Million Dollar Jobs

The joke is that rich people give advice about doing what you love. It is true and I endorse this message. But you can also get to love different parts of different jobs in different ways.

For someone still looking for inspiration, at an early age, here’s some AI researched lists about jobs that pay more than a million USD per year.

1–10: Less “ladder-based” roles (often high-commission or specialized professional practices)

1. High-Performing Enterprise Account Executive at a major SaaS firm can earn $1 million in uncapped commissions.

2. Luxury Real Estate Agent specializing in high-end properties can generate $1 million in commissions.

3. Senior Commercial Mortgage Broker handling large property transactions can surpass $1 million in fees.

4. Top Insurance Sales Agent focusing on major corporate policies can reach $1 million in commissions.

5. High-Performing Medical Device Sales Representative in a competitive market can exceed $1 million with bonuses.

6. Senior Commodity Broker or Trader dealing in energy/metals can surpass $1 million in profit sharing.

7. Principal Equity Research Analyst at a leading investment firm can exceed $1 million in total compensation.

8. Senior Crypto Trader at a proprietary trading firm can pass $1 million through profit splits.

9. Senior Sales Trader at a global investment bank can make $1 million with commissions and bonuses.

10. High-Producing Wealth Manager or Financial Advisor at a top firm can surpass $1 million in fees.

11–20: Entrepreneurship, real estate development, and medical specialists

1. Franchise Owner of multiple fast-food or retail outlets can surpass $1 million in net profits.

2. Large-Scale Real Estate Developer of commercial projects can exceed $1 million in annual returns.

3. Top Insurance Broker managing large corporate accounts can earn $1 million in commissions.

4. High-Volume Commodity Broker specializing in futures trading can clear $1 million with successful deals.

5. Large-Scale Construction Developer focusing on luxury high-rises can earn over $1 million from projects.

6. Senior Property Manager overseeing extensive commercial portfolios can make $1 million with performance-based fees.

7. Senior Mortgage Lender focusing on commercial real estate can surpass $1 million with major loan deals.

8. Senior Entertainment Lawyer in Hollywood can make $1 million negotiating talent contracts.

9. Renowned Dentist or Orthodontist owning multiple clinics can surpass $1 million in practice profits.

10. Top Dermatologist in a busy private practice can reach $1 million from procedures and patient volume.

21–30: Highly specialized or mid-level influential roles

1. Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon with a high-end clientele can earn $1 million in cosmetic procedure fees.

2. Orthopedic Surgeon working in hospitals and private practice can surpass $1 million annually.

3. Neurosurgeon in a high-demand area can exceed $1 million through specialized surgeries.

4. Senior Lobbyist representing large corporations can make $1 million via retainers and bonuses.

5. Senior Cybersecurity Consultant serving major enterprises can earn $1 million in consulting fees.

6. Senior Investment Consultant at a major pension fund can surpass $1 million with incentives.

7. Senior Entertainment Executive Producer in a major media conglomerate can make $1 million.

8. Senior Manager at a top eSports organization can earn $1 million with brand partnerships and revenue sharing.

9. Senior Creative Director at a global advertising agency with big brand accounts can near $1 million.

10. Senior Product Management Director at a leading tech company can surpass $1 million with equity.

31–40: Technical experts and division heads

1. Senior Software Engineering Director at a FAANG-level firm can exceed $1 million in total compensation.

2. Distinguished Engineer or Technical Fellow at a large tech company can earn $1 million in stock and bonuses.

3. Senior Data Scientist leading AI teams in a top tech firm can cross $1 million via equity.

4. Head of AI Research in a major tech firm can command $1 million in salary and equity.

5. Principal Quantitative Analyst at a major hedge fund can earn $1 million in combined pay.

6. Senior Research Scientist in biotech with valuable patents can reach $1 million in compensation.

7. Senior Operations Executive at a major e-commerce fulfillment center can make $1 million with bonuses.

8. Senior Business Development Executive at a top tech firm can surpass $1 million with performance-based pay.

9. Chief Data Scientist driving AI initiatives at a big tech or financial firm can surpass $1 million.

10. Vice President of Partnerships at a major social media platform can cross $1 million with incentives.

41–50: High-level sales and corporate leadership (VP and specialized C-level)

1. Regional Vice President of Sales for a leading medical device firm can top $1 million in commissions.

2. Sales Vice President in enterprise software can surpass $1 million through large deals.

3. Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Director overseeing blockbuster drugs can exceed $1 million.

4. Global Supply Chain Vice President at a multinational can secure $1 million in performance bonuses.

5. Chief Customer Officer (CCO) in a large B2B SaaS company can earn over $1 million in total comp.

6. Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) at a Fortune 500 can surpass $1 million with equity.

7. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a large financial institution can get $1 million in total pay.

8. Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at a high-growth tech company can earn $1 million through salary and equity.

9. Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at a global consumer brand can secure $1 million in compensation.

10. Chief People Officer (CHRO) at a Fortune 500 can surpass $1 million with equity and bonuses.

51–60: More C-level and specialized executive roles

1. Chief Administrative Officer at a large multinational can reach $1 million with total rewards.

2. Chief Data Officer at a large bank or tech company can exceed $1 million.

3. Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at a sizable asset management firm often surpasses $1 million.

4. Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at a major financial institution can secure $1 million in total compensation.

5. Chief Information Officer (CIO) at a Fortune 500 can top $1 million in salary and stock.

6. Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a multinational corporation can reach $1 million in total pay.

7. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at a Fortune 500 can exceed $1 million in compensation.

8. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a mid-sized or larger successful firm can surpass $1 million via salary and bonuses.

9. Country Manager for a large multinational can hit $1 million with regional P&L responsibility.

10. Senior Pharmaceutical Executive responsible for major drug portfolios can exceed $1 million in total comp.

61–70: Sector-specific senior executives

1. Senior Oil and Gas Executive in exploration companies can exceed $1 million in compensation.

2. Senior Mining Executive at a major global mining corporation can earn $1 million or more.

3. Senior Executive at a major sports league (e.g., NFL or NBA) can make $1 million in annual pay.

4. Senior Executive at a top e-commerce firm overseeing global operations can surpass $1 million.

5. Founder-CEO of a successful midsize startup can take home over $1 million through equity and salary.

6. Senior Executive Producer at a major streaming service can surpass $1 million in salary and profit sharing.

7. Senior Executive Producer at a top gaming studio can exceed $1 million with game royalties.

8. Senior Partner at a major management consulting firm (e.g., McKinsey, BCG) can cross $1 million.

9. Managing Director at a bulge-bracket investment bank often surpasses $1 million in total pay.

10. Managing Director at a top-tier venture capital firm can exceed $1 million with carried interest.

71–80: Partnerships, high-level professional services, and major leadership roles

1. Partner at a leading private equity firm typically earns well over $1 million through carried interest.

2. Private Equity Operating Partner specializing in turnarounds can exceed $1 million with profit share.

3. Managing Partner at a boutique strategy consultancy with high-value clients can surpass $1 million.

4. Equity Partner at a prestigious law firm can make $1 million in profit share.

5. Partner-level CPA at a Big Four accounting firm can earn seven figures.

6. Senior Actuarial Consultant leading practice groups at a global consulting firm can hit $1 million.

7. Senior Vice President of Business Development at a global financial services company can exceed $1 million.

8. Head of Growth at a fast-scaling tech startup with significant equity can surpass $1 million.

9. Managing Partner at a real estate private equity firm can clear $1 million with carried interest.

10. Hospital System CEO overseeing multiple facilities can earn over $1 million in total compensation.