Top 10 Highest-Paying Licensed Careers in Pennsylvania (2026)
March 3, 2026 · HowToGetLicensed Team
Pennsylvania's diverse economy spans healthcare, construction, energy, and finance — all sectors with strong demand for licensed professionals. We compared all 49 licensed professions available in Pennsylvania to find the highest-paying career paths. Here are the top 10 by national median salary, with Pennsylvania-specific costs and requirements.
Top 10 at a Glance
| # | Profession | Median Salary | Education | Cost in PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | $171,210/yr | 80 hrs | $14,000 |
| 2 | Physical Therapist | $99,710/yr | 4,500 hrs | $88,000 |
| 3 | Occupational Therapist | $96,370/yr | 3,500 hrs | $78,000 |
| 4 | Architect | $93,310/yr | 4,000 hrs | $95,000 |
| 5 | Speech Pathologist | $89,290/yr | 2,400 hrs | $70,000 |
| 6 | Audiologist | $87,740/yr | 5,000 hrs | $85,000 |
| 7 | Dental Hygienist | $87,530/yr | 2,200 hrs | $32,000 |
| 8 | Nursing | $86,070/yr | 1,500 hrs | $28,000 |
| 9 | Cpa | $79,880/yr | 150 hrs | $2,100 |
| 10 | Respiratory Therapist | $77,960/yr | 2,200 hrs | $25,000 |
Detailed Breakdown
1. Pilot
Get your pilot license in Pennsylvania with 80 hours of education and approximately $14,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
2. Physical Therapist
Get your physical therapist license in Pennsylvania with 4,500 hours of education and approximately $88,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
3. Occupational Therapist
Get your occupational therapist license in Pennsylvania with 3,500 hours of education and approximately $78,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
4. Architect
Get your architect license in Pennsylvania with 4,000 hours of education and approximately $95,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
5. Speech Pathologist
Get your speech pathologist license in Pennsylvania with 2,400 hours of education and approximately $70,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
6. Audiologist
Get your audiologist license in Pennsylvania with 5,000 hours of education and approximately $85,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
7. Dental Hygienist
Get your dental hygienist license in Pennsylvania with 2,200 hours of education and approximately $32,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
8. Nursing
Get your nursing license in Pennsylvania with 1,500 hours of education and approximately $28,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
9. Cpa
Get your cpa license in Pennsylvania with 150 hours of education and approximately $2,100 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
10. Respiratory Therapist
Get your respiratory therapist license in Pennsylvania with 2,200 hours of education and approximately $25,000 in total costs. Complete Pennsylvania guide →
Quick-Start Licenses in Pennsylvania
If you want to start earning fast, these Pennsylvania licenses require minimal education and under $1,000 to get started:
| Profession | Median Salary | Education | Cost in PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Adjuster | $75,020/yr | 24 hrs | $775 |
| Contractor | $74,720/yr | None | $200 |
| Electrician | $61,590/yr | None | $275 |
| Plumber | $61,550/yr | None | $175 |
| Insurance Agent | $59,080/yr | 24 hrs | $450 |
Related Guides
- All Pennsylvania professional licenses — browse all 49 professions
- Highest Paying Licensed Professions — national salary rankings
- Cheapest States for Licensing — compare costs across all 50 states
- Licenses That Don't Require a Degree
- How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?