There are numerous bachelor’s degree jobs and a bachelor’s degree can provide access to a wide range of well-paying employment. Furthermore, you can considerably increase your earning potential as you gain experience in your field of work and keep acquiring knowledge, for example through certificates.
In this post, we outline some high-paying careers you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree, along with each position’s significant responsibilities and projected job outlook between 2021 and 2031 from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What advantages come with a best-paying job?
There are numerous advantages for both you and your household when you have a six-figure job. It might not only lessen any financial pressures, but it may also make you feel more at ease. The advantages of six-figure employment are as follows:
- Luxurious lifestyle: You can enjoy the more luxurious aspects of life, like a more luxurious home or car, with a six-figure income. In essence, receiving this kind of salary enables you to support a significantly higher level of living and a range of luxuries.
- Reduced debt: If you have a six-figure income, you might not need to be as concerned about debt. Your large income makes it possible for you to settle your debt more quickly and with less difficulty.
- Financial stability: Compared to someone who makes a five-figure income, for example, someone who makes a six-figure salary can save more money. You may feel more at ease about your finances as a result of this.
High-paying bachelor’s degree jobs
You can be prepared for a variety of bachelor’s degree jobs. Bachelor’s degree jobs that pay above $70,000 annually and call for a bachelor’s degree include the ones listed below:
1. A nuclear engineer
National average yearly salary: $80,686
Primary responsibilities: Research, design, operation, and monitoring are the main responsibilities of nuclear engineers. They work in offices, labs, power plants, and testing facilities. They might use tools for study, nuclear power, medical care, or emergency services. Nuclear engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs can be found in a variety of sectors due to the widespread demand for them.
Nuclear engineers could expect an 11% reduction in job openings over the next ten years, but BLS still anticipates 700 bachelor’s degree jobs annually on average.
2. Project manager
National average yearly salary: $77,327
Primary responsibilities: In many different businesses, project managers plan, budget, and carry out projects. They guarantee that projects are completed on time, under budget, and with motivated team members. Project managers with bachelor’s degree jobs can be found in practically every business, and they are frequently experts in their field.
A 7% growth in job vacancies for project management experts and related occupations over the next ten years is anticipated, with a total of 70,400 open positions. However, the BLS doesn’t track detailed job outlook statistics for project leaders.
3. Chemical engineer
National average yearly salary: $81,153
Primary responsibilities: Chemical engineers design, test, and operate machinery and systems for refining and mixing raw ingredients to produce valuable products. Although they can operate with any kind of molecule, they work primarily with food and medications. The typical employers of chemical engineers are research facilities, governmental organizations, food producers, and pharmaceutical firms.
Chemical engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs should see a 14% increase in job vacancies over the next ten years, or around 2,000 new positions annually.
4. Petroleum engineer
National average yearly salary: $81,048
Primary responsibilities: Petroleum engineers’ main responsibilities are to decide how to best extract natural gas and oil from the soil. They develop the techniques and tools needed for extracting petroleum as well as collect and evaluate data to determine the cleanest and most economical ways to drill. Petroleum engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs frequently work for oil firms, investigative agencies, and governmental organizations.
Petroleum engineers should see an increase in employment of 8% over the next ten years, or around 1,700 new positions annually.
5. Architect
Nationwide average yearly salary: $83,350
Primary responsibilities: Building design is one of an architect’s main responsibilities. They ascertain the requirements of their clients before drafting, designing, and supervising the construction of their projects. Architects with bachelor’s degree jobs could perform their duties on structures for the government, businesses, or residences.
Architect job vacancies are predicted to expand by 3% over the next decade, or around 9,100 each year on average.
6. A construction manager
National average yearly salary: $82,183
Primary responsibilities: Construction superintendents’ main responsibilities are site management. They are in charge of task supervision, scheduling, and safety compliance. Typically, construction superintendents with bachelor’s degree jobs are employed by private construction companies.
Construction managers could expect an 8% increase in job vacancies over the next ten years, or around 41,500 new positions annually.
7. Statistician
National average yearly salary: $84,663
Primary responsibilities: Statisticians’ main responsibilities are to collect, examine, and display numerical data to spot patterns and make predictions. They are helpful in a variety of fields and divisions, including marketing, human resources, and finance.
Mathematicians and statisticians with bachelor’s degree jobs are predicted to experience a 31% increase in job vacancies over the next ten years or an average of 4,100 openings annually.
8. Aerospace engineer
National average yearly salary: $84,453
Primary responsibilities: Aerospace engineers’ main responsibilities are to develop, manufacture, and test missiles, aircraft, and other systems for national security. They frequently collaborate with engineering businesses, the federal government, and research institutes to address challenging technical challenges using cutting-edge physics and aerodynamics.
There will be an average of 4,000 new aeronautical engineering bachelor’s degree jobs over the next ten years, a 6% increase in job vacancies.
9. Compensation manager
National average yearly salary: $86,662
Primary responsibilities: Payroll systems and pay structures are created and updated by compensation managers. To attract and keep personnel, they must know how to compensate and promote them competitively. Every firm and industry values compensation, thus compensation managers may be found almost anywhere.
Jobs for pay and benefits managers with bachelor’s degree jobs are predicted to increase by 2% over the next ten years, or by around 1,200 jobs annually.
10. A sales engineer
National average yearly salary: $86,002
Primary responsibilities: Sales engineers offer businesses software solutions that upgrade systems, manage installed equipment, and help with product difficulties. They must be aware of how their products function and how to satisfy user demands. To address the needs of their clients and create new solutions, sales engineers with bachelor’s degrees jobs work collaboratively with systems engineers and sales teams.
Sales engineers are predicted to experience a 6% growth in job vacancies over the next ten years or an average of 6,900 openings annually.
11. A database manager
National average yearly salary: $91,037
Primary responsibilities: The main responsibilities of database administrators are to create, organize, and upgrade information databases so that users can quickly obtain the records they require. Database administrators with bachelor’s degrees jobs are required across many businesses and are also in charge of database security.
A 9% increase in job vacancies, or an average of 11,500 per year, is predicted for database administrators during the next ten years.
12. Accounting manager
National average yearly salary: $90,289
Primary responsibilities: Financial managers’ main responsibilities include market analysis, investment advice, financial report submission, and management of the organization’s finances. Just about every industry needs and provides bachelor’s degree jobs for financial managers.
Financial manager job vacancies are predicted to increase by 17% over the next ten years, or by an average of 71,300 jobs per year.
13. Information security analyst
National average yearly salary: $92,774
Primary responsibilities: Information security analysts’ main responsibilities include investigating security lapses, installing and maintaining security software, and looking for vulnerabilities in computer networks. Information security analysts with bachelor’s degree jobs must be informed about computer malware and virus infections because they are frequently consulted regarding system and software upgrades. Information security is crucial for many sectors and government organizations.
Information security analysts should see a 35% increase in job vacancies over the next ten years, or around 19,500 new positions annually.
14. Materials engineer
National average yearly salary: $91,095
Primary responsibilities: To test and create materials that will fit the requirements of new goods, materials engineers deal with a variety of materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics. They take into account manufacturing costs, how rapidly materials deteriorate, and how to raise the caliber of materials. Materials engineers with bachelor’s degrees jobs are employed by a range of businesses, organizations, and governmental bodies.
A 6% increase in job vacancies, or an average of 1,700 new positions annually, is anticipated for materials engineers during the next ten years.
15. Economist
National average yearly salary: $94,278
Primary responsibilities: Economists evaluate historical patterns and product prices to resolve issues and forecast economic developments. They must be extremely proficient in both spoken and written communication as well as data analysis. Several industries provide bachelor’s degree jobs for economists, who frequently publish articles.
According to experts, there will be an average of 1,400 new positions available annually over the next ten years, a 6% increase in job vacancies.
16. Software developer
National average yearly salary: $94,062
Primary responsibilities: Software engineers’ main responsibilities include designing, developing, and testing desktop operating systems as well as application software. They develop specialized applications for their clients using their expertise in computer languages and design ideas. Several businesses and governmental organizations need software engineers and they provide them with bachelor’s degree jobs.
Software engineers, testers, and quality assurance analysts are predicted to experience a 25% increase in job vacancies over the next ten years or an average of 162,900 openings annually.
17. Hardware engineer
National average yearly salary: $97,042
Primary responsibilities: Hardware engineers create, assemble, test, and produce the actual technological hardware. To create appealing technologies, they comprehend how hardware and software interact and pay attention to consumer trends. Hardware engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs work for tech or computer corporations, manufacturers, and governmental organizations in addition to research settings.
There will be an average of 5,300 new positions available for computer hardware engineers within the next ten years, a 5% increase in the number of positions available.
18. Electronics engineer
National average yearly salary: $95,038
Primary responsibilities: Engineers that specialize in electronics develop, test, and create electronic equipment. Microprocessors and analog systems are two examples of this equipment. Electronics engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs operate in a variety of businesses and frequently in labs, factories, and governmental organizations.
Electronics and electrical engineers are predicted to see a 3% increase in job opportunities over the next ten years or an average of 20,100 openings annually.
19. Network Architect
National average yearly salary: $125,658
Primary responsibilities: To match their companies’ long-term technological aspirations with their economical requirements, network architects create network infrastructures. They have a lot of computer science expertise and know how to convert business requirements and objectives into technology systems and instruments. Network architects with bachelor’s degree jobs are employed by almost every sector of business and government.
Bachelor’s degree jobs for computer network architects are predicted to increase by 4% over the next ten years, or by an average of 11,800 jobs annually.
20. Actuary
National average yearly salary: $111,755
Primary responsibilities: Actuaries’ main responsibilities include identifying financial hazards and coming up with strategies for managing them using advanced mathematics, statistics, and computer technology. They frequently work for insurance companies or the U.S. Social Security Administration, analyzing information and patterns to determine cost and benefit calculations.
Actuaries with bachelor’s degree jobs are predicted to have a 21% increase in employment opportunities over the next ten years, or roughly 2,400 new positions annually.
21. Development Manager
National average yearly salary: $101,180
Primary responsibilities: Development directors’ main responsibilities include managing and supervising a business’s fundraising initiatives. Development managers with bachelor’s degree jobs design and carry out strategies to raise cash for their company. Also, development directors cultivate and oversee connections with patrons and donors while working to achieve fundraising objectives.
22. Aviation engineer
National average yearly salary: $102,520
Primary responsibilities: Aeronautical engineers’ main responsibilities are to develop and create propulsion systems and airplanes. Aviation managers with bachelor’s degrees jobs evaluate proposals, test prototypes, and establish the standards for various design methodologies.
23. Sales Engineer
National average yearly salary: $106,147
Primary responsibilities: Selling technological or scientific goods and services is the main responsibility of sales engineers. To provide more information on numerous services and goods, sales engineers with bachelor’s degrees jobs create presentations. Customers’ wants and service demands are also determined by sales engineers.
24. Security engineer
National average yearly salary: $108,320
Primary responsibilities: Security engineers’ main responsibilities include testing security software and keeping an eye out for security holes in a network or system. Security engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs seek out solutions to security problems and make suggestions for security upgrades for a business’s top executives.
25. Assistant director
National average yearly salary: $109,090
Primary responsibilities: Deputy Directors assist the executive director of a corporation in creating and implementing various operational guidelines and administrative plans. Moreover, assistant directors with bachelor’s degree jobs provide project and customer management.
26. Hardware engineer
National average yearly salary: $109,696
Primary responsibilities: Hardware engineers’ main responsibilities are to develop computer hardware. They examine hardware components for flaws, monitor the manufacturing process, and try to improve procedures.
27. Semiconductor engineer
National average yearly salary: $110,253
Primary responsibilities: Electrical and semiconductor-related goods like modules, interfaces, and software are created by semiconductor engineers. Semiconductor engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs recognize any software issues that occur and strive to find a fix.
28. Manager of learning and development
National average yearly salary: $111,869
Primary responsibilities: Managers of learning and development provide training to employees to guarantee their professional advancement. Learning and development managers with bachelor’s degree jobs assist staff members in identifying their abilities and develop growth-oriented plans and training courses for them.
29. Research scientist
National average yearly salary: $113,286
Primary responsibilities: Research scientists conduct laboratory experiments to examine scientific concepts in a range of domains. Also, research scientists with bachelor’s degree jobs write research articles, produce reports, and generally contribute to the expansion of scientific knowledge.
30. Chief executive officer (CEO)
National average yearly salary: $117,018
Primary responsibilities: The CEO’s main responsibility is to decide on corporate matters on behalf of the business. As the top executive of a corporation, they are in charge of all activities and assets. Also, CEOs with bachelor’s degree jobs interact with the public, the authorities, and the firm’s shareholders.
31. Senior mechanical engineer
National average yearly salary: $119,884
Primary responsibilities: Principal responsibilities include designing and constructing a variety of electrical and mechanical systems and devices. Senior mechanical engineers with bachelor’s degree jobs decide on the specifications for a project, establish budgets with clients and management, and guarantee the safety of various pieces of equipment.
32. Chief operating officer
National average yearly salary: $119,979
Primary responsibilities: Chief operating officers are in charge of managing all administrative and operational activities inside an organization. COOs with bachelor’s degree jobs design policies, carry out business activities and supervise executive activity as well as corporate operations.
33. Sales manager
National average yearly salary: $120,093
Primary responsibilities: Sales directors oversee an organization’s sales activities. To improve sales, sales directors with bachelor’s degree jobs produce sales reports, achieve sales targets, calculate the profit margin for each product, and develop new goods and services.
32. Product designer
National average yearly salary: $121,124
Primary responsibilities: Product designers generate consumer product specs, drawings, and a range of useful products. They negotiate contracts and confer with management and customers over the specifications of a product.
33. Financial analysis and planning director
National average yearly salary: $129,436
Primary responsibilities: A manager of financial analysis and planning oversees the financial staff in an organization. They carry out financial analysis and forecasts, as well as make sure the business has efficient fiscal operations. In essence, they assist a company’s financial stability and associated strategies.
34. Senior scientist for research
Nationwide average yearly salary: $133,001
Primary responsibilities: Senior research scientists supervise the progress of a lab or research work. They oversee the creation of new initiatives and prototypes and analyze data as well as research and experimentation.
35. Software architect
Nationwide average yearly salary: $136,865
Primary responsibilities: Software architects develop software systems as well as applications. They establish their specs, engage with customers and stakeholders, produce product specifications, and support the development team as necessary.
36. A manufacturing director
Nationwide average yearly salary: $138,068
Primary responsibilities: A manufacturing director oversees the production processes for a corporation. They hire new employees, search for ways to streamline workflow and assembly procedures and make sure that productions are completed on time and to the highest standards.
37. Executive vice president of communications
Nationwide average yearly salary: $143,835
Primary responsibilities: A vice president of communications develops public relations plans for a business. They direct advertising campaigns, raise brand recognition, and make ensuring the business communicates its brand message to the public consistently.
38. Regional sales manager
Nationwide average yearly salary: $146,308
Primary responsibilities: Regional sales directors are primarily responsible for managing a company’s revenue development plans. They develop regional sales plans, oversee a sales period in a certain region, and aid in growing the clientele of the business.
39. Chief technology officer (CTO)
Nationwide average yearly salary: $152,132
Primary responsibilities: CTO oversees the research and development of a corporation. They determine strategic applications for technology resources and make sure that these resources support the demands of the business.
40. Advertising director
Nationwide average yearly salary: $154,137
Primary responsibilities: Advertising directors are in charge of a firm’s marketing strategy. They manage budgets, track marketing campaigns, and negotiate contracts among other administrative duties that help increase sales.
41. Manager of Strategy
Nationwide average yearly salary: $154,909
Primary responsibilities: A manager of the strategy develops the company’s future objectives and ambitions. Techniques like organizing and investigating, assist the company’s managers in achieving these objectives.
42. Aviation Administration
Nationwide average yearly salary: $79,000
Primary responsibilities: Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation management are prepared with the information and abilities necessary for careers in airline operations and airport management. Aviation law, airport safety, emergency management, and crisis communications are just a few of the classes available to students seeking this degree. Many of these bachelor’s degrees also include flying training for candidates looking to get their pilot’s license.
43. Business Management
Nationwide average yearly salary: $81,489
Primary responsibilities: The essential business principles of marketing, logistics, finance, and human resources are all covered in a business administration bachelor’s degree program. These degrees also provide managerial and organizational behavior modules for students to choose from. Moreover, students have the option of specializing in fields like nonprofit administration, global business, or entrepreneurship.
44. Information Technology (IT)
Nationwide average yearly salary: $67,110
Primary responsibilities: A bachelor’s in information technology, as opposed to a bachelor’s in computer science, is primarily concerned with employing networks and computer programs to accomplish corporate objectives. As a result, this degree frequently incorporates classes in information security and IT administration that allows students to identify technological solutions to a variety of organizational problems.
Graduates with IT degrees may find employment as computer network database administrators, architects, or system administrators after they have earned their degrees.
Reasons to Choose a Bachelor’s Degree
When selecting a bachelor’s degree, students frequently take a variety of variables into account. It’s alright to select a bachelor’s degree that suits your interests and passions, but it may also be wise to look at bachelor’s degrees that are more financially sensible.
Given the escalating costs of higher education, it wouldn’t hurt to choose a bachelor’s degree that would relieve you of your student loan debt sooner and give you better financial security.
Conclusion
The majority of the bachelor’s degree jobs on the list above are the highest-paying positions open to holders of bachelor’s degrees. Job security is a key benefit of having a bachelor’s degree. Irrespective of the median salary, taking a career path that will deliver constant bachelor’s degree jobs and possibilities is a sure road. If you are interested in a long-lasting career, you should look for a rising industry because the employment opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders are mostly dependent on the expansion (or contraction) of particular industries.
Frequently Asked Questions about bachelor’s degree jobs
- Which bachelor’s degree offers the best salary?
Bachelor’s degrees in business, social science, and STEM fields pay the greatest salaries.
- What graduates make the most money?
The highest beginning earnings are found in computer science and electrical engineering. Studying for a career as a physician assistant is a close second. Engineers in welding complete the list.
- Which course offers higher employment prospects?
The most popular courses worldwide, are bachelor of engineering and bachelor of technology (BE/B.Tech).
Elizabeth is a seasoned content writer with multiple years of experience writing on different topics under the general terms of scholarship, academics, business management, and human resource management and development.
She has a degree in Mass Communication and other relevant certifications.