High pay · Low AI risk
The highest-paying AI-proof jobs in America
Safe from AI and well paid is a rare combination — but it exists. 378 low-risk careers in our database pay six figures at the median. Every career below pairs a Low Risk AI score with top-tier salary data.
Top 30: where safety meets salary
| # | Career | Median salary | AI Risk Score | 10-year outlook | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurosurgeon | $600,000 | Low Risk · 4/100 | +3.2% | Doctorate plus residency and fellowship |
| 2 | Cardiac Surgeon | $489,000 | Low Risk · 3/100 | +2% | Doctoral or Professional degree |
| 3 | Pediatric Surgeon | $450,000 | Low Risk · 2/100 | +2% | Doctoral degree |
| 4 | Colon and Rectal Surgeon | $450,000 | Low Risk · 3/100 | +3% | Medical degree + Residency |
| 5 | Bariatric Surgeon | $450,000 | Low Risk · 4/100 | +3% | Doctoral or Professional degree |
| 6 | Trauma Surgeon | $450,000 | Low Risk · 5/100 | +3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | Thoracic Surgeon | $450,000 | Low Risk · 6/100 | +2% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Interventional Radiologist | $450,000 | Low Risk · 12/100 | +3% | Doctorate (MD/DO) + Residency/Fellowship |
| 9 | Radiologist | $450,000 | Low Risk · 25/100 | +4% | Doctoral degree + residency |
| 10 | Transplant Surgeon | $435,000 | Low Risk · 4/100 | +3% | Doctorate plus residency and fellowship |
| 11 | Interventional Cardiologist | $425,000 | Low Risk · 4/100 | +3% | Doctoral or Professional Degree |
| 12 | Vascular Surgeon | $420,000 | Low Risk · 5/100 | +3% | Doctorate plus residency and fellowship |
| 13 | Urologist | $420,000 | Low Risk · 12/100 | +3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 14 | Cardiologist | $420,000 | Low Risk · 15/100 | +3% | Doctoral or Professional degree |
| 15 | Radiation Oncologist | $420,000 | Low Risk · 18/100 | +4% | Doctoral degree + residency |
| 16 | Head and Neck Surgeon | $410,000 | Low Risk · 3/100 | +2.8% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 17 | Chief Medical Officer | $400,000 | Low Risk · 8/100 | +5% | Medical degree + MBA |
| 18 | Gastroenterologist | $400,000 | Low Risk · 18/100 | +3% | Doctoral degree |
| 19 | Hand Surgeon | $380,000 | Low Risk · 4/100 | +3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 20 | Pulmonologist | $353,900 | Low Risk · 10/100 | +3% | Doctoral degree + residency |
| 21 | Intensivist | $350,000 | Low Risk · 10/100 | +4% | Doctoral degree |
| 22 | Nuclear Medicine Physician | $350,000 | Low Risk · 22/100 | +4% | Doctoral degree |
| 23 | Plastic Surgeon | $347,000 | Low Risk · 5/100 | +3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 24 | Anesthesiologist | $339,000 | Low Risk · 18/100 | +1% | Doctoral degree |
| 25 | Dermatologist | $327,650 | Low Risk · 22/100 | +3% | Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
| 26 | Emergency Room Physician | $310,000 | Low Risk · 10/100 | +3% | Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
| 27 | Dental Anesthesiologist | $300,000 | Low Risk · 10/100 | +3% | Doctor of Dental Medicine + Residency |
| 28 | Reproductive Endocrinologist | $280,000 | Low Risk · 7/100 | +5% | Doctoral degree + residency |
| 29 | University President | $280,000 | Low Risk · 8/100 | +4.2% | Doctorate |
| 30 | Clinical Pathologist | $280,000 | Low Risk · 25/100 | +3.2% | Doctor of Medicine (MD/DO) |
Why medicine and skilled trades dominate
High pay follows scarcity plus accountability. Surgeons and nurse anesthetists carry licenses, years of training and legal responsibility that AI can't hold — while their work demands real-time physical judgment. Outside medicine, skilled trades and technical specialists offer the same protection without a decade of school. See AI-proof jobs that don't need a degree.
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