45 Jobs That Can Make You a Millionaire Before Retirement
Choosing one of these careers might help you retire rich.
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Becoming a millionaire is a dream harbored by many an American, but it’s also one that precious few manage to reach in their lifetime. After all, with all of the various costs that come with living your life and raising a family, having enough income held back to hit that second comma on your net worth is just not a simple feat. You need the sort of job that’s going to pay well in excess of what it takes to cover your bills.
See: The World's Most In-Demand Jobs That Don't Require a Degree
Related: This Is the Living Wage You Need in All 50 States
So which jobs can you expect to do that? To answer the question, GOBankingRates used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine the average salaries of many common jobs. Then, it deducted the cost of federal taxes and the average cost of living from that figure to show how much income you would have left over after covering the basics. Using that figure, the study then calculates how long it will take you to save up that $1 million while making an average salary in the profession. It doesn’t factor in the cost of your education — obviously a major expenditure for many of these occupations, based on their requirements — or how you can grow your savings through investment, but it should still give you a clear sense of how fast someone can stash away money in each job.
45. Personal Services Managers
- Annual salary: $123,980
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $93,732
- Annual income after average expenditures: $31,983
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 31 years, 2 months and 30 days
See: 13 Blue-Collar Jobs That Turned People Into Millionaires
44. Political Scientists
- Annual salary: $124,100
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $93,813
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,064
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 31 years, 2 months and 1 day
No More Office: 40 Legit Companies That Will Pay You To Work From Home
43. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Annual salary: $124,890
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,354
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,605
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 7 months and 24 days
Make Bank: Highest-Paying Work-From-Home Jobs
42. Nuclear Engineers
- Annual salary: $125,130
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,518
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,769
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 5 months and 29 days
Find: What Does Earning a Six-Figure Salary Mean and Do You Need One To Build Wealth?
41. Optometrists
- Annual salary: $125,440
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,730
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,981
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 3 months and 18 days
40. Pharmacists
- Annual salary: $125,460
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,743
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,994
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 3 months and 14 days
Career Change? 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job
39. General and Operations Managers
- Annual salary: $125,740
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,935
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,186
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 1 month and 9 days
38. Training and Development Managers
- Annual salary: $125,920
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $95,057
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,308
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 11 months and 31 days
37. Computer Hardware Engineers
- Annual salary: $126,140
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $95,208
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,459
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 10 months and 11 days
36. Astronomers
- Annual salary: $126,250
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $95,283
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,534
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 9 months and 18 days
35. Air Traffic Controllers
- Annual salary: $127,440
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $96,097
- Annual income after average expenditures: $34,348
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 1 month and 2 days
Take a Look: The Best Jobs in America
34. Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Annual salary: $130,890
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $98,455
- Annual income after average expenditures: $36,706
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 27 years, 2 months and 22 days
33. Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates
- Annual salary: $131,850
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $99,110
- Annual income after average expenditures: $37,361
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 26 years, 8 months and 29 days
32. Purchasing Managers
- Annual salary: $132,660
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $99,665
- Annual income after average expenditures: $37,916
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 26 years, 4 months and 9 days
31. Human Resources Managers
- Annual salary: $134,580
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $100,977
- Annual income after average expenditures: $39,228
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 25 years, 5 months and 21 days
30. Law Teachers, Postsecondary
- Annual salary: $134,760
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $101,100
- Annual income after average expenditures: $39,351
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 25 years, 4 months and 23 days
29. Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
- Annual salary: $135,580
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $101,660
- Annual income after average expenditures: $39,911
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 25 years, 0 months and 13 days
28. Compensation and Benefits Managers
- Annual salary: $137,160
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $102,740
- Annual income after average expenditures: $40,991
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 24 years, 4 months and 17 days
27. Physicists
- Annual salary: $137,700
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $103,109
- Annual income after average expenditures: $41,360
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 24 years, 1 month and 27 days
26. Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Annual salary: $147,560
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $110,144
- Annual income after average expenditures: $48,395
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 20 years, 7 months and 24 days
25. Sales Managers
- Annual salary: $147,580
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $110,158
- Annual income after average expenditures: $48,409
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 20 years, 7 months and 21 days
24. Lawyers
- Annual salary: $148,910
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $111,150
- Annual income after average expenditures: $49,401
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 20 years, 2 months and 23 days
23. Podiatrists
- Annual salary: $151,110
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $112,790
- Annual income after average expenditures: $51,041
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 19 years, 6 months and 30 days
22. Financial Managers
- Annual salary: $151,510
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $113,089
- Annual income after average expenditures: $51,340
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 19 years, 5 months and 18 days
21. Petroleum Engineers
- Annual salary: $154,330
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $115,191
- Annual income after average expenditures: $53,442
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 18 years, 8 months and 11 days
20. Marketing Managers
- Annual salary: $154,470
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $115,295
- Annual income after average expenditures: $53,546
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 18 years, 7 months and 29 days
19. Natural Sciences Managers
- Annual salary: $154,930
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $115,638
- Annual income after average expenditures: $53,889
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 18 years, 6 months and 17 days
18. Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Annual salary: $158,100
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $118,001
- Annual income after average expenditures: $56,252
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 17 years, 9 months and 5 days
17. Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Annual salary: $161,730
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $120,707
- Annual income after average expenditures: $58,958
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 16 years, 11 months and 11 days
16. Dentists, General
- Annual salary: $180,830
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $134,678
- Annual income after average expenditures: $72,929
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 13 years, 8 months and 12 days
15. Pediatricians, General
- Annual salary: $184,570
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $137,167
- Annual income after average expenditures: $75,418
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 13 years, 2 months and 31 days
14. Airline Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
- Annual salary: $186,870
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $138,698
- Annual income after average expenditures: $76,949
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 12 years, 11 months and 25 days
Useful Tips: 16 Money Rules That Millionaires Swear By
13. Nurse Anesthetists
- Annual salary: $189,190
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $140,241
- Annual income after average expenditures: $78,492
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 12 years, 8 months and 23 days
12. Dentists, All Other Specialists
- Annual salary: $194,930
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $144,062
- Annual income after average expenditures: $82,313
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 12 years, 1 month and 20 days
11. Chief Executives
- Annual salary: $197,840
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $145,998
- Annual income after average expenditures: $84,249
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 11 years, 10 months and 10 days
10. General Internal Medicine Physicians
- Annual salary: $210,960
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $154,790
- Annual income after average expenditures: $93,041
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 11 years, 8 months and 27 days
9. Family Medicine Physicians
- Annual salary: $214,370
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $157,078
- Annual income after average expenditures: $95,329
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 5 months and 24 days
8. Prosthodontists
- Annual salary: $214,870
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $157,414
- Annual income after average expenditures: $95,665
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 5 months and 11 days
7. Psychiatrists
- Annual salary: $217,100
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $158,910
- Annual income after average expenditures: $97,161
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 3 months and 13 days
6. Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists
- Annual salary: $218,850
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $160,084
- Annual income after average expenditures: $98,335
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 1 month and 27 days
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Annual salary: $234,990
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $170,523
- Annual income after average expenditures: $108,774
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 9 years, 2 months and 8 days
4. Orthodontists
- Annual salary: $237,990
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $172,446
- Annual income after average expenditures: $110,697
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 9 years, 0 months and 9 days
3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Annual salary: $239,120
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $173,170
- Annual income after average expenditures: $111,421
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 8 years, 11 months and 18 days
2. Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists
- Annual salary: $251,650
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $181,203
- Annual income after average expenditures: $119,454
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 8 years, 4 months and 12 days
1. Anesthesiologists
- Annual salary: $271,440
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $193,887
- Annual income after average expenditures: $132,138
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 7 years, 6 months and 24 days
More From GOBankingRates
- Small Businesses That You Can Do in Retirement
- Quick and Easy Ways To Support Small Businesses Today
- Small Businesses That Celebrities Love
- 27 Things You Should Never Do With Your Money
Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: To determine the jobs that can make you a millionaire before 65, GOBankingRates analyzed salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics; jobs used in this study have the highest mean pay as of May 2020, according to its Occupational Employment Statistics. The study takes the annual salary of each given job, subtracts federal income taxes (FICA and Medicare taxes included) and the average cost of living in the United States, based on average annual expenditure, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' midyear Consumer Expenditure Survey (July 2019 - June 2020). The difference left over is then multiplied by 35, 30, and 25 years in order to find out whether that job will get you past the $1 million threshold. *Note: The majority of these jobs require additional schooling and the cost of schooling is not accounted for in the study. The study assumes that the listed salary is the salary you earn every year for the given year period. All income taxes calculated using in-house calculator using 2021 tax brackets as sourced from the Tax Foundation. All data was collected on and up to date as of June 2, 2021.
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Becoming a millionaire is a dream harbored by many an American, but it’s also one that precious few manage to reach in their lifetime. After all, with all of the various costs that come with living your life and raising a family, having enough income held back to hit that second comma on your net worth is just not a simple feat. You need the sort of job that’s going to pay well in excess of what it takes to cover your bills.
See: The World's Most In-Demand Jobs That Don't Require a Degree
Related: This Is the Living Wage You Need in All 50 States
So which jobs can you expect to do that? To answer the question, GOBankingRates used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine the average salaries of many common jobs. Then, it deducted the cost of federal taxes and the average cost of living from that figure to show how much income you would have left over after covering the basics. Using that figure, the study then calculates how long it will take you to save up that $1 million while making an average salary in the profession. It doesn’t factor in the cost of your education — obviously a major expenditure for many of these occupations, based on their requirements — or how you can grow your savings through investment, but it should still give you a clear sense of how fast someone can stash away money in each job.
45. Personal Services Managers
- Annual salary: $123,980
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $93,732
- Annual income after average expenditures: $31,983
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 31 years, 2 months and 30 days
See: 13 Blue-Collar Jobs That Turned People Into Millionaires
44. Political Scientists
- Annual salary: $124,100
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $93,813
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,064
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 31 years, 2 months and 1 day
No More Office: 40 Legit Companies That Will Pay You To Work From Home
43. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Annual salary: $124,890
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,354
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,605
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 7 months and 24 days
Make Bank: Highest-Paying Work-From-Home Jobs
42. Nuclear Engineers
- Annual salary: $125,130
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,518
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,769
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 5 months and 29 days
Find: What Does Earning a Six-Figure Salary Mean and Do You Need One To Build Wealth?
41. Optometrists
- Annual salary: $125,440
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,730
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,981
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 3 months and 18 days
40. Pharmacists
- Annual salary: $125,460
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,743
- Annual income after average expenditures: $32,994
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 3 months and 14 days
Career Change? 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job
39. General and Operations Managers
- Annual salary: $125,740
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $94,935
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,186
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 30 years, 1 month and 9 days
38. Training and Development Managers
- Annual salary: $125,920
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $95,057
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,308
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 11 months and 31 days
37. Computer Hardware Engineers
- Annual salary: $126,140
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $95,208
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,459
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 10 months and 11 days
36. Astronomers
- Annual salary: $126,250
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $95,283
- Annual income after average expenditures: $33,534
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 9 months and 18 days
35. Air Traffic Controllers
- Annual salary: $127,440
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $96,097
- Annual income after average expenditures: $34,348
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 29 years, 1 month and 2 days
Take a Look: The Best Jobs in America
34. Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Annual salary: $130,890
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $98,455
- Annual income after average expenditures: $36,706
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 27 years, 2 months and 22 days
33. Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates
- Annual salary: $131,850
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $99,110
- Annual income after average expenditures: $37,361
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 26 years, 8 months and 29 days
32. Purchasing Managers
- Annual salary: $132,660
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $99,665
- Annual income after average expenditures: $37,916
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 26 years, 4 months and 9 days
31. Human Resources Managers
- Annual salary: $134,580
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $100,977
- Annual income after average expenditures: $39,228
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 25 years, 5 months and 21 days
30. Law Teachers, Postsecondary
- Annual salary: $134,760
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $101,100
- Annual income after average expenditures: $39,351
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 25 years, 4 months and 23 days
29. Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
- Annual salary: $135,580
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $101,660
- Annual income after average expenditures: $39,911
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 25 years, 0 months and 13 days
28. Compensation and Benefits Managers
- Annual salary: $137,160
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $102,740
- Annual income after average expenditures: $40,991
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 24 years, 4 months and 17 days
27. Physicists
- Annual salary: $137,700
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $103,109
- Annual income after average expenditures: $41,360
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 24 years, 1 month and 27 days
26. Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Annual salary: $147,560
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $110,144
- Annual income after average expenditures: $48,395
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 20 years, 7 months and 24 days
25. Sales Managers
- Annual salary: $147,580
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $110,158
- Annual income after average expenditures: $48,409
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 20 years, 7 months and 21 days
24. Lawyers
- Annual salary: $148,910
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $111,150
- Annual income after average expenditures: $49,401
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 20 years, 2 months and 23 days
23. Podiatrists
- Annual salary: $151,110
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $112,790
- Annual income after average expenditures: $51,041
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 19 years, 6 months and 30 days
22. Financial Managers
- Annual salary: $151,510
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $113,089
- Annual income after average expenditures: $51,340
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 19 years, 5 months and 18 days
21. Petroleum Engineers
- Annual salary: $154,330
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $115,191
- Annual income after average expenditures: $53,442
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 18 years, 8 months and 11 days
20. Marketing Managers
- Annual salary: $154,470
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $115,295
- Annual income after average expenditures: $53,546
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 18 years, 7 months and 29 days
19. Natural Sciences Managers
- Annual salary: $154,930
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $115,638
- Annual income after average expenditures: $53,889
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 18 years, 6 months and 17 days
18. Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Annual salary: $158,100
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $118,001
- Annual income after average expenditures: $56,252
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 17 years, 9 months and 5 days
17. Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Annual salary: $161,730
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $120,707
- Annual income after average expenditures: $58,958
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 16 years, 11 months and 11 days
16. Dentists, General
- Annual salary: $180,830
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $134,678
- Annual income after average expenditures: $72,929
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 13 years, 8 months and 12 days
15. Pediatricians, General
- Annual salary: $184,570
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $137,167
- Annual income after average expenditures: $75,418
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 13 years, 2 months and 31 days
14. Airline Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers
- Annual salary: $186,870
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $138,698
- Annual income after average expenditures: $76,949
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 12 years, 11 months and 25 days
Useful Tips: 16 Money Rules That Millionaires Swear By
13. Nurse Anesthetists
- Annual salary: $189,190
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $140,241
- Annual income after average expenditures: $78,492
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 12 years, 8 months and 23 days
12. Dentists, All Other Specialists
- Annual salary: $194,930
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $144,062
- Annual income after average expenditures: $82,313
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 12 years, 1 month and 20 days
11. Chief Executives
- Annual salary: $197,840
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $145,998
- Annual income after average expenditures: $84,249
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 11 years, 10 months and 10 days
10. General Internal Medicine Physicians
- Annual salary: $210,960
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $154,790
- Annual income after average expenditures: $93,041
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 11 years, 8 months and 27 days
9. Family Medicine Physicians
- Annual salary: $214,370
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $157,078
- Annual income after average expenditures: $95,329
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 5 months and 24 days
8. Prosthodontists
- Annual salary: $214,870
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $157,414
- Annual income after average expenditures: $95,665
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 5 months and 11 days
7. Psychiatrists
- Annual salary: $217,100
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $158,910
- Annual income after average expenditures: $97,161
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 3 months and 13 days
6. Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists
- Annual salary: $218,850
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $160,084
- Annual income after average expenditures: $98,335
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 10 years, 1 month and 27 days
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Annual salary: $234,990
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $170,523
- Annual income after average expenditures: $108,774
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 9 years, 2 months and 8 days
4. Orthodontists
- Annual salary: $237,990
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $172,446
- Annual income after average expenditures: $110,697
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 9 years, 0 months and 9 days
3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Annual salary: $239,120
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $173,170
- Annual income after average expenditures: $111,421
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 8 years, 11 months and 18 days
2. Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists
- Annual salary: $251,650
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $181,203
- Annual income after average expenditures: $119,454
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 8 years, 4 months and 12 days
1. Anesthesiologists
- Annual salary: $271,440
- Annual salary after federal taxes: $193,887
- Annual income after average expenditures: $132,138
How long it takes to become a millionaire: 7 years, 6 months and 24 days
More From GOBankingRates
- Small Businesses That You Can Do in Retirement
- Quick and Easy Ways To Support Small Businesses Today
- Small Businesses That Celebrities Love
- 27 Things You Should Never Do With Your Money
Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: To determine the jobs that can make you a millionaire before 65, GOBankingRates analyzed salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics; jobs used in this study have the highest mean pay as of May 2020, according to its Occupational Employment Statistics. The study takes the annual salary of each given job, subtracts federal income taxes (FICA and Medicare taxes included) and the average cost of living in the United States, based on average annual expenditure, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' midyear Consumer Expenditure Survey (July 2019 - June 2020). The difference left over is then multiplied by 35, 30, and 25 years in order to find out whether that job will get you past the $1 million threshold. *Note: The majority of these jobs require additional schooling and the cost of schooling is not accounted for in the study. The study assumes that the listed salary is the salary you earn every year for the given year period. All income taxes calculated using in-house calculator using 2021 tax brackets as sourced from the Tax Foundation. All data was collected on and up to date as of June 2, 2021.
