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Is a professional license worth the investment? This tool compares total licensing costs against median annual salary for each profession and state, so you can see exactly how long it takes to recoup your fees and what your five-year return on investment looks like. Data comes from LicenseMap's verified state board fee data and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) salary figures.
ROI assumes the license enables the career — your actual returns depend on employment, hours worked, geographic market, and career progression. Licensing costs shown here are government fees only (application, exam, and license fees) and do not include education or training tuition.
Professions Analyzed
133
Best ROI
CDL Driver
1,333,678% over 5 years
Fastest Break-Even
CDL Driver
1 mo avg break-even
This is a simplified calculation. It does not account for education costs beyond licensing fees, time spent in school, opportunity cost of foregone wages during training, or the time value of money. Actual financial outcomes vary by individual circumstances.
| # | Profession | 5-Year ROI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CDL Driver | 1,333,678% |
| 2 | Sign Language Interpreter | 1,271,364% |
| 3 | Tax Preparer | 1,104,342% |
| 4 | Midwife | 1,012,061% |
| 5 | Alcohol Server | 922,697% |
| 6 | Notary | 726,792% |
| 7 | Genetic Counselor | 620,691% |
| 8 | Tattoo Artist | 618,132% |
| 9 | Nurse Midwife | 556,594% |
| 10 | School Counselor | 519,090% |
| 11 | Surgical Technologist | 511,789% |
| 12 | Boiler Operator | 460,150% |
| 13 | Soil Scientist | 458,862% |
| 14 | Clinical Laboratory Scientist | 417,158% |
| 15 | Insurance Agent | 394,571% |
| 16 | Electrician | 383,379% |
| 17 | Court Reporter | 375,536% |
| 18 | Elevator Mechanic | 354,965% |
| 19 | Music Therapist | 344,205% |
| 20 | Physician | 341,594% |
These professions have the lowest average break-even period — the time it takes for your salary to cover the licensing fees.
Some of the most expensive licenses to obtain also lead to the highest-paying careers. These professions have average licensing costs above $500 but still deliver exceptional five-year returns.
ROI calculations use LicenseMap's verified state board fee data and BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Licensing cost reflects initial government fees only (excludes tuition, training, and education costs). Salary is the BLS median annual wage. Break-even and ROI are simplified estimates and do not account for taxes, opportunity cost, wage growth, or inflation. Individual results will vary based on employment status, hours worked, and local market conditions.