Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Nevada 2024 (Inc Salaries)

With plenty of outdoor recreational activities, beautiful spots, and endless entertainment and nightlife choices, Nevada life is more fun now than ever.

However, living in Nevada comes with one caveat: the high cost of living. The state's cost of living score is 109.7– 9.7% higher than the US average.

With that said, how much exactly do you need to live comfortably in the Silver State? According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a single adult must earn a minimum annual pay of $94,432.

That seems a lot, right?

Before you back out, here’s some good news: Nevada offers high-paying jobs in many industries, such as healthcare, business, technology, and many more.

If you’re looking for NV jobs that can help you live comfortably and more, check out our list below.

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Nevada 2024 (Inc Salaries) 

1. Anesthesiologist

• Salary Range: $295,000 to $526,000, with an estimated annual pay of $295,300

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (1000 employment opportunities) 

Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who select and administer anesthetics to help patients feel safe and comfortable during a surgical procedure. They are also responsible for managing the patient's pain by prescribing analgesics and monitoring recovery afterward.

The education requirements for becoming an anesthesiologist include a pre-med program, medical school, and anesthesiology residency training. This position also requires licensure, certification, and passing the US Medical Licensing Examination and the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) examination. 

With 520 anesthesiologists, Nevada is one of the states with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for this role.

2. Periodontist

• Salary Range: $247,000 to $446,000, with a median yearly pay of $252,600

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 4% (6,800 job vacancies)

*projected growth rate includes demand for all types of dentist           

Periodontists are dentists who have gained additional training and education to specialize in treating the gums, jawbone, and cementum (the tissue connecting the gums and teeth).

Their primary responsibilities include conducting physical examinations to diagnose gum diseases, performing root planning and scaling procedures, and installing, maintaining, and repairing dental implants.

After earning their DDS or DMD degree and passing the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), licensed dentists must complete a Periodontics residency program and obtain certification from the American Board of Periodontology to become periodontists. 

According to ZipRecruiter, North Las Vegas offers the best salaries for periodontists in Nevada.

3. Physician (All Other Medical Specialties)

• Salary Range: $241,000 to $450,000, with an estimated annual salary of $247,100

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (24,600 job opportunities)

*projected growth rate includes the need for all types of physicians 

Physicians are healthcare practitioners who are extensively educated and trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent all types of illnesses.

In addition to treating patients, they are responsible for conducting a thorough physical examination, ordering and interpreting test results, and determining the right course of treatment. They also provide preventive care by advising patients on lifestyle and diet changes and conducting routine health checks.

It takes around 10 to 15 years to become a physician. The process usually includes 4 to 6 years of pre-med program, four years of medical school, one year of internship, and 3 to 5 years of residency or fellowship training in their chosen area of expertise.

They also need to obtain licensure and certification by passing the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and the exam administered by the American Board of Specialties (ABMS) and other accrediting bodies. 

With an hourly mean wage of $184.85, Carson City, NV, is one of the top-paying metropolitan areas for physicians.

4. Owner-operator

• Salary Range: $212,000 to $370,000, with an average annual pay of $219,600

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 11% (133,800 new jobs)

*projected growth rate includes demand for light truck drivers 

Owner-operators take on three roles in a trucking business: owner, operator, and driver.

As the owners, they are responsible for investing in their trucks, driving them, and unloading and loading the cargo. As operators, they also handle the day-to-day operations, including route planning and scheduling, client communication, and business paperwork. 

Becoming an owner-operator requires extensive paperwork, licensure, and business capital. The first step is to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a suitable class by passing the knowledge and skills test. After that, they can start building their business entity by applying for a USDOT Number, obtaining a Motor Carrier (MC) number, and getting their trucking authority.

Once the paperwork is done, the last step is to lease or buy the trucks, purchase truck insurance, and outline a business plan. 

Ruhenstroth offers annual salaries 7.7% higher than the NV average, making it the highest-paying city for owner-operators.

5. General Counsel

• Salary Range: $247,000 to $433,000, with an estimated yearly wage of $206,100

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 8% (62,400 new jobs)

*projected growth rate includes demand for all types of lawyers 

Also known as Chief Legal Officers (CLOs), General Counsels are the main legal advisors of the company’s Board of Directors and other chief executives.

They spearhead the company’s team of corporate lawyers in developing and implementing legal policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance, conducting contract negotiations, and providing guidance on corporate governance and employment-related issues.

The qualifications for becoming a general counsel include education and experience. The first part is obtaining an advanced business degree (MBA) and a Doctor of Law (JD) degree. The second part is earning at least ten years of experience working in the corporate setting. 

According to ZipRecruiter, Sparks, NV, offers the best salaries for general counsels—2.9% above the NV average.

6. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

• Salary Range: $193,000 to $349,000, with an average annual salary of $168,800

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (311,600 job vacancies)

*projected growth rate includes demand for all chief executives and general and operations managers

A CFO is a senior executive professional who maintains the organization’s financial health by overseeing and managing finance-related activities. In addition to preparing the financial statement, they also perform financial planning and analysis to determine proper budget allocation within the departments. 

An advanced business degree, like a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science in Finance (MSF), offers many benefits for aspiring CFOs. Getting professional certifications can also give them a competitive edge.

Aside from education and certification requirements, most employers also look for applicants with years of work experience as financial analysts or accountants, preferably in a management position.  

Carson City is the top-paying city for CFOs, offering an estimated yearly salary 14.4% above the NV average.

7. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

• Salary Range: $230,000 to $430,000, with an estimated total wage of $159,700

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 3% (311,600 job vacancies)

*projected growth rate includes demand for all chief executives and general and operations managers

CEOs are the highest management officials who define the company's vision, mission, and values, oversee its performance, and guide its direction. They also make the most significant corporate decisions regarding finance, operations, corporate culture, and mergers and acquisitions.

After earning a business degree and obtaining many years of relevant managerial experience, aspiring CEOs must focus on networking, building strong industry connections, and developing excellent leadership skills. They can do all these by obtaining an MBA degree and seeking mentorship. 

Carson City, NV, offers the best salaries for CEOs—10.7% above the NV average.

8. Nurse Practitioner

• Salary Range: $118,000 to $180,000, with a median yearly pay of $125,600

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 45% (188,600 new jobs) 

Nurse Practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) qualified to perform almost the same tasks as medical doctors, including ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, formulating treatment plans, and prescribing medications.

In Nevada, the scope of practice for NPs is full practice, meaning they can take on all the roles and responsibilities mentioned above even without a supervising physician.

In addition to earning their nursing degrees and licenses, aspiring NPs must undertake either a Master's in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and earn years of experience in their chosen field of practice.

The last step is to become certified through the American Nurses of Credentialing Center (ANCC) for NPs. 

Offering an hourly wage of $71.48, Nevada is the 2^nd top paying state for Nurse Practitioners.

9. Physician Assistant

• Salary Range: $111,000 to $163,000, with an estimated yearly wage of $119,200

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 27% (39,300 job openings) 

Physician assistants are healthcare practitioners authorized to provide medical care to patients under the supervision of a licensed physician. Their scope of practice includes conducting physical examinations, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, assisting in surgeries, and patient counseling.

Like physicians, they are authorized to choose from different specializations, such as Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dermatology, Surgery, and many more.

The PA program requires a bachelor's degree in life sciences and specific hours of Healthcare or Patient Care experience. After completing a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA), prospective PAs must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) to get their license. 

According to BLS, Nevada is the state that offers the best salaries for Physician Assistants.

10. Aerospace Engineer

• Salary Range: $108,000 to $196,000, with an average annual salary of $112,600

• US Job Outlook (2022-32): 6% (3,900 employment opportunities) 

Aerospace engineers are experts in designing, producing, and modifying all types of flying crafts, such as aircraft and spacecraft. They are also in charge of developing all the related equipment and systems to ensure safety, fuel efficiency, and cost efficiency. 

Their technical skills and scientific knowledge are valuable in various work settings, including corporate and government laboratories and manufacturing and testing sites.

A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering is enough for entry-level positions. However, more advanced roles require a Master's degree and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. To obtain licensure, candidates need to have years of relevant work experience and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. 

According to BLS, Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV, is the 3^rd top-paying metropolitan area for aerospace engineers.

FAQs

What is the highest-paying job within Nevada State in 2024?

Earning an estimated total pay of $295,300, the anesthesiologist will be the highest-paying job in Nevada in 2024. In addition to their basic salary, professionals in this role can receive an extra cash bonus of $96,100.

Fun Fact: Anesthesiologists and all the other medical specialties are among the highest-paying jobs in the US.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which Nevada jobs are projected to have the highest growth rate?

According to BLS projections, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) will be the fastest-growing jobs in the US within the next decade. These occupations are expected to grow at 45% and 27%, respectively, generating 118,600 new jobs and 39,300 employment opportunities.

What is the best career path in Nevada in 2024?

With medical and healthcare jobs taking up most of the list of high-paying NV jobs, it's one of the best industries professionals can enter right now. Aside from medical occupations, you can explore other healthcare positions like APRNs, dentists, pharmacists, etc.

Additionally, engineering and business are the other sectors worth exploring in NV.

What skills or expertise is required for high-paying Nevada jobs?

The type of expertise needed varies depending on the industry. For example, medical and healthcare jobs require in-depth medical knowledge and clinical and patient skills, while engineering degrees require strong mathematical and analytical skills. Lastly, business professionals must have strategic planning and execution skills.

In addition, all professionals in various industries must have the right soft skills for career advancement. These include adaptability, communication, critical thinking, time management, accountability, leadership, and management skills.

Download Our Free Report now to explore the skills you need to pursue a career path in Nevada with a high average salary.

What qualifications are required for high-paying Nevada jobs?

To qualify for these high-paying NV jobs, you need to have a combination of the proper education, experience, and licensure. Here are the educational requirements required for each position:

• Bachelor’s degree for Physician Assistants,

• Medical degree and license for all medical specialties,

• Doctoral degrees for Periodontists and APRNs,

• and MBA degrees for chief executives, all professionals who wish to have a competitive edge in their chosen industry, or those who want to start their own practice.

Why is gaining a BBA/MBA degree beneficial for earning a high-paying job in Nevada?

Almost all the highest-paying jobs in Las Vegas are in the business sector, so an advanced business degree can help you find a job easily and stand out from the competition. The good news is that business degrees will also be valuable for other industries. That's because business degrees can provide you with the following:

• an opportunity to develop finance, marketing, operations, and management skills, which are technical and soft skills that are highly sought after by employers.

• Networking opportunities that will allow you to build strong industry connections and seek mentorship crucial for career advancement.

• more credibility since obtaining advanced degrees demonstrates your commitment to professional growth, which is a plus for prospective employers.

• Higher earning potential because advanced degrees command better salaries.

Conclusion

Aside from the high-paying jobs on the list, there are plenty of lucrative occupations in Nevada, such as Pharmacists, Software Engineers, Aerospace Engineers, and many more.

However, contending for any of these positions can be challenging. Nevada's unemployment rate is 5.1%, higher than the national average. This means the NV job market is quite competitive for job seekers compared to other states.

That said, it's important that you take the necessary steps to increase your employability, which means gaining relevant experience and taking advanced degrees. Since a business degree provides you with a diversified skillset and great networking opportunities, it is one of the best tools for career advancement.

Nexford offers online BBA and online MBA programs, so you can get the higher education you need without leaving the comforts of your home and worrying about your work schedule. The best part is these programs allow you to master up to 7 competencies and provide you with six specializations to choose from, so you can customize them according to your career goals.