What job pays the most a week? The short answer is that certain specialized careers can pay $4,000 to $10,000 per week or even more. High-paying weekly salaries are found in medicine, law, business, technology, and entertainment. But not all of these jobs require the same level of schooling or experience. Below, we’ve ranked some of the highest-paying jobs by weekly salary, starting from the lower end and moving to the very top.
1. Pharmacists – $2,300 to $3,500 per Week
Pharmacists are among the first professions that stand out when looking at high weekly pay. On average, a pharmacist earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, which equals roughly $2,300 to $3,500 per week. This makes pharmacy one of the most lucrative healthcare jobs that doesn’t require performing surgery.
To become a pharmacist, you’ll need a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which usually takes about four years after completing undergraduate coursework. While it requires formal education, it’s not as long as becoming a surgeon or physician. Once licensed, pharmacists often work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, or research.
The role itself involves more than just filling prescriptions. Pharmacists counsel patients, ensure correct dosages, and check for harmful drug interactions. With the aging population and growing demand for medication, their role is becoming increasingly vital.
Another advantage is job stability. Pharmacists are always needed in healthcare, ensuring steady employment opportunities. Even with automation in the pharmacy field, the need for trained professionals remains strong.
For those looking for high weekly pay with work-life balance, pharmacy offers a strong mix of financial reward and professional respect.
2. Corporate Lawyers – $3,500 to $5,000 per Week
Corporate lawyers are well known for their high salaries, and the weekly pay reflects that. The average annual salary ranges from $180,000 to $260,000, which works out to about $3,500 to $5,000 per week. In large firms, partners can earn significantly more.
This career requires earning a law degree (JD) and passing the bar exam. While the education path is demanding, the financial rewards are among the highest outside of medicine and technology.
Corporate lawyers typically specialize in mergers, acquisitions, contracts, and compliance issues. They play a crucial role in protecting a company’s legal and financial interests, which explains the high salaries.
The job often involves long hours, tight deadlines, and high-pressure negotiations. However, for those who enjoy strategy, critical thinking, and advocacy, it can be extremely rewarding both intellectually and financially.
If you’re wondering what job pays the most a week without going into medicine, corporate law is consistently at the top of the list.
3. Data Scientists – $4,000 to $6,000 per Week
Data science has become one of the fastest-growing fields, and professionals in this industry often earn between $200,000 and $300,000 annually, or about $4,000 to $6,000 per week. These salaries put data scientists among the highest-paid tech professionals worldwide.
The role doesn’t require medical or legal training, but it does demand advanced knowledge of programming, statistics, and machine learning. Many data scientists hold master’s or PhD degrees, though some are self-taught or come from bootcamp programs.
In daily work, data scientists analyze massive datasets to solve business problems, improve decision-making, and create predictive models. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook pay top salaries for this expertise.
The demand for data scientists keeps rising as businesses rely more on artificial intelligence and analytics. This job is not just high-paying but also future-proof, offering long-term career growth.
For individuals who enjoy problem-solving and working with technology, data science provides both intellectual challenge and impressive weekly pay.
4. Surgeons – $5,000 to $7,500 per Week
When people think of the highest-paying jobs, surgeons almost always come to mind. On average, surgeons earn between $250,000 and $400,000 annually, which translates to $5,000 to $7,500 per week. Highly specialized surgeons, such as neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons, often earn even more.
Becoming a surgeon is a long process. It requires four years of medical school plus at least five years of residency. Some specialties require additional fellowship training. Despite the extensive education, the payoff is substantial.
The work of a surgeon is demanding—long hours, high pressure, and life-or-death decisions are part of the job. However, the financial rewards, prestige, and ability to directly impact patients’ lives make it highly respected.
With advances in technology and increased demand for healthcare services, surgeons will continue to command top salaries. Job security is nearly guaranteed for those who reach this level.
For those who are committed to the medical field and willing to put in the years of training, surgery is one of the absolute top-paying weekly careers.
5. Professional Athletes – $10,000+ per Week
At the very top of the list are professional athletes. While this career path is unconventional and highly competitive, it’s also one of the most financially rewarding. Professional athletes can earn $500,000 to several million annually, equaling $10,000 or more per week.
Unlike other careers on this list, becoming an athlete doesn’t require formal education. Instead, it depends on physical talent, discipline, and performance at the highest levels of competition. Only a small percentage of athletes make it to professional leagues, but those who do earn massive weekly salaries.
Athletes in sports like basketball, football, soccer, and tennis often sign multimillion-dollar contracts. Endorsements, sponsorships, and appearances add to their weekly earnings.
The career, however, is short-lived. Most professional athletes retire young due to physical demands, injuries, and the competitive nature of sports. This means financial management is crucial to maintaining wealth long-term.
Still, for those who succeed, no other job compares to the weekly paychecks of professional athletes. It stands as the clearest answer to the question: What job pays the most a week?
6. Airline Pilots – $3,500 to $5,500 per Week
Airline pilots consistently rank among the highest-paid professionals. On average, pilots earn between $180,000 and $285,000 annually, which translates to about $3,500 to $5,500 per week. Senior captains on international routes can earn even more.
To become a commercial airline pilot, you’ll need specialized flight training, certification, and thousands of flight hours. While it doesn’t require a traditional four-year degree, the path is still demanding and costly due to flight school expenses.
Pilots are responsible for flying passengers and cargo safely across the world. Their duties include navigation, communication, pre-flight checks, and handling emergencies. This responsibility justifies their high weekly salaries.
The aviation industry has a strong demand for pilots due to retirements and rising travel needs. This ensures job stability and attractive compensation.
For those passionate about aviation and willing to invest in training, piloting offers excellent weekly pay, adventure, and prestige.
7. IT Managers – $4,000 to $6,000 per Week
IT managers, also known as information systems managers, oversee a company’s technology strategy. They earn an average of $210,000 to $310,000 annually, or about $4,000 to $6,000 per week.
While many IT managers hold degrees, it’s not always required. Experience, certifications, and technical knowledge can open doors to this role, especially in startups or tech-driven companies.
Their responsibilities include managing IT staff, implementing cybersecurity, overseeing software development, and ensuring smooth business operations. In the digital economy, this role is crucial.
High salaries reflect both the technical and leadership skills required. IT managers are expected to solve problems quickly and keep businesses secure from threats.
For tech-savvy professionals with leadership skills, IT management offers one of the best-paying weekly jobs outside of medicine and law.
8. Dentists – $4,200 to $6,500 per Week
Dentists are another healthcare profession that commands strong weekly pay. Average salaries range from $220,000 to $340,000 annually, or about $4,200 to $6,500 per week. Specialists such as orthodontists and oral surgeons earn even higher.
Becoming a dentist requires a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, plus licensing exams. While this involves years of schooling, it is shorter and less demanding than becoming a surgeon.
Dentists diagnose and treat oral health issues, perform procedures, and promote preventative care. Their work directly impacts patients’ health, confidence, and quality of life.
The profession offers excellent work-life balance compared to other medical fields, as many dentists set their own schedules. This flexibility adds to the career’s appeal.
For those who want high weekly pay with long-term stability, dentistry is one of the most reliable and respected options.
9. Anesthesiologists – $6,000 to $8,500 per Week
Anesthesiologists are among the highest-paid medical professionals. With annual salaries ranging from $310,000 to $440,000, they earn about $6,000 to $8,500 per week.
This career requires extensive education: medical school, residency, and licensing. While the path is long, the financial rewards are substantial.
Anesthesiologists specialize in administering anesthesia during surgeries, monitoring patients, and ensuring safety throughout procedures. The role requires precision and responsibility, which justifies the high pay.
Demand for anesthesiologists is strong, given the essential nature of their work in both hospitals and outpatient surgical centers. Job security is very high.
For individuals committed to the medical field and aiming for one of the best-paying careers, anesthesiology offers unmatched weekly income.
10. Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) – $7,000 to $15,000+ per Week
CEOs hold the highest leadership positions in companies, and their pay reflects this responsibility. Average salaries range from $360,000 to $800,000 annually, which is $7,000 to $15,000+ per week. In major corporations, CEOs can earn millions annually.
Unlike medicine or law, becoming a CEO doesn’t follow one set educational path. Many hold degrees, but others rise through experience, entrepreneurship, and business success.
CEOs oversee entire organizations, making decisions that impact strategy, growth, and employees. The pressure is immense, but so are the rewards.
Bonuses, stock options, and performance incentives add significantly to CEO income. This makes weekly earnings potentially sky-high compared to other professions.
For ambitious leaders with vision and resilience, being a CEO is not only prestigious but also one of the best-paying weekly careers in the world.