How much can you earn as a skilled immigrant in United States? Below we compare estimated net monthly salaries across 25 professions, sorted by earning potential. The highest-paying role is Doctor at €9,000/month. The cost of living for a single person starts from €3,050/month in Austin.
Salary Table: All Professions
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly (EUR) | Recognition Required | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor | 7.1/10 | €9,000 | Yes | Viable option for Doctors. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| AI Engineer | 7.5/10 | €8,100 | No | Strong choice for AI Engineers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Dentist | 7.1/10 | €8,100 | Yes | Viable option for Dentists. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Software Engineer | 7.5/10 | €7,200 | No | Strong choice for Software Engineers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | 7.5/10 | €6,750 | No | Strong choice for Cybersecurity Specialists. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Financial Analyst | 7.2/10 | €6,300 | No | Viable option for Financial Analysts. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Pharmacist | 7.1/10 | €5,850 | Yes | Viable option for Pharmacists. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Mechanical Engineer | 7.5/10 | €5,850 | No | Strong choice for Mechanical Engineers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| UX Designer | 7.2/10 | €5,850 | No | Viable option for UX Designers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Civil Engineer | 7.3/10 | €5,625 | Yes | Strong choice for Civil Engineers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Data Analyst | 7.2/10 | €5,400 | No | Viable option for Data Analysts. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Architect | 7.1/10 | €5,400 | Yes | Viable option for Architects. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Hotel Manager | 7.5/10 | €4,950 | No | Strong choice for Hotel Managers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Accountant | 6.7/10 | €4,950 | Yes | Viable option for Accountants. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Digital Marketer | 7.2/10 | €4,950 | No | Viable option for Digital Marketers. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Electrician | 6.5/10 | €4,050 | No | Viable option for Electricians. Strengths: top-tier salaries. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Graphic Designer | 6.8/10 | €4,050 | No | Viable option for Graphic Designers. Strengths: strong career growth. |
| Nurse | 6.9/10 | €3,825 | Yes | Viable option for Nurses. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Plumber | 6.5/10 | €3,825 | No | Viable option for Plumbers. Strengths: top-tier salaries. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Teacher | 6.2/10 | €3,600 | Yes | Viable option for Teachers. Strengths: top-tier salaries. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Welder | 5.9/10 | €3,375 | No | Consider alternatives for Welders. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Truck Driver | 5.9/10 | €3,150 | No | Consider alternatives for Truck Drivers. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Chef | 6.9/10 | €3,150 | No | Viable option for Chefs. Strengths: top-tier salaries, strong career growth. |
| Construction Worker | 5.9/10 | €2,925 | No | Consider alternatives for Construction Workers. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
| Caregiver | 5.5/10 | €2,475 | No | Consider alternatives for Caregivers. Challenges: restrictive visa system. |
Salaries are estimated net monthly figures in EUR. “Data pending” indicates that salary data is not yet available for that profession in United States.
Related Pages
- United States Immigration Guide 2026
- United States Visa Comparison 2026
- United States Cost of Living 2026
- Cost of Living in New York
- Cost of Living in San Francisco
- Cost of Living in Austin
- Compare United States with Other Countries
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paying professions in United States for immigrants?
Based on estimated net monthly salaries, Doctor tops the list in United States at €9,000 per month. Salaries vary significantly by profession, with tech and healthcare roles typically commanding the highest wages for skilled immigrants.
Are these salaries in United States net or gross?
All salary figures shown are estimated net monthly amounts in EUR after taxes and social contributions. Actual take-home pay may vary based on individual tax circumstances, benefits, and employment contracts.
Do I need professional recognition to work in United States?
It depends on your profession. Regulated professions such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and architects typically require credential recognition before you can practise. The recognition column in the table above indicates which professions have this requirement in United States.
Data sourced from official government portals, Numbeo, Glassdoor, and verified employer surveys. Figures are indicative and should be used alongside professional immigration advice. Last updated 2026-03-12.