Bachelor's Degree Jobs With $100K+ Salaries
Some bachelor's degree jobs offer a high return.
It's common knowledge that earning a graduate degree can lead to a high-salary job. But in some fields, a bachelor's credential is sufficient to put workers on a path to six-figure earnings. Such a high level of compensation may not be immediate. In many cases, workers will need to get some years of experience under their belt before they can advance to higher-salary positions. Employers may also look for candidates who hold professional certifications, so studying doesn't completely cease after college graduation. The following careers, listed in alphabetical order, are a few occupations where a bachelor's degree can lead to a job with an annual salary upward of $100,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the statistics bureau indicates that a bachelor's degree is usually adequate for these fields, some employers may prefer or require candidates to have a graduate degree.
Actuary
Actuaries are responsible for assessing and minimizing financial risk. They often work in the insurance industry. Actuaries need to pass a series of exams to earn professional certification. The median salary for this occupation was $108,350 in 2019, per the most recent data from the BLS. The number of actuary jobs is predicted to grow 20% from 2018 to 2028, according to the BLS, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Advertising, promotions and marketing managers
Advertising managers work to boost interest in a product or service by developing effective ad campaigns. Promotions managers aim to increase a company's sales by managing projects that combine advertising with some sort of purchasing incentive, like a coupon or sample. The median salary for these types of positions in 2019 was $135,900, according to the BLS, which also predicts that the number of jobs for advertising, promotions and marketing managers will increase by 8% from 2018 to 2028.
Aerospace engineer
Engineers working in the aerospace field design aircraft, missiles, satellites and spacecraft. In 2019, aerospace engineers' median pay was $116,500, per BLS data. The number of aerospace engineer jobs is expected to grow 2% from 2018 to 2028, according to the BLS. This is below the average 5% employment growth for all occupations.
Architectural and engineering managers
These managers oversee plans and activities in architectural and engineering companies. Their work can be done in offices, research laboratories or industrial production plants. Requiring at least a bachelor's degree and work experience as an architect or engineer, these jobs netted a median annual salary of $144,830 in 2019. Employment in the field is projected to grow 3% from 2018 to 2028, per the BLS.
Chemical engineer
Chemical engineers design and are involved in other aspects of manufacturing processes that involve chemicals, fuel, drugs, food and other types of products. In 2019, chemical engineers took home a median salary of $108,770, according to BLS data. This occupation's growth outlook from 2018 to 2028 is 6%, according to the BLS.
Compensation and benefits managers
Compensation and benefits managers develop an organization's salary and benefits structures. Some managers focus on both compensation and benefits, while others specialize in one field or the other. Workers in this profession earned a median salary of $122,270 in 2019, according to BLS data. The BLS predicts 3% employment growth from 2018 to 2028 for compensation and benefits managers.
Computer hardware engineer
Computer hardware engineers are responsible for designing and testing computer systems and their various components. The median annual salary for workers in this field was $117,220 in 2019, per BLS data. The number of computer hardware engineer jobs is expected to grow by 6% from 2018 to 2028, according to the BLS.
Computer network architect
Computer network architects design, build and maintain data communication networks, such as cloud infrastructures and intranets. Workers in this profession earned a median salary of $112,690 in 2019, according to the BLS. The statistics bureau predicts the number of computer network architect jobs will grow 5% from 2018 to 2028.
Human resources manager
Human resources managers oversee the administrative functions of a business. Among other duties, workers in this role often help manage a company's recruitment, interview and hiring processes. In 2019, human resources managers took home a median salary of $116,720, according to the BLS. The number of jobs for HR managers is predicted to grow 7% from 2018 to 2028, per BLS data.
Sales manager
Sales managers direct the distribution of a company's products to its customers. This can involve assigning sales territories, setting sales goals and creating training programs for sales representatives, among other responsibilities. According to the BLS, the median salary for sales managers in 2019 was $126,640. The projected growth rate for this position is 5% from 2018 to 2028, per BLS data.
Get advice about paying for college.
Explore the paying for college section to learn about ways to finance an undergraduate program. And follow U.S. News on Facebook or Twitter to join the conversation and stay informed about the latest education-related tips and advice.
Jobs that pay $100K+ and only require a bachelor's
-- Actuary: $108,350
-- Advertising, promotions and marketing managers: $135,900
-- Aerospace engineer: $116,500
-- Architectural and engineering managers: $144,830
-- Chemical engineer: $108,770
-- Compensation and benefits managers: $122,270
-- Computer hardware engineer: $117,220
-- Computer network architect: $112,690
-- Human resources manager: $116,720
-- Sales manager: $126,640
