The guide introduces the 50 highest-paying careers that only require a bachelor's degree. We include the best bachelor's degree for each career path, as well as average salary information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Show
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's Degree?A bachelor's degree prepares graduates for entry-level jobs in fields like business, engineering, and technology. Graduates with a bachelor's degree can also apply to graduate programs for additional training and opportunities. During a bachelor's degree, undergraduates take general education and major coursework, gaining critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. Students can improve their competitiveness in the job market by completing internships, which offer valuable networking opportunities. Featured Online CollegesWhat Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor's Degree?Diverse fields like business, technology, and engineering rank among the highest-paying for graduates with a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree meets the minimum education requirement for lucrative roles such as marketing manager, aerospace engineer, and computer network architect. Bachelor's degree graduates can also work as actuaries, software developers, or physical scientists, earning over $100,000 per year, on average. The following list ranks the 50 highest-paid jobs for graduates with a bachelor's degree. We pulled job titles and salary information from the 2018 median annual salary information published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Natural sciences managers oversee the work of scientists in organizations. They may manage chemists, physicists, or biologists,
depending on the field. Natural science managers direct research and development activities, including testing, quality control, and production, and establish and implement administrative policies and standards. They also work with executives to develop goals, create project budgets, and evaluate scientists and technicians. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $123,860 Purchasing managers oversee an organization's products and services purchases. They create procurement policies, manage buyers and purchasing agents, and enforce ethical guidelines to avoid conflicts of interest. They also evaluate and coordinate with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage an organization's most complex procurement tasks. Most purchasing managers bring several years of
experience as a buyer or purchasing agent to this bachelor's degree job. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $118,940 Aerospace engineers design aircraft, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft. They create prototypes to test designs and coordinate the manufacturing of aircraft and aerospace products. Aerospace engineers also review proposals and evaluate designs to ensure they meet environmental regulations. When aerospace products malfunction, aerospace engineers identify the problem and possible solutions. Aerospace engineer
ranks as one of the highest-paying careers for graduates with a bachelor's degree. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $115,220 Nuclear engineers may work for a variety of industries, designing nuclear energy and radiation processes, instruments, and systems. They identify industrial and medical uses for radioactive materials, including medical equipment and power sources. They also research and test methods of using nuclear material. In nuclear power plants, nuclear engineers create
operational instructions and direct maintenance activities. These engineers monitor nuclear facilities to identify safety violations and examine nuclear accidents to design preventative measures. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $107,600 Managers in every industry oversee an organization's staff. They set
long-term goals for their division and determine how to meet those goals. Managers also evaluate staff performance, create procedures to increase efficiency, and design strategic plans for their division based on analysis. Managers can work in diverse fields, like government, education, healthcare, and technology. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $107,480 Chemical engineers solve problems involving the production of chemicals, fuel, food, and other products. Drawing on chemical principles, they design processes and equipment to manufacture and test
products. They also develop manufacturing processes and plan the layout of manufacturing equipment. During the production process, chemical engineers conduct tests and monitor equipment performance. They also ensure compliance with government safety and environmental regulations. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $104,910 Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to assess the financial
costs of risks and help businesses design policies that minimize those costs. They compile statistical data and estimate the likely economic cost of events such as a natural disaster, accident, or illness. They also design and test insurance policies and test investments and pension plans to minimize risk and maximize profits. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $102,880 Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment and systems for industrial, medical, commercial, and scientific uses. They analyze customer needs and plan electronic equipment to meet
those needs. Electronics engineers may conduct research and design equipment for fields like aviation, computing, manufacturing, and transportation. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $102,700 Sales engineers sell scientific and technological products and services to businesses. As engineers, they bring knowledge of products' functions and services, including the
scientific processes behind the products. They conduct technical presentations to explain a product or service, assess customer equipment needs, and work with sales teams to offer sales support. Sales engineers also recommend upgrades to customers. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $101,420 Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, oversee medical and health services. They may plan and direct clinical departments, medical practices, or healthcare facilities. They set goals and objectives to improve the quality of healthcare services and recruit and supervise staff members. Medical
and health services managers rank among the highest-paid bachelor's degree jobs in healthcare. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $99,730 Engineers use science and math to solve real-world problems. They collect data, design new products, and identify uses for materials. Engineers can specialize in many areas, including aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, and computer hardware engineering. In these fields, engineers apply mathematical and
scientific principles to design and test products. An engineering degree ranks among the highest-paying bachelor's degrees. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $96,980 Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, such as navigation systems, communication systems, electric
motors, and power generation equipment. After conducting research, electrical engineers create manufacturing and construction standards based on that research. They also design new methods for using electrical power and improving current electrical equipment. Additionally, electrical engineers evaluate electrical equipment problems and develop solutions. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $96,640 Atmospheric and space scientists investigate and interpret atmospheric data. They collect data from meteorological stations, satellites, and radars to create weather forecasts. Atmospheric and space scientists also investigate atmospheric phenomena and conduct investigations after a weather event. These professionals include forecasters and meteorologists who present weather
information for public use. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $94,110 Construction managers plan and oversee construction projects from the earliest phases to completion. Before beginning construction, they review plans to prepare cost estimates and create budgets.
During construction, they oversee workers and report progress to clients. Also known as general contractors, construction managers work with architects, engineers, and subcontractors to build a project. They must comply with building and safety codes and address any work delays or problems. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $93,370 Marine engineers and naval architects design and build ships, including military vessels like aircraft carriers and submarines. They create ship layouts and schematics, conduct performance tests on equipment, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. Marine engineers design a ship's internal systems, including electrical and propulsion systems, while naval architects create
stable and safe hulls to design ships. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $92,560 Materials
engineers test the materials used in products like computer chips, aircraft, and medical devices. They develop products, create new materials, and plan and oversee projects. During a project, they supervise technologists and technicians while monitoring the production process. If a product fails, materials engineers determine the cause of the failure and identify solutions. They also monitor the performance of materials and evaluate their deterioration. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $92,390 Mining and geological engineers design mines and ensure mines meet safety standards while efficiently removing manufacturing minerals, like coal and precious metals. Mining and geological engineers also supervise mine construction, devise methods to transport minerals, and prepare technical reports for miners. During mining operations, they monitor production and measure the effectiveness of the
operation. Mining and geological engineers also develop solutions to problems like sustainability and pollution. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $92,250 Computer occupations include web administrators, database architects,
business intelligence analysts, and video game designers. In these fields, professionals apply technical training to manage websites, analyze data, and oversee information technology projects. Video game designers, for example, create and test video games, while web administrators perform testing and quality assurance for websites. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $90,270 Biomedical engineers design and create computer systems and software in healthcare. They also create medical equipment and devices like artificial internal organs and machines that diagnose medical conditions. After designing biomedical equipment, biomedical engineers test, maintain, and repair that
equipment. They also train healthcare professionals on the use of biomedical equipment and provide technical support. Many biomedical engineers conduct research and present their findings in research papers and presentations. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $88,550
Mechanical engineers research and develop mechanical and thermal devices, including engines, machines, and tools. They begin by analyzing a problem that mechanical engineering methods can solve before designing a device or subsystem to improve it. After creating a prototype, mechanical engineers conduct tests and analyze the results to modify the design. When equipment fails, mechanical engineers conduct an investigation and recommend solutions. Mechanical engineers also oversee
mechanical and thermal device manufacturing processes. Alternate Job Titles Recommended Degrees Personal Characteristics Amount: $87,370 What is a Bachelor's Degree?A bachelor's degree is a four-year degree that trains undergraduates in a specific area of study. In addition to major coursework, bachelor's degree students complete general education courses that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In some majors, students complete an internship to build professional skills. Most colleges and universities also let students choose electives to customize the degree around their interests and career goals. Undergraduates typically need 120 credits to earn their bachelor's degree, which takes around four years of full-time study to complete. Students can earn a bachelor's degree in fields like business, arts and sciences, engineering, or education. Majors in business administration, marketing, and accounting rank as some of the highest-paying degrees. Engineering and tech degrees also offer high average salaries. Related ArticlesWhat's the highest paying job with a bachelor degree?Highest Paying Jobs With a Bachelor's Degree. What is the easiest degree with highest pay?8 Easy Degrees That Pay Well. Business Administration. Business administration is one major that is usually considered “easy.” Some programs will also only take 3 years to finish! ... . English. ... . Human Resources. ... . Criminal Justice. ... . Marketing. ... . Supply Chain Management. ... . Psychology. ... . Communication.. What is the easiest job with a bachelor's degree?Easiest Jobs to Get With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher. Computer and Information Systems Manager: $90K to $208K+ ... . Software Developer: $65K to $170K+ ... . Health Services Manager: $60K to $196K+ ... . Business or Operations Manager: $46K to $208K+ ... . Accountant: $45K to $129K+ ... . Personal Financial Advisor: $44K to $208K+. |