Highest Paying Jobs in the US with a BA Degree

According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 25 highest-paying jobs that require no more education than a bachelor’s degree.  To see more detailed data,  see here.

25. General and operations manager

Bold Content/flickr

General and operations managers plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public- or private-sector organizations.

Median annual wage (2016): $99, 310

Projected job openings (through 2024): 688, 800

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

24. Materials scientist

 
US Army RDECOM/Flickr

Materials scientists research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass.

Median annual wage (2016): $99, 430

Projected job openings (through 2024): 1, 800

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

23. Sales engineer

Reinhold Matay/Invision/AP

Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.

Median annual wage (2016): $100, 000

Projected job openings (through 2024): 23, 000

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

22. Software applications developer

 
Adam Berry/Getty Images

Software applications developers develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.

Median annual wage (2016): $100, 080

Projected job openings (through 2024): 238, 000

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

21. Actuary

Getty Images / Carl Court

They use advanced statistics and modeling software to forecast the cost and probability of an event.

Median annual wage (2016): $100, 610

Projected job openings (through 2024): 11, 700

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

20. Advertising and promotions manager

Flickr/Juhan Sonin

Advertising and promotions managers coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce materials such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways to create interest in the purchase of a product or service.

Median annual wage (2016): $100, 810

Projected job openings (through 2024): 11, 400

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: None

19. Computer network architect

Arjuna Kodisinghe/shutterstock

Computer network architects plan and lay out the internal computer networks used by workers in an organization.

Median annual wage (2016): $101, 210

Projected job openings (through 2024): 31, 500

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

18. Nuclear engineer

U.S. Army Europe Images/flickr

Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation.

Median annual wage (2016): $102, 220

Projected job openings (through 2024): 4, 400

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

17. Training and development manager

Gleb Leonov/Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/Flickr

Training and development managers plan, direct, and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organization’s employees.

Median annual wage (2016): $105, 830

Projected job openings (through 2024): 11, 900

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

16. Systems software developer

Samuel Mann/Flickr

Systems software developers research, design, develop, and test operating-systems-level software, compilers, and network-distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general-computing applications.

Median annual wage (2016): $106, 860

Projected job openings (through 2024): 107, 900

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

15. Human resources manager

Flickr/Samuel Mann

Human resources managers oversee an organization’s recruitment, interview, selection, and hiring processes.

Median annual wage (2016): $106, 910

Projected job openings (through 2024): 46, 600

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

14. Public relations and fund-raising manager

Flickr/Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design

Public relations and fund-raising managers plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client.

Median annual wage (2016): $107, 320

Projected job openings (through 2024): 27, 100

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

13. Aerospace engineer

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/flickr

Aerospace engineers design aircraft and propulsion systems and study the aerodynamic performance of aircraft.

Median annual wage (2016): $109, 650

Projected job openings (through 2024): 20, 700

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

12. Purchasing manager

Business Insider

Purchasing managers plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services.

Median annual wage (2016): $111, 590

Projected job openings (through 2024): 17, 900

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

11. Computer hardware engineer

UC Davis College of Engineering/flickr

Computer hardware engineers solve problems that arise in computer hardware.

Median annual wage (2016): $115, 080

Projected job openings (through 2024): 18, 400

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

10. Compensation and benefits manager

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/Flickr

Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to determine how much an organization pays its employees and how employees are paid.

Median annual wage (2016): $116, 240

Projected job openings (through 2024): 6, 000

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

9. Sales manager

Flickr / Envato

Sales managers set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives.

Median annual wage (2016): $117, 960

Projected job openings (through 2024): 108, 000

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: None

8. Natural sciences manager

Phil Walter / Getty Images

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.

Median annual wage (2016): $119, 850

Projected job openings (through 2024): 13, 300

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

7. Financial manager

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Financial managers produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

Median annual wage (2016): $121, 750

Projected job openings (through 2024): 169, 300

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

6. Airline pilot, copilot, or flight engineer

Dawn Huczek/Flickr

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multiengine aircraft, usually on scheduled air-carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.

Median annual wage (2016): $127, 820

Projected job openings (through 2024): 19, 300

Work experience: Less than five years

On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

5. Petroleum engineer

AP Images

Petroleum engineers design equipment to extract oil and gas in the most profitable way.

Median annual wage (2016): $128, 230

Projected job openings (through 2024): 13, 000

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

4. Marketing manager

Juhan Sonin/flickr

Marketing managers determine the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors and identify potential customers.

Median annual wage (2016): $131, 180

Projected job openings (through 2024): 64, 200

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

3. Architectural and engineering manager

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.

Median annual wage (2016): $134, 730

Projected job openings (through 2024): 59, 500

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

2. Computer and information systems manager

Adam Berry / Stringer / Getty Images

Computer and information systems managers help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.

Median annual wage (2016): $135, 800

Projected job openings (through 2024): 94, 800

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

1. Chief executive

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr

Chief executives plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Median annual wage (2016): $181, 210

Projected job openings (through 2024): 58, 400

Work experience: Five years or more

On-the-job training: None

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