What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With a Bachelor’s Degree?

With the cost of living constantly increasing, it’s no surprise that many prospective college students are looking to earn as much as they can after graduation – right away and over the entire course of their careers.

To maximize your earning potential, you need to know what jobs requiring bachelor’s degrees are most in demand and understand what majors or degree programs can help you prepare for those roles. You should also consider the entry-level salaries for professionals with bachelor’s degrees in each field. Some offer high salaries right away, while others may only pay highly at more senior levels. 

There’s a lot to think about, and that can make choosing a degree program confusing. That’s why Franklin University’s experts have rounded up their insights on landing a well-paying job with a bachelor’s degree. 

How Much Can You Make with a Bachelor’s Degree? 

Potential earnings with a bachelor’s degree can range wildly – but on average, a professional with a bachelor’s degree will make significantly more than one without education past high school. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that bachelor’s degree holders over the age of 25 who were working full-time took home a median salary of $1,432 each week, while full-time workers over 25 with a high school degree and no college earned a median salary of $853 a week. 

When exploring potential salaries, it’s important to remember that most available data for specific jobs or industries use averages or medians, and many factors can impact the salary you ultimately receive. These include:

• Years of experience: Typically, salaries go up with experience. Even experience in a different field may boost your pay if you have relevant skills, such as management. 
• Location: Salaries in areas with higher living costs, like major cities, are usually higher than pay rates in more rural or less costly areas. 
• Certifications: Some fields, like accounting and certain technical roles, pay a premium for candidates who hold industry certifications recognizing specific qualifications.
• Size of organization: Companies that are larger and more well-established (or that are very well-funded) can often pay higher rates than smaller companies or startups. 

Don’t forget that current data reflects a specific moment in time. When you’re considering which career path to pursue, it’s always wise to look at projections related to how demand for any specific role will change over time. Look for roles that are projected to have plenty of positions open for the foreseeable future – that also means that high demand should continue to drive salary growth. 
 

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What Bachelor’s Degrees are In Demand?

If you’re exploring whether college can help you advance your career, it’s essential to understand what degrees are in demand right now and whether that demand is expected to last long-term.

According to Dr. Kody Kuehnl, dean of Franklin University’s College of Arts, Sciences and Technology and director of STEM programs, the degrees today’s employers want most fall into a few key categories. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Fields related to technology and science have been growing for decades, with no signs of slowing down.

“Jobs in computer science, all types of engineering, cybersecurity, mathematics, data science, data analytics and statistics will always be in demand and will pay well,” said Kuehnl.

Bachelor’s degree programs that can help you prepare for these jobs include:

• Computer science
• Cybersecurity
• Information technology
• Data science/analytics
• Statistics
• Engineering
• Mathematics

Business and Finance

Every industry needs professionals with expertise in business fundamentals like finance and leadership.

“Bachelor’s degrees in business administration, finance, accounting and economics can lead to well-paying careers, especially in areas such as investment banking, consulting, financial management and corporate finance,” said Kuehnl. “These fields often offer opportunities for career advancement and high earning potential.” 

Business support positions, like those related to marketing, HR, project management and more can also be highly lucrative.

Bachelor’s degree programs that can help you prepare for these jobs include:

• Business administration
• Accounting
• Economics
• Human resources management
• Communications
• Information systems 
• Applied management
• Supply chain and operations management
• Financial planning

Healthcare

No matter how the economy changes in the future, people will always need healthcare, which means that qualified professionals have plenty of employment options. 

“COVID exacerbated the already high demand for healthcare industry professionals,” said Kuehnl. “In particular, degrees in nursing, pharmaceutical sciences, health administration, biomedical engineering, and more offer access to well-paying fields.” 

There are also many roles in healthcare outside of patient care, such as healthcare management, that offer additional well-paid opportunities.

Bachelor’s degree programs that can help you prepare for these jobs include:

• Nursing
• Healthcare management
• Healthcare information management
• Biomedical engineering

What Jobs Pay the Most with a Bachelor’s Degree?

Currently, some of the roles that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies as both high-paying and demonstrating above-average job growth include the following. All salary and job growth data in this section was sourced from the BLS. 

Financial and investment analysts

Financial and investment analysts help businesses and financial institutions manage and grow their money. They typically hold a bachelor’s in a field like business. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $95,570 per year 
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 9%

Biomedical engineers

Biomedical engineers combine biology and engineering knowledge to work on the equipment, computer systems and tools used in healthcare. Typically, they need a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering or a related field. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $97,410 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 28%

Data scientists

Data scientists help organizations collect and analyze data to make better decisions. Typically, they need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a related field. 

• Median salary in 2021: $100,910 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 36%

Medical and health services managers

Medical and health services managers coordinate and oversee the activities of healthcare practices, clinics and hospitals. They often hold degrees in healthcare subjects or in business. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $101,340 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 28%

Information security analysts

Information security analysts work to protect companies, organizations and governments from cyberattacks and other threats. Usually, a degree in computer science or a related field is required to enter this field. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $102,600 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 35%

Chemical engineers

Chemical engineers work to create and refine products ranging from food to industrial components. They generally need a degree in chemical engineering or chemistry. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $105,550 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 14%

Actuaries 

Actuaries help companies (often in the insurance industry) assess financial risk and make better decisions. Typically, actuaries hold an accounting degree.

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $105,900 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 21%

Software developers

Software developers design and build a wide range of computer applications and programs. Most software developers have a degree in computer science. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $109,020 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 25%

Marketing managers

Marketing managers plan and implement advertising and communications efforts to help organizations build their reputations and win over customers. They may hold a degree in marketing, business, communications or a related field. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $133,380 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 10%

Computer and information systems managers

Computer and information systems managers oversee an organization’s digital tools and programs. Typically, they hold a bachelor’s in computer science or a related field. 

• Median advertised salary in 2021: $159,010 per year
• Projected 2021-2031 job growth: 16%
   

Start Your Journey to a Highly Paid Career

Earning a bachelor’s degree can help you significantly boost your earning prospects – and Franklin can help you get there faster.

With flexible program schedules and a generous credit transfer program, Franklin makes it easy to start or return to your bachelor’s degree, even when you have other personal and professional responsibilities. You’ll learn online while benefiting from a close-knit community of like-minded students and getting the support you need from expert faculty. 

Franklin offers over 30 bachelor’s degree programs, all of which focus on key career skills to prepare you for a fulfilling and financially rewarding career. 

Find the degree program that’s right for you. 

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