Best Professions In The World - Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs
When you embark on your career journey, you are likely to consider important questions like – Is it fulfilling? Is it financially rewarding? Is it in demand? While everyone has different opinions about which is the best profession in the world, some careers may appear highly attractive due to their stability, salary and growth potential.
Gone are the days when only a few traditional careers were considered the ‘Best professions in the world'. Though those career choices are still relevant, there are many other career options that have emerged and revolutionised the job market globally. Below are some of the most respected professions in the world that are highly sought after and provide extensive career growth and personal satisfaction.
Best professions in the world
In the table given below, we have listed out some of the most prestigious professions in the world, along with recommended academic requirements and job descriptions.
Profession | Stream in 10+2 | What do they do |
PCB | Diagnose and treat illnesses, and help people stay healthy. | |
PCM/ Commerce + Maths | Create and maintain software, apps, and computer systems. | |
Commerce + Maths / PCM / Arts (Economics) | Study financial data to help businesses make smart financial decisions. | |
PCM / Commerce + Maths / Stats / Economics | Analyse data to find patterns and trends to help companies make effective data-oriented decisions. | |
Any stream + Law degree | Give legal advice to companies, check contracts, and handle business laws. | |
Flying planes and ensuring that passengers and cargo travel safely. | ||
Any stream (Commerce, PCM, Arts) + MBA preferred | Improve business performance by making optimal use of both finance and human resource capital. | |
Commerce + Maths / PCM / Economics + MBA | Help companies raise money, handle investments, and manage big financial deals and work more efficiently. | |
PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) | Find out ways to extract oil and gas from natural deposits. |
In-depth Look at Top Professions
1. Doctor (Physician/Specialist)
Being a doctor is the most respected profession in the world. Even though this profession is highly financially rewarding, it comes with its own set of challenges. Doctors are required to diagnose and cure diseases while constantly adapting to developments in healthcare.
Specialisations such as General and Family Medicine, Paediatrics, Oncology, and Sports Medicine are especially in demand in the field of medicine. While discussing which profession is the best in the world, the medical field always comes first.
Education Path: MBBS + MD/MS in a specialisation
Annual average Salary:
Physician: Rs 1.2 Lakh - 25 Lakhs
Doctor: Rs 1.1 Lakh - 20 Lakhs
Also Read:
Software Developer
Software Developers are responsible for designing computer programs and building systems that power devices and control computer networks. They are regarded as the architects of the digital world, as they build everything from mobile apps to large enterprise systems. In the era of global advancement of technology, Software development is undergoing a radical change and is expected to grow globally.
Education Path: B.E/B.Tech (Computer Science) or BCA + MCA (with Maths in 10+2)
Annual average Salary: Rs 2.1 Lakhs - 19 Lakhs
Top Skills: AI, Big Data, Machine Learning, Full-Stack Development
Also Read:
Financial Analyst
If you are good with numbers and have a strong analytical ability, you can choose to become a Financial Analyst, which is the best profession in the world today. These professionals provide guidance to clients with investment decisions by evaluating market trends and suggesting effective investment strategies.
There are numerous job opportunities for Financial Analysts in India, available in financial institutions, insurance companies, banks, and stockbroking firms.
Education Path: B.Com/B.A. (Finance/Economics) + MBA or CFA
Annual average Salary: Rs 2.2 Lakhs - 13.6 Lakhs
Data Scientist
Data Science has undoubtedly become one of the most respected professions in the world. A Data Scientist is required to manage and organise a huge amount of raw data, and find patterns and trends to provide solutions to various real-world business problems.
Aspirants pursuing this career need to possess a strong foundation in subjects like Computer Science, Programming, Mathematics, Statistics, and Analytics. Data Scientists are in huge demand in E-commerce industries, banks, and the healthcare sector and can be employed as Data Architects, Data Scientists, and Machine Learning Scientists. A Data Scientist is one of the highest-paid professions in the world.
Education Path: UG in Computer Science/Statistics + PG in Data Science
Annual average Salary: Rs 4 Lakhs - 29 Lakhs
Read on to know more about the highest-earning profession in the world.
Also Read: Career as a Computer Programmer
Corporate Lawyer
Corporate Lawyers are also advisors who ensure business operations are conducted within the legal limits. As a corporate lawyer, you can work both as an advisor and advocate and advise clients on mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and compliance. Aspirants can seek job opportunities for this most prestigious profession through law firms, banks, asset management companies, the government, as well as the private sector.
Education Path: BA LLB/BBA LLB (5-year integrated course) or 3-year LLB after graduation
Annual average Salary: Rs 2 Lakhs - 22 Lakhs
Airline Pilot
Choosing the profession of a pilot provides you with privileges, high pay and numerous travel opportunities. Pilots are responsible for flying passengers and goods across the globe safely and can be employed in private airlines (national or international), transportation and logistics companies and manufacturers. So, if you love travelling, then a career as a pilot can be the best profession in the world for you.
Education Path: B.Sc in Aviation combined with a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Annual average Salary: Rs 15 Lakhs - 83.3 Lakhs
Also Read:
Management Consultant
Management Consultants are strategic advisors who help a business to improve performance while maximising growth. They advise companies to make optimal use of financial and human resource capital. These professionals have high problem-solving abilities and great business management acumen. Organisations hire management consultants for research, strategic advice and solutions for business growth and expansion. This is an indispensable part of the list of the most respected professions in the world.
Education Path: BBA/BMS followed by MBA from a top-tier institution
Annual average Salary: Rs 9.5 Lakhs - 45 Lakhs
Read further to know more about the highest-earning profession in the world.
Related: Online General Management Courses & Certifications
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers are mainly required to assist companies, organisations and clients in raising capital and managing financial assets. They help with mergers and acquisitions, conduct research and act as financial advisors to corporate organisations. Investment Bankers have strong research and analytical skills and are experts in statistics and calculations. Depending on their skills and interests, Investment Bankers can find employment in sectors like Sales and Trading, Capital Markets, and Private Equity. With rising demand, investment banking is becoming one of the most prestigious professions today.
Education Path: B.Com/BBA + MBA (Finance/Banking) from a top business school
Annual average Salary: Rs 3 Lakhs - 62 Lakhs
Also Read: Investment Banking courses
Petroleum Engineer
If you are still wondering which is the best profession in the world, explore the career opportunities in the field of petroleum engineering. A Petroleum Engineer works on exploring, designing, and implementing methods to extract oil and gas effectively. They study and explore the distribution of natural gas reserves. Petroleum Engineering covers multiple domains like Geophysics, Geology, Seismology, and Economics. The energy industry is a booming sector, which makes this one of the top professions in the world. Petroleum Engineers can be employed in governmental petroleum industries, private sector units, and research organisations.
Education Path: B.E/B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering
Annual average Salary: Rs 1.5 Lakh - 26 Lakhs
What Is The Best Profession For You?
While salary is a crucial motivator when it comes to choosing a career path, the “best” career is the one that resonates with your skills, interests, abilities, and personality. There is no uniform formula to build a career in the most prestigious profession. There is no single answer to which is the best profession in the world. The recipe for a successful future lies in choosing a career that aligns best with you. If you are passionate and prepared to pursue a field, any career can become the best career for you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can earn a good salary package in lots of professions these days. Some of the jobs with the highest salaries these days are - General Surgeon, Data Scientists, CEO’s, IT Managers, Investment Bankers, etc.
Many candidates apply for govt. Jobs for securing their future and having a good work life balance. Some of the highest salaried govt. jobs in India are Civil Services(IAS/IPS, etc.), Defence Services( Army, Navy, Air Force), Scientists/Engineers working with ISRO/DRDO.
There are so many jobs that are fun to do and some of you can also convert your hobbies into full fledged professions. Some fun and interesting jobs are - CruiseShip Manager, Fashion Designer, Jewellery Designer, Chef, Lightning Designer, etc.
You should always choose a career on the basis of your strengths, skills and abilities. Find out what subjects you are good at and what comes to you naturally. You can also take a career assessment test to find your right career path.
With the rapidly changing world of work, there is a brand new career emerging everyday. If we see 10 years from now there will be new careers which do not exist currently or some of the careers will be in great demand. Some of the careers are: Medical and Health Service Managers, Management Consultants, Environmentalist, Machine Learning and Data Mining, etc.