Everyone knows doctors make money. But doctors also have $300k in student loans and don't start earning until they are 30. You want to make $200k now. The good news? You don't need a medical degree. You just need to pick the right niche. Here are the 15 jobs paying $200k+ in 2025, ranked by "Ease of Entry."
For more on high-paying roles, check out our guide on how to make $200k a year.
The Scenario
You: "I want to make $200k." Parent: "Go to law school." Reality: Law school takes 3 years and costs $150k. Better Option: Become a DevOps Engineer. It takes 6 months of intense study, costs $0 (if you self-study), and pays $180k starting, hitting $220k in 3 years.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
The old way was "Credentials." The new way is "Skills."
| Feature | The Old Path (Law/Med) | The New Path (Tech/Sales) |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Earning | 7-10 Years. | 6-24 Months. |
| Debt Load | $200k+. | $0 - $20k. |
| Gatekeepers | Universities / Boards. | GitHub / Sales Quotas. |
| Work-Life Balance | Terrible (80hr weeks). | Variable (Remote options). |
Tier 1: The "Tech" Jobs (High Skill, Low Barrier)
You don't need a degree. You need a portfolio.
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Staff Software Engineer ($250k+)
- The Role: You don't just write code; you design systems.
- The Path: 5-7 years of experience. Master System Design.
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DevOps / SRE Manager ($210k+)
- The Role: Keeping the servers alive. When Facebook goes down, you fix it.
- The Path: Learn Linux, AWS, and Kubernetes.
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Machine Learning Engineer ($230k+)
- The Role: Building the models that power ChatGPT.
- The Path: Strong math background + Python.
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Product Manager (Senior/Principal) ($200k+)
- The Role: The "CEO" of a feature. You tell engineers what to build.
- The Path: Transition from Engineering or Marketing.
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Cybersecurity Architect ($220k+)
- The Role: Designing the fortress that keeps hackers out.
- The Path: Certifications (CISSP) + Experience.
Tier 2: The "Sales" Jobs (High Risk, High Reward)
You eat what you kill.
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Enterprise Account Executive (SaaS) ($300k+ OTE)
- The Role: Selling million-dollar software contracts to Fortune 500s.
- The Catch: High stress. Miss your quota, get fired.
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Technical Sales Engineer ($200k+)
- The Role: The "nerd" who helps the sales guy close the deal. You do the demos.
- The Path: Engineering background + people skills.
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Real Estate Broker (Commercial) ($250k+)
- The Role: Selling office buildings, not houses.
- The Catch: 100% commission. You might make $0 your first year.
Tier 3: The "Specialist" Jobs (Niche Knowledge)
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Quantitative Analyst ($300k+)
- The Role: Using math to predict the stock market.
- The Path: PhD in Math/Physics.
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Actuary (Fellow) ($200k+)
- The Role: Calculating risk for insurance companies.
- The Path: Passing a series of brutal math exams.
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Anesthesiologist Assistant ($200k+)
- The Role: Helping the doctor put people to sleep.
- The Path: Master's degree (2 years).
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Airline Pilot (Captain) ($250k+)
- The Role: Flying the plane.
- The Path: Flight school + 1,500 flight hours.
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Petroleum Engineer ($200k+)
- The Role: Finding oil.
- The Catch: You have to live in Texas or North Dakota.
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Corporate Controller ($200k+)
- The Role: Head accountant for a large company.
- The Path: CPA + 10 years experience.
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Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ($210k+)
- The Role: Administering anesthesia.
- The Path: Nursing degree + Master's.
The Real Numbers
How much do you keep?
| Job | Gross Pay | Student Loans | Net Worth (Year 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor | $250k | -$300k | -$50k |
| Software Eng | $200k | $0 | $400k |
| Sales Rep | $250k | $0 | $500k |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get these jobs remotely? A: The Tech and Sales jobs? Yes. The Pilot and Nurse jobs? No.
Q: Is the tech market dead? A: No. The "easy" tech jobs are gone. The "hard" jobs (AI, Security, DevOps) are desperate for people.
Q: Do I need a degree for Sales? A: No. You need thick skin and the ability to handle rejection.
Q: Which one is the fastest? A: Tech Sales (SDR to AE path) or DevOps. Both can hit $200k in 3-4 years if you are aggressive.