Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs November 15, 2011

CNN Money recently published their report on the 100 best companies to work for.  The list was quite impressive – especially the highest paying jobs section.  It listed the average salary (and hourly) wage for the most common position at the company.  If you’re looking to make a career move and you’re willing to relocate in order to grab one of these highest paying jobs, you might take a look at some of these companies.

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

1. Senior Account Executive – Salesforce.com

Headquartered in San Francisco, this online software provider is known for rewarding top performers within the company.  Large bonuses and extravagant trips are just the icing on the giant salary cake.

Average Total Pay: $318,323

Best Company to Work For Rank: 52

2.  Associate – Bingham McCutchen

This legal firm in Boston is known for its generous salary packages and hefty benefits package.  Even more, they boast a ‘playful’ work culture promoting ping-pong matches and Nintendo Wii competitions.

Average Total Pay: $219,888

Best Company To Work For Rank: 28

3. Associate – Alston & Bird

Another law firm based in Atlanta, A&B takes care of their employees very well.  With on-site subsidized childcare, scholarships for lower paid staff and extended 90 day maternity leave, they stand out as a family friendly employer.

Average Total Pay: $182,681

Best Company To Work For Rank: 13

4. Associate – Perkins Cole

This Seattle-based law firm is known for its high profile clients, including Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Craigslist.

Average Total Pay: $182,544

Best Company To Work For Rank: 55

5. Engineer – Devon Energy

Based in Oklahoma City, Devon Energy is a natural gas and oil company employing roughly 3,500 employees.  Bonuses are very generous averaging $7,200 in 2009.

Average Total Pay: $172,575

Best Company To Work For Rank: 41

6. Sr. Oncology Sales Specialist – Millennium

This Cambridge Massachusetts company plays an important role in developing cancer treatments.  Besides a generous salary, employees enjoy large tuition benefits (up to $10,000 a year), unlimited sick days and other fun perks like company field trips to Red Sox games.

Average Total Pay: $166,354

Best Company To Work For Rank: 56

7. Analysts and Associates – Goldman Sachs

Known for large salaries and huge bonuses, Goldman Sachs is an investment banking and securities firm located in New York City.

Average Total Pay: $160,000

Best Company To Work For Rank: 23

8. Engineer – EOG Resources

Located in Houston, Texas, this oil and gas company is just over 10 years old and booming.  No employee has be laid off in its entire history and employees enjoy a dollar for dollar retirement match (up to 6% of salary) and at least three weeks’ vacation annually.

Average Total Pay: $158,000

Best Company To Work For Rank: 66

9. Software Engineer – Brocade Communications Systems

Employees at Brocade receive generous salaries as well as performance based bonuses.  Each employee also gets stock on their date of hire and can opt to receive more shares based on their performance.

Average Total Pay: $156,500

Best Company To Work For Rank: 89

10.  Consultant – Boston Consulting Group

Known as one of the most highly respected management-consulting firms in the country, BCC knows how to shape benefits packages.  Employees can decide how their total compensation package is split up and also receive other perks like instant ‘gold’ status with certain airlines and three weeks’ vacation each year.

Average Total Pay: $154,050

Best Company To Work For Rank: 2

As you can see, most of these jobs are in the legal/IT/finance/engineering field.  Schooling for these careers can range from a 4-year college degree to MBA or 3 year postgraduate studies at law school.


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