sql - What is the efficient query to find out Nth highest salary -

i beginner.. know sql queries find out 3rd highest salary or nth highest salary. need efficient query.

these queries know.. please suggest other queries instead of these..

this query not efficient per subject teacher

select * employee emp1 (n-1) = (                select count(distinct(emp2.salary))                employee emp2                emp2.salary > emp1.salary                ); 

and query not efficient

select max(salary)  employee salary not in (select max(salary) employee ); 

any hint?

you try this:

select     *     employee order     salary desc limit n,1 

and performance pov if had index on salary column

update: since mysql tag gone use oracle alternative mentioned mhasan rownum