in America is not easy—but it's definitely possible. After all, you've made it this far, completed your education and certifications, and now you need to get in front of hiring managers.