While the cost of getting a higher education has been continually rising over the years, there are studies that show it still pays to go to college and obtain a bachelor’s degree. With that in mind, in this article, we’ll go through the top 10 highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree. We’ll also include a description and brief explanation for each of the jobs presented below.
10. Natural Sciences Manager
Starting off our list of the highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree is the position of natural sciences manager. For those with an interest in scientific fields like Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Oceanography, and Agricultural Science, the job outlook for natural science managers is at a promising 10 percent growth rate from 2016 to 2026. Also, the position offers higher salaries, greater control over certain types of projects, and better access to resources.
What does a Natural Sciences Manager do: Natural sciences managers oversee teams of scientists from various disciplines. Moreover, they supervise research and development activities, while also coordinating other activities such as production, testing, and quality control. You can also check out the marine biologist job position.
What annual salary a Natural Sciences Manager has: The median annual salary for a natural sciences manager stands at $118,970 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
9. Compensation and Benefits Manager
This job is a good fit for those with a bachelor’s degree in business, management, finance, or financial accounting. Employment for compensation and benefits managers is projected to grow by 5% until 2026, as many firms and organization will continue seeking to reduce their compensation and benefits costs. They’ll need a benefits manager’s knowledge in choosing, implementing, and updating their benefits policies.
What does a Compensation and Benefits Manager do: A compensation and benefits manager is responsible for planning and developing. As well as overseeing programs to determine how much a firm or organization pays its employees. Compensation managers will also need to analyze compensation policies and design competitive compensation packages.
What annual salary a Compensation and Benefits Manager has: The salary for this professional stands at $119,120 per year. You can also look at the HR job description.
8. Sales Manager
Next on our highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree list is another business managerial position. An effective sales team is crucial for profitability; therefore organizations will continue to need sales managers in their pursuit of generating new sales. Sales managers are expected to see a 7 percent growth in their employment from 2016 to 2026, dependent on the growth or decline of the industries in which they’re employed.
What does a Sales Manager do: A sales manager directs an organization’s sales activities. Their duties include training the organization’s sales representatives and directing its sales teams. As well as setting sales goals, analyzing sales data, and reporting on sales performances. This professional usually starts out from an entry-level position of a sales associate and then work their way up the ladder.
What annual salary a Sales Manager has: The sales manager makes around $121,060 every year.
7. Financial Manager
Financial managers continue the streak of business managerial positions with positive employment growth outlook. The need for financial managers is expected to increase with 19% by 2026 due to companies that have been accumulating more cash on their balance sheet in recent years. Moreover, financial managers with enough experience can advance to become chief financial officers, executives responsible for the accuracy of their organization’s financial reporting.
What does a Financial Manager do: Financial managers have the responsibility of overseeing an organization’s financial health. Meanwhile, they also create financial reports, direct the organization’s investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for its long-term financial goals. For a similar position, you can also have a look a the financial analyst job position.
What annual salary Financial Manager has: $125,080 (May 2017)
6. Marketing Manager
Last in the streak of business managerial positions among our highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree is the marketing manager job. The overall employment of marketing managers is expected to grow 10 percent between 2016 and 2026, thanks to organizations’ continued reliance on marketing campaigns in their bid to maintain and expand their market share.
What does a Marketing Manager do: Marketing managers handle an organization’s marketing operations. They also perform duties like identifying potential customers, planning and directing advertising and promotions programs, and managing marketing teams.
What annual salary a Marketing Manager has: The person with the marketing manager job can make as much as $132,230 each year.
5. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineer is a small occupation, but one that will see a projected employment growth rate of 15 percent through 2026. Moreover, higher oil prices can lead oil and gas companies to expand their production operations, increasing demand for petroleum engineers to support their mining activities.
What does a Petroleum Engineer do: A petroleum engineer researches, designs, and develops methods of extracting oil from beneath the Earth’s surface, as well as finds new methods to extract oil and gas from existing wells. Also, they tend to work with oil and gas companies in their offices or on drill sites. There they plan extraction projects and oversee teams and operations.
What annual salary a Petroleum Engineer has: A petroleum engineer wins about $132,280 every year.
4. Architectural and Engineering Manager
For detail-oriented and analytical individuals in architecture and engineering, employment of architectural and engineering managers is expected to grow 6 percent through 2026. Though that percent varies depending on the growth of the industry in which the manager works. For example, employment of architectural and engineering managers in the engineering services industry is going to grow 13 percent. Demand will continue as America’s aging infrastructure continues to need repair and expansion.
What does an Architectural and Engineering Manager do: An architectural and engineering manager plans, directs, and coordinates activities in architectural and engineering companies. The venture into this career can start off from being a simple architectural intern and then continue wtih climbing up the ladder.
What annual salary an Architectural and Engineering Manager has: $137,720 (May 2017)
3. Computer and Information Systems Manager
Employment of computer and information systems managers has been projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026. Demand for these managers will only grow as companies seek to expand their digital presence. This professional typically starts his career as a lower-level manager in the IT department. But can gradually advance from an IT director or project manager to chief technology officer or chief information officer.
What does a Computer and Information Systems Manager do: Computer and information systems managers take care of the technological need of their organization by planning, coordinating, and directing its computer-related activities. Also, that includes helping the organization determine its technological goals and implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
What annual salary a Computer and Information Systems Manager has: The median yearly salary for this professional stays at $139,220.
2. Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer
Perhaps the most adventurous among the highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree is the job of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. These professionals must have quick reaction times, problem-solving skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Civilian pilots often begin as flight instructors and advance to commercial airline pilots only after accumulating enough flight hours through training sessions. While commercial pilots can advance their pay by flying corporate planes.
What does an Airline Pilot, Copilot, and Flight Engineer do: Each of these roles works to ensure that commercial airplanes and flights run smoothly and safely. Airline pilots operate and navigate the plane, while copilots and flight engineers engage in supporting roles.
What annual salary an Airline Pilot, Copilot, and Flight Engineer has: The salary for this professional stands at $161,280 per year.
1. Chief Executive
Taking the top spot among the highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree is the chief executive. Employment growth varies widely by industry, but chief executives are essential to the successful operation of any company or organization. Chief executives usually began as lower-level general managers who gradually worked their way up within their organization. Obtaining certificates and attending executive training and development programs can help with that advancement.
What does a Chief Executive do: Chief executives occupy multiple key administrative roles within an organization. It is their duty to ensure that their organization meets its goals. They do this by creating and executing business strategies, as well as planning and directing business activities.
What annual salary a Chief Executive has: A CEO makes a median salary of $183,270 per year.
Conclusion
Finally, as this list of the highest paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree has demonstrated, there are very lucrative job opportunities out there available to college graduates. Do any of the entries surprise you or peak your interest? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section