It’s a known fact that a college degree often pays much more than a high school diploma. In general, a person with a college education earns almost twice as much as someone without it. But even amongst college grads, salaries tend to vary a great deal. For instance, a degree in social work may not land you a job with a great pay. But, there are some degrees that give you the highest earning potential. If your idea of education is not exactly making big bucks, this may be irrelevant to you. However, for some a high salary is the end goal. If that is you, here are some of the best paying jobs straight out of college that you should put yourself in line for.
5 Jobs with High Entry-level Pay:
- Investment Banker. Jobs in investment banking are not as plentiful as they used to be. But they are still among the highest paying jobs. Salaries start at $73,000 for fresh graduates. Quite naturally there is a lot of competition for these jobs. If you’re looking for a career in investment banking, remember that the big bucks don’t come easy. They are accompanied with intense pressure and long working hours. So if you can’t do without your valuable leisure time, investment banking is not for you.
- Engineer. If you major in engineering, you can begin your career at $70,000 a year. And with the fields of engineering and architecture expected to grow over the next decade, there’s likely to be many lucrative opportunities in the market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are several disciplines in high demand. These include robotics, renewable energy, oil and gas, and rebuilding infrastructure.
- Internet Marketer. The internet’s money-making potential has opened new opportunities. With the internet’s growing ability to sell products and services, the field of internet marketing is seeing a steady boom. This expanding field offers several high-paying jobs to fresh graduates. Internet marketing specialists land jobs paying $50,000 a year straight out of college.
- Data Analyst. There has been a growing demand for data analysts. They can translate numbers, trajectories, and trends into accessible and understandable business information. Consequently, this is one of the high-paying jobs you can get as soon as you graduate. If you have a bachelor’s degree in information technology, data analysis, or applied statistics, you can start your career with $60,000 a year. Training in analytical software programs and big data management helps too.
- Software Developer. There has always been and will continue to be a high demand for smart software developers. Although this is a job that requires ongoing learning and updating of skills, it is also one of the highest-paying jobs in the market. Besides the perks and benefits that come with the job, a software developer earns about $60,000 at the very beginning of his/her career.
Who doesn’t want to draw a nice paycheck from their first job out of college? But, how big that paycheck is will depend greatly on what you choose to major in. So if being a big earner is a priority for you, consider the majors associated with these five high-paying jobs to begin your journey on a promising path.