The 9 Best Six-Figure Jobs in 2023

There are numerous high-paying six-figure jobs available in today’s job market that offer great salaries, benefits, and job security. Some of them require a college degree, while other jobs don’t require a college degree. But one thing that all the jobs listed below have in common is that they take hard work and dedication to get to a level where you can earn a six-figure salary. So whether you’re just starting on your career path or looking to change jobs, here’s how to set yourself up for the best six-figure jobs.

The 9 Best Six-Figure Jobs to Consider

Depending on what you love to do, there’s probably a six-figure job out there for you. The jobs listed below all have a few things in common:

• None of these jobs are entry-level: some are mid- to upper-level, and some are the top positions in that field
• They’re all recession-proof: in-demand jobs no matter what the economy is doing
• They all require a specialized skill set or a minimum 4-year college degree

None of the jobs listed here will make six figures right out of college. But we’ll let you know how you can get started on the path to reaching the six-figure level. Not everyone is cut out to be a surgeon or astrophysicist. That’s ok. There are plenty of other six-figure jobs out there for the rest of us. Hopefully, you’ll find something that sparks your interest and gets you motivated for a fulfilling and lucrative career.

1. Software Engineer

What they do: Write code for apps, websites, mobile devices, and network programs

Average salary at the senior level: $139,179

How to get started: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or by learning coding skills and gaining experience through a bootcamp like AppAcademy

Tech is one of the best fields you can enter right now. With advancements in technology happening by the day, if not by the hour, skilled coders and programmers are in constant demand. And while a 4-year college degree is great to have, these days employers are looking for skills and experience most of all. That means learning the most popular coding languages out there (such as JavaScript and Python, among others) and developing a portfolio of programming projects.

Learn More About a Career in Software Engineering:

• 5 Easy Coding Languages to Learn for Software Engineering
• How to Become a Software Engineer without a College Degree
• How to Get Started as a Software Engineer
• What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer
• Is a Software Engineering Degree Worth It?
• Software Engineer Career Path Guide

2. Web Developer

What they do: Similar to a software engineer, but web developers focus exclusively on websites

Average salary at the senior level: $106,776

How to get started: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or by learning coding skills and gaining experience through a bootcamp like AppAcademy

Just like with software engineering, skills and experience sometimes outweigh a college degree these days. You’ll likely start as a junior developer and work your way up. If you love computers, this is probably one of the best six figure jobs you can get.

Learn More About a Career in Web Development:

• 9 Best Programming Languages for Web Development
• Deep Dive into Full Stack Web Development
• Software Engineers vs. Web Developers

3. Information Technology (IT) Manager

What they do: Manage complex data systems, either in-house for an organization or offsite for a third-party data management company

Average salary at the managerial level: $138,992

How to get started: Most jobs at this level require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, though you may be able to start at entry-level with the right skill set and work your way up

Since most companies these days rely on computer networks to get business done, the IT manager oversees all aspects of that network. This may include, among other tasks, making sure the current infrastructure meets the organization’s needs; upgrading the system as required; negotiating with vendors to secure the best products for the organization; and more.

4. Industrial Production Manager

What they do: Oversee the everyday operations of manufacturing plants

Average salary at the managerial level: $103,150

How to get started: A bachelor’s degree in business or engineering

All things need to be made somewhere, and that somewhere is often a manufacturing plant. The manager’s job is to steer the ship, overseeing everything from hiring and firing workers to working with suppliers and ensuring every part of the plant meets safety requirements.

5. Financial Manager

What they do: Manage the financial aspects of a company

Average salary at the managerial level: $127,938

How to get started: Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting

Financial managers are responsible for the financial health and well-being of a company. They try to minimize spending and maximize profits, project the company’s financial prospects for the future, and create reports on the state of the company’s finances.

6. Marketing Manager

What they do: Look for potential marketing opportunities for a product or service and oversee marketing plans

Average salary at the managerial level: $114,891

How to get started: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or business

The role of a marketing manager is part business, part psychology. They need to be able to identify potential customers for their company’s product, understand how to appeal to those potential customers, and then turn potential customers into lifelong loyal customers.

7. Human Resources (HR) Manager

What they do: Manage the hiring, firing, and day-to-day staff requirements of an organization

Average salary at the managerial level: $115,441

How to get started: Bachelor’s degree in human resources management

Most organizations need HR managers. There may be an entire HR department, depending on the size of the company. An HR manager’s job includes anything that deals with the company’s staff, from hiring new employees to coordinating benefits to handling problems between employees and more.

8. Data Scientist

What they do: Analyze data to create solutions that solve a company’s problems and help them reach their goals

Average salary at the senior level: $165,717

How to get started: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, or computer engineering, though many data scientist jobs require a master’s or doctoral degree

Data scientists use programming, statistics, and business skills to analyze raw data and translate it into easily understandable results for the rest of the company. The data they analyze will create roadmaps and guide business decisions.

Learn More: Data Science vs. Software Engineering

9. Physician’s Assistant

What they do: Provide patient care under the supervision of a doctor

Average salary: $121,530

How to get started: Master’s degree in a healthcare-related field

Physician assistants aren’t doctors, though they do work directly with patients and do many things doctors do, such as setting broken bones, prescribing medicine, or performing exams. Because of the nature of this work, you’ll need more than a bachelor’s degree to get started. You’ll also need a great deal of training to become a physician’s assistant.

How to Set Yourself Up for a Six-Figure Job

It’s unlikely you’ll wake up one day and just start making a six-figure income. These things take planning, time, and hard work. Sometimes, you’ll need to start at the bottom and work your way up. Other times, a side hustle can turn into a six-figure job by earning you the experience and reputation you need to succeed full-time.

What else can you do to set yourself up for a six-figure job?

Develop the Necessary Skills

Before you apply to any new job, you need to make sure you have the right skills for it. For some, that means going to college and taking the required courses to earn a degree in your chosen field, like HR management or data science. For others, like most jobs related to computer development and software engineering, you simply need to learn the most in-demand computer skills for that particular tech field.

When college isn’t part of your plans, or when you’re already in the workforce but want to move up in your career – or change careers entirely – you’ll need to “upskill” yourself. Upskilling is the process by which you seek out ways to gain the skills, knowledge, and – sometimes – the experience necessary to move up or over in your career. Some popular ways to upskill include:

• Online classes
• Community colleges
• Bootcamps
• Finding a mentor

The best upskilling programs will give you hands-on experience while you learn.

Bolster & Polish Your Resume

Oftentimes, your resume will be the first thing a potential employer learns about you. It’s your opening statement, so to speak. And many companies now use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that will automatically filter out resumes that don’t include words and phrases the company’s looking for.

Here are some tips for creating an outstanding resume that will make it through an ATS and get you noticed:

• Tweak your resume for each job, making sure you mention your skills in a way that aligns with the job description
• Note how your past experience made improvements, fulfilled, or surpassed goals
• Use a resume template that can help you with fonts, colors, and text placement

Some of the schools and programs you may attend will have career programs that can help you make the most of your resume.

Network

Sometimes, finding a job – especially one that will lead to a six-figure salary – means knowing the right people. Some companies only hire from within or by referral, so it pays to have relationships with people who work where you want to work. But networking is a life skill that not everyone is born with. Here are a few things to remember as you find and build relationships:

• Attend events and workshops so you can meet people face to face
• Be polite but confident
• Focus on developing a two-way, reciprocal relationship
• Communicate and follow up after meetings or other engagements
• Be someone the other person wants to get to know

One of the best built-in networking tools is an alumni network. You never know when someone from your program will recommend you for a job!

Start Developing Your Skills with App Academy

App Academy teaches you the skills you need to take your career in the direction you want to go. Our bootcamp with built-in career coaching is designed to help you find a successful six-figure career in programming and engineering within months of graduation!

Take our online quiz to learn which program is right for you, sign up for a live online info session to learn more, schedule a 1:1 call with one of our team experts, or submit a request with our convenient online form. Start your software engineering career today with App Academy!

And, if you’re ready to dig in deeper, start exploring our programs to see which one might be a good fit for you!

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