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If you’re exploring career options, and the idea of seeing the world and meeting interesting people appeals to you, you may want to consider a career as a flight attendant.

One of your first questions may be, how much does a flight attendant make a year? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary is $67,130. However, that figure can change based on a number of factors, including your experience, skills, and education.

Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Flight Attendants?

Flight attendants are the friendly professionals who welcome you aboard, provide in-flight service, and ensure your comfort and safety throughout the flight.

Flight attendants have many responsibilities you don’t see, as well. They have to be well-versed in emergency procedures, should there be an issue on board. They interact with the pilots and create reports for each flight.

Being a flight attendant requires an outgoing personality. If that doesn’t describe you, you may want to explore jobs for introverts.

💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.

How Much Do Starting Flight Attendants Make?

Compared to other jobs, flight attendants can make a good entry-level salary. For a flight attendant with less than one year of experience, the starting salary is about $47,079 per year. This will, of course, depend on the airline that hires you and where you live.

Something else to consider: Compared to other jobs, training to become a flight attendant is relatively quick. Some programs are about six weeks long; after that, you’re ready to take to the skies.

Recommended: What Is Competitive Pay?

What Is the Average Salary for a Flight Attendant?

The salary for a flight attendant just starting out is fairly high compared to some other jobs. But how much does a flight attendant make an hour? And just how much more could they earn with more experience under their belt?

It first helps to understand the difference between salary vs. hourly pay. Many flight attendants are paid by the hour, and the clock typically starts when the aircraft door is closed. That means that the period they spend greeting travelers and getting them settled is unpaid work.

While flight attendants don’t generally get overtime pay, they can earn extra money by working more hours or during holidays. Experience can play a role as well. The average hourly salary for a senior flight attendant is around $38.60 (or $80,287 per year), though some can earn as much as $80-90 per hour with experience.

No matter what your take-home pay is, online tools like a money tracker app can help you create budgets and keep tabs on your finances.

Recommended: Is $100,000 a Good Salary?

What Is the Average Flight Attendant Salary by State for 2025

Curious about how much a flight attendant makes per year where you live? Here are annual mean flight attendant salaries for some of the U.S. states.

And if you’re interested in exploring other jobs, check out the highest-paying jobs by state.

Flight Attendant Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

As you can see based on the mean wages in various states, flight attendant salaries can range from $48,000 to $117,000+. When you’re just starting out, though, you’ll likely make much less. And depending on where you live and the duties and responsibilities you have as a flight attendant, your salary will vary.

Other factors that will impact how much you make include whether or not you have people who report to you, how long you’ve been working, and where you fly. Working international flights might also pay more than domestic flights.

Pros and Cons of Flight Attendant Salary

Now that you know how much flight attendants make, let’s weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of the job.

Pros

For many people, the salary a flight attendant can make is impressive. And given that it doesn’t take years of study and hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loans to become a flight attendant, the barrier to entry is lower.

Unless you’re looking for a work-at-home job for retirees, another perk of being a flight attendant is that you’ll get the opportunity to travel around the country or even the world.

Cons

Like any job, there are drawbacks to working as a flight attendant. For starters, you are likely to be paid hourly, and you might not get compensated for any work you do before the doors of the plane close.

While flying around the world sounds glamorous, many flight attendants tire of the long hours in the skies. There are potential health risks of frequent air travel to consider as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), air travel exposes you to cosmic ionizing radiation, which could impact your reproductive health. Plus, jet lag can make it difficult to keep a regular sleeping schedule.

Recommended: What Trade Makes the Most Money?

The Takeaway

Flight attendants have the opportunity to make good money, see other parts of the country or world, and typically only need a few weeks of training to start working. If you’re outgoing, enjoy working with people, and love to travel, becoming a flight attendant could be a good fit.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is the highest paying flight attendant job?

While salaries vary depending on experience and location, on the high end, flight attendants can earn up to $93.31 per hour as of 2025 with Southwest Airlines (this is after 13+ years of experience).

Is being a flight attendant a healthy job?

Constantly being on their feet and being quick to respond to travelers’ requests keeps many flight attendants in good shape. However, there are potential health risks to consider. Jet lag could disrupt circadian rhythms, and being in the air gives exposure to cosmic ionizing radiation, which could impact reproductive health, according to the CDC.

How much do flight attendants make starting out?

While starting salaries can vary depending on location, airline, and responsibilities, the nationwide starting salary for flight attendants is $23 per hour, or $47,079 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Photo credit: iStock/Adene Sanchez

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-013

The median salary for a physical therapist is $101,020, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While that’s seen as a good salary in most parts of the country, money isn’t the only factor to consider if you’re thinking about a career as a physical therapist. You’ll also want to weigh the potential rewards (you can help people feel better) and drawbacks (the work can be physically taxing).

Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Physical Therapists?

A physical therapist (PT) is a wellness provider who specializes in the body’s physical movements. An athlete might see a physical therapist after sustaining an injury. Or a stroke patient might visit one to regain the ability to walk.

It can take about seven or eight years of study to become a PT, including four years of undergraduate study and three years to complete a doctor of physical therapy program.

PTs need to be physically able to support patients who cannot carry their own weight. It also helps if they’re outgoing, since they work with patients all day long. (Prefer a career where you don’t have to deal with people? Consider a job for introverts.)

Recommended: 11 Work-From-Home Jobs for Retirees

How Much Do Starting Physical Therapists Make?

If you’re exploring the profession, you may wonder what a good entry-level salary is for a new physical therapist. Salaries for physical therapists fresh out of school run average $96,695 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

The amount you make will likely depend on where you live, where you work, and your assigned tasks. The more experience you gain as a physical therapist, the more money you may be able to make.

💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.

What Is the Average Salary for a Physical Therapist?

Like most fields, physical therapy tends to pay more as you gain more experience. So how much does a physical therapist make a year?

Some PTs get paid by the hour, while others earn an annual salary. You can look at salary vs. hourly incomes to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.

On average, a physical therapist makes around $48.57 per hour, though that rate can vary. In terms of salary, a typical physical therapist can earn anywhere from $74,420 to $132,500 or more; the median salary is $101,020.

What Is the Average Physical Therapist Salary by State for 2025?

A physical therapist’s pay can vary widely based on where they work. Here’s a look at how much a physical therapist makes per year in each state.

Recommended: The Highest-Paying Jobs in Every State

Physical Therapist Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

When you’re figuring out competitive pay for a PT, you’ll want to weigh a number of factors. For starters, where you live and work can greatly impact how much you get paid. Your area of specialty can also play a role in how much you earn. Oncology, pediatrics, sports medicine, orthopedics, and rehabilitation all come with their specific roles, responsibilities, and salary ranges.

You may find that your salary goes up if you oversee other employees. Your income may also change depending on whether you decide to work for someone else or open your own practice.

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Pros and Cons of Being a Physical Therapist

As with any job, there are benefits and drawbacks to being a physical therapist.

Pros

One big draw to consider is the potential salary, which can be fairly high no matter where you live. You’ll also have the opportunities to help people on the road to recovery after an injury or illness, which can be gratifying.

Another plus? Flexibility. PTs can often choose to work full time or part time. And if you’re open to hitting the road for work, there are jobs available for traveling physical therapists.

Recommended: Is a $100,000 Salary Good?

Cons

As anyone who’s ever been to physical therapy before can attest, the work can be physically taxing. You’ll need to be able-bodied so you can help support patients during their visits.

Something else to consider? The job typically involves a great deal of paperwork — think logging detailed notes on each patient, handling administrative work, and corresponding with providers.

And then there are the additional years of school you’ll have to go through before you can start working. The cost of a doctor of physical therapy program varies, but tuition for a three-year program can be as much as $135,188 for an in-state public institution. If you plan on attending a private program, you could end up paying more than $200,000 in total.

Whether you’re figuring out how to pay for the extra schooling or how to maximize your income, creating a budget is a good place to start. An online spending app can help take the guesswork out of the job.

The Takeaway

A career in physical therapy requires additional schooling, but the potential rewards can be worth it. Not only would you be helping people regain their strength and mobility, you may also enjoy work-life balance and a good salary.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is the highest paying physical therapist job?

On the high end, experienced physical therapists can earn more than $132,500 per year.

Do physical therapists make $100k a year?

Yes, some physical therapists can earn $100,000 a year or more, depending on their experience and responsibilities.

How much do physical therapists make starting out?

Starting salaries for physical therapists will vary, but the lowest 10% earned less than $74,420.

Photo credit: iStock/andresr

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-016

The median salary of a dentist is $179,210 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That competitive pay reflects the significant amount of education and training required to do the job. But even brand new dentists could earn a six-figure salary. The average annual pay for entry-level dentists, including bonuses and overtime, is $123,000 to $130,000, according to PayScale.

While becoming a dentist isn’t cheap — the typical dental school graduate owes around $296,500 in student loan debt, according to the Educational Data Initiative — the field is often regarded as virtually recession-proof.

Here’s a closer look at what dentists do, how much they can earn, and the pros and cons to consider.

What Are Dentists?

Dentists are healthcare providers who specialize in oral health, which includes the teeth, gums, and mouth. In addition to routine exams and cleanings, a dentist can also perform a variety of services, including filling cavities, putting in crowns or bridges, pulling teeth, or designing and installing dentures. Some dentists operate their own practices, which means they may also manage staff, finances, and marketing.

Being a dentist means interacting with patients all day long. If you are shy and have difficulty starting conversations, you might explore jobs for introverts instead.

Also important to know: It can take six to eight years to become a dentist. While there’s no fast track, know that once you complete your studies, you should be able to earn a nice salary.

As you’re establishing yourself professionally, it’s a good idea to also create short- and long-term financial goals for yourself. Online tools like a money tracker app can help you keep track of your spending and saving and provide useful insights.

How Much Do Starting Dentists Make?

If you’re considering going through those six to eight years of study, you may want to know, what is a good entry-level salary for a dentist just starting out?

As mentioned before, a new dentist can earn an average of $123,000 to $130,000, which includes bonus and overtime. How much does a dentist make a month? If you break this down, it would come out to $10,400 a month. Keep in mind that if you took out a dental school loan, some of your salary may need to go to paying back what you owe.

💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.

What Is the Average Salary for a Dentist?

After a few years on the job, how much can dentists make a year? The good news is, salaries usually rise as you gain more experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage of a dentist is $179,210 per year. Dentists in the highest 10% earned more than $239,200 a year, while those in the lowest 10% earned less than $84,740.

While most dentists are given a salary, some get paid by the hour instead. The median hourly rate of dentists is $86.16.

Recommended: Is $100,000 a Good Salary?

What Is the Average Dentist Salary by State?

Wondering how a dentist’s income stacks up against the highest-paying jobs in your state? Check out this chart of average dentist salaries by state.

Dentist Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

Curious about how much a general dentist makes a year? The answer varies depending on several factors, including their experience, area of specialty, where they work, and whether they run their own practice.

But if you’re wondering what trade makes the most money, dentistry is up there. And there’s certainly job security. As long as people have teeth (or need to use them), there will be jobs for dentists!

Recommended: What Are the Pros and Cons of Raising Minimum Wage?

Pros and Cons of Being a Dentist

You might be excited at the prospect of making good money as a dentist, but it’s a smart move to weigh potential benefits and drawbacks of the profession. Here are ones to consider:

Pros:

•  Competitive pay

•  Job stability

•  Can help people have good oral health

•  Potential for a good work-life balance

•  Ability to be able to run your own practice

Cons:

•  Typically takes eight years of schooling for to become a dentist — four years of undergraduate school and four for dental school

•  May have a sizable student loan to pay off after graduation

•  May need to be on call for dental emergencies

•  Work often requires making precise movements on a small scale, which can be physically taxing over time

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

The Takeaway

Dentistry can be a rewarding career, but you’ll need to be prepared for the hard work and high costs it requires. It takes most people eight years of schooling to be a dentist, and a typical dental school graduate owes $296,500 in student loan debt.

While that amount of debt can be overwhelming, keep in mind that dentists often command a high salary and typically enjoy job stability. If you’re passionate about helping patients — and are looking for a stable, flexible, well-paying job — dentistry may be the right fit for you.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is the highest-paying dentist job?

The top 10% of general dentists earn more than $239,200 per year. The highest-paying dentist jobs are typically in oral and maxillofacial surgery, where professionals perform complex surgical procedures on the face, mouth, and jaw. These specialists often earn the most due to their advanced training, expertise, and the complexity of the procedures they perform compared to general dentistry.

Do dentists make $100K a year?

Yes, many dentists, even ones just starting out, can earn $100,000 or more a year.

How much do dentists make starting out?

Dentists who have just completed dental school can earn a median salary of $179,210 per year, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure includes bonuses and overtime pay.

Photo credit: iStock/Prostock-Studio

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-015

Being a veterinarian doesn’t just give you an opportunity to work with animals all day — you could also earn good money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a vet is $125,510.

However, the profession requires a doctor of veterinary medicine degree, which generally takes four years to complete. Is it worth the extra education to become a veterinarian? Let’s find out.

What Are Veterinarians?

Veterinarians are medically licensed doctors whose patients are animals. Just like a doctor for humans, vets ensure their patients are healthy by diagnosing issues, treating injuries, and administering vaccinations.

Some veterinarians only work with certain animals, such as horses, or have specialties like immunology, anesthesia, or dentistry.

It typically takes eight years to become a veterinarian, including four years of undergraduate education and four years of veterinary school.

Recommended: What Trade Makes the Most Money?

How Much Do Starting Veterinarians Make?

The entry-level salary for a veterinarian is less than those with many years of experience. According to the BLS, veterinarians in the lowest 10% earned less than $70,350, whereas those in the highest 10% earned over $212,890.

Starting salaries will vary, too, based on location and whether or not the practice is private or corporate. Corporate salaries tend to start higher, but the potential to earn more may be larger when working for a private practice. Some practices may also offer a sign-on bonus.

💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.

What Is the Average Salary for a Veterinarian?

The average hourly rate for a veterinarian is $60.34, though with 10 years or more of experience, that amount could surpass $100 per hour.

Now, how much does a vet make a year? Depending on a host of factors, a vet could earn anywhere from $70,350 on the lower end to $212,890 or more on the higher end.

Recommended: What Is Competitive Pay?

What Is the Average Veterinarian Salary by State for 2024?

Interested in the highest-paying jobs by state so you can see what salaries are like where you live? Here are the state-by-state mean wages for vets.

Veterinarian Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

The amount you actually get paid as a veterinarian will depend on several factors. For instance, you probably won’t make as much money when you’re fresh out of veterinary school as you would after working in the field for a decade or more. And as the chart above shows, the state where you decide to live will also influence how much you earn.

Other factors that can play a role include whether you choose to work for a corporate practice or private practice, whether you manage staff, and whether you pursue a specialty field.

No matter what your take-home pay is, online tools like a money tracker app can help you create budgets and keep tabs on your finances.

Pros and Cons of Being a Veterinarian

Before you sign up for veterinary school, let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a vet.

Pros

If you love animals, few jobs will put you in as close contact with them as being a vet. On any given day, you could see dogs, cats, snakes, turtles, rabbits, and even horses!

And if you’re looking to make good money, being a veterinarian is a great option. Even starting out, vets could potentially draw a $100,000 salary.

The veterinary industry is stable, which can be appealing if you’re considering opening your own practice. And unlike other medical professions, veterinarians usually keep standard office hours.

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Cons

The profession has a few drawbacks to consider. For instance, you may be required to perform emergency services after hours.

Once you finish your undergraduate degree, you’ll also need to complete veterinary school before you can start working. A typical program takes around four years to complete, so you may need to earmark a portion of your salary to pay back medical school student loans.

And like most jobs in the medical field, being a veterinarian can be emotionally taxing. After all, you’ll be responsible for putting fatally wounded or older animals to sleep, and that can be difficult.

Recommended: 30 Low-Stress Jobs for Introverts

The Takeaway

The mean annual salary for veterinarians in the U.S. is approximately $125,510, but this figure can vary widely depending on location, experience, and specialization. While urban areas and specialized fields tend to offer higher pay, the overall job outlook for veterinarians remains positive.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What is the highest paying veterinarian job?

On the high end, veterinarians can make $212,890 or more per year.

Do veterinarians make over 100K a year?

Yes, many veterinarians earn over $100,000 per year, but that varies depending on their experience, where they live, and their responsibilities.

How much do veterinarians make starting out?

Just starting out, veterinarians may make on the low end of the pay scale. The bottom 10% of veterinarians make $70,350 per year, but this can increase with experience.

Photo credit: iStock/Viktor Cvetkovic

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

SORL-Q425-014

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries from health care to finance, and investors are increasingly investing in AI stocks as a way to capture that growth. AI stocks represent companies that are building or leveraging AI technology, including using cutting-edge algorithms, creating large language models or other generative AI, designing advanced chips, or applying AI to transform traditional business processes like manufacturing.

In this 2025 AI guide, we’ll spotlight some promising AI investment opportunities, helping you navigate a rapidly changing market, which can also be volatile and risky. To keep pace with new developments, this guide is updated quarterly, to help ensure you always have the latest insights at your fingertips.

What Are AI Stocks and Why Invest in Them?

The term “AI stocks” generally refers to stocks and companies that are investing in the AI space. This could be companies that are using generative AI, or companies that are building the infrastructure that helps support the growth of this sector.

There are many ways to seek returns while stock trading, but one of the most common is identifying successful and potentially profitable companies that are relatively undervalued.

One reason to invest in AI stocks is the same way that you might be investing in technology stocks in general. There is no denying that the demand for artificial intelligence has exploded over the past several years. Investing in the companies that are driving the AI boom may yield returns. But investors should also be prepared for some volatility in this space, owing to the rapid pace of innovation and steep competition.

It’s notable that in August of 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the formation of a new AI-focused task force, to enable the regulatory body to enhance its own efficiency and ability to regulate markets increasingly inclusive of AI technology.^[1]

Top AI Stocks by Market Cap (2025)

Here is a look at some of the top AI stocks by market capitalization, as of October 2025, along with 1-year returns.

Source: Yahoo Finance, as of October 1, 2025.

Nvidia (NVDA)

•  Overview: Data centers, driverless cars, and generative AI applications are all powered by Nvidia’s GPUs and AI accelerators. Many people consider these to be the foundation of the AI hardware ecosystem.

•  Why it’s a top stock: The company has secured a dominant market position in training huge AI models due to the growing demand for its AI processors. It is positioned as a major facilitator of AI adoption in 2025 due to its robust revenue growth and alliances with cloud industry leaders.

•  Risks: Due to its high value, Nvidia has little margin for mistake, and its market share may be eroded by growing competition from AMD, Intel, and hyperscalers producing custom chips.

Microsoft (MSFT)

•  Overview: Microsoft is one of the largest companies in the world, and it’s now integrating AI into its Office, Azure, and GitHub Copilot software.

•  Why it’s a top stock: Microsoft has partnered with OpenAI to make its Azure computing platform into a central hub for generative AI. It is considered an AI leader due to its size and scale.

•  Risks: Microsoft has a history of attracting antitrust and regulatory scrutiny, which could affect returns. Owing to its size, it may be less nimble than competitors.

Alphabet (GOOGL)

•  Overview: Alphabet is the parent of Google, one of the leading companies for search, cloud services, and AI research. Its DeepMind research lab is an industry leader.

•  Why it’s a top stock: Google’s Gemini AI model is one of the more popular generative AI platforms. Due to its large data advantage and experience in AI, it has the potential to be a top AI stock.

•  Risks: Alphabet has faced regulatory and antitrust action from governments. Also, the cost of remaining competitive (e.g., talent acquisition, operations) could exert downward pressure on the company’s bottom line.

AMD (AMD)

•  Overview: AMD develops CPUs and GPUs used in gaming, PCs, and increasingly in AI data centers.

•  Why it’s a top stock: Its MI300 chips are designed to compete with Nvidia for a slice of the artificial intelligence market. A track record of innovation also suggests AMD is well-placed for solid future performance. In addition, a Q4 deal to sell billions in GPUs to OpenAI has moved AMD into Nvidia’s space.^[2]

•  Risks: Nonetheless, Nvidia is an entrenched competitor in this market, making it risky to bet on AMD as the challenger in CPU and GPU development.

Broadcom (AVGO)

•  Overview: Broadcom is a semiconductor and infrastructure software company providing chips used in networking, broadband, and AI data centers.

•  Why it’s a top stock: Broadcom produces chips that support high-bandwidth connectivity, and its components are an essential part of industry infrastructure. Its strategic purchase of VMware provides additional income and profit. In addition, its Q3 revenue, and forecasts for the coming year, topped expectations.^[3]

•  Risks: Currently, Broadcom is considered overvalued, and there has been some top level insider selling that may indicate a lack of confidence.

Palantir (PLTR)

•  Overview: Palantir provides big data analytics platforms, widely used by governments and enterprises to manage and analyze data.

•  Why it’s a top stock: Palantir focuses on using large language models for enterprise rather than those targeted to individual consumers. This allows for a profit base through government contracts and through working with large businesses.

•  Risks: Palantir has an outsized reliance on government contracts, which exposes it to political and budgetary risks. It’s also one of the most expensive stocks in the S&P 500, as of October 8, 2025, and analysts are questioning its valuation.

Amazon (AMZN)

•  Overview: In addition to dominating global e-commerce, Amazon also operates Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leader in cloud computing and AI infrastructure.

•  Why it’s a top stock: AWS offers AI tools and chips, which make it a key platform for developers and enterprises deploying AI. Amazon has also innovated in using AI for areas like in logistics, retail, and Alexa.

•  Risks: Because it is such a large company, it can be difficult to achieve the same percentage of growth as smaller companies.

Meta Platforms (META)

•   Overview: Meta operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Reality Labs, using AI for content recommendations, ads, and virtual reality.

•   Why it’s a top stock: It has open-sourced its Llama LLM model and is investing heavily in AI infrastructure. If it is able to continue its strong user growth and AI-driven monetization, it could pave the way for higher profits.

•   Risks: Meta has invested a huge amount in both AI and the metaverse. This could bring down profits if it is not able to capitalize on its large investment.

ServiceNow (NOW)

•   Overview: ServiceNow delivers cloud-based workflow automation solutions for enterprise operations, enhanced by AI. It’s also expanding into the CRM area.

•   Why it’s a top stock: ServiceNow uses generative AI in its platform to help its customers be more productive. Most of its customers are on a subscription model, which provides a baseline amount of revenue.

•   Risks: ServiceNow is considered one of the top providers in enterprise software solutions, but it’s dependent on IT budgets. Also, with part of its customer base in the federal government, the company could face headwinds there.

Snowflake (SNOW)

•   Overview: Snowflake provides cloud-native data warehousing and analytics to allow companies to process massive datasets.

•   Why it’s a top stock: Snowflake Data Cloud is increasingly using its AI model training and deployment to help drive enterprise adoption.

•   Risks: The stock’s current valuation is relatively expensive relative to company earnings, which could signal that its upcoming growth may not match previous returns.

AI Stocks to Watch

In addition to the top AI stocks mentioned above, there are a few other potential up-and-coming companies to keep in mind.

•   Astera Labs (ALAB) helps meet demand for high-speed connectivity in AI data centers.

•   Arista Networks (ANET) has become a critical supplier of networking gear that keeps massive AI clusters running smoothly.

•   SoundHound AI (SOUN) is carving out a niche in voice-driven AI.

Since these are smaller or emerging companies, they may offer returns but also come with increased risk and volatility.

How to Invest in AI Stocks

There are a couple of different ways that you might consider investing in AI stocks.

Direct Stock Purchases

One of the simplest ways to invest in AI stocks is to use a self-directed brokerage account to make direct stock purchases of companies that focus on artificial intelligence. This could include companies that make the GPU, XPU, and TPU chips that power AI data centers, as well as companies that are using generative AI to help grow their business, or other companies in the space.

Many companies that work with AI are public companies, which means that you can purchase shares of their stock with a brokerage account.

Recommended: Understanding ETFs

AI ETFs

An AI exchange-traded fund (ETF) focuses on investing in companies using artificial intelligence.

There are AI ETFs that are more general, investing in a combination of innovators and artificial intelligence providers, such as the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ).

There are also ETFs that take a more narrow focus, such as the Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (CHAT), that focuses only on companies using generative AI.

Regularly putting money into an AI ETF can be a way to increase automated investing in your portfolio.

How to Evaluate AI Companies

If you’re interested in thematic investing such as investing primarily in AI companies, you’ll want to make sure that you can accurately evaluate these companies.

One way to evaluate a company is to look at its fundamentals. This includes its top-line revenue, growth prospects, profit margins, competitors in the space, and debt levels.

You might also compare its P/E ratio (calculated by dividing the current market price of its stock by its earnings per share (EPS) to the P/E ratios of similar companies. That can be an indicator as to whether the stock price is currently under- or over-valued.

Understanding a company’s fundamentals can help you assess its potential upside and risks, and whether it’s a good fit with your risk tolerance.

Recommended: Risk Tolerance Explained

Common Risks of Investing in AI Stocks

Some of the risks that come with investing in AI stocks are the same risks that come with investing in any stocks. One of the most common maxims in stock investing is that past results do not guarantee future performance. So even if you find an AI stock or ETF that has performed well, it may not be a good choice going forward.

Because many AI stocks are also emerging companies without a long track record, they may come with higher risks than some other companies.

One of the biggest risks of investing in AI stocks, though, is the rapidly evolving state of AI technology right now — with numerous competitors here and abroad, and an astounding pace of innovation.

Building an AI-Focused Portfolio

If you have done your research and decided that you want to build an AI-focused portfolio, you have a number of options to get started. By and large, the process of selecting AI stocks is similar to selecting any investment: It requires research and due diligence to find the right fit with your financial goals.

It may also be possible to choose a robo advisor that includes AI stocks. A robo advisor is a type of automated portfolio that can help investors select a portfolio that matches their goals and financial needs. These portfolios typically include a range of low-cost securities such as ETFs; it’s important to do your due diligence to verify the types of investments included.

Learn more: What Is a Robo-Advisor?

However you choose to proceed, you may also want to consult a financial professional, owing to the range of options and the potential risks involved.

The Takeaway

AI is being integrated into multiple facets of our society at a breakneck pace, with new companies and new products emerging every day. If you want to capture some of the potential growth that comes from this sector, consider dedicating a portion of your overall investment portfolio into AI stocks, bearing in mind the potential risk exposure.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

FAQ

What exactly are AI stocks?

The term “AI stocks” generally refers to stocks of companies that focus on areas like large language models (LLM), robotics, self-driving vehicles, or using AI to improve manufacturing processes. This means that there are many stocks that could be considered AI stocks, especially because AI technology is being integrated into many other sectors.

What are the main risks of investing in AI stocks?

The biggest risks of investing in AI stocks are that companies that focus on AI are often highly volatile, subject to competition and market disruptions. Unlike investing in AI ETFs, which include the stocks of many companies, investing in AI stocks ties your investment directly to the performance of a single company, which may increase risk exposure.

How can I identify the best AI companies for me to invest in?

There isn’t a single best AI company to invest in. Instead, the right AI companies to invest in will vary for every investor. That’s because each investor has a different risk tolerance and different things that are important to them. One way to identify AI companies to invest in is to look at the fundamentals of various AI companies, including revenue growth, profitability, and debt levels.

How much of my portfolio should be in AI stocks?

Deciding on your overall portfolio composition will depend on many individual factors, such as your risk tolerance and investment goals. AI stocks are generally thought to have a higher risk-reward ratio than other individual stocks, so you may want to keep the percentage of AI stocks in your portfolio low, unless you have a very high risk tolerance.

Should I buy individual AI stocks or an AI ETF?

Whether you should focus on AI stocks as compared to investing in an AI ETF depends on your overall investment goals and risk tolerance. You will generally have less volatility in an AI ETF, since your risk is spread out among many different stocks.

How do I stay updated on AI stock trends?

You can stay updated on AI stock trends in the same way that you might stay updated on trends for any company. You can follow news outlets, earnings releases, and industry reports. You can also follow analysts or set up alerts on companies you’re interested in through your brokerage app or another financial news service.

Recommended: How AI Investing Trends Are Shaping the Future

About the author

Dan Miller

Dan Miller is a freelance writer who has spent over ten years covering developments in the finance space. His expertise extends to all things personal finance, including student loans, budgeting, credit cards, and mortgages. Read full bio.

Photo credit: iStock/Liubomyr Vorona