After you've walked across the stage, did a little legwork, paid your dues, or received your doctorate, many entering the work force are looking to apply for high paying job position. There is no secret that certain jobs and career fields are paying their employees more money, which has become one of the main motivating factors for applying for particular job titles, fields, and duties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation, white-collar earners are paid on the average a little more than $20 per hour, while blue-collar workers receive an average of $15 per hour. The occupational group that is paid by the hour usually receives an average pay of about $10 per hour.

When it comes to landing the jobs that offer the most pay, education is key in making the grade in the high-paying work world. For some companies, at least a four-year college degree is required from their job applicants. In the United States, there are certain job fields that have consistently presented the most appealing salary packages over the years. Leading the way in high-paying job listings are positions in the medical, judicial, and technology fields.

Overall Top-Paying Jobs

When achieving an advanced degree, many doors will open up with numerous passageways leading towards a wealth of competitive top-paying jobs. After all the years of medical school have been completed, doctors and surgeons will make an average of $147,000 per year. As for dentists, they linger around an average pay of $90,000. Looking for a career in pharmacy? Average pay includes a yearly salary of $85,500.

While police officers scour the streets in search for the individuals who lead to the bread and butter of the judicial system, lawyers and judges receive an average yearly pay of $99,800. If you've trained to fly the friendly skies and are good at what you do, you may earn an average salary of $133,500 as an aircraft pilot. Managing a company is also a rather profitable job with average yearly pay totaling $116,000 for some chief executives.

Engineers also make a pretty penny with an average yearly salary of $112,000 just for learning the ropes of the electrical and electronic field. Depending on the area you are situated in, the following job titles fetch an average yearly salary between the low- to mid- $80,000 range: management analysts; computer and information system managers; financial analysts, managers and advisors; marketing and sales managers; and education administrators

As you scan the job prospects in your area according to title, you should know that your location will affect the high pay received. For example, different cities, states, and neighborhoods display a wide-range of fluctuating low, median, and high base salaries per job description. For example, a real estate attorney in Battle Creek, Michigan aims to make an average of $87,000 to $164,000 per year, whereas the same real estate attorney situated in Bronx, New York is looking at making between $100,000 and $188,000 per year. Of course, the cost of living makes some yearly salaries appear better than what they really turn out to be.

Top Paying Jobs: Without a High School Degree

For those who did not finish out their high school education, there are still jobs in the work force that allow on-the-job training and work experience to fetch a reasonable salary. When formal education and schooling is lacking, some individuals have found profit in becoming an industrial production manager ($36,000); bailiff or correctional officer/jailer ($36,400); drafter ($36,000); construction manager ($33,600); and electrician ($31,900).

Top Paying Jobs: High School Graduates

On-the-job training and work experience also helps high school graduates make a decent living as computer software engineers ($58,900); computer/information systems managers ($56,400); computer programmers ($55,000); network systems and data communications analysts ($49,000); general and operations managers ($48,000); and database, network and computer systems administrators ($48,000).

Top Paying Jobs: Two-Year College Degree

Job-specific training and proper certification can land a two-year college graduate a job as a health-care practitioner for an average yearly salary of $66,000. Additional job prospects include business analyst ($58,000); electrical and electronic engineers ($57,000); mechanical engineers ($56,800); and general and operations managers ($54,000).

Top Paying Companies

Sometimes job seekers will search for the companies that promise the highest pay and then see where they can fit into the inner workings of the business. It is important to remember that there is always room to rise within a large company and promotions can be earned in some arenas in less than a couple of years. Depending on the job title you wish to pursue, you should prepare yourself for a highly competitive world for securing the positions that pay the most. Below are a few companies who are topping the lists for the best places to work with the highest pay:

1) Nixon Peabody: Associate attorneys within this job setting earn an average total pay of $181,000 per year, which is considered one of the largest law firms within the United States. With about 600 attorneys spread across more than 15 cities, some of the top lawyers can be found in their Boston and New York City offices.

2) Bingham McCutchen: Associates working at this Boston-based law firm receive an average total pay of $180,050, which has been regarded as one of leading firms to accept the highest amount of female applicants.

3) Adobe Systems: As a senior computer scientist, you stand to earn an average paycheck totaling around $161,000 for one of the most pioneering software companies in the world. Employees also receive quarterly profit-sharing bonuses with all beginning employees given a stock option grant.

4) EOG Resources: As an engineer, you stand to earn an average yearly salary of $145,000 when working for one of the largest independent oil and gas drillers within the nation. Employees also enjoy some of the most liberal 401(k) matches.

5) Network Appliance: The average total pay for engineers that provide support for various hardware and software is about $130,000 per year.

6) SRA International: Project managers working at this company earn about $129,000 while working alongside government agencies like the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice.

7) Boston Consulting Group: With an average total pay of $129,000 per year, consultants at this firm conduct business with an assortment of Fortune 500 companies. Exceptional bonuses are also included.