Highest Paying Jobs with Bachelor's Degree
Data-driven ranking based on Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, salary data, and industry trends.
A bachelor's degree remains a powerful credential for high-earning careers. These occupations offer median salaries ranging from $99,000 to $162,000, with many showing exceptional growth rates driven by technology and business transformation.
Top Rankings
The following occupations represent the highest-paying careers accessible with a bachelor's degree, based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Engineering, technology, and finance dominate this list, reflecting strong market demand for specialized analytical and technical skills.
Petroleum Engineer
Design methods to extract oil and gas from underground reservoirs. Develop drilling plans and optimize production techniques. One of the highest-paying bachelor's degree fields, though growth is limited by industry volatility and energy transition.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components. Work on processors, circuit boards, memory devices, and networking equipment. Requires strong engineering and problem-solving skills.
Aerospace Engineer
Design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. Develop new aviation and defense technologies. Strong opportunities in commercial space industry alongside traditional aerospace and defense contractors.
Software Developer
Design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. Create solutions for businesses or consumers across all industries. Exceptional growth and remote opportunities make this a top career choice.
Chemical Engineer
Apply chemistry and engineering principles to develop processes for manufacturing chemicals, fuel, food, and pharmaceuticals. Optimize production efficiency and safety. Growing demand in sustainable manufacturing.
Nuclear Engineer
Research and develop processes for nuclear energy and radiation. Design nuclear power plants, medical equipment, and waste disposal systems. Stable but slow-growing field with high barriers to entry.
Sales Engineer
Sell complex scientific and technological products to businesses. Combine technical knowledge with sales skills to explain and demonstrate products. Commission potential increases earning beyond base salary.
Actuary
Analyze financial costs of risk and uncertainty using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory. Work primarily in insurance and finance. Requires passing rigorous professional exams but offers excellent growth and remote work.
Information Security Analyst
Plan and carry out security measures to protect organization's computer networks and systems. One of the fastest-growing occupations due to increasing cyber threats. High demand across all industries.
Data Scientist
Use analytical tools to extract meaningful insights from data. Apply statistical and machine learning techniques to solve business problems. Explosive growth as organizations become more data-driven.
Financial Manager
Direct financial activities including investment decisions, financial reporting, and developing strategies. Typically requires several years of experience in finance or accounting. Highest median pay on this list.
Mechanical Engineer
Design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices. Work across industries from automotive to robotics. Versatile degree with broad applications and solid compensation.
Industrial Engineer
Optimize complex processes and systems to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. Apply engineering principles to manufacturing, healthcare, and business operations. Growing demand for process optimization.
Civil Engineer
Plan, design, and oversee construction of infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, dams, and buildings. Essential for maintaining and expanding public infrastructure. Stable career with consistent demand.
Methodology
This ranking prioritizes median annual salary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). All listed occupations typically require a bachelor's degree as the minimum entry-level education. Growth projections cover 2024-2034 from BLS Employment Projections.
Note that some positions (like Financial Manager) may technically require work experience in addition to the degree, but the bachelor's degree remains the educational foundation.
Key Insights
- Engineering dominates: 8 of 14 positions are engineering roles, showing the enduring value of STEM education
- Tech is booming: Software development (15%), information security (33%), and data science (36%) show explosive growth
- Highest growth: Data scientists (36%), information security analysts (33%), and actuaries (18%) lead job creation
- Remote-friendly: Software, data science, information security, and actuarial roles often offer remote work
- Wide range: Median salaries span from $99K to $162K, with specialization and location driving variation
Emerging Trends
- Cybersecurity boom: With 33% growth, information security analysts are in critical demand as cyber threats escalate
- AI and data: Data science roles are expanding rapidly as businesses embrace analytics and machine learning
- Sustainable engineering: Chemical and industrial engineers increasingly focus on green manufacturing and renewable energy
- Traditional engineering stable: Civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering continue with steady 6-10% growth
- Energy transition: Petroleum engineering faces headwinds while renewable energy creates new opportunities
How to Choose the Right Career
- Match your interests: Engineering requires strong math/physics; tech roles need logical thinking and creativity
- Consider work environment: Office-based, fieldwork, lab work, or remote—preferences matter for long-term satisfaction
- Evaluate growth vs. pay: Petroleum engineering pays more but grows slower than software development
- Plan for advancement: Many careers benefit from master's degrees or professional certifications later
- Gain experience early: Internships, co-ops, and projects are critical for competitive entry-level positions
Data Source
All data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Employment Projections, and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Data reflects May 2024 estimates and 2024-2034 projections. Salaries represent median annual wages.