Not all high-earning careers require medical school or a Ph.D.
If the job you're in right now is barely offering enough money to make ends meet, you probably wouldn't mind an upgrade.Perhaps you've been putting off looking for something new because it seems like all the high-paying careers require advanced schooling like a master's degree, medical school, or a doctoral program.
However, you may be surprised at how many high-paying careers require only a bachelor's degree.
In fact, with the right college degree under your belt, you could find yourself on track to pursuing one of the high-paying careers below.
Career #1: Probation Officer
Find Degree Programs- Median
Annual Salary* - $48,190
- Top 10%
of Earners* - More than $83,410
- Bottom 10%
of Earners* - Less than $31,590
High-Pay Potential: "Our prisons are overcrowded, and more and more court systems are looking for probation officers to assist with interventions so people can get back on the right track," according to Cindy Key, managing partner at Key Concepts, a career and branding strategy company. "Plus, there are a large number of prisoners coming out of the system, so there's growth happening in this career."
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How to Get Started: If you can see yourself in the world of law enforcement, good news: A career as a probation officer may be within reach with a bachelor's degree. According to the Department of Labor, a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, social work, or a related field is what's typically required. Also, probation officers usually have to pass a variety of exams before beginning work.
Career #2: Market Research Analyst
Find Degree Programs- Median
Annual Salary* - $60,300
- Top 10%
of Earners* - More than $113,500
- Bottom 10%
of Earners* - Less than $33,280
High-Pay Potential: "A market research analyst is valued in the marketplace primarily because most of our businesses and most organizations are very data-driven," Key says. "It's about being able to connect the dots for the people above you and those technical people who may be putting together the product or service. You have to be able to see detail as well as see the big picture."
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How to Get Started: While the pay and the job might seem intimidating, you don't need a master's to get into this field. In fact, what's typically needed, per the Department of Labor, is a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field, such as business administration.
Career #3: Personal Financial Advisor
Find Degree Programs- Median
Annual Salary* - $67,520
- Top 10%
of Earners* - More than $187,199
- Bottom 10%
of Earners* - Less than $32,280
High-Pay Potential: The amount of knowledge required for this career helps practitioners command a high salary. According to Key, "This is a continuous learning field. [Personal financial advisors] have to re-certify on a regular basis, which makes this career a high-paying job." Financial advisors are not only able to manage complicated math, but they also enjoy finding creative solutions to problems, as well as specializing in attention to detail, says Key.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
How to Get Started: If you have strong money management skills, you could be well-suited for this career. Only a bachelor's degree is typically needed for a personal financial advisor career, the Department of Labor says. Although employers don't require a specific field of study, according to the Department, one degree that could provide good preparation for this career is finance.
Career #4: Logistician
Find Degree Programs- Median
Annual Salary* - $72,780
- Top 10%
of Earners* - More than $112,100
- Bottom 10%
of Earners* - Less than $45,190
High-Pay Potential: Whatever the business, the logistician is responsible for making sure the production line doesn't break down, so he or she has a vital - and often well-compensated - role. "As a logistician, results count," Key says. "In business having what you need when you need it is critical, so logisticians working within a supply chain have important responsibilities, such as getting supplies like water and food to a storm area or products into a retail store to delight holiday shoppers."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Program.
How to Get Started: It may surprise you to learn that a logistician position is far from out of reach. In fact, some logistician positions may only require an associate's degree, according to the Department of Labor, while many others may require a bachelor's degree in business.
Career #5: Network and Computer Systems Administrator
Find Degree Programs- Median
Annual Salary* - $72,560
- Top 10%
of Earners* - More than $115,180
- Bottom 10%
of Earners* - Less than $44,330
High-Pay Potential: It shouldn't surprise you to learn that the people who make sure our computer networks run the way they are supposed to get paid well. Key states that, "Almost anything and everything today is running on a network, from our telephones to ATMs. Network and computer systems administrators must make certain all these computer systems coordinate correctly, which makes these jobs high-stakes and high-stress. When things work so well when we turn them on, we don't always understand what happens behind the scenes."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
How to Get Started: If you've got an interest in honing your problem-solving and computer skills, keep reading. This is another career that you don't need years and years of schooling to get into. The Department of Labor states that most employers require a bachelor's degree in computer or information science, and some may require just a postsecondary certificate.
Career #6: Aerospace Engineer
Find Degree Programs- Median
Annual Salary* - $103,720
- Top 10%
of Earners* - More than $149,120
- Bottom 10%
of Earners* - Less than $65,450
High-Pay Potential: "[Aerospace engineers] are in high demand because the aerospace manufacturing business is a huge market within the government and private companies," Key says. "From how our cars run to developing aircraft, there's a lot of application for aerospace engineering in a large number of industries."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
How to Get Started: You might think you need to be a rocket scientist for a job as an aerospace engineer, but according to the Department of Labor, a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or some type of engineering or science related to aerospace systems is what's usually needed. Depending on if the job pertains to national security, some security clearance may also be required.