These professions have the most six-figure salary jobs that only require a four-year degree.
When it comes to finding a high-paying, rewarding job, many people think they need to earn a graduate or professional degree. But in reality, there are plenty of great jobs that can earn you a six-figure salary with just a four-year degree. Some of the most popular options that can boost your checking account balance include engineering, information technology, and management positions.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 25 different occupational groups. Of the occupational groups that require only a bachelor's degree, only seven have an average salary of over $100,000 in 2021. Surprisingly, business and finance occupations are not on the list. Several occupations in this category had an average salary of over $90,000 in 2021, but none exceeded $100,000. The highest paying occupational group was healthcare, but all of these positions require higher education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying jobs that require only a bachelor's degree are:
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
There are six roles that fall into this category:
1. Petroleum Engineer: $130,850
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth's surface.
2. Computer Hardware Engineer: $128,170
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
3. Aerospace Engineer: $122,270
Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
4. Nuclear engineer: $120,380
Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, equipment, and systems used to benefit from atomic energy and radiation.
5. Chemical Engineer: $105,550
Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics to solve problems related to the use of fuels, drugs, food, and many other products.
6. Electrical and Electronics Engineer: $101,780
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and oversee the production of electrical equipment.
Arts and Design Occupations
Only one job falls into this category.
7. Art Director: $100,890
Art directors are responsible for the visual style and imagery of magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and films and television programs.
Computer and Information Technology Jobs
Those who are computer savvy can earn a high income.
8. Computer Network Architect: $120,520
Computer network architects design and build data communications networks such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.
9. Software Developer, Quality Assurance Analyst, Tester: $109,020
Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems in the applications or programs and report defects.
10. Information Security Analyst: $102,600
Information security analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems.
11. Database administrator and architect: $101,000
Database administrators and architects create or organize systems for storing and protecting data.
Management
There are plenty of options for high-paying management positions.
12. Computer and Information Systems Administrator: $159,010
Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities within an organization.
13. Architectural and Engineering Manager: $152,350
Architecture and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architecture and engineering firms.
14. Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900
Natural sciences managers oversee the work of scientists, such as chemists, physicists, and biologists.
15. Advertising, promotions and marketing manager: $133,380
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products and services.
16. Finance Manager: $131,710
Financial managers prepare financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the organization's long-term financial goals.
17. Compensation and benefits manager: $127,530
Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to pay employees.
18. Sales Manager: $127,490
Sales managers lead the sales team in an organization.
19. Human Resources Manager: $126,230
Human resource managers plan, coordinate and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
20. Training and Development Manager: $120,130
Training and Development Managers plan, coordinate and direct the skills and knowledge improvement programs of the organization's staff.
21. Public Relations and Fundraising Manager: $119,860
A public relations manager directs the creation of materials that enhance the public image of an employer or client. A fundraising manager coordinates campaigns to raise donations for an organization.
22. Industrial production manager: $103,150
Industrial production managers oversee the operations of manufacturing and related plants.
23. Medical and health services administrator: $101,340
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of health care providers.
Mathematics Careers
There are only two math-related jobs on this list.
24. Actuary: $105,900
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to analyze the economic cost of risk and uncertainty.
25. Data Scientist: $100,910
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
Sales Job
The average salary for just one sales career can exceed $100,000 a year.
26. Sales Engineer: $103,710
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technical products and services to businesses.
Transportation and material handling
The last job on this list is an important one.
27. Air traffic controller: $129,750
Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movements to maintain a safe distance between aircraft.
Whatever your field of interest, there are plenty of attractive jobs with six-figure salaries available with a bachelor's degree. Overall employment in these seven occupational groups is expected to grow as fast or faster than other occupations, making them high-demand occupations. While the other occupational groups didn't offer six-figure salaries, there were plenty of jobs with salaries over $75,000.
