20 Highest-Paying Bachelor’s Degree Jobs
Not all bachelor's degrees are equal when it comes to salary expectation and job outlook.
![[Video thumbnail] High paying degrees](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4Y7sYRXWRuRPE8sxtjHvk9/7554b3f2822fada3f54031b7b45a2460/High_Paying_Degrees_-_Thumbnail__1_.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=750&h=450&q=60)
Earning your bachelor’s degree tends to lead to higher salaries and lower unemployment rates than high school graduates experience, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. However, some bachelor’s degrees can lead to more high-paying jobs than others, either at the outset of your career or by the midpoint of it.
For example, the most popular majors, which include business, health professions, engineering, and biomedical sciences, all tend to lead to high-paying jobs after graduation [2]. But liberal arts majors typically achieve a comparable salary by the mid-point of their career. In other words, they may make less to start, but will eventually earn as much as their STEM counterparts thanks to the transferable nature of their skill set, according to New York Times [3].
In this article, we’ll go over 14 high-paying jobs that require less than five years of experience, and the six high-paying management tracks you can typically explore after gaining at least five years of experience.
14 high-paying jobs with less than five years of experience
We’ve compiled a list of 14 jobs that span majors and tend to pay above-average salaries [4]. It’s worth noting, however, that entry-level jobs all have different requirements. The jobs listed below require a bachelor’s degree and little to no experience, according to BLS, though you may find that different companies have different expectations when it comes to minimum experience. The type of salary you can earn for each of the jobs listed below, which we’ve collected from both BLS and Glassdoor, will also likely depend on your experience, the seniority of the job title, and where you live.
Translator
The increasingly global nature of business requires working with companies, clients, and customers in different languages. Translators work in numerous industries, communicating information and ideas from one language to another. As such, they must be fluent in at least two languages.
Typical majors: Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic
Median annual salary: $57,090
Job outlook: 4 percent
Human resources specialist
Companies require talent in order to be successful, and human resources teams identify new talent and ensure their continued success. Human resource specialists may recruit talent, onboard and situate new hires in their roles, or oversee compensation packages. They often need to understand aspects of human behavior and effective communication.
Typical majors: Human resources management, psychology, sociology, communication studies
Median annual salary: $67,650
Job outlook: 6 percent
professional certificate
HRCI Human Resource Associate
Launch your career in Human Resources. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills for a career as an Human Resource Associate. No degree or prior experience needed. Coursera's 2024 Learners First Award Winner.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 5 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Training development, Employee Relations, Recruitment, Compliance strategy, Performance Management, Total rewards, Benefit types, Compensation strategy, Pay systems, Employee Engagement, Business Continuity, Learning Models, Training Needs, Learning Delivery Methods, Effective Training, Risk Management, Safety Compliance, Legal Compliance, Compliance Implementation, interviewing, Employee Onboarding, Job Analysis
Actuary
Businesses need to understand risk to evaluate and make the best decisions. Actuaries typically work for insurance companies, applying their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and finance to assess risk and guide businesses to minimize it. They need to have strong math skills and a keen understanding of business.
Typical majors: Mathematics, statistics, actuarial science
Median annual salary: $120,000
Job outlook: 23 percent
UX writer (content designer)
Companies must have a web presence—and even an app—to connect with customers and stay competitive. UX writers, sometimes called content designers, research users’ needs and think about the best language to help them navigate a website or product. They typically need to be strong researchers and writers, with some design knowledge.
Typical majors: English, communication studies
Average annual salary: $80,050
Job outlook: 7 percent
professional certificate
Google UX Design
Get on the fast track to a career in UX design. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Design Reviews, Storyboarding, Figma (Design Software), Wireframing, Usability Testing, User Story, User Research, UI/UX Research, User Experience Design, Persona (User Experience), Mockups, Design Research, Ideation, Information Architecture, Responsive Web Design, Design Thinking, User Centered Design, Prototyping, User Experience Design (UXD), Prototype, UX Research, User Experience (UX), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Usability, Wireframe, Sprint Planning, Typography, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, mockup, Color Theory, Design Elements And Principles, Figma, User Interface (UI) Design, Interviewing Skills, Personally Identifiable Information, Presentations, Information Privacy, Research Methodologies, Web Design, UI/UX Strategy, Persona Development, Human Centered Design, Competitive Analysis, Data Ethics, User Flows, Mobile Development, UX design jobs, Web Applications, Business Planning, Professional Development, Artificial Intelligence, Cross Platform Development, Communication
Graphic designer
Companies require visuals for many different aspects of their business, including their marketing, branding, and products. Graphic designers produce digital and print visuals, such as logos, images, or interfaces. The work requires a combination of creativity and technical design skills.
Typical majors: Graphic design, programming, marketing, fine arts, art history, creative studies
Median annual salary: $58,910
Job outlook: 3 percent
specialization
Graphic Design
Make Compelling Design. Learn and apply the principles of graphic design towards a comprehensive branding project.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 2 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Interactive Design, Typography, Computer Graphics, Art History, Graph Theory, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Branding Communication, Creativity, Communication, Design and Product, Computer Graphic Techniques, Adobe Indesign, Art, Graphics, Graphic Arts, History, Adobe Illustrator, Design Theory, Color Theory, Adobe Photoshop
Web designer
Web designers also balance creativity with technical know-how when creating engaging web pages. They can work in a number of different industries, and they typically need to know a programming language, such as Python, JavaScript, or CSS, alongside basic design principles.
Typical majors: Web design and development, computer science, computer programming
Median annual salary: $92,750
Job outlook: 16 percent
professional certificate
IBM Full Stack Software Developer
Prepare for a career as a full stack developer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM.
4.6
Beginner level
Average time: 5 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Generative AI, Databases, Model View Controller, Back-End Applications, Object Relational Mapping (ORM), Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Relational Databases, Full-Stack Web Development, Application Development, Authentications, SQL, Database Design, Django (Web Framework), Database Management, Back-End Web Development, Cloud Applications, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Authorization (Computing), Object-Relational Mapping, Relational Database (RDBMS), Application Deployment, Interactive Design, Scripting, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Web Applications, HTML and CSS, Web Design, Web Design and Development, JavaScript, Command-Line Interface, Kubernetes, Cloud-Native Computing, Virtualization, Openshift, CI/CD, Cloud Platforms, Istio, Scalability, Cloud Native, Microservices, Docker, Containerization, DevOps, Docker (Software), Containers, Serverless Computing, Web Application, Full Stack Development, Software Design, Cloud Development, Software Architecture, User Accounts, Node.Js, Restful API, Emerging Technologies, Cloud Services, Cloud Security, IBM Cloud, Cloud Computing Architecture, Iaas PaaS Saas, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Devops, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Cloud Storage, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, Hybrid Multicloud, Web Scraping, Data Analysis, Computer Programming, Data Manipulation, Data Processing, Programming Principles, Numpy, Data Import/Export, Data Collection, Pandas, Automation, Jupyter, Pandas (Python Package), Data Science, Data Structures, Application Programming Interface (API), Python Programming, Coding Challenge, Algorithms, GitHub, Interviewing Skills, Career, Software Development, Professional Networking, interview Preparation, Full Stack Developer, Problem Solving, LinkedIn, Professional Development, Engineering Software, Software Engineering, Software Engineer, Web Development Tools, Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS), Cloning and forking, open source, Github, Version Control, Open Source Technology, Git (Version Control System), Git (Software), Scrum (Software Development), Integrated Development Environments, Unified Modeling Language, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Development Environment, Software Development Life Cycle, Agile and Scrum, Agile Methodology, React (Web Framework), React Redux, User Interface (UI), UI Components, User Interface, Event-Driven Programming, React.js, Front-end Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Web Servers, Server Side, Server-side JavaScript, express, Javascript, Node.JS, Computer Science, Package and Software Management, JSON, back-end development, OpenShift, Style Guides, Natural Language Processing, Unit Testing, Artificial Intelligence, Application development, Flask (Web Framework), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Flask, API Gateway, serverless, Representational State Transfer (REST), Data Ethics, Software Testing, Prototyping, AI prompts, OpenAI, Code generation, Debugging, DevSecOps, ChatGPT
Financial analyst
Financial analysts review data in order to help guide a business’ financial decisions. They often look at a company’s financial information in light of business news and market trends to yield useful insights about expenditures, profits, and more. They may also compile written reports and support budget efforts as well.
Typical majors: Business, finance, statistics, economics
Median annual salary: $99,890
Job outlook: 8 percent
specialization
Data Analysis and Visualization Foundations
Get ahead w/ Data Analysis & Visualization skills. Enhance your career by learning to analyze data using Excel spreadsheets, and create stunning visualizations and interactive dashboards with Cognos.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Data Analysis, IBM Cognos Analytics, Data Visualization, Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Pivot Charts, cognos analytics, Data Structure, Databases, Data Management, Data Science, Spreadsheet, Python Programming, SQL, Spreadsheet Software, Pivot Table
Social media manager
Social media helps attract customers, build engagement with a company’s brand, and highlight new products or services. Social media managers often set content strategies, which can include text, visuals, and video. They typically need to have a knack for creativity alongside the job’s technical requirements, such as monitoring engagement and tracking analytics.
Typical majors: Marketing, communications, English, journalism, audio & video production
Average annual salary: $56,770
Job outlook: 10 percent
professional certificate
Meta Social Media Marketing
Launch your career as a Social Media Marketer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from Meta 5 months or less. No degree or prior experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 5 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Digital Marketing, Performance Advertising, Generative AI in Social Media Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Brand Management, Marketing, Social Media Marketing Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Advertising, Communication, Social Media, Campaign Management, Research and Design, Ad Management, Sales, Meta Ads Manager, Meta advertising, Leadership and Management, content management, Planning, Content Development, Strategy and Operations, Marketing Content Development, Creativity, Marketing Strategy, Ads Manager, Digital Analytics, Marketing Optimization, Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, General Statistics, Business Analysis
Civil engineer
Civil engineers focus on building and improving infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, railroads, and other such resources. “Civil engineer” can be a large term that describes a few different specialties, and many civil engineer graduates concentrate on an area of civil engineering, such as stormwater management or transportation, based on their interests.
Typical majors: Civil engineering, environmental engineering, construction engineering
Median annual salary: $95,890
Job outlook: 5 percent
Software developer
Software developers apply their knowledge of computer science to developing new programs and updating existing ones. The role typically requires knowing a programming language and being aware of basic design elements in order to write code and effectively design and develop useful software tools.
Typical majors: Software engineering, computer science, information technology (IT)
Median annual salary: $130,160
Job outlook: 25 percent
Market research analyst
When a company has a product or service it wants to launch, market research analysts spend time understanding the market, competitors, and other elements that will help a company’s offerings succeed. They often need to understand data collection processes as well as data analyses in order to conduct useful research and guide a business’s marketing decisions.
Typical majors: Marketing, communications, business, psychology, sociology
Median annual salary: $74,680
Job outlook: 13 percent
professional certificate
Meta Marketing Analytics
Launch Your Career in Marketing Analytics. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from Meta in 7 months or less. No degree or prior experience required.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 7 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Performance marketing, Data Analysis, Generative AI in Marketing Analytics, Statistics for Marketing, Marketing Mix Optimization, Advertising Effectiveness Evaluation, Marketing, Research and Design, Experiment, Marketing Mix Modeling, Marketing Plan, Regression, Probability & Statistics, Linear Regression, Business Analysis, Market Research, Advertising, Pandas, Data Visualization, Python Programming, Spreadsheet, Tableau Software, SQL, Data Management, Marketing Science, Social Media Marketing, Ads Manager, Facebook Advertising, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistical Analysis, Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Communication, A/B Testing, Meta advertising, Brand Management
Mechanical engineer
Mechanical engineers research, design, and develop mechanical devices and systems, as well as machines and tools. They often have to build and test their designs to ensure proper working order. As with civil engineers, “mechanical engineer” is a large term that can be applied to work in a number of different industries, such as robotics, health care, energy, and defense.
Typical majors: Mechanical engineering
Median annual salary: $99,510
Job outlook: 10 percent
Information security analyst
With the vast amount of personal information being traded across network systems, information security analysts play a vital role in making sure a company’s information, as well as its customers’, remains safe from bad actors. They often establish best security practices for a company’s needs, in addition to monitoring information systems, detecting issues, and working quickly to troubleshoot.
Typical majors: Information technology (IT), computer science, engineering
Median annual salary: $120,360
Job outlook: 32 percent
professional certificate
IBM Cybersecurity Analyst
Launch your career as a cybersecurity analyst . Build job-ready skills for an in-demand role in the field, no degree or prior experience required.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Cybersecurity Compliance, Database Queries, Security Management, Malware Protection, Digital Forensics, Cyber Attacks, Network Security, Email Security, Threat Detection, Vulnerability Management, Computer Security Incident Management, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Incident Response, Threat Modeling, Security Awareness, Vulnerability Assessments, Penetration Testing, Cybersecurity Case Study Analysis, Threat Management, Human Factors (Security), Multi-Factor Authentication, Cybersecurity Threats, Identity and Access Management, Authentications, Security Controls, Cybersecurity Controls, Authorization (Computing), Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Physical Threats and Controls, Risk Management, Cyber Security Policies, Compliance Management, Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards, Auditing, IT Service Management, Regulatory Compliance, Cybersecurity Framework, NIST 800-53, Cyber Governance, Business Ethics, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Laws and Regulations, Information Technology Infrastructure Library, Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Cybersecurity Standards, Governance Risk Management and Compliance, Cyber Risk, ISO/IEC 27001, Command-Line Interface, Cloud Security, Virtualization, User (Computing), Windows Servers, File Systems, Operating Systems, Directory and File Management, Systems Administration, Mac OS, Linux, Windows, MacOS, Linux Servers, User Accounts, Firewall, Virtual Machines, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Cloud Computing, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Security Testing, Certification exam practice, CompTIA CySA, Cyber Security Assessment, CompTIA Security+, Network Architecture, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Scanning, Cryptography, Cyber Threat Hunting, Penetration Test, Encryption, Application Security, Code Review, Natural Language Processing, Generative AI, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Incident management, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Anomaly Detection, Incident Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Hardening, Data Security, Information Systems Security, Computer Security Awareness Training, Information Security (INFOSEC), Browser Compatibility, Cyberattacks, Digital Evidence Handling, Data Integrity, Cybersecurity Incident Management, Security Analysis and Reporting, Resume, Business Research, Interviewing Skills, Professional Networking, Branding, Applicant Tracking Systems, LinkedIn, Market Research, Presentations, Cybersecurity Careers, job interviews, Talent Recruitment, Recruitment, Writing, Compensation Strategy, Negotiation, Company, Product, and Service Knowledge, Portfolio Management, Communication, Social Media, Job Search Strategies, Endpoint Security, Cyber Security Strategy, Secure Coding, Digital Network Architecture, Data Governance, Intrusion Detection Systems, Network Routing, Endpoint Detection and Response, Wireless Networks, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), General Networking, Local Area Networks, Computer Networking, TCP/IP, Network Protocols, Network Configuration, Data Loss Prevention, Firewall Configuration, Network Analysis, Networking Hardware, Network Planning And Design, Databases, Database Security, Database injection vulnerabilities, Relational Databases, NoSQL, SQL, Password policies, Database Management, User profiles, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Stored Procedure, Database auditing models, Technical Support and Services, Information Technology, CompTIA Certifications, ISC2 certifications
Network engineer
Network engineers work directly with a company’s computer network to plan, implement, and monitor its operations. Thanks to the prevalence of network systems, network engineers can apply their skills to a number of different industries. They also typically know a programming language, are familiar with cloud computing, and have experience in network security.
Typical majors: Information technology (IT), computer science, engineering
Median annual salary: $95,360
Job outlook: 2 percent
Learn more: 12 Jobs in High Demand
professional certificate
Google IT Support
Get on the fast track to a career in IT. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Network Security, Wireless Security, Cryptography, Cybersecurity, Backup, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Directory Service, Critical Thinking, Network Model, Ipv4, Computer Architecture, Domain Name System (DNS), Troubleshooting, Problem Solving, Accounting, Computer Networking, Cloud Computing, Network Architecture, Linux, Binary Code, Communication, Customer Support, Command-Line Interface, Linux File Systems, Powershell
6 high-paying jobs with five or more years of experience
The more experience you acquire, the more you may qualify for managerial roles—many of which boast a high salary.
| Job title | Median US salary | Job growth rate |
|---|---|---|
| Human resources manager | $136,350 | 5% |
| Sales manager | $135,160 | 4% |
| Financial manager | $156,100 | 16% |
| Marketing manager | $156,580 | 6% |
| Engineering manager | $165,370 | 4% |
| Computer and information systems manager | $169,510 | 15% |
Start earning your degree today
Earn your bachelor’s degree in lucrative areas like business administration, marketing, and computer science from the University of London on Coursera. Or explore degrees in general business and applied arts and science from the University of North Texas. Each program takes place entirely online, so you can learn at your own pace from anywhere with internet access.
If you’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree, consider strengthening your skill set and experience with a Professional Certificate in project management, UX design, social media management, or data analysis. These skills are in high demand and programs are designed to help get you job ready.
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Article sources
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Education Pays, https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm.” Accessed April 23, 2024.
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