![]({"default":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvL0kj.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=256&y=452"} "Intro - Monty Rakusen/Cultura/Getty Images; Pete Marovich/Bloomberg; Miguel Malo/E+/Getty Images; Jay P. Mor...")
You don’t always need an MBA degree to earn big bucks. According to a recent study conducted by Forbes, the following list of vocations command salaries that might surprise you. We take a look at the top 10.
Professions ranked according to top 10 per cent annual income. All figures mentioned are U.S. salaries.
![]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvKMyN.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1234&y=599"}} "Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators - Robert Daly/Caiaimage/Getty Images")
Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $118,090
Mean annual income: $69,060
![Makeup Artists (Theatrical and Performance)]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAcZmMp.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1625&y=523"}} "Makeup Artists (Theatrical and Performance) - Invision for Wet N Wild/AP Images")
Makeup artists (theatrical and performance)
Top 10 percent annual income, on average: $122,110
Mean annual income: $66,560
![Detectives and Criminal Investigators]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAcZEIh.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1269&y=567"}} "Detectives and Criminal Investigators - selimaksan/Getty Images")
Detectives and criminal investigators
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $128,690
Mean annual income: $79,620
![]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvKKv0.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1317&y=910"}} "Nurse Midwives - Steve Debenport/E+/Getty Images")
Nurse midwives
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $132,270
Mean annual income: $93,610
![Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAcZ9hF.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels - Taxi/Getty Images")
Captains, mates and pilots of water vessels
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $134,950
Mean annual income: $83,150
![Funeral Service Managers]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAcZrWJ.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1215&y=352"}} "Funeral Service Managers - Brand X Pictures/Getty Images")
Funeral service managers
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $142,750
Mean annual income: $84,470
![]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvKX8c.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "Commercial Pilots - James Lauritz/Getty Images")
Commercial pilots
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $147,890
Mean annual income: $84,510
![]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvKNbf.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=803&y=467"}} "Sales engineers - Miguel Malo/E+/Getty Images")
Sales engineers
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $165,250
Mean annual income: $107,160
![]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvKP4U.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=562&y=492"}} "Air Traffic Controllers - Monty Rakusen/Cultura/Getty Images")
Air traffic controllers
Top 10 per cent annual income, on average: $172,590
Mean annual income: $118,740
![Top 10 percent annual income, on average: $187,200+ Mean annual wage: $95,810]({"default":{"load":"wait","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BBvKP2t.img?h=373&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}} "Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers and Athletes - Caiaimage/Tom Merton/Getty Images")