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IT Pros, Investors Take Top Salary Spots

New analysis of the highest paying careers in the U.S. brings few surprises -- the tech sector has a firm grasp on the most bankable postions. PayScale.com compiled the list using career consultant Laurence Shatkin's analysis of the latest metrics from the Labor Department.

The various high-rolling investment jobs of Wall Street took home second place, followed by scientific research-related jobs in third. A slight surprise to me is that internet publishing and broadcasting jobs rounded out the list. Having something related to journalism in a top salaries list is good news for media people everywhere, considering the economic uncertainty our friends in the newspaper biz have been dealing with lately.

  • Computers/Information Technology: Software publishing (annual median salary: $72,350), computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing ($68,710), computer systems design and related services ($66,130)
  • Scientific Research ($62,640)
  • Financial Services: securities and commodity exchanges ($58,740), securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage ($57,550), other financial investment activities ($55,340)
  • Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil ($56,770)
  • Electric Power Generation/Transmission/Distribution ($55,110)
  • Aerospace Manufacturing ($55,060)
  • Wired Telecommunications ($54,880)
  • Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals ($54,820)
  • Motor Vehicle Manufacturing ($53,750)
  • Internet Publishing & Broadcasting ($53,070)
Though I gotta say, where's my cut?
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