People are getting bored. They’re walking away from stagnant careers, rejecting promotions that don’t excite them and seeking new opportunities that offer more than just a paycheck. The workforce is shifting—more professionals are looking for jobs that challenge them, spark creativity and provide meaningful leadership opportunities.

At the same time, companies are recognizing the need for strong leaders beyond the traditional C-suite. While CEOs and presidents may grab headlines for their hefty compensation packages, several leadership and mid-management roles offer six-figure salaries, career growth and the chance to make a significant impact.

Senior-Level Executive Roles With Higher Salaries

Many senior-level leadership roles operate just below the executive tier but still command impressive salaries and significant influence. These positions are critical to an organization’s strategy, operations and financial success, often overseeing multiple departments or guiding key business decisions.

Executive Vice President

An EVP is one of the highest-ranking leadership positions below the C-suite. They typically oversee multiple organizational departments and work closely with C-suite executives to align their department’s objectives with the company’s long-term vision; they are responsible for implementing company-wide strategies, improving operational efficiency and driving business growth.

Hard Skills:

• Business strategy and operations
• Financial acumen and budgeting
• Data analysis and performance metrics
• Project and team management
• Regulatory compliance knowledge

Soft Skills:

• Leadership and decision-making
• Communication and negotiation
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Change management

Earning potential: EVPs are among the highest-paid non-C-suite executives. Their compensation varies based on industry and company size, but the total pay for an EVP is $412,732 per year, with an average salary of $182,009 per year. Performance-based bonuses and stock options can further increase their total earnings.

General Counsel

General Counsel is an organization’s top legal advisor, overseeing all legal matters, risk management and corporate governance. They ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, manage litigation and provide strategic legal guidance to senior leadership. General Counsels are especially critical in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare and technology.

Hard Skills:

• Corporate and contract law expertise
• Regulatory compliance and risk assessment
• Intellectual property law
• Litigation management
• Mergers and acquisitions knowledge

Soft Skills:

• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Persuasive negotiation and advocacy
• Leadership and team management
• Ethical decision-making
• Crisis management

Earning potential: General Counsels command substantial salaries due to their legal expertise and risk mitigation role. On average, GCs earn between $250,000 and $500,000 annually, with higher wages in multinational corporations and high-risk industries. Many also receive performance-based bonuses and stock options.

Senior Vice President Of Sales

An SVP of sales is responsible for an organization’s revenue growth by developing and executing high-impact sales strategies. They manage large sales teams, oversee customer acquisition and retention and work closely with marketing and product teams to meet business goals.

Hard Skills:

• Sales strategy and market analysis
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software proficiency
• Revenue forecasting and sales pipeline management
• Negotiation and deal-making
• Competitive analysis and pricing strategy

Soft Skills:

• Leadership and team motivation
• High-level communication and persuasion
• Adaptability in dynamic markets
• Emotional intelligence and relationship building
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving

Earning potential: Compensation for SVPs of sales varies significantly based on industry, company revenue and performance. Base salaries range from $250,000 to $400,000 annually, with commissions and performance bonuses often pushing total compensation into the seven-figure range. Industries like technology, healthcare and financial services offer the highest salaries.

Mid-Management Roles With High Salaries

Not all high-paying leadership roles are at the senior executive level. Many mid-management positions, particularly in specialized industries, offer lucrative salaries due to their technical and leadership demands. Here are three of the most well-compensated mid-management jobs:

Project Manager In Drug Development

A pharmaceutical project manager plays a crucial role in developing and approving new pharmaceutical products. They manage cross-functional teams and ensure that drug trials, regulatory submissions and production timelines meet industry standards.

Hard Skills:

• Regulatory knowledge (FDA, EMA guidelines)
• Clinical trial management
• Budgeting and cost control
• Data analysis and reporting
• Risk assessment and mitigation

Soft Skills:

• Strong organizational skills
• Leadership and team coordination
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Decision-making under pressure
• Time management and prioritization

Earning potential: Project Managers in the pharmaceutical industry earn significantly high salaries. Annual earnings range from $180,000 to $300,000, with independent consultants charging $150–$330 per hour.

Manufacturing Manager

A manufacturing manager oversees production operations, ensuring manufacturing processes run efficiently while maintaining quality and safety standards. They implement continuous improvement strategies and work closely with supply chain teams.

Hard Skills:

• Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Production scheduling and logistics
• Quality control and process optimization
• Cost reduction strategies
• Equipment maintenance and automation

Soft Skills:

• Leadership and workforce management
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Communication and collaboration
• Decision-making under pressure
• Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Earning potential: The average salary for a manufacturing manager in the U.S. is $129,000 per year, with higher wages in advanced manufacturing industries.

Financial Manager

A financial manager is responsible for maintaining an organization’s financial health by managing investments, budgeting and risk assessment. They develop financial reports and strategies to optimize profitability.

Hard Skills:

• Financial analysis and forecasting
• Investment and risk management
• Accounting principles and reporting
• Tax planning and compliance
• Cost-benefit analysis

Soft Skills:

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Decision-making and strategic planning
• Communication and presentation skills
• Attention to detail
• Leadership and team collaboration

Earning potential: Financial Managers earn a median salary of $129,560 per year, with compensation rising in multinational firms.

High-paying leadership jobs no longer require a seat in the C-suite; plenty of dynamic, well-compensated positions offer challenge, growth and impact. The key is to seek out positions that push your boundaries and allow you to lead in a way that feels meaningful.