Highest paying jobs you can get with a bachelors degree

In today’s evolving job market, a bachelor’s degree is increasingly important for many careers across a wide range of industries. So what jobs can you get with a bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree is typically enough to help you qualify for a variety of entry-level and mid-level positions across many fields, including business, finance, social services, psychology, computer science, healthcare and more.

“A bachelor’s degree can help you start and grow a career,” said Emma DeLanoy, a career advising team lead at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). “A degree makes you more marketable and can help you start off on a career path a step ahead.”

The types of bachelor’s degree jobs you can get will depend on the subject you study and your real-world experience. But before exploring the best bachelor’s degree jobs for you, it’s important to understand the many benefits of earning a 4-year degree.

Can You Get a Good Job With a Bachelor’s Degree?

Earning a bachelor’s degree is becoming increasingly important when looking to start or change careers. As a result, bachelor’s degrees are more common than ever before.

From 2010 to 2019, the percentage of people aged 25 and older with at least a bachelor's degree jumped from 29.9% to 36%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The value of earning a bachelor’s degree stems from more than their popularity or demand among employers. Bachelor’s degree holders can also expect to see more earning potential and job security over their lifetime than those without a 4-year degree.

“A bachelor’s degree makes you more marketable and that marketability means salary-wise as well,” said DeLanoy. “With a degree, the validity of what you know and what you bring to the table is increased.”

In 2020, bachelor’s degree holders earned more than workers without a 4-year degree, bringing home a median weekly income of $1,305 compared to $938 for associate degree holders and $781 for workers with a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Bachelor's degree holders also experience lower unemployment rates. The unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders was 5.5% in 2020, compared to 7.1% for associate degree holders and 9.0% for workers with a high school diploma, according to BLS.

If you're wondering which bachelor's degrees pay the most, there's no simple answer. The specific salary and career potential you’ll have with a bachelor’s degree will depend on the specific degree program you choose and the career path you follow after graduation.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor’s Degree?

When you earn a bachelor’s degree, you’ll have a key credential that can help you get started across a wide variety of fields, said SNHU internship administrator Larry Shane. While some careers do require specific degree programs, for many entry-level bachelor’s degree jobs just having a 4-year degree is enough to get started.

If you're still wondering which degree has the most job opportunities, keep reading to explore some of the best bachelor’s degree jobs across many fields.

SOCIAL SCIENCES BACHELOR'S DEGREE JOBS 

There are a wide variety of jobs available to bachelor’s degree holders within the social sciences. Whether you pursue a career in psychology, criminal justice or human services, a bachelor’s degree will likely be a significant advantage.

A bachelor's degree in psychology offers a strong foundation in transferable skills that can be applied to a variety of careers. Some psychology careers include:

• Human Resources Specialist: As a human resources specialist you could help businesses recruit and retain workers and act as a key bridge between employees and company leadership. Human resources specialists may also guide employees through questions about company policies, mediate employee conflicts and administer benefits. According to BLS, human resources specialists earned a median salary of $63,490 in 2020. Jobs for human resources specialists are projected to grow 10% through 2030.
• Psychiatric Technician: A psychiatric technician or aide typically works at residential care facilities caring for people who have a mental illness or developmental disabilities, providing therapeutic care and monitoring patients’ conditions. According to BLS, psychiatric technicians earned a median salary of $33,140 in 2020, and jobs for psychiatric technicians are projected to grow 11% through 2030.

With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you can prepare for a variety of careers in law enforcement, corrections, security and more. Criminal justice careers include:

• Police Officer: As a police officer you could work for a town, city or state law enforcement department, responding to emergency calls, patrolling assigned areas and collecting and securing evidence from crime scenes. According to BLS, police officers earned a median salary of $67,290 in 2020. Jobs for police officers are projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030. Note that law enforcement positions may involve additional training and eligibility requirements.
• Probation Officer: With a job as a probation officer you could provide social services to assist in the rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. According to BLS, probation officers earned a median salary of $55,690 in 2020. Jobs for probation officers are projected to grow 4% between 2020 and 2030.

A bachelor’s degree in human services can prepare you for a variety of fields helping to improve the lives of others. Human services careers include:

• Social and Human Service Assistants: Social and human services assistants provide client services in a variety of fields including psychology, rehabilitation and social work and connect clients with benefits and community services. According to BLS, social and human services assistants earned a median salary of $35,960 in 2020, and jobs in this field are projected to grow 17% through 2030.
• Social and Community Service Manager: Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs that support public well-being in a community. According to BLS, social and community service managers earned a median income of $69,600 in 2020, and jobs for this field are projected to grow 15% through 2030.

BUSINESS BACHELOR'S DEGREE JOBS

If you dream of moving up the corporate ladder or starting your own company, a bachelor’s degree in business can help you get your career started. 

A bachelor's degree in business administration provides a strong foundation of business acumen and transferable skills like communication and collaboration, and it can help you prepare for a variety of jobs within the business world. Business administration careers include:

• Administrative Services Manager: As an administrative services manager, you could supervise a team of clerical and administrative staff and help an organization run smoothly. You could monitor company operations and recommend changes to boost efficiency or ensure that company facilities meet environmental, health and security standards. According to BLS, administrative services managers earned a median salary of $98,890 in 2020. Jobs for administrative services managers are projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030.
• Management Analyst: Management analysts or consultants recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency and profitability. According to BLS, management analysts earned a median salary of $87,660 in 2020 and jobs in this field are projected to grow 14% through 2030.

With a bachelor’s degree in marketing, you can gain the skills you need to help companies promote products and services to a variety of audiences and prepare for a number of entry-level and mid-level positions. Online marketing bachelor’s careers include:

• Marketing Manager: As a marketing manager you could estimate the demand for products and services, develop pricing structures and create the overall marketing strategy for a business. According to BLS, marketing managers earned a median salary of $141,490 in 2020. Jobs for marketing managers are projected to grow 10% between 2020 and 2030.
• Market Research Analyst: Market research analysts study market conditions to determine how products or services will perform. According to BLS, market research analysts earned a median salary of $65,810 in 2020 and jobs for this position are projected to grow 22% through 2030.

With a bachelor’s degree in finance, you can find entry-level positions in a variety of industries, from banking and financial institutions to finance departments of corporations and even government agencies. Finance bachelor’s careers include:

• Financial Analyst: As a financial analyst you could provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. According to BLS, financial analysts earned a median salary of $83,660 in 2020. Jobs for financial analysts are projected to grow 6% from 2020 to 2030.
• Accountant or Auditor: As an accountant or auditor you could prepare and examine financial records, identify areas of opportunity and risk and provide financial solutions for businesses and individuals. According to BLS, accountants and auditors earned a median income of $73,560 in 2020. Jobs for accountants and auditors are projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030.

LIBERAL ARTS BACHELOR'S DEGREE JOBS

Whether you dream of becoming a writer or want to use your communication skills to work in public relations, a bachelor’s degree can give you the key job skills you need to launch your career.

A bachelor’s degree in history can give you the critical thinking and analysis skills you need for a career in education, research and a variety of other roles. History bachelor’s careers include:

• High School Teacher: As a high school teacher, you could prepare and teach history lessons and provide key analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills that students will need to earn a college degree or start a career. According to BLS, high school teachers earned a median salary of $62,870 in 2020. Jobs for high school teachers are projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030. Note: public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.
• Museum Technician: Museum technicians care for and protect objects in museum collections, preparing items for display or storage, creating exhibits and overseeing the record-keeping of items in a museum’s collection. According to BLS, museum technicians earned a median salary of $52,140 in 2020. Jobs for museum technicians are projected to grow 19% through 2030.

A bachelor's degree in communications can give you the skills you need to share a message with a variety of audiences and start a career in writing, journalism, public relations and more. Some communication careers include:

• Public Relations Specialists: As a public relations specialist you can create and maintain a positive public image for an organization, writing media releases and building awareness of an organization’s work. According to BLS, public relations specialists earned a median salary of $62,810 in 2020. Jobs for public relations specialists are projected to grow 11% between 2020 and 2030.
• Technical Writer: As a technical writer you could prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides and other content to communicate complex and technical information. According to BLS, technical writers earned a median salary of $74,650 in 2020. Jobs for technical writers are projected to grow 12% between 2020 and 2030.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BACHELOR'S DEGREE JOBS

If a fast-paced, evolving field with lots of opportunities for growth is what you're looking for, a bachelor's degree in science or technology could be right for you.

If you want a career designing websites, developing new software or changing the way individuals and businesses use technology, a bachelor's degree in computer science could be right for you. Computer science careers include:

• Computer Systems Analyst: As a computer systems analyst, you could study an organization’s computer systems and create solutions to help improve the business’s operations. According to BLS, computer systems analysts earned a median salary of $93,730 in 2020. Jobs in this field are projected to grow 7% between 2020 and 2030.
• Software Developer: With a job as a software developer, you could develop computer applications that allow individuals and businesses to complete specific tasks, or design the systems that run devices and control computer networks. According to BLS, software developers earned a median salary of $110,140 in 2020. Jobs for software developers are projected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030.

With a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, you'll have the knowledge required to step into diverse professional or supervisory roles in the medical field. Healthcare bachelor’s degree jobs include:

• Medical and Health Services Manager: With a job as a medical and health services manager, you could plan, direct and coordinate medical and health services for a hospital, medical practice or other healthcare facilities. According to BLS, health services managers earned a median salary of $104,280 in 2020. Jobs in the field are projected to grow 32% between 2020 and 2030.
• Medical Records and Health Information Technician: These technicians organize and maintain the accuracy, accessibility and security of health information data. According to BLS, health information technicians earned a median salary of $44,090 in 2020. Jobs for these workers are projected to grow 9% through 2030.

What Is the Most Useful Degree?

With so many bachelor’s degree programs and careers to choose from, it can be difficult to choose the path that’s right for you. 

Many students look ahead to their job prospects and potential salary when trying to determine which bachelor's degree program will be most useful, said SNHU career advisor Olivia Butler.

But while it's important to choose a degree that will help you build a solid career, Butler said earning potential isn't always the best factor to consider when choosing a bachelor's degree program.

Instead, Butler said she reminds students to think about what career they truly want, and to choose the bachelor's degree that will help them get there.

“My best advice is to pick the major that you are passionate about and that makes you feel fulfilled to learn about,” Butler said. “That way, when you ultimately apply for a job, you have the passion to back up your education.”

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU bachelor's degree that can best help you meet your goals. 

Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

What's the highest paying job with a bachelor degree?

Can I make 100K with a bachelor's degree?

What degree makes 100K a year?

How can I make 100K out of college?