Highest Paying Jobs In Columbus, OH For 2026

As we progress into 2026, the job market in Columbus continues to thrive across various sectors, with notable opportunities in healthcare, technology, and finance. For professionals seeking lucrative career paths in the Columbus area, this guide highlights the highest-paying jobs to help streamline your job search.

This article presents the top 24 highest-paying jobs in Columbus for 2026, utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While many high-paying positions typically require significant experience, there are also well-compensated entry-level roles available for candidates with the appropriate educational credentials.

Currently, the highest-paying job in Columbus is an Anesthesiologist, boasting an average annual salary of $415,365 and an entry-level salary starting at $202,000.

Whether you are contemplating a career transition, considering relocating to Columbus, or a recent graduate strategizing your career path, this guide to the highest-paying jobs and most lucrative industries in Columbus will assist you in making informed decisions for your future.

Here’s a snapshot of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Columbus, Ohio:

Anesthesiologist – $415,365
Cardiothoracic Surgeon – $398,568
Neurosurgeon – $324,743
Radiologist – $316,042
Physician – $263,853
Internal Medicine Hospitalist – $263,768
Hospitalist Physician – $260,386
Internist – $256,998
Operator And Truck Driver – $250,599
Associate Professor, Physician – $240,414

Detailed List of Highest Paying Jobs in Columbus

Rank	Job Title	Average Salary	Entry Level Salary
1	Anesthesiologist	$415,365	$202,000
2	Cardiothoracic Surgeon	$398,568	$208,000
3	Neurosurgeon	$324,743	$173,000
4	Radiologist	$316,042	$156,000
5	Physician	$263,853	$138,000
6	Internal Medicine Hospitalist	$263,768	$133,000
7	Hospitalist Physician	$260,386	$181,000
8	Internist	$256,998	$138,000
9	Operator And Truck Driver	$250,599	$129,000
10	Associate Professor, Physician	$240,414	$122,000
11	Resident Physician In Radiology	$237,330	$120,000
12	Outpatient Psychiatrist	$235,548	$149,000
13	Finance Services Director	$233,466	$171,000
14	Neonatologist	$224,785	$99,000
15	General Internist	$224,117	$139,000
16	Medical Director	$223,435	$144,000
17	Hospitalist	$220,805	$146,000
18	Psychiatrist	$217,623	$134,000
19	Endocrinologist	$215,186	$133,000
20	Physician Extender	$212,941	$107,000
21	Chief Administrative Officer	$212,800	$127,000
22	Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist	$211,772	$135,000
23	Internal Medicine Physician	$201,000	$123,000
24	Family Practice Physician	$193,109	$120,000

How We Determined the Highest Paid Jobs in Columbus for 2026

To identify the highest-paying jobs in Columbus, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and various other reputable sources.

Zippia’s data science team actively enhances this information by scanning millions of job postings daily to extract published salary data. We align these salaries with companies, locations, and job titles using comprehensive datasets.

Ultimately, we calculate a weighted average from these inputs to estimate the salary for specific job titles in Columbus.

In total, our team reviewed salary data across over 1,000 job titles in Columbus to pinpoint the highest-paying positions.

Editor’s Note: Article updated for 2026. This marks our ninth iteration of ranking the highest-paying jobs in Columbus.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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