25 Well-Paying Careers That Require a College Degree

Updated March 10, 2023

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Jobs that require a college degree exist in several industries and offer a wide spectrum of roles. While some roles may require an associate's degree, most prefer a bachelor's or master's. We have compiled a list of jobs from different industries that offer competitive salaries and a range of experiences.

In this article, we explain each role and sort the jobs by salary according to the data recorded from Indeed Salaries data. For the most up-to-date salary information, click on the salary link by any job title listed in this article.

Health care jobs that require a medical degree

The health care field is one that comes with a lot of responsibility and offers a wide scope of knowledge and areas of focus. Here are five jobs that range widely across the health care field and require a degree.

1. Medical services manager

National average salary: $55,489 per year

Primary duties: A medical services manager, sometimes called a hospital administrator, is responsible for a wide range of medical and health services such as overseeing staff or setting department goals. They may oversee specific departments and health care facilities such as nursing homes. Managers supervise staff and set goals for improvements to health care and health care services.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in health administration or bachelor's degree in health management

2. Registered nurse

National average salary: $78,618 per year

Primary duties: Registered nurses oversee individual patient care and conduct preliminary evaluations to determine conditions or evaluate symptoms. They create and enforce nursing plans for staff and oversee the implementation of plans. Registered nurses supervise other medical professionals and work closely with family members and doctors to ensure patients receive safe and correct care.

Educational requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in nursing

3. Physical therapist

National average salary: $82,574 per year

Primary duties: Physical therapists assist patients with recovery after surgery or because of injury. They help to restore mobility, prevent future injuries and work closely with patients to develop and follow through on treatment plans.

Educational requirements: Doctorate of physical therapy (D.P.T.)

4. Speech pathologist

National average salary: $91,238 per year

Primary duties: Speech pathologists aid patients who are recovering from stroke or other illness that may interfere with speaking or swallowing. Pathologists identify speech disorders and create treatment plans. They may use muscle-building techniques or work with a patient on sounding out words or letters.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in psychology, communication sciences, education, literature or speech pathology

5. Nuclear engineer

National average salary: $93,383 per year

Primary duties: Nuclear engineers work to develop new systems in the treatment of cancer patients, such as proton therapy. Nuclear engineers study the use and properties of radioactive material to determine its ideal uses for development in medicine or treatment.

Educational requirement: Bachelor of Science in nuclear engineering

Education jobs that require a degree

It would make sense that to work in education, a certain amount of education be expected. Here is a list of five jobs in education, from teaching to administration, that require college degrees.

1. School counselor

National average salary: $52,911per year

Primary duties: School counselors work closely with teachers and administrators for the student's overall interest academically and socially. A school counselor may administer personality and aptitude tests to gauge a student's interests. Counselors advise students on academic coursework and collaborate with students to set long and short-term goals.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in education, psychology or liberal arts

2. Teacher

National average salary: $23,362 per year

Primary duties: Teachers work with students and families to support learning and academic growth. They develop lesson plans, create quizzes, tests and essays to help reinforce learning concepts. They also help students set goals and support them as they adapt to expectations. Teachers tend to work closely with students, administrators and families to support student learning and growth.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree related to the subject taught: history, science, etc.

Related: Learn About Being a Teacher

3. English as a second language teacher

National average salary: $55,284 per year

Primary duties: English as second language (ESL) teachers work with those learning English as a second language either in a foreign country or in the United States. They may work in public schools, private language academies or in one on one environments.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in education, English, writing, or teaching English as a foreign language.

4. Education director

National average salary: $59,111 per year

Primary duties: The education director is responsible for all education directives such as hiring teachers and enforcing school policies. Education directors organize the curriculum or teaching methods and follow up on implementation. They may work in public or private schools colleges and universities.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degrees in education or business administration (some positions may require licensing)

Related: Learn About Being a Principal

5. School social worker

National average salary: $59,918 per year

Primary duties: School social workers help students and families with challenges or trauma brought on by abuse, addiction or injury. They assess students and formulate treatment plans or counseling sessions. School counselors advise families and provide support as needed throughout the school year.

Educational requirements: Bachelor of Science in social work

Business jobs that require a degree

Studying business for your degree can be a shrewd move for a career-minded individual. Below are five well-paying jobs in the business sector that require a college degree.

1. Finance manager

National average salary: $61,673 per year

Primary duties: Finance managers are tasked with managing a company's budget to maximize business revenue and reduce its losses. They offer ideas for budget improvements or offer recommendations for cost-saving measures. Finance managers file monthly or quarterly reports and monitor projects for delays or changes to orders.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics or business administration

2. Marketing manager

National average salary: $69,732 per year

Primary duties: Marketing managers prepare marketing plans with specific goals for the company whether it be growth, a new product or a service. They are tasked with carrying out the marketing plan and collaborating with teams to reach milestones or deadlines. Marketing managers file regular reports that explain goals, status and outcomes if appropriate.

Educational requirements: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in marketing or related discipline

3. Sales manager

National average salary: $80,194 per year

Primary duties: Sales managers are responsible for the hiring and training of sales teams. They evaluate customer needs and concerns to develop plans that improve the customer sales experience. Sales managers file reports regularly and keep upper management apprised of sales improvements and goals.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, statistics or marketing

4. Economist

National average salary: $110,441 per year

Primary duties: Economists analyze data to evaluate trends in production or distribution. Economists study historic data to form a future picture from an economic standpoint. They use mathematical models, statistical techniques and software to make forecasts or issue reports on current economic conditions.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in business management, public administration, marketing, real estate, finance or economic development

5. Chief executive officer

National average salary: $113, 816 per year

Primary duties: The chief executive officer (CEO) is responsible for overseeing most aspects of the business from management to budgeting. CEOs oversee marketing, sales and finance and make improvements or adjustments to improve the company. Some CEOs oversee day-to-day operations while others take a broader scope.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's or master's degree in business administration or related field

Building and design jobs that require a degree

This field can include things like engineering and architecture, which typically need a solid educational foundation for success. Building and design offers a wide range of occupations, we list five that require a college degree.

1. Industrial engineer

National average salary: $75,415 per year

Primary duties: Industrial engineers assess machinery and develop methods for efficiency and safety. They test equipment for quality control and contribute to the determination of safety and control standards. Industrial engineers are involved in financial planning for new or existing systems and make recommendations to save cost or labor.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, agricultural engineering, civil engineering, engineering management or information engineering

2. Architectural engineer

National average salary: $77,660 per year

Primary duties: Architectural engineers work with architects and other members of the construction team to meet building requirements or adhere to codes or regulations. They study blueprints and diagrams to create plans for the project. Architectural engineers monitor the building construction process for compliance with safety and code regulations.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in architectural or civil engineering

3. Construction manager

National average salary: $82,115 per year

Primary duties: Construction managers oversee most aspects of a construction project from concept to completion. They work with designers and engineers to establish a plan for the project and ensure safety and building protocols are met. Construction managers meet with clients and work with construction teams to meet requirements and deadlines.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in construction science, construction management, engineering or architecture

4. Electrical engineer

National average salary: $94,949 per year

Primary duties: Electrical engineers are responsible for the electrical systems inside a structure and oversee their design and installation. They study blueprints and schematics to develop a plan for systems and support those systems through regular maintenance checks and the order of repairs.

Educational requirements: Students of electrical engineering typically study under a bachelor's degree approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

5. Mechanical engineer

National average salary: $95,963 per year

Primary duties: Mechanical engineers work with thermal and mechanical devices through design, building and testing of such devices. They design systems to improve current conditions or to find new and innovative ways to apply thermal and mechanical systems. Mechanical engineers may design prototypes and oversee their production and use.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology

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Technology jobs that require a degree

While always shifting in trends, technology is a growing field full of opportunity and room for innovation. Technology jobs range from design to implementation, discover five jobs below that require a college degree.

1. Video game designer

National average salary: $55,655 per year

Primary duties: Video game designers are typically well-versed in how video games work through their own experience. Game designers work to make improvements in games or patch crashes or misdirection. They may excel in areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in game design, computer engineering, or computer science

2. Web developer

National average salary: $76,968 per year

Primary duties: Web developers layout, design and code websites. Developers work with clients, designers and other computer professionals to improve functionality and user experience. They consistently monitor websites and collect user feedback to make improvements or changes.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in web development and design or interactive media design

3. Information technology business analyst

National average salary: $77,864 per year

Primary duties: Information technology business analysts typically work with upper management to determine cost-effective strategies for the implementation of new technologies or the improvement of current systems. IT business analysts relate customer behavior data to decisions about new technology and its impact on the business world and customer relationships.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science, software development or information technology

4. Information technology manager

National average salary: $99,135 per year

Primary duties: Information technology managers oversee IT technicians and administer performance evaluations and suggestions for career advancement. They schedule projects such as upgrades or updates and supervise their implementation.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science or management information systems

5. Software developer

National average salary: $107,868 per year

Primary duties: Software developers assess current systems and make improvements by identifying inconsistencies or malfunctions. They create code for system updates and improvements as well as the creation of training manuals or documents. Software developers work with project managers to ensure systems work as expected and to make changes if needed.

Educational requirements: Bachelor's degree in software engineering or computer science