10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Puerto Rico
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Editor & Writer
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- Puerto Rico offers top-paying jobs in various professional fields.
- Many of the highest-paying jobs in Puerto Rico require an advanced education.
- Puerto Rico has a lower cost of living than the U.S. national average.
- Puerto Rico's $9.50 minimum wage is higher than that of many U.S. states.
Puerto Rico is home to a varied, growing economy with plenty of job opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, increased 4.7% from December 2021 to December 2022. Top jobs in Puerto Rico offer high wages that you can stretch further thanks to the commonwealth's lower cost of living.
Our guide to the highest-paying jobs in Puerto Rico focuses on top career options and cost of living data, in addition to answering common questions about Puerto Rico jobs.
What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Puerto Rico?
So what exactly are the highest-paying jobs in Puerto Rico? Check out our list of 10 jobs below to find out what jobs pay the most, the education you need, and the common responsibilities of each.
All salary data comes from the BLS.
1. Physicians
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $162,260
Physicians diagnose and treat illness and injury. They also advise patients on health maintenance, such as diet and hygiene. To become a physician, you must earn a bachelor's degree followed by a medical doctorate.
After earning a medical degree, you must complete further professional training, including internships and residencies.
2. Chief Executives
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $130,250
Chief executives lead and manage overall operations for businesses and other organizations. They focus on the big picture for companies, establishing an organization's major goals and determining strategies to ensure growth.
There are no set education requirements for a chief executive, but you typically need at least a bachelor's degree and several years of experience to move into this type of leadership role.
3. Advertising and Promotions Managers
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $122,700
These managers focus on strategies for reaching consumers and building interest in a business's products or services. Advertising managers may supervise all aspects of a company's promotional strategy, such as advertising campaigns, promotions, and consumer research.
To become an advertising manager, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree — but many positions call for an MBA.
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4. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $122,060
Obstetricians and gynecologists provide medical care related to female and reproductive health. They may perform both general and specialized care, including regular checkups and surgical procedures.
To become an obstetrician or gynecologist, you'll need to earn both a bachelor's degree and a medical degree, along with completing supplemental training such as an internship and residency.
5. Industrial Production Managers
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $112,120
Industrial production managers supervise manufacturing operations for businesses, overseeing the mass production of products, such as cars and computers. They determine the most efficient way to operate factories and other industrial spaces, ensuring companies meet manufacturing goals.
To work your way up to industrial production manager, you'll typically need at least a bachelor's degree and several years of professional experience.
6. Architectural and Engineering Managers
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $110,530
Architectural and engineering managers oversee business activities related to construction and manufacturing. They may supervise construction projects or manage the design of consumer products.
To become an architectural or engineering manager, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree. You may also need a graduate degree in a field such as engineering management or technology management.
7. Postsecondary Sociology Teachers
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $108,890
Postsecondary sociology teachers instruct students at colleges and universities. Their duties include planning lessons, teaching sociology classes, and grading students. Sociology professors also conduct their own research into social behavior.
To become a sociology professor, you need a Ph.D. in sociology or a closely related field.
8. Pediatricians
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $104,520
Pediatricians provide healthcare for children and young adults. These physicians specialize in medical issues that affect young people while also emphasizing general preventative healthcare topics.
As with other physician jobs, you'll need a bachelor's degree, a medical degree, and additional medical training to become a pediatrician.
9. Judges
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $100,960
Judges oversee legal proceedings in court, conducting hearings and issuing legal decisions. They interpret the law and assess criminal and civil court cases.
Becoming a judge requires both a bachelor's degree and a law degree. You'll also need many years of experience as a lawyer.
10. Marketing Managers
Mean Annual Salary (May 2022): $99,640
Marketing managers oversee marketing strategies for businesses and other organizations. They analyze markets to direct overall marketing operations and predict consumer demand for a company's products or services.
You typically need at least a bachelor's degree to become a marketing manager, with some positions calling for an MBA.
What Is the Cost of Living in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has a slightly lower cost of living than the U.S. national average, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.
Both utility and grocery expenses in Puerto Rico rank significantly higher than the national U.S. average. That said, housing, transportation, and healthcare expenses all rank significantly lower than the national average.
The cost of college in Puerto Rico also ranks below the U.S. national average. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in-state students at public colleges in the U.S. paid an average of $9,375 in 2020-2021. In-state students at Puerto Rico public colleges, comparatively, paid an average of $8,005.
You can also apply for scholarships to further lower the cost of education in Puerto Rico.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs in Puerto Rico
What is a good salary in Puerto Rico?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Puerto Rico was $21,967 between 2017-2021. In comparison, the median household income for the U.S. as a whole was $69,021 during that same period.
High-paying jobs in Puerto Rico offer salaries far above the local and national median.
Is living in Puerto Rico expensive?
Puerto Rico offers a cost of living that's lower than the U.S. average, with particularly affordable healthcare, housing, and transportation. Compared to the rest of the country, Puerto Rico ranks in the middle when it comes to the cost of living.
What's the minimum wage in Puerto Rico?
The minimum wage in Puerto Rico is $9.50 per hour, as of July 1, 2023. This is significantly higher than the U.S. federal minimum wage of $7.25. Top Puerto Rico jobs offer salaries far above the minimum wage.
