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50 college majors that earn the least money

Career choices are often based on personal interests, experience, and potential income—and more and more, they require at least a college degree. What undergraduates choose to major in during college can be a strong indicator of what an individual’s financial future looks like—and it’s not always rosy news.

Stacker researched the 50 college majors that earn the least money, using PayScale’s College Salary Report. This report, fresh with data, surveyed million college graduates and bachelor degrees ranked by mid-career median salary, or the fitted salary one makes after working in the field for over 10 years. By definition, a fitted salary combines the base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime, and other forms of cash earnings. Ties are broken by early career salary.

Stock compensation was not included when considering the annual salary of each college major but can be a significant portion of pay for specific executive and high-tech jobs. Further, a wage for the noted college major does not include the cash value of retirement benefits or the amount of other noncash benefits, including health care and other ancillary benefits. PayScale’s salaries do not directly reflect those of the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). For most of the majors, BLS salaries are higher, even though the level of education required is the same.

Additionally, several low-paying teaching majors on the list confirm the plight of educators who graduate but can’t make ends meet on a minimum salary. Between rising student debt and inflation, it is likely many who majored in the noted subjects have second jobs to pay the bills.

Read on to find out the 50 college majors that earn the least money.

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Orhan Cam // Shutterstock

# Parks and recreation management

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Parks and recreation workers typically work for the government, which means they may see fewer pay raises than other workers. Some government workers just received their first pay raise in over a decade in

Viktor Gladkov // Shutterstock

# Ceramics

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Students looking to major in ceramics will learn about the science behind materials, plus sculpture and drawing skills. Courses in personal style development, wheel-throwing techniques, firing and kiln operation, oxidation, ceramic murals, mixed media, and slips and glazes are usually required to graduate. Many with a degree in ceramics become professional potters, teachers, artists, or sculptors.

DGLimages // Shutterstock

# Vocal performance

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

While some vocal performance majors may go on to perform sold-out arenas, many end up working in less lucrative careers. These include positions at churches, such as worship pastors and directors of music ministry, which come with decidedly lower salaries.

Hotaik Sung // Shutterstock

# Pastoral ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Pastoral ministers help people in times of spiritual distress and lead religious organizations. But people don’t pay for spiritual counsel—other than tithes—and therefore there are no typical ways to drive up earnings.

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# Art teacher education

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Art teacher education majors most often go on to help nurture the next generation of creative minds, often at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Those who pursue this course of study may also find career opportunities in museums or as textbook illustrators. 

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Freedom Studio // Shutterstock

# Bible studies and theology

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

All jobs depend on having clients, and this includes religious jobs. Bible studies and theology professionals face challenging headwinds in the United States in this respect. Fewer Americans than ever report themselves as religious.

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# Forensic accounting

&#; Early career pay: $48,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Forensic accountants are integral in solving crimes like insurance fraud or money laundering by carefully tracing and examining the flow of finances. Advanced degrees and CPA certification can increase employment opportunities for forensic accounting majors.  

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Communication sciences and disorders

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Communications sciences and disorders specialists address an array of issues that technology may be rendered less reliant on therapy. For example, cochlear implants for deaf children and babies can now be purchased for as low as $ with insurance, reducing the need for hearing therapy, as a greater number of patients can hear via the technology.

PhuShutter // Shutterstock

# Legal assistant studies

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Legal assistants may hope to become lawyers, who typically earn significantly higher salaries. However, without a law degree, legal assistants are only legally allowed to perform certain tasks, which caps the value of their services.

Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

# Special education

&#; Early career pay: $41,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

There are several special education career paths to take after majoring in the subject, aside from teaching. The prospect of becoming a residential manager, preschool director, or direct support professional is why some choose the undergraduate major, then get their master’s degree. Working with the disabled is in high demand due to teachers retiring and more students needing help.

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# Conservation biology

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Conservation biologists play a critical role in preserving species and ecosystems. Many important roles in the field offer low or no pay, making it nearly impossible for people to perform this work, pay off their student debt, and sustain themselves. As people abandon the field for different work, the world suffers a collective loss.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Family studies

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Family studies professionals help tutor, develop, and supervise children. Some competition they face in commanding high salaries? Teenage babysitters, whom parents may feel more comfortable paying lower wages.

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

# Speech and hearing

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Speech and hearing professionals’ salaries suffer from improved technology. Hearing aids have become increasingly sophisticated, reducing the need for much administrative assistance after purchase.

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

# Christian ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Christianity has been on the decline in the United States for years. This means that fewer Americans are attending church, or giving to their churches, which means fewer resources to supplant the salaries of Christian ministry workers.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

# Health and human services

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Health and human services encompass a vast array of jobs. On the higher end of the pay scale, these include jobs such as public health directors. But many other jobs included in health and human services typically have lower pay rates, such as social workers and correctional treatment specialists.

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buteo // Shutterstock

# Musical theater

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Although a musical theater degree will provide you with the foundations for success on Broadway, that pathway is highly competitive. The good news is that there are many theater-adjacent roles in the areas of performance, production, business, education, and mental health into which this degree can segue.

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# History teacher education

&#; Early career pay: $47,
&#; Mid-career pay: $55,

Majoring in history teacher education likely means most graduates will teach the subject in elementary, secondary, or postsecondary schools. Being a history teacher, like other instruction degrees, requires those who major in the subject to become state-certified after student teaching. History teachers may work with special education teachers to make learning more accessible for students with learning difficulties and can work with debate teams, for example, because of their knowledge of current events.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Developmental psychology

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $55,

Developmental psychologists study how people change over the course of their lifetime, from a variety of perspectives including biologically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Advanced degrees, licensure, internships, and certifications can mean the accrual of significant debt before someone can even begin working and practicing in the field.

XArtProduction // Shutterstock

# Therapeutic recreation

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Therapeutic recreation specialists work with patients to improve the minds, bodies, and spirits of those with disease or disabilities. This demographic may be less likely to have resources to pay therapists significant sums, which may play a role in driving down salaries.

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Community and human services

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Community and human services workers endeavor to improve the lives of their communities and the individuals who work in them. And even though salaries are not as high as those from other majors, the BLS has noted that job growth in this field is projected to remain high in the next decade.

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# Applied behavioral science

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Applied behavioral science is essentially the study of why people behave in certain ways. If it sounds broad, that’s because it is. Graduates often pursue career opportunities in the fields of human resources, human services, and consumer science, among others.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

# Social work

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Although social work jobs may not have the highest starting salaries, job prospects for social workers are actually quite positive. As health care spending continues to increase, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that social work jobs in clinical settings, in particular, will continue to enjoy a rise in demand for workers.

Gaudilab // Shutterstock

# Office administration

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Graduating with a major in office administration opens doors to many career paths, including medical office manager, staff specialist, executive assistant, management secretary, and purchasing consultant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics details other career opportunities that do not require a degree but have comparable and higher annual salaries for those who major in the field. Among those occupations are police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, who make $40, annually, and administrative assistants, who annually make $38,

DGLimages // Shutterstock

# Family and community services

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Family and community services careers often involve helping people with little capital or power, including the impoverished and disabled citizens accessing social services. Because these services are offered free of charge, there is a limited capital base with which to reward workers.

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# Ministry

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

To be a minister is to be a lifelong student of the Bible and a leader in the Catholic Church. Some students may pursue seminary school upon completion of a ministry degree or may pursue a specialization like working with youth. But church membership is falling as the number of Americans with no religious affiliation continues to rise. 

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BRAIN2HANDS // Shutterstock

# Youth ministry

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Youth ministers work with children and teens to coordinate related activities at a church or religious organization. Churches typically operate as nonprofits, and therefore the salaries of their workers, including youth ministers, lack the ability to respond to the market and offer higher salaries.

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

# Elementary education

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Majoring in elementary education means teaching and instructing young students. Majors in the program must choose a specific subject to study, including either math, history, science, or English. Some who major in the subject consider careers as guidance counselors, juvenile correction officers, long-term substitute teachers, online instructors, preschool teachers, or adjunct professors.

Igor Bulgarin // Shutterstock

# Voice and opera

&#; Early career pay: $34,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Voice and opera students preparing to perform on a professional level after graduation must learn theatrical techniques and stage repertory through courses such as diction, foreign languages, music theory, and humanities. While receiving private instruction during the undergraduate curriculum, students also perform in choral ensembles. Students who choose not to sing opera after studying the major can easily transition into other careers, including teaching art, drama, or music, or becoming a musical director or composer.

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# Conflict resolution

&#; Early career pay: $44,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Whether it’s on an international scale or between two individuals, where there is conflict, there is a need for conflict resolution. Conflict resolution specialists and mediators often require advanced degrees and many years of experience to be established in the field. 

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

# Christian ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Christianity has been on the decline in the United States for years. This means that fewer Americans are attending church, or giving to their churches, which means fewer resources to supplant the salaries of Christian ministry workers.

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fizkes // Shutterstock

# Human services management

&#; Early career pay: $45,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Human services management jobs are a specific role for those interested in helping or managing others in social work or related fields. Although the average salary is not extremely high, these positions pay more than nonsupervisory roles in the same field. Many of these roles require additional licensing.

hryshai olena // Shutterstock

# Baking and pastry arts

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

These days, it seems that everyone is a food blogger. And this means that more people than ever are likely to be trying their hands at baking and pastry-making at home, reducing the need for specialized bakers.

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# Hospitality and culinary arts

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $52,

Some career choices for holders of a hospitality and culinary arts degree include restaurant manager, food and beverage director, chef, caterer, and banquet manager, among others. But the hospitality industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic, is facing a reckoning. The industry is notoriously understaffed, underpaid, and undervalued.

YP_Studio // Shutterstock

# Human services

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $52,

Although careers in human services vary widely, their common denominator is that they help people who would likely be unable to help themselves. As such, these jobs, which range from family court advocates to crisis support workers, service overall a population with limited resources who may not be able to compensate them highly.

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Counseling

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Similar to therapists, those who specialize in counseling suffer in part from competition. Wages are lower than they might otherwise be because of the sheer number of people offering counseling services.

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belushi // Shutterstock

# Recreational therapy

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Recreational therapists help many Americans, especially older adults, deal with disabilities, injuries, and illnesses—typically via arts and crafts, aquatics, games, and other activities. Although the pay is not high, these professions are projected to increase in demand, as an aging generation of Americans looks to the future.

New Africa // Shutterstock

# Child development

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Child care workers have an average hourly wage of just $ Some advocacy groups and politicians have advocated paying a higher wage to these groups to meet growing demands for a $15 minimum wage these groups are demanding.

VH-studio // Shutterstock

# Educational psychology

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Educational psychologists study how people learn which can inform various teaching methods, classroom strategies, and ideally improve academic outcomes. But as many schools struggle with shrinking budgets, professionals in this field are either unaffordable or underpaid, and very often are expected to work beyond a reasonable capacity. 

SpeedKingz // Shutterstock

# Middle school education

&#; Early career pay: $41,
&#; Mid-career pay: $50,

After majoring in middle school education, graduates go on to teach students in grades five through nine. Teaching that specific age group entails taking undergraduate courses in a breadth of subjects, including English, science, mathematics, and social studies. Washington University in St. Louis suggests those majoring in middle school education consider adding a concentrated study in their curriculum, since middle schools are interdisciplinary and teachers who have expertise in more than one content field may have an advantage in the job market.

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# Mental health counseling

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $50,

Becoming a licensed mental health counselor requires time, study, and practice—years of it. Professionals can focus on working with specific populations, like children, military veterans, or people with addiction. And there is no shortage of need for these services. More than 15 million people in the U.S. live in mental health care health professional shortage areas. 

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Iam_Anupong // Shutterstock

# Early childhood and elementary education

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $48,

Students who major in early childhood and elementary education prepare to teach in both preschool and after-school programs, as well as kindergarten through sixth grade. Graduates must become certified to instruct students in whatever state they choose for work. With further schooling, some graduates of the major go on to become administrators, such as principals, superintendents, directors of curriculum, and college deans.

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#9. Equine studies

&#; Early career pay: $35,
&#; Mid-career pay: $47,

An equine studies major prepares you for just about any career pertaining to horse training, breeding, or showing.  While the equine world is often equated with wealth, workers in this field are among the lowest paid on this list. For those working with horses competing in major races and events, the purse earnings divided amongst winning team members can be very lucrative.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

#8. Addiction studies

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $47,

Addiction studies majors can typically expect to work as addiction counselors or drug or alcohol treatment specialists. There is a large pay range for those who work in the field, with salaries dependent largely on level of education attained, geographic location, and the type of setting in which treatment is performed.

MiniStocker // Shutterstock

#7. Child and family studies

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Child care is one of the lowest-paying professions in the United States. One reason may be that many teenagers and other younger adults will work as babysitters and tutors to make side money, which makes it more difficult for professionals to demand higher wages.

Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#6. Rehabilitation counseling

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Rehabilitation counselors typically work to serve people living with disabilities. These services can range from mental health to physical health to practical life-skills training and can be performed everywhere from detention centers to unemployment offices. Recipients typically do not pay for such services, and as such, the salaries of rehabilitation counselors are limited.

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www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

#5. Outdoor education

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Outdoor education professionals help people enjoy the great outdoors. However perfect they may be for the outdoors enthusiast, some of these jobs are run by the government, which means they are capped within a certain pay bracket.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4. Early childhood education

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $45,

A child’s cognitive, emotional, and language development occur in the first five years of life, making early childhood education critical in an adolescent’s academic career. However, it is one of the lowest-paying majors on the list, further proving that those who enter the field are likely more concerned about the community than salary.

fizkes // Shutterstock

#3. Mental health

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $45,

Mental health is a field that encompasses many different settings. Some mental health specialists may work in assisted living facilities, helping residents with dementia, while others may work with working professionals stressed and depressed about their jobs. Those working in private practice theoretically have no caps to their salaries, while those working in institutions may be more constrained by salary caps.

Stock-Asso // Shutterstock

#2. Medical assisting

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $44,

One issue that may be keeping medical assisting wages low is an oversupply. Some argue that too many qualified medical assistants are currently searching for work, keeping salaries low.

Martinez Studio // Shutterstock

#1. Metalsmithing

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $40,

Many workers with degrees in metalsmithing find work as jewelers. Those working in the retail trade tend to make the most.

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Your high school guidance counselor or college academic advisor may tell you to follow your passion, but for a lot of Gen Z students pursuing college degrees during an economic recovery, there’s one overriding question &#; where’s the money?

[Related: Check out our list of the best online degrees for getting a job]

As always, the highest of the highest-paying careers are in medicine, for obvious reasons; the healthcare system is in a long period of phenomenal growth, and the barriers to entry are so high that the field is self-selecting &#; quite simply, between the education, the stress, and the responsibility there just aren’t many people who are cut out to be surgeons, physicians, or nurse midwives. If you can make it, you can make top salaries.

That’s the trend in most of the highest-paying careers: in a professional field, a lot of education, a lot of responsibility, or a lot of risk generally equates to a high salary. Petroleum engineers, actuaries, and technical writers all have something in common; if you do something that only a few, highly skilled people can do, you should be paid what you&#;re worth.

How Do I Find My Highest Paying Career?

So when you’re choosing your career path, ask yourself: “What can I do that not many people can do?” If that answer is something that the job market values, you might find yourself in one of these Top 50 Highest Paying Careers.

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Highest Paying Online Bachelors Degrees
Highest Paying Online Masters Degrees
Highest Paying Online Doctoral Degrees

The College Consensus guide to the Top 50 Highest Paying Careers for is based on PayScale median salary, while we also consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics for job growth rates and unemployment rates, where those statistics are significant.

1. Surgery

There’s a good reason that the professionals involved in surgery have some of the highest pay rates of any career &#; they do surgery. It’s well deserved, too, seeing as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and OBGYNs literally hold lives in their hands &#; and need a good years of higher education to get qualified to do the job, from college to medical school to a residency (sometimes up to 4 years). Each of these jobs is expected to see thousands of job openings in the next decade, and their unemployment rate is, simply, nil.

Median Salary:

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon &#; $,
Anesthesiologist &#; $,
Surgeon &#; $,
Obstetrician and Gynecologist &#; $,

Education Level: Doctorate

2. Psychiatrist

The doctors who care for our mental health, like the ones who put us to sleep and cut out our tumors, also make quite a healthy salary. Psychiatrists (as opposed to psychologists) go to medical school, spend years in residency, and have the responsibility of prescribing medicine, which requires more years of schooling, and often requires a more demanding workload than a psychologist. The psychiatrist approaches mental health as a component of physical health, and therefore gets paid a medical doctor’s salary. With more than projected jobs in the next decade, though, there’s room for more.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Doctorate

3. Physician/Specialist

When you say you’re “going to the doctor,” 9 times out of 10 you mean a physician &#; a medical doctor who has been trained in general care for people. As with the other highest-paying jobs, physicians spend a lot of time in school, working in residencies, and just working in general &#; hours for a physician are long and demanding. In exchange for the sacrifice of time, physicians make a lot of money, with general practitioners making income approaching $,, and even more for specialists.

Median Salary:

Physician &#; $,
Pediatrician &#; $,
Podiatrist &#; $,

Education Level: Doctorate

4. Oral Medicine

It’s impossible to overestimate how important oral health really is. Diseases of the mouth can often be crucial, overlooked signs of larger issues, while poor oral hygiene can cause many other diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and dementia. While many Americans neglect their oral health, the people who are responsible for it make a well-deserved high salary. Dentists make around $,, while orthodontists can make as much as $, They’re jobs that require many years of schooling, and face it &#; few people are cut out for looking in mouths all day.

Median Salary:

Orthodontist &#; $,
Prosthodontist &#; $,
Dentist &#; $,

Education Level: Doctorate

5. Nurse Anesthetist

While anesthesiologists are some of the highest-paid medical professionals, nurse anesthetists do pretty well for themselves too. An advanced practice nursing speciality, nurse anesthetists do pretty much what anesthesiologists do &#; administer anesthesia, monitor vitals &#; but they are required to do it under the supervision of a medical doctor. A master’s degree and a certification (CRNA) are required to work as a nurse anesthetist, and nurse anesthetists are generally expected to do the work of nurses as well, including aftercare. Their median 6-figure income is certainly well-earned.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Doctorate

6. Computer Network Architect

Businesses in the 21st century rise and fall on their communication, and the computer network architect is a crucial part of keeping communication going. The computer network architect designs data communication networks, which may be as small as one company’s intranet, to vast cloud networks. It’s a job with a huge amount of responsibility, and more than a few years of schooling (at least a master’s degree, in most cases); no one becomes a network architect without numerous years of experience, either.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Master’s

7. IT Manager

Generally speaking, an IT Manager is in charge of the IT department at a corporation or organization, working in a position of authority and responsibility over the technicians and analysts who keep an organization’s computer networks running. While you may work your way up from entry level to manager, in most cases an IT manager will need specialized education. An IT manager not only needs to be fully versed in the technology, but also in management skills and techniques, which may require a master’s degree. For the years of education and vital responsibility, an IT manager can expect over $, per year.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Master’s

8. Pharmacist

In many ways, pharmacists are unsung heroes of the medical field; doctors may prescribe medicines, but it’s the pharmacist who makes sure patients get the right dose, in the right form, when they need it. To become a pharmacist, you need a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, as well as licensure from your state Board of Pharmacy. That comes down to many stressful hours of schooling, internship, study, and practice before getting to work as a professional, and while the job itself is fairly low-stress, it also carries a lot of responsibility and a salary to match.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Doctorate

9. Petroleum Engineer

It’s a simple rule of thumb that any occupation with “engineer” in the title is going to be well-paid, and that&#;s especially true for Petroleum Engineer. From fuel to plastics, modern life runs on petroleum, and the experts who have the applied scientific knowledge to optimize production, manage drilling sites, design equipment, and implement strategies earn their keep. Petroleum engineers need several years of highly specialized post-bachelor’s education, and work conditions may be extreme (oil and mild climates just don’t tend to go together) &#; both good reasons for high pay.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Master’s

Nurse Practitioner

These days, you’re far more likely to see a nurse practitioner than an MD when you go to your family clinic, and that’s a good thing. Most of the time, an NP can do anything a doctor can do, having learned most of the specialized knowledge that doctors learn, but they also have the hands-on experience and expertise &#; and bedside manner &#; of a nurse. In fact, in half of the US, nurse practitioners don’t even need the supervision of a doctor. NPs need a Master of Science in Nursing degree, as well as state licensure, to practice, and aspiring NPs should know the hours are just as long as nursing, with even more responsibility. The pay, though, helps make up for worn-out feet.

Median Salary: $91,
Education Level: Master’s

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants make up one of the most crucial aspects of the healthcare system, because in many cases they are the difference between medical care and no medical care. The education for PAs comes close to that of medical doctors, ending at the master’s level, and PAs are qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. In many rural and underserved areas without doctors, PAs are instrumental in providing medical care. While their pay rate is not as high as a full medical doctor’s, a physician assistant does not go unappreciated.

Median Salary: $91,
Education Level: Master’s

Nurse Midwife

There are many specializations for advanced practice nurses, but Nurse Midwife is one of the most rewarding, in more ways than one. For women who want the comforting and less invasive care of a midwife, with the assurance of modern medicine, a nurse midwife is the best of both worlds. To practice, nurse midwives need a Master of Science in Nursing and licensure, and in most states nurse midwives must work under the supervision of an OBGYN. For the most part, though, nurse midwives are fully in charge of the birthing room and the care of pregnant women and their babies, and their salaries reflect that responsibility.

Median Salary: $89,
Education Level: Master’s

Actuary

Actuarial science is a highly specialized area of accounting that combines accounting, statistics, and business; actuaries use all that expertise to analyze risk for insurance companies, banks, government agencies, and more. Besides a lot of study and several years of higher education, it’s a job that very few people really have the mind for. For those who can do the math, an actuary is one of the best jobs out there for job security, workload, and pay rate. Since it’s a challenging niche, there are never enough actuaries, meaning a well-trained actuary can pretty much write their own ticket.

Median Salary: $83,
Education Level: Master’s

Lawyer

It’s easy for laypeople to say there are too many lawyers, but that’s willfully forgetting just how critical lawyers are for just about every aspect of business, government, entertainment, healthcare, and more. Lawyers protect the accused from injustice, keep businesses on the straight and narrow, help families manage their assets in life transitions, and provide legal counsel when someone has been wronged. Lawyers need a Juris Doctor degree and licensure from their state Bar Association to practice, and their long hours, high stress, and big responsibility is repaid in a high median salary.

Median Salary: $81,
Education Level: Doctorate

Operations Research Analyst

There’s a simple reason Operations Research Analysts make a high salary: math. To put it simply, operations research analysts use mathematics, statistics, and data to analyze business problems and create solutions. That may mean anything from making changes to the supply chain, to organizing products in a store for higher sales, to optimizing human resources. Since it’s a highly technical field, the education and skill set creates an automatic barrier to entry, so unemployment is low, job projections are high (growing by 27%), and median salary is stable and satisfying.

Median Salary: $77,
Education Level: Master’s

Veterinarian

Veterinarian is high up on the list of jobs kids want when they grow up, but it isn’t all petting fluffy animals. Vets care for household pets, certainly, but they also care for zoo animals, farm livestock, and endangered species in captivity. They’re a crucial part of keeping the food supply healthy, preventing overpopulation of stray animals, and even researching climate change’s impact on wildlife. Veterinarians must earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine, which can take anywhere from 4 to 6 years, and be licensed in their state; some specializations may take even more education and certification.

Median Salary: $75,
Education Level: Doctorate

Construction Manager

Some occupations are perennial, and construction is one. Construction may go through phases, depending on the economy, and some areas of construction may be seasonal, but one thing is for sure &#; people are always building. A good construction manager will never be out of work for long, whether it’s residential or commercial, government contracting or private sector. Construction managers may work their way into the job through experience, but a bachelor’s or master’s degree can provide skills and expertise that add to experience and help earn higher salaries.

Median Salary: $74,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Psychologist

Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychologist is not a medical doctor, but an academic doctor. A psychologist may earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Psychology; the primary difference is if you plan to work directly with clients as a therapist, or to work in education and research. Psychologists may find themselves in all kinds of workplaces and environments, from clinics and laboratories to business and marketing firms. Salary rates can fluctuate, depending on where a psychologist works, and in what capacity, but the high level of expertise and wide range of applicability gives psychologists a high median salary.

Median Salary: $73,
Education Level: Doctorate

Business Operations Manager

The Business Operations Manager is the point person, the one who oversees the day to day operations of businesses large and small, troubleshooting problems, motivating employees, and communicating with the higher-ups. It’s a position that strong employees might work their way into through promotions, but these days, professional competition can be fierce; a higher degree like an MBA or Master’s in Management can be the key to making it. Strong managers can not only count on a high median salary, but opportunity to break through to the executive suite.

Median Salary: $72,
Education Level: Master’s

Statistician

Any college student who has eked out a passing grade in a statistics class will tell you &#; anyone who can handle statistics is worth their weight in gold. Because it is a highly specialized skill set, statisticians are in high demand in a wide variety of fields &#; finance, insurance, technology, entertainment, healthcare: you name it, there’s a place for statisticians. The education level necessary for a career in statistics varies, but a master’s degree will usually provide the expertise and adaptable skills that a statistician can carry into any number of career paths.

Median Salary: $71,
Education Level: Master’s

Database Administrator

In the era of Big Data, Database Administrators are among the most important members of any corporate team. Database administrators design and build databases for customer information, organizational data, financial information, and any other kind of information that their organization needs to function. They are also responsible for protecting that information, and making sure it is useful and accessible. The importance of database administrators, and their high level of specialized education, translates to a sizable salary level.

Median Salary: $71,
Education Level: Master’s

Industrial Psychologist

Once upon a time, organizational management was a matter of instinct, experience, and luck. Today, Industrial Psychology has made a science of the workplace, applying the insights of psychology to interoffice behavior, consumer behavior, decision-making, assessments, and other business concerns like ethics and law. Industrial psychologists need at least a master’s degree in psychology, and preferably a specialization in the field, though a doctorate may increase your career potential.

Median Salary: $71,
Education Level: Master’s

Information Security Analyst

In the information age, one of the greatest dangers to businesses, governments, and individuals is cybercrime. Hacking of personal data, financial data, and government information has become one of the main threats to security, and with the growth of Big Data and more life being lived online, criminals will continue to capitalize on weaknesses. That makes Information Security Analysts some of the most important people in any organization. The people who keep networks and information protected need to combine a strong education with deep and diverse experience, making their salary expectations higher as well.

Median Salary: $70,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Financial Manager/Analyst

The job of a Financial Manager is to oversee the financial operations of a business, such as maintaining proper records, writing reports and white papers, and making sure that finances are in order. A Financial Analyst, on the other hand, analyzes a businesses finances, such a investments, cash flow, and returns, to make recommendations on what has worked in the past, and the best way forward. Both jobs require a business degree, preferably a master’s, and both are growing at an above average rate, with solid median income and potential.

Median Salary:

Financial Manager &#; $70,
Financial Analyst &#; $58,

Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Software Developer

A Software Developer oversees the whole development process of a computer program, from determining problems to be solved or customer desires to be met, to leading a team of programmers, to getting a product on the market. Some developers work primarily as managers, while others work directly in programming, depending on the complexity of the project. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a similar speciality may be useful, though for management many companies will want a master’s; however, in many companies, experience is more important than any education.

Median Salary: $69,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Physical Therapist

When an injury, age, or sickness keeps you from moving effectively, where do you turn? To the Physical Therapist, that’s where. Physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing specializations in healthcare, with jobs expected to increase by 28% in the next decade. There’s lots of reasons for that, including more active adults and a huge number of aging Baby Boomers, but it’s also simply because we understand the benefits better. A physical therapist needs a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a state certification to practice.

Median Salary: $69,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineering is one of the most hands-on engineering occupations, rooted in the long history of applied science. Mechanical engineers design and build mechanical devices, from tools and engines to thermal sensors and nanotechnology. To begin a career as a mechanical engineer, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field is a must; it’s highly specialized, and needs not only a deep level of education, but a lot of practical, experiential learning. You may also need a certification or license in your state.

Median Salary: $68,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Radioactive Medicine

Radioactive medicine technicians &#; including Radiation Therapist, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiologist, and MRI Technologist &#; are some of the best-paying jobs you can get with just an associate’s degree, and they play an important part in modern medicine. Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments for cancer patients to shrink and destroy tumors; Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare and administer the radioactive drugs used in imaging, and operate imaging equipment; Radiologists operate X-Ray equipment, while MRI Technologists operate MRI imagine equipment. The highly specialized &#; as well as rather risky &#; nature of the job means that radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists must be exceptionally well-trained. The job also carries its fair share of stress and difficulty, so they are generally well-paid, well above average for other jobs of the same education level.

Median Salary:

Radiation Therapist &#; $68,
Nuclear Medicine Technologist &#; $65,
Radiologic and MRI Technologist &#; $62,

Education Level: Associate’s

Computer Systems Analyst

While the Network Architect (#6 above) is the person who designs and implements networks for businesses, it’s the Computer Systems Analyst who examines the structures in place and finds ways to improve them. The systems analysts understands both the needs of the business, and the capabilities of the system, and comes up with ways for the two to work at their maximum efficiency and effectiveness. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science is the way into the field, but experience will make the biggest difference in a successful career as a systems analyst.

Median Salary: $66,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Compliance Officer

The Compliance Officer is one of the most important positions in any major corporation, though they’re not necessarily the person executives want to see come calling. The compliance officers’ job is to make sure a business is operating within proper legal and ethical boundaries, and that a company is keeping up with regulations, industry standards, and internal policies. In other words, the compliance officer keeps a company out of trouble, and even if no one wants to get an email from their compliance officer, they’re well-rewarded in pay for such a critical job.

Median Salary: $65,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy is closely related to Physical Therapy (#26 above), in that both are dedicated to helping people recover and improve their capabilities after injury or sickness. However, occupational therapists work in a broader scope, helping patients relearn or develop everyday skills, such as feeding, dressing, or cleaning themselves; they may also work with disabled children to teach them self-care skills. Occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree, rather than a doctorate, and must be licensed in the state where they practice.

Median Salary: $64,
Education Level: Master’s

Medical and Health Services Manager

Without a doubt, healthcare is the field to be in if you want job security, high salaries, and the ability to help people as well, but not everyone is cut out for nursing or medicine. Fortunately, Medical and Health Services Managers can capitalize on the explosive growth in the healthcare industry, without having to encounter explosive growths in the emergency room (sorry). A bachelor’s or master’s degree in management is a good start, and specialized healthcare management degrees have become quite common &#; and are often available online.

Median Salary: $64,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Orthotist and Prosthetist

When patients need medical support devices, whether that means artificial limbs, braces, eyes, or other orthotics, they turn to Orthotists and Prosthetists. These are the professionals who build and fit prosthetics, helping patients find the right devices to improve their mobility, independence, and quality of life. An orthotist or prosthetist needs a master’s degree in the field, as well as a residency, and in many states a certification or license is also required to practice. The field is changing every day, and the specialized knowledge and skills of an orthotist/prosthetist is well compensated.

Median Salary: $64,
Education Level: Master’s

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers are well-educated, well-respected, and well-paid, and well they should be &#; they’re the ones who turn our infrastructure from idea to reality. Civil engineering is as old as civilization, and their job hasn’t changed much, even as the tools and capabilities have; they design, build, and maintain buildings, bridges, tunnels, waterworks, and every other structure that makes civilized life possible. A civil engineer needs at least a bachelor’s degree, but leadership positions will be more in reach with a master’s, and experience is key to reaching the highest levels of responsibility and income.

Median Salary: $63,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Marketing Manager

In the 21st century, half of business is marketing. We just made that up, but as far as anyone can tell it’s true; competition in just about every field is so intense, building a strong brand may be the only difference between dominance and disappearance. A Marketing Manager oversees the marketing operations of a corporation, business, or organization, leading marketing campaigns and making sure that the employer or client’s marketing stays on-brand. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in management will provide the skills to lead teams, analyze and make marketing decisions, and craft successful campaigns.

Median Salary: $62,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, the people who do the crucial one-on-one work with patients in hospitals, emergency rooms, clinics, and every other healthcare facility. To become an RN, you need an associate’s degree in nursing (from a community college or nursing school) or a hospital diploma, and pass the NCLEX exam to be licensed as a registered nurse in your state. There is no shortage of jobs, and pay rates can be quite high, especially in specialized areas like ER, neonatal, or oncology department.

Median Salary: $62,
Education Level: Associate’s

Epidemiologist/Medical Scientist

Doctors and nurses work directly with patients to treat their illnesses and injuries, but where do the knowledge, treatments, and therapies they use come from? It’s the researchers behind the scenes who help medical professionals know what treatments work, how diseases spread, and how to prevent illness and injury. Epidemiologists study population and geographical trends to understand the spread of disease, while Medical Scientists study medications, diseases, medical devices, and other aspects of medicine from a scientific perspective. At least a master’s degree, and often a doctorate, is the standard for working as an epidemiologist of medical scientist.

Median Salary: $61,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Chiropractor

The doctors who manipulate your spine and joints to relieve chronic pain get paid quite well, and wouldn’t you want them to? A Doctor of Chiropractic degree requires many hours of residency and many years of schooling, and the job itself is a lifesaver to many patients experiencing pain. Chiropractors must be licensed in the state where they practice, but because they do not perform surgery or prescribe medications, they are usually able to operate more independently than most doctors. Many own their own practice and set their own hours, making chiropractic not only a rewarding job financially, but personally as well.

Median Salary: $59,
Education Level: Doctorate

School Psychologist

School Psychologists do not get paid as much as psychologists with their own private practice &#; let’s get that out of the way right away. But they are essential to modern education, providing services that help keep schools healthy and safe for students and faculty alike. School psychologists help students with mental illness and disabilities find the support they need; they provide counseling for grieving or distressed students; they address school-wide issues like bullying, motivation, and discipline; and they are at the center of crisis intervention and prevention. Individuals who want to make a difference in students’ lives as a school psychologist will need a master’s or doctorate degree, and usually need state licensure.

Median Salary: $59,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists are trained in diagnosing and treating issues that affect speech and swallowing, from stroke and Parkinson’s in adults, to hearing loss and autism in adults and children. To become a speech-language pathologist, you will need at least a master’s degree in the field to learn the foundations of speech pathology, and the treatments you will be using. All states require some sort of licensure, and further certification may be necessary to work in schools.

Median Salary: $59,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Financial Advisor

Having more money than you know what to do with is a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem. Financial advisors come to the rescue for families who need help sorting out finances after the death of a loved one, making investment decisions, managing retirement, and more. At least a bachelor’s degree is necessary to get a job as a financial advisor, but more specialized master’s or certificate work can help you stand out on the job market. More schooling can also give you the confidence to strike out on your own as an independent consultant, or help you start your own firm.

Median Salary: $58,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Web Developer

Web Developers make the internet what it is, designing and building websites and pages to work at their best. While web developers may design the look of sites, they are more often responsible for the technical functioning of the site (especially if they are working in a team that includes a web designer). Developers must be well-versed in the most common programming languages for the web, and keep up with new developments as well. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can be helpful for getting work in the field, but certifications, continuing education, and workshops may be more important for staying current.

Median Salary: $58,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Technical Writer

Technical Writers do the unglamorous writing &#; user’s manuals, instructions, directions, business documents, and all of the other necessary writing that makes the world go round. A good technical writer should have the research and technical skills to write about any topic, product, or process; if they don’t know about it when they start the job, they’ll know as much as an expert by the time they’re done. A bachelor’s or master’s degree proves that you have the expertise, but nothing will get you farther in technical writing than experience, and a portfolio of excellent work.

Median Salary: $57,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Sales Manager

A good salesperson is hard to find, but a good sales manager is even tougher &#; someone with the skills to be a top salesperson on their own, but with the interpersonal and managerial skills to lead a team of salespeople. A good sales manager brings out the best in their team, finding and hiring the right people and motivating them to higher goals. Most managerial positions will expect a bachelor’s degree as a minimum to apply, but nothing makes a great sales manager like experience.

Median Salary: $56,
Education Level: Bachelor’s

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Like radioactive medicine technicians (#28 above), Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are some of the best-paid jobs you can get with just an associate’s degree. Sonographers operate sonogram and ultrasound machines, which use high-frequency sound to create images of internal organs and tissues. Sonographers may work with pregnant women, in cardiovascular units, in sports medicine or physical therapy clinics, and other environments where sonography is used. With just a 2-year degree, diagnostic medical Sonographers can make more than $50, a year, and even upwards of $60, or $70,

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Associate’s

Political Scientist

These days, everybody’s a political scientist &#; or, at least, everybody thinks they are, whether they really know what they’re talking about or not. But real political scientists are a little more well-read and knowledgeable than the average internet troll, having been through a master’s or doctoral program studying and researching the political process. Political scientists study policy, trends, voting patterns, and other political topics, and usually work for the government, in education, or for nonprofits and lobbying organizations, where their expertise can be put to practical use.

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienists join that esteemed group of associate’s-degree occupations that can earn a high salary and relative job security. In fact, there aren’t nearly enough hygienists to keep up with market demand &#; the job is expected to grow by 20% over the next decade, by more than 40, jobs. While they don’t have the expertise (or make the salary) of dentists, hygienists do most of the heavy lifting and interaction with patients, so it’s a good job for people who like working directly with people. Just an associate’s degree and certification or licensure is all that a dental hygienist needs.

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Associate’s

Cost Estimator

Cost Estimators have a very specific job, and it’s one that happens to be a lot harder than you may initially think: they have to figure out how much a project is going to cost. To be specific, cost estimators working in construction, business, government, or other fields have to research and analyze data to determine what it will take to, for example, build a building or implement a new policy: the time, materials, manpower, and expenses. That takes a lot of specialized knowledge, and usually at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, business, or a more industry-specific discipline (construction management, for example).

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Bachelor’s

Clinical Social Worker

Where non-clinical social workers may help clients with issues like finding a job or getting to rehab, a Clinical Social Worker is a much more intensive, working with individuals and families to confront drug addiction, domestic violence, mental illness, and more in a clinical (as opposed to community) setting. A clinical social worker should have a master’s degree and be certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and will usually work in a hospital, rehabilitation facility, or some similar place. Their higher level of education and responsibility means clinical social workers are generally paid much more than non-clinical social workers.

Median Salary: $52,
Education Level: Master’s

Dietitian and Nutritionist

Before the chorus of “Well, actually&#;&#;; yes, we know &#; Dietitians and Nutritionists are two different jobs. Registered Dietitians are licensed to provide detailed dietary advice and produce meal plans for clients, while Nutritionists (even certified nutritionists) can only provide general nutritional and dietary advice &#; not tell anyone what they should or should not eat. Therefore, all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. However, the BLS treats them the same way, and regardless of which you call yourself, it’s a fast-growing, in-demand occupation, and that shows no slowing down in the future.

Median Salary: $51,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Choosing a college major requires balancing your interests and abilities, as well as weighing the potential career options related to each. While college majors have unique appeal, each major also has its own earning potential. In this article, we examine the ten majors that make the most money.

Why is it important to know which majors make the most money?

Learning which majors make the most money may help you determine your field of study. STEM majors, those in math, technology, engineering and science are consistently at or near the top of the list. While the highest-paid majors do change a bit over time, this list doesn't include any majors in humanities, arts or education. Please note the figures are averages for the first year of employment.

Ten college majors that make the most money

The list below covers the ten most highly paid majors according to www.oldyorkcellars.com, arranged in ascending order:

1. Economics

Median base salary: $52, per year

Economics majors study the relationship between production, wealth, resources and how incentives guide behavior. Economics will likely also involve some study of communication and applied math. Over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts much faster than average growth in careers related to economics. Economics majors frequently find employment as analysts at banks, insurance companies and other financial firms.

2. Accounting

Median base salary: $52, per year

Accounting majors learn to analyze the finances of a company or individual. Accounting majors are familiar with various technology and software to organize information such as rates of appreciation, depreciation and tax law. Over the next decade, the availability of careers specific to accounting majors will grow at a rate similar to most other careers. Accounting majors most commonly work as accountants, financial analysts and financial consultants.

3. Biomedical engineering

Median base salary: $52, per year

Biomedical engineering majors approach the human body as an integrated set of systems. By thinking of the human body in engineering terms, these majors learn about building and repairing artificial limbs and organs, as well as providing technical support for sophisticated medical equipment. Continued technological breakthroughs should encourage job and career growth in the biomedical industry comparable to, or slightly greater than, most other careers. Biomedical engineers most commonly work for hospitals, laboratories, manufacturing companies and universities.

4. Business

Median base salary: $54, per year

Business majors also learn a broad range of topics: micro and macroeconomics, basic finance, marketing and business ethics. Depending on the specific major, students may also explore issues around international trade, tariffs, taxes and project management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth in the business industry will be faster than average over the next decade. Business majors work in many of the same positions as finance and accounting majors: insurance and financial firms, in payroll departments, as risk consultants, or project managers.

5. Finance

Median base salary: $54, per year

Finance majors focus on improving business efficiency and maximizing profits. They also learn broadly about economics, accounting principles, and how to analyze long-term investment and budget strategies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs and careers specific to finance majors will grow faster than average. Finance majors may work in payroll departments, as financial advisors or analysts, or in a number of roles at investment companies.

6. Nursing

Median base salary: $58, per year

Nursing majors learn to care for patients recovering from illness or injury, usually under the supervision of a doctor. Nursing majors study human anatomy, biology and disease. In addition, nursing majors take courses in chemistry, physiology and nutrition. The nursing profession is currently experiencing faster than average growth, with jobs available at public and private hospitals, though some may work in patients' homes or in long-term care or rehabilitation facilities.

7. Mathematics or Statistics

Median base salary: $60, per year

Math majors study a wide range of topics that include both theoretical and applied uses for mathematical models. Math majors develop thorough understandings of algebra, calculus, geometry, and probability. Given the broad applications of mathematics, there are a number of available career options for those choosing this major. Given corporations' and governments' growing reliance on analyzing data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates much faster than average growth in mathematics-related careers. These potential careers include data analysis, computer programming, information technology, and digital security. Likewise, many math majors double major in education and pursue a career teaching math.

8. Information technology

Median base salary: $64, per year

Information technology majors take foundational courses in math, business and communications. There is often an emphasis on written and oral technical communication. In some cases, information technology majors have the option to specialize in subfields, such as web development and design or digital communication. Like many other STEM careers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects faster than average growth in careers employing information technology majors. Such career options include developing software, digital security, network architecture, program management, and database administration.

9. Engineering

Median base salary: $64, - $68, per year

While there are many specialties in engineering, generally speaking, engineers use predictive models to solve and design solutions to problems. Engineering specialties include electrical, mechanical, chemical and industrial; most have average starting salaries within the range listed above. Engineers develop a strong background in math and science, with an emphasis on planning and conducting experiments. They may also study business ethics and communication. Depending on the engineering major's specialty, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts slow to above average growth, predicting stronger growth in fields that emphasize computers, chemicals, natural resources and electricity.

Computer science

Median base salary: $70, per year

Computer science majors study a variety of topics related directly and indirectly to utilizing technology. Most begin with a background in math, then learn to modify and apply several programming languages, ln addition, most computer science programs require students to build websites, write programming codes, and sort data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates much faster growth in computer science-related careers than in most other fields. Computer science majors graduate ready to begin careers in website and software design, network administration, and information technology administration.

1. Petroleum Engineering

2. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

3. Applied Economics and Management

4. Operations Research

5. Public Accounting

6. Chemical Engineering/Materials Science & Engineering

7. Quantitative Business Analysis

8. Pharmacy

9. Aeronautics and Astronautics

Systems Engineering

Which college majors pay the most?  Researcher Hannah Kwak looks into the top college majors in demand offering high earnings after graduation. 

You’ve heard it before: If you want a high-paying job, you should be a STEM or business major. Avoid the liberal arts because you’ll end up working in a coffee shop or doing something equally unrelated to your major. College should be about preparing you for a career, so choose a major that is most likely to help you get a job after you graduate. And never, ever major in philosophy.

Given that college tuition is rising and more students are graduating with student loan debt than ever before, statements like these have become the popular opinion. To be fair, there’s some truth to these claims. In general, majoring in STEM does lead to higher-paying jobs and to lower rates of unemployment than majoring in the liberal arts. Take a look: 

Top 10 Majors with the Highest Median Earnings*

*Source: What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

The top 10 majors with the highest median earnings all fall under STEM.

However, framing the conversation in terms of STEM versus the liberal arts can be misleading. Here are four exceptions and complications that impact the value of college majors.

1. For Earning Power, Pre-Professional Studies Aren’t Always Best

Many people believe that the point of college is to prepare you for a career and therefore, because the liberal arts aren’t tied to a specific career path, you shouldn’t major in them. What these people often overlook, however, is that plenty of pre-professional majors lead to lower earnings than the liberal arts. According to a report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), counseling psychology is the lowest-paying bachelor's degree major, leading to a median full-time salary of $29, This is followed by early childhood education (with a median salary of $36,) and theology and religious vocations and human services and community organization (both with a median salary of $38,). In comparison, English language and literature leads to a median salary of $48, and humanities and liberal arts to a median salary of $47, In other words, the majors which tend to receive the most criticism from the public are far from being the worst offenders, at least when it comes to earnings potential.

Top 10 Majors with the Lowest Median Earnings*

*Source: What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

2. Not all STEM Majors are Equal

Most people would not guess that molecular biology is among the lowest-earning majors, pulling in just $28, at the 25th percentile. For comparison, other majors with the lowest earnings at the 25th percentile include counseling psychology, theology and religious vocations, and visual and performing arts. This is because some STEM majors lead to high earnings only after the completion of graduate school. According to the CEW, biology and life sciences majors get the largest return to a graduate degree ( percent). So if your goal is to start making money as soon as you get your bachelor’s degree, majoring in biology probably isn’t for you.

Top 10 Majors with the Lowest Earnings at the 25th Percentile*

*Source: What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

In addition to the CEW report, Payscale’s College Salary Report can be a useful resource for seeing what your (potential) college major is worth. According to Payscale, STEM majors that lead to the lowest earnings include veterinary technology, horticulture, exercise science, wildlife biology, and behavioral science. (Regarding what counts as STEM, I’ve used the ACT’s list of STEM majors.) These majors are a textbook example of why framing the conversation in terms of STEM versus the liberal arts can be woefully misleading. You wouldn’t think that art history, for example, leads to a higher early- and mid-career pay than wildlife biology ($65, compared to $61,, respectively), but that’s exactly what Payscale’s report shows.

Lowest-Paying STEM Majors

1. Veterinary Technology (early-career pay: $31,; mid-career pay: $43,)
2. Horticulture ($39,; $52,)
3. Exercise Science ($36,; $54,)
4. Wildlife Biology ($40,; $61,)
5. Behavioral Science ($37,; $61,)
6. Foods & Nutrition ($43,; $61,)
7. Medical Laboratory Science ($48,; $61,)
8. Kinesiology ($38,; $61,)
9. Dietetics ($45,; $62,)
10. Medical Technology ($50,; $62,)

Lowest-Paying Liberal Arts Majors

1. Biblical Studies (early-career pay: $35,; mid-career pay: $47,)
2. Bible Studies and Theology ($33,; $50,)
3. Theology ($37,; $53,)
4. Women’s Studies ($40,; $55,)
5. Religion ($37,; $60,)
6. Religious Studies ($38,; $62,)
7. Writing ($39,; $62,)
8. Liberal Studies ($39,; $62,)
9. Anthropology ($40,; $63,)
10. Art History ($41,; $65,)

3. Beware of Earnings Variation

Yet another complication is earnings variation. For example, earnings at the 25th percentile for naval architecture and marine engineering is $44,, but earnings at the 75th percentile for the same major is $,—a difference of $76,! Other majors with high earnings variation include physics, economics, and business economics.

These majors are typically viewed as highly pragmatic. However, contrary to what you might expect, some physics majors are making short of $38, a year. Furthermore, according to a Georgetown University report, Five Rules of the College and Career Game, the 25th percentile of architecture and engineering majors earn less than the 75th percentile of majors in either the arts or humanities and the liberal arts. These findings illustrate an important, albeit somewhat obvious, truth: Success depends on a multitude of different factors, not just on one’s college major.

Top 10 Majors with the Most Earnings Variation between the 25th and 75th Percentile*

*Source: What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

4. For Some Majors, College Selectivity Matters

There’s a lot of debate surrounding to what extent college selectivity matters for one’s future success. There's evidence to suggest, however, that it matters for some majors more than others. A study by Eide, Hilmer, and Showalter has found that “among all majors, the field with the most acute earnings differences across college selectivity types is business… [which] could be related to differences in alumni networks and other connections with potential employers for jobs and internships and due to institutional prestige.” College selectivity could be used to explain why Payscale’s Best Schools for Humanities Majors by Salary Potential report shows that humanities majors from Dartmouth have median salaries of $60, early in their careers (their mid-career pay is $,), while the average median earnings for humanities and liberal arts majors is $47,, according to the CEW. These numbers seem to confirm what many of us may have already guessed: You can afford to major in the field you want if you attend a selective university.

So, should you major in philosophy after all? There isn’t a clear-cut answer, largely because the whole point of this article is to warn against oversimplifying the issue of choosing a college major. The misconceptions we’ve highlighted illustrate the danger of oversimplifying the issue into a STEM versus liberal arts debate, but one could also overgeneralize by placing too big of an emphasis on future earnings.

At the end of the day, there are many different reasons why you might choose one major over another, and salary potential is only one of several important factors. The resources we’ve highlighted here can be an important tool as you go about choosing your major, but only you should have the last say.

A bachelor&#;s degree is a great investment in your future, and one of the most common degrees earned by college students. Some degrees pay you back, but others don&#;t do much to increase your earning potential. Your course of study influences your earning potential, so in order to plan your financial future, use Payscale&#;s College Salary Report to rank how different majors for bachelor&#;s degrees compare based on alumni salaries.

Top Bachelor Degrees

In keeping with current trends, the College Salary Report shows that the best bachelor degrees are mostly STEM-focused, meaning they are focused on science, technology, engineering or math. STEM degrees continue to be some of the highest paying degrees on the College Salary Report year after year. The top three highest-paying college majors are

Petroleum Engineer &#; Mid Career Salary: $,

A focus in this type of engineering will show you how to oversee production methods for retrieving oil and natural gas from the earth. Common employers of petroleum engineers include Chevron Corporation, British Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, and more. Petroleum engineering is a male-dominated field, with women representing only 11 percent.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science &#; Mid-Career Salary: $,

This degree prepares students to design and build software and hardware and software for a number of applications and devices.

Applied Economics and Management &#; Mid-Career Salary: $,

A degree in Applied Economics and Management enables students to gain an understanding of how economic principles are applied in the real world. Coursework would include classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

In today&#;s job market, having a bachelor&#;s degree is nearly a necessity to land a rewarding, well-paying job with any possibility for advancement; a bachelor&#;s degree is almost essential for entry into most professional careers. In certain lines of work, like teaching and engineering, you cannot enter the field without holding at least a bachelor&#;s degree.

When somebody tells you they are headed to a college or university, whether it’s for an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, MBA or PhD, the first question out of everybody’s mouth is 'Where are you going to school?' In reality though, the choice of major can have a much bigger impact on your future earnings than the school you attend. Payscale ranks the top college majors by salary to help you figure out how much you can earn after graduation.

It’s no surprise that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) majors are the top college majors by salary, but that doesn’t mean that we discourage students from studying majors in the humanities, social sciences, education or arts. In fact, some of those majors lead to high-paying careers as well – it just often takes a longer time for those graduates to reach their prime earning potential.

Payscale publishes this data to help students and their families make smart decisions about how much they can really afford to pay for an education in their intended subject matter. Student debt has been reaching record levels. By knowing your future salary potential, you can know how much debt you can afford to take on, and set yourself up for a successful career in any field.

1. Petroleum Engineering

2. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

3. Applied Economics and Management

4. Operations Research

5. Public Accounting

6. Chemical Engineering/Materials Science & Engineering

7. Quantitative Business Analysis

8. Pharmacy

9. Aeronautics and Astronautics

Systems Engineering

These college majors can lead the way to a sweet paycheck.

Hey college students! Starting to think about graduation already? Have you got your eyes set on landing your first job—and pulling in a sweet paycheck? How big that paycheck will be depends in large part on what you majored in to earn that bachelor’s degree. So what are the best college majors associated with the highest starting salaries? Glad you asked.

Monster pored over The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Winter Salary Survey Report, which plotted out the average starting salaries of many popular college majors, and we narrowed it down to the top eight that lead to good-paying jobs. The entry-level salaries (which don’t factor in overtime, bonuses, or other benefits) were gathered after NACE surveyed its members from October 4, , through December 3, We also checked Monster's Salary Tool to determine each college major's salary potential overall.

No surprise, STEM majors—science, technology, engineering, and math—came out on top. Remember, though, salaries depend on your experience level, specialty, and where in the country you're employed. For example, a civil engineer salary in Oakland, California, is 18% higher than the national median; a data scientist salary in Kansas City, Missouri, is 10% lower than the national median; and an elementary school teacher salary in Little Rock, Arkansas, is 1% higher than the national median.

Read on to see which common majors can lead to high-paying careers right out of the gate.

College Majors That Make the Most Money

1. Computer Science

Technology is a major player when it comes to industries with the highest starting salaries. Leading the way are you computer science majors, who spent your undergraduate careers learning about programming,data structures, and operating systems. The past four years are about to pay off with an average salary projection of $75, your first year out of college, a % increase from ’s average starting salary of $72, Check out related jobs and salaries for a computer science major.

Find computer science jobs on Monster now.

2. Engineering

Those of you who majored in engineering are expected to start your careers with the second-highest salary of the bunch at $73,—4% higher than 's salary projection of $69, And you've got a healthy job market, too. Architecture and engineering occupations are expected to grow 6% in the next decade, which is about average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS notes that the most in-demand jobs for engineering majors are those involving renewable energy, oil and gas,rebuilding infrastructure, and robotics.

Because engineering is a vast field, your salary will vary depending on the career path you take. For example, check out the jobs and salaries for an electrical engineering major and the jobs and salaries for a chemical engineering major.

Find engineering jobs on Monster now.

3. Math and Sciences

Earning a bachelor’s degree in the fields of math or science can set you up for a starting salary of $66,, up % from $63, in Math occupations, which are growing at a faster-than-average pace, include actuaries,operations research analysts, and statisticians. Check out more jobs and salaries for a math major. Science majors, on the other hand, might find jobs working as a biological technician, a chemist, or a lab assistant at a hospital or doing research for a major corporation.

Like engineering, your pay potential depends on your career path. Check out jobs and salaries for an actuarial science major as well as jobs and salaries for a geology major.

Find math jobs and science jobs on Monster now.

4. Social Sciences

So you studied social sciences in college. Where do you go next? The job market is your oyster, no matter if you’re looking for something in the public or private sector. It’s common for someone with a social science degree to become a government economist,data analyst, or even a salesperson. You can expect to take home $61,—up % from $59, in —in the first year.

For more sample career paths, check out jobs and salaries for an economics major; jobs and salaries for a psychology major; and jobs and salaries for an urban studies major.

Find social science jobs on Monster now.

5. Business

Business grads can expect a starting salary of $60,, up % from $58, in Globalization, an economy on the upswing, and technological developments are all increasing the demand for business pros, such as management analysts, market researchers, purchasers, and human resources specialists. Business and financial occupations are expected to grow 8% in the next decade. Check out more related jobs and salaries for a business major.

Find business jobs on Monster now.

6. Agriculture and Natural Resources

If you're interested in growing things, you'll be thrilled to learn this industry has made the list. The average starting salary of $57, is a % growth from 's starting salary of $54, All your hard work in the lab, fields, and on the farm are going to pay off, whether you pursue a career in education, landscape design, or crop consulting. Check out more related jobs and salaries for an agriculture major.

Find agriculture and natural resources jobs on Monster.

7. Communications

Whether you decide to go into public relations,writing,video editing, or translating, your communications degree could help you earn an average starting salary of $55,, down % from $58, in With 10 years under your belt, you could be looking at a salary well into the six figures.

Have a look at some jobs and salaries for a communications major (general); jobs and salaries for a public relations, advertising, and applied communication major; and jobs and salaries for a digital communication and media major.

Find communications jobs on Monster now.

8. Humanities

Graduating with a liberal arts degree, such as one in humanities, used to mean you’d have a harder time finding a full-time gig than your STEM-studying friends. Not so. Although starting salaries for humanities majors have fallen % to $50, compared to 's starting salary of $59,, there's much to look forward to. The soft skills (critical thinking, creativity, and leadership) you’ve mastered over the past four years are what a lot of recruiters are looking for right now. Check out the many jobs and salaries for a humanities major.

Find popular jobs for humanities majors, such as teachers,editors, and sales representatives, on Monster now.

Graduate to the Next Step in Your Job Search

Congratulations! You’re about to join the workforce and kick off a promising career. But knowing which jobs to pursue is half the challenge. You have to get your applications in front of hiring managers. Could you use some help getting started? Create a free profile on Monster. We can connect you to recruiters in your areas of interest, send you customized job alerts to help you find a job faster, and deliver career advice to your inbox. You worked hard for four years—it’s time to reap the rewards with an awesome new job that’ll put you at the head of the class.

A bachelor&#;s degree is a great investment in your future, and one of the most common degrees earned by college students. Some degrees pay you back, but others don&#;t do much to increase your earning potential. Your course of study influences your earning potential, so in order to plan your financial future, use Payscale&#;s College Salary Report to rank how different majors for bachelor&#;s degrees compare based on alumni salaries.

Top Bachelor Degrees

In keeping with current trends, the College Salary Report shows that the best bachelor degrees are mostly STEM-focused, meaning they are focused on science, technology, engineering or math. STEM degrees continue to be some of the highest paying degrees on the College Salary Report year after year. The top three highest-paying college majors are

Petroleum Engineer &#; Mid Career Salary: $,

A focus in this type of engineering will show you how to oversee production methods for retrieving oil and natural gas from the earth. Common employers of petroleum engineers include Chevron Corporation, British Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, and more. Petroleum engineering is a male-dominated field, with women representing only 11 percent.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science &#; Mid-Career Salary: $,

This degree prepares students to design and build software and hardware and software for a number of applications and devices.

Applied Economics and Management &#; Mid-Career Salary: $,

A degree in Applied Economics and Management enables students to gain an understanding of how economic principles are applied in the real world. Coursework would include classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

In today&#;s job market, having a bachelor&#;s degree is nearly a necessity to land a rewarding, well-paying job with any possibility for advancement; a bachelor&#;s degree is almost essential for entry into most professional careers. In certain lines of work, like teaching and engineering, you cannot enter the field without holding at least a bachelor&#;s degree.

The point at which a high schooler seriously starts thinking about college is a monumental moment and with it comes many daunting decisions.

 Students decide where to go, whether or not to take a gap year, what to major in, etc. 

Figuring out what to major in comes with its own set of considerations.

While choosing a major shouldn&#;t  be based solely on a student’s interests, it often is.

Eventually, however, the topic of career earnings will sneak into the picture.

Mark Twain, who actually dropped out of school in the 5th grade to become a printer’s apprentice, said, &#;Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

As &#;nice&#; as that sounds, it may not be a very practical way of looking at things.

With college costs being so high, and student loan debt rising to keep up with the increase, it would be silly to not include earning potential in your decision-making when looking at majors.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the top majors by wage and offer some advice on ways to increase your earning potential even more, depending on your major.

Once you absorb this information  you’ll hopefully have the answers to questions such as: What should I major in to make a lot of money? What are the easiest college majors that pay well? What is the highest paying major? What is the most popular major?

Why Does Choosing a Major Matter?

As stated above, choosing your major is extremely important, arguably second only to deciding whether to attend college at all and where to go.

Understanding how much a major is worth is key to unlocking the full potential of your college experience. You wouldn’t want to get a poor return on your investment after purchasing something from a store, so why would you not consider the ROI when investing in a college education?

Thirty-fiver percent of jobs today require a bachelor’s degree or higher. The lists below should help you better understand what you will get receive monetarily from college, depending on the major you choose.

It is also important to keep in mind that these numbers are all averages and other skills such as networking and work ethic can equally impact your earnings over time.

The salary numbers listed below have been collected from a recent study performed by Georgetown University and a separate database from Payscale.

Top 10 Highest Paid Majors (Undergraduate)

Petroleum Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $92,

Median Earnings: $,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration

Early Career Pay: $63,

Median Earnings: $,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Metallurgical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $79,

Median Earnings: $98,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Mining and Mineral Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $75,

Median Earnings: $97,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Chemical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $73,

Median Earnings: $96,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Electrical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $71,

Median Earnings: $93,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Aerospace Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $73,

Median Earnings: $90,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Mechanical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $67,

Median Earnings: $87,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Computer Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $74,

Median Earnings: $87,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Geological and Geophysical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $59,

Median Earnings: $87,

Mid-Career Pay: $95,

Top 10 Lowest Paid Majors (Undergraduate)

Family and Consumer Sciences

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $45,

Mid-Career Pay: $64,

Drama and Theater Arts

Early Career Pay: $41,

Median Earnings: $45,

Mid-Career Pay: $78,

Elementary Education

Early Career Pay: $37,

Median Earnings: $43,

Mid-Career Pay: $51,

Theology and Religious Vocations 

Early Career Pay: $38,

Median Earnings: $43,

Mid-Career Pay: $54,

Visual and Performing Arts

Early Career Pay: $42,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $67,

Teacher Education

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $61,

Social Work

Early Career Pay: $36,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $51,

Studio Arts

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $65,

Human Services and Community Organization

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $41,

Mid-Career Pay: $52,

Early Childhood Education

Early Career Pay: $34,

Median Earnings: $39,

Mid-Career Pay: $43,

What Are the Easiest College Majors That Pay Well?

Now that you know what majors pay the most and the least, you may also want to consider what majors are the easiest. According to a previous article on the easiest and hardest majors, there are two majors that overlap with the list above.

• Chemical engineering, with an average GPA of and average weekly study hours of 22 according to statistics from CollegeVine, is one of the hardest majors that simultaneously ranks as one of the highest paying. Chemical engineers have a predicted Year ROI of $,
• Social Work comes in as one of the easiest majors, sporting an average GPA of to go with average weekly study hours of As one of the easiest, but lowest-paying majors, social workers can expect a predicted Year ROI of $,

Top Paid Majors by Field (Undergraduate)

STEM

1. Computer science &#; $83,
2. Physics &#; $81,
3. Information sciences &#; $73,
4. Mathematics &#; $73,
5. Earth science &#; $69,

Business

1. Management Information Systems and Statistics &#; $77,
2. Business Economics &#; $75,
3. Finance &#; $73,
4. Operations Logistics and E-Commerce &#; $71,
5. Accounting &#; $69,

Liberal Arts

1. History &#; $54,
2. English Language and Literature &#; $53,
3. Foreign Language Studies &#; $52,
4. Intercultural and International Studies &#; $52,
5. Philosophy and Religious Studies &#; $51,

Is Graduate School Worth It?

One way to increase your possible earnings after college is to go back for a graduate degree. There are numerous options of graduate degrees to pursue, from Masters to PhDs to JDs and more, each with its own benefit in terms of returning inflated income.

Majors such as animal sciences, biology, political science and government, zoology, health and medical preparatory programs, pre-law and legal studies, and chemistry all see over 50% increases in their respective median incomes for those coming out of graduate school.

That is an enormous boost and should be heavily considered for anyone looking into those fields. 

The percentage increase graduate school can bring depends on your major and should be something you investigate perhaps even before you get your undergraduate degree.

Additionally, keep in mind that the cost of graduate school per year may be similar to that of obtaining an undergraduate degree and on top of that you most likely wouldn’t be doing any paid work, that is, earning money, while in school.

Final Tips to Know About Top-Paying Majors

As stated at the beginning, there are many factors that impact what major to choose in college. It is also worth noting that the numbers above are prone to change with the times.

Two decades ago computer science was unlikely to be on most people’s radar when applying to college, but now it is one of the most popular majors across all schools.

Current events such as the pandemic are guaranteed to impact what majors are most popular going forward and should be something you look into. 

No one is guaranteed to earn the median salary in any major. There will be those who earn less and those who earn more.

Part of what separates people in terms of salary is less about the major they studied and more about their work ethic, networking skills, and commitment to advancement in their careers.

Keeping up these key attributes will help you succeed no matter your field.

For more information on how college majors can directly relate to future earnings, check here.

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Matthew Schwartz

Matthew is a senior at The Haverford School, in Haverford, PA. He is the editor-in-chief of his school newspaper, The Index. He enjoys writing, photography, and film making.

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50 college majors that earn the least money

Career choices are often based on personal interests, experience, and potential income—and more and more, they require at least a college degree. What undergraduates choose to major in during college can be a strong indicator of what an individual’s financial future looks like—and it’s not always rosy news.

Stacker researched the 50 college majors that earn the least money, using PayScale’s College Salary Report. This report, fresh with data, surveyed million college graduates and bachelor degrees ranked by mid-career median salary, or the fitted salary one makes after working in the field for over 10 years. By definition, a fitted salary combines the base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime, and other forms of cash earnings. Ties are broken by early career salary.

Stock compensation was not included when considering the annual salary of each college major but can be a significant portion of pay for specific executive and high-tech jobs. Further, a wage for the noted college major does not include the cash value of retirement benefits or the amount of other noncash benefits, including health care and other ancillary benefits. PayScale’s salaries do not directly reflect those of the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). For most of the majors, BLS salaries are higher, even though the level of education required is the same.

Additionally, several low-paying teaching majors on the list confirm the plight of educators who graduate but can’t make ends meet on a minimum salary. Between rising student debt and inflation, it is likely many who majored in the noted subjects have second jobs to pay the bills.

Read on to find out the 50 college majors that earn the least money.

You may also like: Best jobs that require a bachelor’s degree

Orhan Cam // Shutterstock

# Parks and recreation management

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Parks and recreation workers typically work for the government, which means they may see fewer pay raises than other workers. Some government workers just received their first pay raise in over a decade in

Viktor Gladkov // Shutterstock

# Ceramics

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Students looking to major in ceramics will learn about the science behind materials, plus sculpture and drawing skills. Courses in personal style development, wheel-throwing techniques, firing and kiln operation, oxidation, ceramic murals, mixed media, and slips and glazes are usually required to graduate. Many with a degree in ceramics become professional potters, teachers, artists, or sculptors.

DGLimages // Shutterstock

# Vocal performance

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

While some vocal performance majors may go on to perform sold-out arenas, many end up working in less lucrative careers. These include positions at churches, such as worship pastors and directors of music ministry, which come with decidedly lower salaries.

Hotaik Sung // Shutterstock

# Pastoral ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Pastoral ministers help people in times of spiritual distress and lead religious organizations. But people don’t pay for spiritual counsel—other than tithes—and therefore there are no typical ways to drive up earnings.

Canva

# Art teacher education

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Art teacher education majors most often go on to help nurture the next generation of creative minds, often at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Those who pursue this course of study may also find career opportunities in museums or as textbook illustrators. 

You may also like: The most educated county in every state

Freedom Studio // Shutterstock

# Bible studies and theology

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

All jobs depend on having clients, and this includes religious jobs. Bible studies and theology professionals face challenging headwinds in the United States in this respect. Fewer Americans than ever report themselves as religious.

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# Forensic accounting

&#; Early career pay: $48,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Forensic accountants are integral in solving crimes like insurance fraud or money laundering by carefully tracing and examining the flow of finances. Advanced degrees and CPA certification can increase employment opportunities for forensic accounting majors.  

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Communication sciences and disorders

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Communications sciences and disorders specialists address an array of issues that technology may be rendered less reliant on therapy. For example, cochlear implants for deaf children and babies can now be purchased for as low as $ with insurance, reducing the need for hearing therapy, as a greater number of patients can hear via the technology.

PhuShutter // Shutterstock

# Legal assistant studies

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Legal assistants may hope to become lawyers, who typically earn significantly higher salaries. However, without a law degree, legal assistants are only legally allowed to perform certain tasks, which caps the value of their services.

Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

# Special education

&#; Early career pay: $41,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

There are several special education career paths to take after majoring in the subject, aside from teaching. The prospect of becoming a residential manager, preschool director, or direct support professional is why some choose the undergraduate major, then get their master’s degree. Working with the disabled is in high demand due to teachers retiring and more students needing help.

You may also like: The top women CEOs in America

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# Conservation biology

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Conservation biologists play a critical role in preserving species and ecosystems. Many important roles in the field offer low or no pay, making it nearly impossible for people to perform this work, pay off their student debt, and sustain themselves. As people abandon the field for different work, the world suffers a collective loss.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Family studies

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Family studies professionals help tutor, develop, and supervise children. Some competition they face in commanding high salaries? Teenage babysitters, whom parents may feel more comfortable paying lower wages.

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

# Speech and hearing

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Speech and hearing professionals’ salaries suffer from improved technology. Hearing aids have become increasingly sophisticated, reducing the need for much administrative assistance after purchase.

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

# Christian ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Christianity has been on the decline in the United States for years. This means that fewer Americans are attending church, or giving to their churches, which means fewer resources to supplant the salaries of Christian ministry workers.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

# Health and human services

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Health and human services encompass a vast array of jobs. On the higher end of the pay scale, these include jobs such as public health directors. But many other jobs included in health and human services typically have lower pay rates, such as social workers and correctional treatment specialists.

You may also like: Best county to retire in every state

buteo // Shutterstock

# Musical theater

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Although a musical theater degree will provide you with the foundations for success on Broadway, that pathway is highly competitive. The good news is that there are many theater-adjacent roles in the areas of performance, production, business, education, and mental health into which this degree can segue.

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# History teacher education

&#; Early career pay: $47,
&#; Mid-career pay: $55,

Majoring in history teacher education likely means most graduates will teach the subject in elementary, secondary, or postsecondary schools. Being a history teacher, like other instruction degrees, requires those who major in the subject to become state-certified after student teaching. History teachers may work with special education teachers to make learning more accessible for students with learning difficulties and can work with debate teams, for example, because of their knowledge of current events.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Developmental psychology

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $55,

Developmental psychologists study how people change over the course of their lifetime, from a variety of perspectives including biologically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Advanced degrees, licensure, internships, and certifications can mean the accrual of significant debt before someone can even begin working and practicing in the field.

XArtProduction // Shutterstock

# Therapeutic recreation

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Therapeutic recreation specialists work with patients to improve the minds, bodies, and spirits of those with disease or disabilities. This demographic may be less likely to have resources to pay therapists significant sums, which may play a role in driving down salaries.

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Community and human services

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Community and human services workers endeavor to improve the lives of their communities and the individuals who work in them. And even though salaries are not as high as those from other majors, the BLS has noted that job growth in this field is projected to remain high in the next decade.

You may also like: The most conservative public colleges in America

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# Applied behavioral science

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Applied behavioral science is essentially the study of why people behave in certain ways. If it sounds broad, that’s because it is. Graduates often pursue career opportunities in the fields of human resources, human services, and consumer science, among others.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

# Social work

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Although social work jobs may not have the highest starting salaries, job prospects for social workers are actually quite positive. As health care spending continues to increase, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that social work jobs in clinical settings, in particular, will continue to enjoy a rise in demand for workers.

Gaudilab // Shutterstock

# Office administration

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Graduating with a major in office administration opens doors to many career paths, including medical office manager, staff specialist, executive assistant, management secretary, and purchasing consultant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics details other career opportunities that do not require a degree but have comparable and higher annual salaries for those who major in the field. Among those occupations are police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, who make $40, annually, and administrative assistants, who annually make $38,

DGLimages // Shutterstock

# Family and community services

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Family and community services careers often involve helping people with little capital or power, including the impoverished and disabled citizens accessing social services. Because these services are offered free of charge, there is a limited capital base with which to reward workers.

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# Ministry

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

To be a minister is to be a lifelong student of the Bible and a leader in the Catholic Church. Some students may pursue seminary school upon completion of a ministry degree or may pursue a specialization like working with youth. But church membership is falling as the number of Americans with no religious affiliation continues to rise. 

You may also like: Global trade by the numbers

BRAIN2HANDS // Shutterstock

# Youth ministry

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Youth ministers work with children and teens to coordinate related activities at a church or religious organization. Churches typically operate as nonprofits, and therefore the salaries of their workers, including youth ministers, lack the ability to respond to the market and offer higher salaries.

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

# Elementary education

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Majoring in elementary education means teaching and instructing young students. Majors in the program must choose a specific subject to study, including either math, history, science, or English. Some who major in the subject consider careers as guidance counselors, juvenile correction officers, long-term substitute teachers, online instructors, preschool teachers, or adjunct professors.

Igor Bulgarin // Shutterstock

# Voice and opera

&#; Early career pay: $34,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Voice and opera students preparing to perform on a professional level after graduation must learn theatrical techniques and stage repertory through courses such as diction, foreign languages, music theory, and humanities. While receiving private instruction during the undergraduate curriculum, students also perform in choral ensembles. Students who choose not to sing opera after studying the major can easily transition into other careers, including teaching art, drama, or music, or becoming a musical director or composer.

Canva

# Conflict resolution

&#; Early career pay: $44,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Whether it’s on an international scale or between two individuals, where there is conflict, there is a need for conflict resolution. Conflict resolution specialists and mediators often require advanced degrees and many years of experience to be established in the field. 

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

# Christian ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Christianity has been on the decline in the United States for years. This means that fewer Americans are attending church, or giving to their churches, which means fewer resources to supplant the salaries of Christian ministry workers.

You may also like: History of the supermarket industry in America

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Human services management

&#; Early career pay: $45,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Human services management jobs are a specific role for those interested in helping or managing others in social work or related fields. Although the average salary is not extremely high, these positions pay more than nonsupervisory roles in the same field. Many of these roles require additional licensing.

hryshai olena // Shutterstock

# Baking and pastry arts

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

These days, it seems that everyone is a food blogger. And this means that more people than ever are likely to be trying their hands at baking and pastry-making at home, reducing the need for specialized bakers.

Canva

# Hospitality and culinary arts

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $52,

Some career choices for holders of a hospitality and culinary arts degree include restaurant manager, food and beverage director, chef, caterer, and banquet manager, among others. But the hospitality industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic, is facing a reckoning. The industry is notoriously understaffed, underpaid, and undervalued.

YP_Studio // Shutterstock

# Human services

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $52,

Although careers in human services vary widely, their common denominator is that they help people who would likely be unable to help themselves. As such, these jobs, which range from family court advocates to crisis support workers, service overall a population with limited resources who may not be able to compensate them highly.

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Counseling

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Similar to therapists, those who specialize in counseling suffer in part from competition. Wages are lower than they might otherwise be because of the sheer number of people offering counseling services.

You may also like: 50 best colleges on the East Coast

belushi // Shutterstock

# Recreational therapy

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Recreational therapists help many Americans, especially older adults, deal with disabilities, injuries, and illnesses—typically via arts and crafts, aquatics, games, and other activities. Although the pay is not high, these professions are projected to increase in demand, as an aging generation of Americans looks to the future.

New Africa // Shutterstock

# Child development

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Child care workers have an average hourly wage of just $ Some advocacy groups and politicians have advocated paying a higher wage to these groups to meet growing demands for a $15 minimum wage these groups are demanding.

VH-studio // Shutterstock

# Educational psychology

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Educational psychologists study how people learn which can inform various teaching methods, classroom strategies, and ideally improve academic outcomes. But as many schools struggle with shrinking budgets, professionals in this field are either unaffordable or underpaid, and very often are expected to work beyond a reasonable capacity. 

SpeedKingz // Shutterstock

# Middle school education

&#; Early career pay: $41,
&#; Mid-career pay: $50,

After majoring in middle school education, graduates go on to teach students in grades five through nine. Teaching that specific age group entails taking undergraduate courses in a breadth of subjects, including English, science, mathematics, and social studies. Washington University in St. Louis suggests those majoring in middle school education consider adding a concentrated study in their curriculum, since middle schools are interdisciplinary and teachers who have expertise in more than one content field may have an advantage in the job market.

Canva

# Mental health counseling

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $50,

Becoming a licensed mental health counselor requires time, study, and practice—years of it. Professionals can focus on working with specific populations, like children, military veterans, or people with addiction. And there is no shortage of need for these services. More than 15 million people in the U.S. live in mental health care health professional shortage areas. 

You may also like: Billionaires that live in the smallest American towns

Iam_Anupong // Shutterstock

# Early childhood and elementary education

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $48,

Students who major in early childhood and elementary education prepare to teach in both preschool and after-school programs, as well as kindergarten through sixth grade. Graduates must become certified to instruct students in whatever state they choose for work. With further schooling, some graduates of the major go on to become administrators, such as principals, superintendents, directors of curriculum, and college deans.

Canva

#9. Equine studies

&#; Early career pay: $35,
&#; Mid-career pay: $47,

An equine studies major prepares you for just about any career pertaining to horse training, breeding, or showing.  While the equine world is often equated with wealth, workers in this field are among the lowest paid on this list. For those working with horses competing in major races and events, the purse earnings divided amongst winning team members can be very lucrative.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

#8. Addiction studies

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $47,

Addiction studies majors can typically expect to work as addiction counselors or drug or alcohol treatment specialists. There is a large pay range for those who work in the field, with salaries dependent largely on level of education attained, geographic location, and the type of setting in which treatment is performed.

MiniStocker // Shutterstock

#7. Child and family studies

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Child care is one of the lowest-paying professions in the United States. One reason may be that many teenagers and other younger adults will work as babysitters and tutors to make side money, which makes it more difficult for professionals to demand higher wages.

Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#6. Rehabilitation counseling

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Rehabilitation counselors typically work to serve people living with disabilities. These services can range from mental health to physical health to practical life-skills training and can be performed everywhere from detention centers to unemployment offices. Recipients typically do not pay for such services, and as such, the salaries of rehabilitation counselors are limited.

You may also like: highest-paying jobs in America

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

#5. Outdoor education

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Outdoor education professionals help people enjoy the great outdoors. However perfect they may be for the outdoors enthusiast, some of these jobs are run by the government, which means they are capped within a certain pay bracket.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4. Early childhood education

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $45,

A child’s cognitive, emotional, and language development occur in the first five years of life, making early childhood education critical in an adolescent’s academic career. However, it is one of the lowest-paying majors on the list, further proving that those who enter the field are likely more concerned about the community than salary.

fizkes // Shutterstock

#3. Mental health

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $45,

Mental health is a field that encompasses many different settings. Some mental health specialists may work in assisted living facilities, helping residents with dementia, while others may work with working professionals stressed and depressed about their jobs. Those working in private practice theoretically have no caps to their salaries, while those working in institutions may be more constrained by salary caps.

Stock-Asso // Shutterstock

#2. Medical assisting

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $44,

One issue that may be keeping medical assisting wages low is an oversupply. Some argue that too many qualified medical assistants are currently searching for work, keeping salaries low.

Martinez Studio // Shutterstock

#1. Metalsmithing

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $40,

Many workers with degrees in metalsmithing find work as jewelers. Those working in the retail trade tend to make the most.

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When somebody tells you they are headed to a college or university, whether it’s for an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, MBA or PhD, the first question out of everybody’s mouth is 'Where are you going to school?' In reality though, the choice of major can have a much bigger impact on your future earnings than the school you attend. Payscale ranks the top college majors by salary to help you figure out how much you can earn after graduation.

It’s no surprise that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) majors are the top college majors by salary, but that doesn’t mean that we discourage students from studying majors in the humanities, social sciences, education or arts. In fact, some of those majors lead to high-paying careers as well – it just often takes a longer time for those graduates to reach their prime earning potential.

Payscale publishes this data to help students and their families make smart decisions about how much they can really afford to pay for an education in their intended subject matter. Student debt has been reaching record levels. By knowing your future salary potential, you can know how much debt you can afford to take on, and set yourself up for a successful career in any field.

© LoveToKnow Media. All rights reserved.

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50 college majors that earn the least money

Career choices are often based on personal interests, list of college majors that make the most money, experience, and potential income—and more and more, they require at least a college degree. What undergraduates choose to major in during college can be a strong indicator of what an individual’s financial future looks like—and it’s not always rosy news, list of college majors that make the most money.

Stacker researched the 50 college majors that earn the least money, using PayScale’s College Salary Report. This report, fresh with data, surveyed million college graduates and bachelor degrees ranked by mid-career median salary, or the fitted salary one makes after working in the field for over 10 years. By definition, a fitted salary combines the base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime, and other forms of cash earnings. Ties are broken by early career salary.

Stock compensation was not included when considering the annual salary of each college major but can be a significant portion of pay for specific executive and high-tech jobs. Further, a wage for the noted college major does not include the cash value of retirement benefits or the amount of other noncash benefits, including health care and other ancillary benefits. PayScale’s salaries do not directly reflect those of the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). For most of the majors, BLS salaries are higher, even though the level of education required is the same.

Additionally, several low-paying teaching majors on the list confirm the plight of educators who graduate but can’t make ends meet on a minimum salary. Between rising student debt and inflation, it is likely many who majored in the noted subjects have second jobs to pay the bills.

Read on to find out the 50 college majors that earn the least money.

You may also like: Best jobs that require a bachelor’s degree

Orhan Cam // Shutterstock

# Parks and recreation management

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Parks and recreation workers typically work for the government, which means they may see fewer pay raises than other workers. Some government workers just received their first pay raise in over a decade in

Viktor Gladkov // Shutterstock

# Ceramics

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Students looking to major in ceramics will learn about the science behind materials, plus sculpture and drawing skills. Courses in personal style development, wheel-throwing techniques, firing and kiln operation, oxidation, ceramic murals, mixed media, and slips and glazes are usually required to graduate. Many with a degree in ceramics become professional list of college majors that make the most money, teachers, artists, or sculptors.

DGLimages // Shutterstock

# Vocal performance

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

While some vocal performance majors may go on to perform sold-out arenas, many end up working in less lucrative careers. These include positions at churches, such as worship pastors and directors of music ministry, which come with decidedly lower salaries.

Hotaik Sung // Shutterstock

# Pastoral ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $58,

Pastoral ministers help people in times of spiritual distress and lead religious organizations. But people don’t pay for spiritual counsel—other than tithes—and therefore there are no typical ways to drive up earnings.

Canva

# Art teacher education

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Art teacher education majors most often go on to help nurture the next generation of creative minds, often at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Those who pursue this course of study may also find career opportunities in museums or as textbook illustrators. 

You may also like: The most educated county in every state

Freedom Studio // Shutterstock

# Bible studies and theology

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

All jobs depend on having clients, and this includes religious jobs. Bible studies and theology professionals face challenging headwinds in the United States in this respect. Fewer Americans than ever report themselves as religious.

Canva

# Forensic accounting

&#; Early career pay: $48,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Forensic accountants are integral in solving crimes like insurance fraud or money laundering by carefully tracing and examining the flow of finances. Advanced degrees and CPA certification can increase employment opportunities for forensic accounting majors.  

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Communication sciences and disorders

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Communications sciences and disorders specialists address an array of issues that technology may be rendered less reliant on therapy. For example, cochlear implants for deaf children and babies can now be purchased for as low as $ with insurance, reducing the need for hearing therapy, as a greater number of patients can hear via the technology.

PhuShutter // Shutterstock

# Legal assistant studies

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

Legal assistants may hope to become lawyers, who typically earn significantly higher salaries. However, without a law degree, legal assistants are only legally allowed to perform certain tasks, which caps the value of their services.

Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

# Special education

&#; Early career pay: $41,
&#; Mid-career pay: $57,

There are several special education career paths to take after majoring in the subject, aside from teaching. The prospect of becoming a residential manager, preschool director, or direct support professional is why some choose the undergraduate major, then get their master’s degree. Working with the disabled is in high demand due to teachers retiring and more students needing help.

You may also like: The top women CEOs in America

Canva

# Conservation biology

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Conservation biologists play a critical role in preserving species and ecosystems. Many important roles in the field offer low or no pay, making it nearly impossible for people to perform this work, pay off their student debt, and sustain themselves. As people abandon the field for different work, the world suffers a collective loss.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Family studies

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Family studies professionals help tutor, develop, and supervise children. Some competition they face in commanding high salaries? Teenage babysitters, whom parents may feel more comfortable paying lower wages.

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

# Speech and hearing

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Speech and hearing professionals’ salaries suffer from improved technology. Hearing aids have become increasingly sophisticated, reducing the need for much administrative assistance after purchase.

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

# Christian ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Christianity has been on the decline in the United States for years. This means that fewer Americans are attending church, or giving to their churches, which means fewer resources to supplant the salaries of Christian ministry workers.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

# Health and human services

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56, list of college majors that make the most money,

Health and human services encompass a vast array of jobs. On the higher end of the pay scale, these include jobs such as public health directors. But many other jobs included in health and human services typically have lower pay rates, such as social workers and correctional treatment specialists.

You may also like: Best county to retire in every state

buteo // Shutterstock

# Musical theater

&#; Early career pay: $43,
&#; Mid-career pay: $56,

Although a musical theater degree will provide you with the foundations for success on Broadway, that pathway is highly competitive. The good news is that there are many theater-adjacent roles in the areas of performance, production, business, education, and mental health into which this degree can segue.

Canva

# History teacher education

&#; Early career pay: $47,
&#; Mid-career pay: $55,

Majoring in history teacher education likely easy ways to make money 2022 most graduates will teach the subject in elementary, secondary, or postsecondary schools. Being a history teacher, like other instruction degrees, requires those who major in the subject to become state-certified after student teaching. History teachers may work with special education teachers to make learning more accessible for students with learning difficulties and can work with debate teams, for example, because of their knowledge of current events.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

# Developmental psychology

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $55,

Developmental psychologists study how people change over the course of their lifetime, from a variety of perspectives including biologically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Advanced degrees, licensure, internships, and certifications can mean the accrual of significant debt before someone can even begin working and practicing in the field.

XArtProduction // Shutterstock

# Therapeutic recreation

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Therapeutic recreation specialists work with patients to improve the minds, bodies, and spirits of those with disease or disabilities. This demographic may be less likely to have resources to pay therapists significant sums, which may play a role in driving down salaries.

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Community and human services

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Community and human services workers endeavor to improve the lives of their communities and the individuals who work in them. And even though salaries are not as high as those from other majors, the BLS has noted that job growth in this field is projected to remain high in the next decade.

You may also like: The most conservative public colleges in America

Canva

# Applied behavioral science

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Applied behavioral science is essentially the study of why people behave in certain ways. If it sounds broad, that’s because it is. Graduates often pursue career opportunities in the fields of human resources, human services, and consumer science, among others.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

# Social work

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Although social work jobs may not have the highest starting salaries, job prospects if i buy 10 dollars worth of bitcoin social workers are actually quite positive. As health care spending continues to increase, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that social work jobs in clinical settings, in particular, will continue to enjoy a rise in demand for workers.

Gaudilab // Shutterstock

# Office administration

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Graduating with a major in office administration opens doors to many career paths, list of college majors that make the most money, including medical office manager, staff specialist, executive assistant, management secretary, and purchasing consultant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics details other career opportunities that do not require a degree but have comparable and higher annual salaries for those who major in the field. Among those occupations are police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, who make $40, annually, and administrative assistants, who annually make $38,

DGLimages // Shutterstock

# Family and community services

&#; Early career pay: $42,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Family and community services careers often involve helping people with little capital or power, including the impoverished and disabled citizens accessing social services. Because these services are offered free of charge, there is a limited capital base with which to reward workers.

Canva

# Ministry

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

To be a minister is to be a lifelong student of the Bible and a leader in the Catholic Church. Some students may pursue seminary school upon completion of a ministry degree or may pursue a specialization like working with youth. But church membership is falling as the number of Americans with no religious affiliation continues to rise. 

You may also like: Global trade by the numbers

BRAIN2HANDS // Shutterstock

# Youth ministry

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $54,

Youth ministers work with children and teens to coordinate related activities at a church or religious organization. Churches typically operate as nonprofits, and therefore the salaries of their workers, including youth ministers, lack the ability to respond to the market and offer higher salaries.

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

# Elementary education

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Majoring in elementary education means teaching and instructing young students. Majors in the program must choose a specific subject to study, including either math, history, science, or English. Some who major in the subject consider careers as guidance counselors, juvenile correction officers, long-term substitute teachers, online instructors, preschool teachers, or adjunct professors.

Igor Bulgarin // Shutterstock

# Voice and opera

&#; Early career pay: $34,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Voice and opera students preparing to perform on a professional level after graduation must learn theatrical techniques and stage repertory through courses such as diction, foreign languages, music theory, and humanities. While receiving private instruction during the undergraduate curriculum, students also perform in choral ensembles. Students who choose not to sing opera after studying the major can easily transition into other careers, including teaching art, drama, or music, or becoming a musical director or composer.

Canva

# Conflict resolution

&#; Early career pay: $44,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Whether it’s on an international scale or between two individuals, where there is conflict, there is a need for conflict resolution. Conflict resolution specialists and mediators often require advanced degrees and many years of experience to be established in the field. 

pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

# Christian ministry

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Christianity has been on the decline in the United States for years. This means that fewer Americans are attending church, or giving to their churches, which means fewer resources to supplant the salaries of Christian ministry workers.

You may also like: History of the supermarket industry in America

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Human services management

&#; Early career pay: $45,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

Human services management jobs are a specific role for those interested in helping or managing others in social work or related fields. Although the average salary is not extremely high, these positions pay more than nonsupervisory roles in the same field. List of college majors that make the most money of these roles require additional licensing.

hryshai olena // Shutterstock

# Baking and pastry arts

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $53,

These days, it seems that everyone is a food blogger. And this means that more people than ever are likely to be trying their hands at baking and pastry-making at home, reducing the need for specialized bakers.

Canva

# Hospitality and culinary arts

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $52,

Some career choices for holders of a hospitality and culinary arts degree include restaurant manager, food and beverage director, chef, caterer, and banquet manager, among others. But the hospitality industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID list of college majors that make the most money, is facing a reckoning. The industry is notoriously understaffed, underpaid, and undervalued, list of college majors that make the most money.

YP_Studio // Shutterstock

# Human services

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $52,

Although careers in human services vary widely, their common denominator is that they help people who would likely be unable to help themselves. As such, these jobs, which range from family court advocates to crisis support workers, service overall a population with limited resources who may not be able to compensate them highly.

fizkes // Shutterstock

# Counseling

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Similar to therapists, those who specialize in counseling suffer in part from competition. Wages are lower than they might otherwise be because of the sheer number of people offering counseling services.

You may also like: 50 best colleges on the East Coast

belushi // Shutterstock

# Recreational therapy

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Recreational therapists help many Americans, especially older adults, deal with disabilities, injuries, and illnesses—typically via arts and crafts, aquatics, games, and other activities. Although the money makes people greedy is not high, these professions are projected to increase in demand, as an aging generation of Americans looks to the future.

New Africa // Shutterstock

# Child development

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Child care workers have an average hourly wage of just $ Some advocacy groups and politicians have advocated paying a higher wage to these groups to list of college majors that make the most money growing demands for a $15 minimum wage these groups are demanding.

VH-studio // Shutterstock

# Educational psychology

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $51,

Educational psychologists study how people learn which can inform various teaching methods, classroom strategies, and ideally improve academic outcomes. But as many schools struggle with shrinking budgets, professionals in this field are either unaffordable or underpaid, and very often are expected to work beyond a reasonable capacity. 

SpeedKingz // Shutterstock

# Middle school education

&#; Early career pay: $41,
&#; Mid-career pay: $50,

After majoring in middle school education, graduates go on to teach students in grades five through nine. Teaching that specific age group entails taking undergraduate courses in a breadth of subjects, including English, science, mathematics, and social studies. Washington University list of college majors that make the most money St. Louis suggests those majoring in middle school education consider adding a concentrated study in their curriculum, since middle schools are interdisciplinary and teachers who have expertise in more than one content field may have an advantage in the job market.

Canva

# Mental health counseling

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $50,

Becoming a licensed mental health counselor requires time, study, and practice—years of it. Professionals can focus on working with specific populations, like children, military veterans, or people with addiction. And there is no shortage of need for these services. More than 15 million people in the U.S. live in mental health care health professional shortage areas. 

You may also like: Billionaires that live in the smallest American towns

list of college majors that make the most money alt="">

Iam_Anupong // Shutterstock

# Early childhood and elementary education

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $48,

Students who major in early childhood and elementary education prepare to teach in both preschool and after-school programs, as well as kindergarten through sixth grade. Graduates must become certified to instruct students in whatever state they choose for work. With further schooling, some graduates of the major go on to become administrators, such as principals, superintendents, directors of curriculum, and college deans.

Canva

#9. Equine studies

&#; Early career pay: $35,
&#; Mid-career pay: $47,

An equine studies major prepares you for just about any career pertaining to horse training, breeding, or showing.  While the equine world is often equated with wealth, workers in this field are among the lowest paid on this list. For those working with horses competing in major races and events, the purse earnings divided amongst winning team members can be very lucrative.

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

#8. Addiction studies

&#; Early career pay: $38,
&#; Mid-career pay: $47,

Addiction studies majors can typically expect to work as addiction counselors or drug or alcohol treatment specialists. There is a large pay range for those who work in the field, with salaries dependent largely on level of education attained, geographic location, and the type of setting in which treatment is performed.

MiniStocker // Shutterstock

#7. Child and family studies

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Child care is one of the lowest-paying professions in the United States. One reason may be that many teenagers and other younger adults will work as babysitters and tutors to make side money, which makes it more difficult for professionals to demand higher wages.

Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock

#6. Rehabilitation counseling

&#; Early career pay: $39,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Rehabilitation counselors typically work to serve people living with disabilities. These services can range from mental health to physical health to practical life-skills training and can be performed everywhere from detention centers to unemployment offices. Recipients typically do not pay for such services, and as such, the salaries of rehabilitation counselors are limited.

You may also like: highest-paying jobs in America

www.oldyorkcellars.com // Shutterstock

#5. Outdoor education

&#; Early career pay: $37,
&#; Mid-career pay: $46,

Outdoor education professionals help people enjoy the great outdoors. However perfect they may be for the outdoors enthusiast, some of these jobs are run by the government, which means they are capped within a certain pay bracket.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4. Early childhood education

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career list of college majors that make the most money $45,

A child’s cognitive, emotional, and language development occur in the first five years of life, making early childhood education critical in an adolescent’s academic career. However, it is one of the lowest-paying majors on the list, further proving that those who enter the field are likely more concerned about the community than salary.

fizkes // Shutterstock

#3. Mental health

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $45,

Mental health is a field that encompasses many different settings. Some mental health specialists may work in assisted living facilities, helping residents with dementia, while others may work with working professionals stressed and depressed about their jobs. Those working in private practice theoretically have no caps to their salaries, while those working in institutions may be more constrained by salary caps.

Stock-Asso // Shutterstock

#2. Medical assisting

&#; Early career pay: $36,
&#; Mid-career pay: $44,

One issue that may be keeping medical assisting wages low is an oversupply. Some argue that too many qualified medical assistants are currently searching for work, keeping salaries low.

Martinez Studio // Shutterstock

#1. Metalsmithing

&#; Early career pay: $40,
&#; Mid-career pay: $40,

Many workers with degrees in metalsmithing find work as jewelers. Those working in the retail trade tend to make the most.

You may also like: Best value public colleges in America

Choosing a college major requires balancing your interests and abilities, as well as weighing the potential career options related to each. While college majors have unique appeal, each major also has its own earning potential, list of college majors that make the most money. In this article, we examine the ten majors that make the most money.

Why is it important to know which majors make the most money?

Learning which majors make the most money may help you determine your field of study. STEM majors, those in math, technology, list of college majors that make the most money, engineering and science are consistently at or near the top of the list. While the highest-paid majors do change a bit over time, this list doesn't include any majors in humanities, arts or education. Please note the figures are averages for the first year of employment.

Ten college majors that make the most money

The list below covers the ten most highly paid majors according to www.oldyorkcellars.com, arranged in ascending order:

1. Economics

Median base salary: $52, per year

Economics majors study the relationship between production, wealth, resources and how incentives guide behavior. Economics will likely also involve some study of communication and applied math. Over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts much faster than average growth in careers related to economics. Economics majors frequently find employment as analysts at banks, insurance companies and other financial firms.

2. Accounting

Median base salary: $52, per year

Accounting majors learn to analyze the finances of a company or individual. Accounting majors are familiar with various technology and software to organize information such as rates of appreciation, depreciation and tax law. Over the next decade, the availability of careers specific to accounting majors will grow at a rate similar to most other careers. Accounting majors most commonly work as accountants, financial analysts and financial consultants.

3. Biomedical engineering

Median base salary: $52, per year

Biomedical engineering majors approach the human body as an integrated set of systems. By list of college majors that make the most money of the human body in engineering terms, these majors learn about building and repairing artificial limbs and organs, as well as providing technical support for sophisticated medical equipment. Continued technological breakthroughs should encourage job and career growth in the biomedical industry comparable to, or slightly greater than, most other careers. Biomedical engineers most commonly work for hospitals, laboratories, list of college majors that make the most money, manufacturing companies and universities.

4. Business

Median base salary: $54, per year

Business majors also learn a broad range of topics: micro and macroeconomics, basic finance, marketing and business ethics. Depending on the specific major, students may also explore issues around international trade, tariffs, taxes and project management. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth in the business industry will be faster than average over the next decade. Business majors work in many of the same positions as finance and accounting majors: insurance and financial firms, in payroll departments, as risk consultants, or project managers.

5. Finance

Median base salary: $54, per year

Finance majors focus on improving business efficiency and maximizing profits. They also learn broadly about economics, accounting principles, and how to analyze long-term investment and budget strategies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs and careers specific to finance majors will grow faster than average. Finance majors may work in payroll departments, as financial advisors or analysts, or in a number of roles at investment companies.

6. Nursing

Median base salary: $58, per year

Nursing majors learn to care for patients recovering from illness or injury, usually under the supervision of a doctor. Nursing majors study human anatomy, biology and disease. In addition, nursing majors take courses in chemistry, physiology and nutrition. The nursing profession is currently experiencing faster than average growth, with jobs available at public and private hospitals, though some may work in patients' homes or in long-term care or rehabilitation facilities.

7. Mathematics or Statistics

Median base salary: $60, per year

Math majors study a wide range of topics that include both theoretical and applied uses for mathematical models. Math majors develop thorough understandings of algebra, calculus, geometry, and probability. Given the broad applications of mathematics, there are a number of available career options for those choosing this major. Given corporations' and governments' growing reliance on analyzing data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates much faster than average growth in mathematics-related careers. These potential careers include data analysis, computer programming, information technology, and digital security. Likewise, many math majors double major in education and pursue a career teaching math.

8. Information technology

Median base salary: $64, per year

Information technology majors take foundational courses in math, business and communications. There is often an emphasis on written and oral technical communication. In some cases, information technology majors have the option to specialize in subfields, such as web development and design or digital communication. Like many other STEM careers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects faster than average growth in careers employing information technology majors. Such career options include developing software, list of college majors that make the most money, digital security, network architecture, program management, and database administration.

9. Engineering

Median base salary: $64, - $68, per year

While there are many specialties in engineering, generally speaking, engineers use predictive models to solve and design solutions to problems. Engineering specialties include electrical, mechanical, list of college majors that make the most money, chemical and industrial; most have average starting salaries within the range listed above. Engineers develop a strong background in math and science, with an emphasis on planning and conducting experiments. They may also study business ethics and communication. Depending on the engineering major's specialty, list of college majors that make the most money, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts slow to above average growth, predicting stronger growth in fields that emphasize computers, chemicals, natural resources and electricity.

Computer science

Median base salary: $70, per year

Computer science majors study a variety of topics related directly and indirectly to utilizing technology. Most begin with a background in math, then learn to modify and apply several programming languages, ln addition, most computer science programs require students to build websites, write programming codes, and sort data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates much faster growth in computer science-related careers than in most other fields. Computer science majors graduate ready to begin careers in website and software design, network administration, and information technology administration.

A bachelor&#;s degree is a great investment in your future, and one of the most common degrees earned by college students. Some degrees pay you back, but others don&#;t do much to increase your earning potential. Your course of study influences your earning potential, so in order to plan your financial future, use Payscale&#;s College Salary Report to rank how different majors for bachelor&#;s degrees compare based on alumni salaries.

Top Bachelor Degrees

In keeping with current trends, the College Salary Report shows that the best bachelor degrees are mostly STEM-focused, meaning they are focused on science, technology, engineering or math. STEM degrees continue to be some of the highest paying degrees on the College Salary Report year after year. The top three highest-paying college majors are

Petroleum Engineer &#; Mid Career Salary: $,

A focus in this type of engineering will show you how to oversee production methods for retrieving oil and natural gas from the list of college majors that make the most money. Common employers of petroleum engineers include Chevron Corporation, British Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, list of college majors that make the most money, and more. Petroleum engineering is a male-dominated field, with women representing only 11 percent.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science &#; Mid-Career Salary: $,

This degree prepares students to design and build software and hardware and software for a number of applications and devices.

Applied Economics and Management &#; Mid-Career Salary: $,

A degree in Applied Economics and Management enables students to gain an understanding of how economic principles are applied in the real world. Coursework would include classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

In today&#;s job market, having a bachelor&#;s degree is nearly a necessity to land a rewarding, well-paying job with any possibility for advancement; a bachelor&#;s degree is almost essential for entry into most professional careers. In certain lines of work, like teaching and engineering, you cannot enter the field without holding at least a bachelor&#;s degree.

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The point at which a high schooler seriously starts thinking about college is a monumental moment and with it comes many daunting decisions.

 Students decide where to go, whether or not to take a gap year, list of college majors that make the most money, what to major in, etc. 

Figuring out what to major in comes with its own set of considerations.

While choosing a major shouldn&#;t  be based solely on a student’s interests, it often is.

Eventually, however, the topic of career earnings will sneak into the picture.

Mark Twain, who actually dropped out of school in the 5th grade to become a printer’s apprentice, said, &#;Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

As &#;nice&#; as that sounds, it may not be a very practical way of looking at things.

With college costs being so high, and student loan debt rising to keep up with the increase, it would be silly to not include earning potential in your decision-making when looking at majors.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the top majors by wage and offer some advice on ways to increase your earning potential even more, depending on your major.

Once you absorb this information  you’ll hopefully have the answers to questions such as: What should I major in to make a lot of money? What are the easiest college majors that pay well? What is the highest paying major? What is the most popular major?

Why Does Choosing a Major Matter?

As stated above, choosing your major is extremely important, arguably second only to deciding whether to attend college at all and where to go.

Understanding how much a major is worth is key to unlocking the full potential of your college experience. You wouldn’t want to get a poor return on your investment after purchasing something from a store, so why would you not consider the ROI when investing in a college education?

Thirty-fiver percent of jobs today require a bachelor’s degree or higher. The lists below should help you better understand what you will get receive monetarily from college, depending on the major you choose.

It is also important to keep in mind that these numbers are all averages and other skills such as networking and work ethic can equally impact your earnings over time.

The salary numbers listed below have been collected from a recent study performed by Georgetown University and a separate database from Payscale.

Top 10 Highest Paid Majors (Undergraduate)

Petroleum Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $92,

Median Earnings: $,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration

Early Career Pay: $63,

Median Earnings: $,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Metallurgical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $79,

Median Earnings: $98,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Mining and Mineral Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $75,

Median Earnings: $97,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Chemical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $73,

Median Earnings: $96,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Electrical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $71,

Median Earnings: $93,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Aerospace Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $73,

Median Earnings: $90,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Mechanical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $67,

Median Earnings: $87,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Computer Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $74,

Median Earnings: $87,

Mid-Career Pay: $,

Geological and Geophysical Engineering 

Early Career Pay: $59,

Median Earnings: $87,

Mid-Career Pay: $95,

Top 10 Lowest Paid Majors (Undergraduate)

Family and Consumer Sciences

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $45,

Mid-Career Pay: $64,

Drama and Theater Arts

Early Career Pay: $41,

Median Earnings: $45,

Mid-Career Pay: $78,

Elementary Education

Early Career Pay: $37,

Median Earnings: $43,

Mid-Career Pay: $51,

Theology and Religious Vocations 

Early Career Pay: $38,

Median Earnings: $43,

Mid-Career Pay: $54,

Visual and Performing Arts

Early Career Pay: $42,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $67,

Teacher Education

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $61,

Social Work

Early Career Pay: $36,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $51,

Studio Arts

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $42,

Mid-Career Pay: $65,

Human Services and Community Organization

Early Career Pay: $40,

Median Earnings: $41,

Mid-Career Pay: $52,

Early Childhood Education

Early Career Pay: $34,

Median Earnings: $39,

Mid-Career Pay: $43,

What Are the Easiest College Majors That Pay Well?

Now that you know what majors pay the most and the least, you may also want to consider what majors are the easiest. According to a previous article on the easiest and hardest majors, there are two majors that overlap with the list above.

• Chemical engineering, with an average GPA of and average weekly study hours of 22 according to statistics from CollegeVine, is one of the hardest majors that simultaneously ranks as one of the highest paying. Chemical engineers have a predicted Year ROI of $,
• Social Work comes in as one of the easiest majors, sporting an average GPA of to go with average weekly study hours of As one of the easiest, but lowest-paying majors, social workers can expect a predicted Year ROI of $,

Top Paid Majors by Field (Undergraduate)

STEM

1. Computer science &#; $83,
2. Physics &#; $81,
3. Information sciences &#; $73,
4. Mathematics &#; $73,
5. Earth science &#; $69,

Business

1. Management Information Systems and Statistics &#; $77,
2. Business Economics &#; $75,
3. Finance &#; $73,
4. Operations Logistics and E-Commerce &#; $71,
5. Accounting &#; $69,

Liberal Arts

1. History &#; $54,
2. English Language and Literature &#; $53,
3. Foreign Language Studies &#; $52,
4. Intercultural and International Studies &#; $52,
5. Philosophy and Religious Studies &#; $51,

Is Graduate School Worth It?

One way to increase your possible earnings after college is to go back for a graduate degree. There are numerous options of graduate degrees to pursue, from Masters to PhDs to JDs and more, each with its own benefit in terms of returning inflated income.

Majors such as animal sciences, biology, political science and government, zoology, health and medical preparatory programs, pre-law and legal studies, and chemistry all see over 50% increases in their respective median incomes for those coming out of graduate school.

That is an enormous boost and should be heavily considered for anyone looking into those fields. 

The percentage increase graduate school can bring depends on your major and should be something you investigate perhaps even before you get your undergraduate degree.

Additionally, keep in mind that the cost of graduate school per year may be similar to that of obtaining an undergraduate degree and on top of that you most likely wouldn’t be doing any paid work, that is, earning money, while in school.

Final Tips to Know About Top-Paying Majors

As stated at the beginning, there are many factors that impact what major to choose in college. It is also worth noting that the numbers above are prone to change with the times.

Two decades ago computer science was unlikely to be on most people’s radar when applying to college, but now it is one of the most popular majors across all schools.

Current events such as the pandemic are guaranteed to impact what majors are most popular going forward and should be something you look into. 

No one is guaranteed to earn the median salary in any major. There will be those who earn less and those who earn more.

Part of what separates people in terms of salary is less about the major they studied and more about their work ethic, networking skills, and commitment to advancement in their careers.

Keeping up these key attributes will help you succeed no matter your field.

For more information on how college majors can directly relate to future earnings, check here.

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Matthew Schwartz

Matthew is a senior at The Haverford School, in Haverford, PA. He is the editor-in-chief of his school newspaper, The Index. He enjoys writing, photography, and film making.

Your high school guidance counselor or college academic advisor may tell you to follow your passion, but for a lot of Gen Z students pursuing college degrees during an economic recovery, there’s one overriding question &#; where’s the money?

[Related: Check out our list of the best online degrees for getting a job]

As always, list of college majors that make the most money, the highest of the highest-paying careers are in medicine, for obvious reasons; the healthcare system is in a long period of phenomenal growth, and the barriers to entry are so high that the field is self-selecting &#; quite simply, between exchange american express serve card fot bitcoin education, the stress, and the responsibility there just aren’t many people who are cut out to be surgeons, physicians, or nurse midwives. If you can make it, you can make top salaries.

That’s the trend in most of the highest-paying careers: in a professional field, a lot of education, a lot of responsibility, or a lot of risk generally equates to a high salary. Petroleum engineers, actuaries, and technical writers all have something in common; if you do something that only a few, highly skilled people can do, you should be paid what you&#;re worth.

How Do I Find My Highest Paying Career?

So when you’re choosing your career path, ask yourself: “What can I do that not many people can do?” If that answer is something that the job market values, you might find yourself in one of these Top 50 Highest Paying Careers.

Related Articles:
Highest Paying Online Associates Degrees
Highest Paying Online Bachelors Degrees
Highest Paying Online Masters Degrees
Highest Paying Online Doctoral Degrees

The College Consensus guide to the Top 50 Highest Paying Careers for is based on PayScale median salary, while we also consulted the Bureau of Labor Statistics for job growth rates and unemployment rates, where those statistics are significant.

1. Surgery

There’s a good reason that the professionals money making electronic projects in surgery have some of the highest pay rates of any career &#; they do surgery. It’s well deserved, too, seeing as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and OBGYNs literally hold lives in their hands &#; and need a good years of higher education to get qualified to do the job, from college to medical school to a residency (sometimes up to 4 years). Each of these jobs is expected to see thousands of job openings in the next decade, and their unemployment rate is, simply, nil.

Median Salary:

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon &#; $,
Anesthesiologist &#; $,
Surgeon &#; $,
Obstetrician and Gynecologist &#; $,

Education Level: Doctorate

2. Psychiatrist

The doctors who care for our mental health, like the ones who put us to sleep and cut out our tumors, also make quite a healthy salary. Psychiatrists (as opposed to psychologists) go to medical school, spend years in residency, and have the responsibility of prescribing medicine, which requires more years of schooling, and often requires a more demanding workload than a psychologist. The psychiatrist approaches mental health as a component of physical health, and therefore gets paid a medical doctor’s salary. With more than projected jobs in the next decade, though, there’s room for more.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Doctorate

3. Physician/Specialist

When you say you’re “going to the doctor,” 9 times out of 10 you mean a physician &#; a medical doctor who has been trained in general care for people. As with the other highest-paying jobs, physicians spend a lot of time in school, working in residencies, and just working in general &#; hours for a physician are long and demanding. In exchange for the sacrifice of time, physicians make a lot of money, with general practitioners making income approaching $, and even more for specialists.

Median Salary:

Physician &#; $,
Pediatrician &#; $,
Podiatrist &#; $,

Education Level: Doctorate

4, list of college majors that make the most money. Oral Medicine

It’s impossible to overestimate how important oral health really list of college majors that make the most money. Diseases of the mouth can often be crucial, overlooked signs of larger issues, while poor oral hygiene can cause many other diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and dementia. While many Americans neglect their oral health, the people who are responsible for it make a well-deserved high salary. Dentists make around $, while orthodontists can make as much as $, They’re jobs that require many years of schooling, and face it &#; few people are cut out for looking in mouths all day.

Median Salary:

Orthodontist &#; $,
Prosthodontist &#; $,
Dentist &#; $,

Education Level: Doctorate

5. Nurse Anesthetist

While anesthesiologists are some of the highest-paid medical professionals, nurse anesthetists do pretty well for themselves too. An advanced practice nursing speciality, nurse anesthetists do pretty much what anesthesiologists do &#; administer anesthesia, monitor vitals &#; but they are required to do it under the supervision of a medical doctor. A master’s degree and a certification (CRNA) are required to work as a nurse anesthetist, and nurse anesthetists are generally expected to do the work of nurses as well, including aftercare. Their median 6-figure income is certainly well-earned.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Doctorate

6. Computer Network Architect

Businesses in the 21st century rise and fall on their communication, and the computer network architect is a crucial part of keeping communication going. The computer network architect designs data communication networks, which may be as small as one company’s intranet, to vast cloud networks. It’s a job with a huge amount of responsibility, and more than a few years of schooling (at least a master’s degree, in most cases); no one becomes a network architect without numerous years of experience, either.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Master’s

7. IT Manager

Generally speaking, an IT Manager is in charge of the IT department at a corporation or organization, working in a position of authority and responsibility over the technicians and analysts who keep an organization’s computer networks running. While you may work your way up from entry level to manager, in most cases an IT manager will need specialized education. An IT manager not only needs to be fully versed in the technology, but also in management skills and techniques, which may require a master’s degree. For the years of education and vital responsibility, an IT manager can expect over $, per year.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Master’s

8. Pharmacist

In many ways, pharmacists are unsung heroes of the medical field; doctors may prescribe medicines, but it’s the pharmacist who makes sure patients get the right dose, in the right form, when they need it. To become a pharmacist, you need a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, as well as licensure from your state Board of Pharmacy. That comes down to many stressful hours of schooling, internship, study, and practice before getting to work as a professional, and while the job itself is fairly low-stress, it also carries a lot of responsibility and a salary to match.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Doctorate

9. Petroleum Engineer

It’s a simple rule of thumb that any occupation with “engineer” in the title is going to be well-paid, and that&#;s especially true for Petroleum Engineer. From fuel to plastics, modern life runs on petroleum, and the experts who have the applied scientific knowledge to optimize production, manage drilling sites, design equipment, and implement strategies earn their keep. Petroleum engineers need several years of highly specialized post-bachelor’s education, and work conditions may be extreme (oil and mild climates just don’t tend to go together) &#; both good reasons for high pay.

Median Salary: $,
Education Level: Master’s

Nurse Practitioner

These days, you’re far more likely to see a nurse practitioner than an MD when you go to your family clinic, and that’s a good thing. Most of the time, an NP can do anything a doctor can do, having learned most of the specialized knowledge that doctors learn, but they also have the hands-on experience and expertise &#; and bedside manner &#; of a nurse. In fact, in half of the US, nurse practitioners don’t even need the supervision of a doctor. NPs need a Master of Science in Nursing degree, as well as state licensure, to practice, and aspiring NPs should know the hours are just as long as nursing, with even more responsibility, list of college majors that make the most money. The pay, though, helps make up for worn-out feet.

Median Salary: $91,
Education Level: Master’s

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants make up one of the most crucial aspects of the healthcare system, because in many cases they are the difference between medical care and no medical care. The education for PAs comes close to that of medical doctors, ending at the master’s level, and PAs are qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. In many rural and underserved areas without doctors, PAs are instrumental in providing medical care. While their pay rate is not as high as a full medical doctor’s, a physician assistant does not go unappreciated.

Median Salary: $91,
Education Level: Master’s

Nurse Midwife

list of college majors that make the most money src="www.oldyorkcellars.com" alt="baby midwife">

There are many specializations for advanced practice nurses, but Nurse Midwife is one of the most rewarding, in more ways than one. For women who want the comforting and less invasive care of a midwife, with the assurance of modern medicine, a nurse midwife is the best of both worlds. To practice, nurse midwives need a Master of Science in Nursing and licensure, and in most states nurse midwives must work under the supervision of an OBGYN. For the most part, though, nurse midwives are fully in charge of the birthing room and the care of pregnant women and their babies, and their salaries reflect that responsibility.

Median Salary: $89,
Education Level: Master’s

Actuary

Actuarial science is a highly specialized area of accounting that combines accounting, statistics, and business; actuaries use all that expertise to analyze risk for insurance companies, banks, government agencies, and more. Besides a lot of study and several years of higher education, it’s a job that very few people really have the mind for. For those who can do the math, an actuary is one of the best jobs out there for job security, workload, and pay rate. Since it’s a challenging niche, there are never enough actuaries, meaning a well-trained actuary can pretty much write their own ticket.

Median Salary: $83,
Education Level: Master’s

Lawyer

It’s easy for laypeople to say there are too many lawyers, but that’s willfully forgetting just how critical lawyers are for just about every aspect of business, government, entertainment, healthcare, and more. Lawyers protect the accused from injustice, keep businesses on the straight and narrow, help families manage their assets in life transitions, and provide legal counsel when someone has been wronged. Lawyers need a Juris Doctor degree and licensure from their state Bar Association to practice, and their long hours, high stress, and big responsibility is repaid in a high median salary.

Median Salary: $81,
Education Level: Doctorate

Operations Research Analyst

There’s a simple reason Operations Research Analysts make a high salary: math. To put it simply, operations research analysts use mathematics, statistics, and data to analyze business problems and create solutions. That may mean anything from making changes to the supply chain, to organizing products in a store for higher sales, to optimizing human resources. Since it’s a highly technical field, the education and skill set creates an automatic barrier to entry, so unemployment is low, list of college majors that make the most money, job projections are high (growing by 27%), and median salary is stable and satisfying.

Median Salary: $77,
Education Level: Master’s

Veterinarian

Veterinarian is high up on the list of jobs kids want when they grow up, but it isn’t all petting fluffy animals. Vets care for household pets, certainly, but they also care for zoo animals, farm livestock, and endangered species in captivity. They’re a crucial part of keeping the food supply healthy, preventing overpopulation of stray animals, and even researching climate list of college majors that make the most money impact on wildlife. Veterinarians must earn a doctorate in veterinary medicine, which can take anywhere from 4 to 6 years, and be licensed in their state; some specializations may take even more education and certification.

Median Salary: $75,
Education Level: Doctorate

Construction Manager

Some occupations are perennial, and construction is one. Construction may go through phases, depending on list of college majors that make the most money economy, and some areas of construction may be seasonal, but one thing is for sure &#; people are always building. A good construction manager will never be out of work for long, whether it’s residential or commercial, government contracting or private sector. Construction managers may work their way into the job through experience, but a bachelor’s or master’s degree can provide skills and expertise that add to experience and help earn higher salaries.

Median Salary: $74,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Psychologist

Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychologist is not a medical doctor, but an academic doctor. A psychologist may earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Psychology; the primary difference is if you plan to work directly with clients as a therapist, or to work in education and research. Psychologists may find themselves in all kinds of workplaces and environments, from clinics and laboratories to business and marketing firms. Salary rates can fluctuate, depending on where a psychologist works, and in what capacity, but the high level of expertise and wide range of applicability gives psychologists a high median salary.

Median Salary: $73,
Education Level: Doctorate

Business Operations Manager

The Business Operations Manager is the point person, the one who oversees the day to day operations of businesses large and small, troubleshooting problems, motivating employees, and communicating with the higher-ups. It’s a position that strong employees might work their way into through promotions, but these days, professional competition can be fierce; a higher degree like an MBA or Master’s in Management can be the key to making it. Strong managers can not only count on a high median salary, but opportunity to break through to the executive suite.

Median Salary: $72,
Education Level: Master’s

Statistician

Any college student who has eked out a passing grade in a statistics class will tell you &#; anyone who can handle statistics is worth their weight in gold. Because it is a highly specialized skill set, statisticians are in high demand in a wide variety of fields &#; finance, insurance, technology, entertainment, healthcare: you name it, there’s a place for statisticians. The education level necessary for a career in statistics varies, but a master’s degree will usually provide the expertise and adaptable skills that a statistician can carry into any number of career paths.

Median Salary: $71,
Education Level: Master’s

Database Administrator

In the era of Big Data, Database Administrators are among the most important members of any corporate team. Database administrators design and build databases for customer information, organizational data, financial information, and any other kind of information that their organization needs to function. They are also responsible for protecting that information, and making sure it is useful and accessible. The importance of database administrators, and their high level of specialized education, translates to a sizable salary level.

Median Salary: $71,
Education Level: Master’s

Industrial Psychologist

Once upon a time, organizational management was a matter of instinct, experience, and luck. Today, Industrial Psychology has made a science of the workplace, applying the insights of psychology to interoffice behavior, consumer behavior, decision-making, assessments, and other business concerns like ethics and law. Industrial psychologists need at least a master’s degree in psychology, and preferably a specialization in the field, though a doctorate may increase your career potential.

Median Salary: $71,
Education Level: Master’s

Information Security Analyst

In the information age, one of the greatest dangers to businesses, governments, and individuals is cybercrime. Hacking of personal data, financial data, and government information has become one of the main threats to security, and with the growth of Big Data and more life being lived online, criminals will continue to capitalize list of college majors that make the most money weaknesses. That makes Information Security Analysts some of the most important people in any organization. The people who keep networks and information protected need to combine a strong education with deep and diverse experience, making their salary expectations higher as well.

Median Salary: $70,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Financial Manager/Analyst

The job of a Financial Manager is to oversee the financial operations of a business, such as maintaining proper records, writing reports and white papers, and making sure that finances are in order. A Financial Analyst, list of college majors that make the most money, on the other hand, analyzes a businesses finances, such a investments, cash flow, and returns, to make recommendations on what has worked in the past, and the best way forward. Both jobs require a business degree, preferably a master’s, and both are growing at an above average rate, with solid median income and potential.

Median Salary:

Financial Manager &#; $70,
Financial Analyst &#; $58,

Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Software Developer

A Software Developer oversees the whole development process of a computer program, from determining problems to be solved or customer desires to be met, to leading a team of programmers, to getting list of college majors that make the most money product on the market. Some developers work primarily as managers, while others work directly in programming, depending on the complexity of the project. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, list of college majors that make the most money, or a similar speciality may be useful, though for management many companies will want a master’s; however, in many companies, experience is more important than any education.

Median Salary: $69,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Physical Therapist

When an injury, age, or sickness keeps you from moving effectively, where do you turn? To the Physical Therapist, that’s where. Physical therapy is one of the fastest-growing specializations in healthcare, with jobs expected to increase by 28% in the next decade. There’s lots of reasons for that, including more active adults and a huge number of aging Baby Boomers, but it’s also simply because we understand the benefits better. A physical therapist needs a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a state certification to practice.

Median Salary: $69,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineering is one of the most hands-on engineering occupations, rooted in the long history of applied science. Mechanical engineers design and build mechanical devices, from tools and engines to thermal sensors and nanotechnology. To begin a career as a mechanical engineer, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field is a must; it’s highly specialized, and needs not only a deep level of education, but a lot of practical, experiential learning. You may also need a certification or license in your state.

Median Salary: $68,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Radioactive Medicine

Radioactive medicine technicians &#; including Radiation Therapist, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiologist, and MRI Technologist &#; are some of the best-paying jobs you can get with just an associate’s degree, and they play an important part in modern medicine. Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments for cancer patients to shrink and destroy tumors; Nuclear Medicine Technologists prepare and administer the radioactive drugs used in imaging, and operate imaging equipment; Radiologists operate X-Ray equipment, while MRI Technologists operate MRI imagine equipment. The highly specialized &#; as well as rather risky &#; nature of the job means that radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists must be exceptionally well-trained. The job also carries its fair share of stress and difficulty, so they are generally well-paid, well above average for other jobs of the same education level.

Median Salary:

Radiation Therapist &#; $68,
Nuclear Medicine Technologist &#; $65,
Radiologic and MRI Technologist &#; $62,

Education Level: Associate’s

Computer Systems Analyst

While the Network Architect (#6 above) is the person who designs and implements networks for businesses, it’s the Computer Systems Analyst who examines the structures in place and finds ways to improve them. The systems analysts understands both the needs of the business, and the capabilities of the system, and comes up with ways for the two to work at their maximum efficiency and effectiveness. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science is the way into the field, but experience will make the biggest difference in a successful career as a systems analyst.

Median Salary: $66,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Compliance Officer

The Compliance Officer is one of the most important positions in any major corporation, though they’re not necessarily the person executives want to see come calling. The compliance officers’ job is to make sure a business is operating within proper legal and ethical boundaries, and that a company is keeping up with regulations, industry standards, and internal policies. In other words, the compliance officer keeps a company out of trouble, and even if no one wants to get an email from their compliance officer, they’re well-rewarded in pay for such a critical job.

Median Salary: $65,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapy is closely related to Physical Therapy (#26 above), in that both are dedicated to helping people recover and improve their capabilities after injury or sickness. However, occupational therapists work in a broader scope, helping patients relearn or develop everyday skills, such as feeding, dressing, or cleaning themselves; they may also work with disabled children to teach them self-care skills. Occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree, rather than a doctorate, and must be licensed in the state where they practice.

Median Salary: $64,
Education Level: Master’s

Medical and Health Services Manager

Without a doubt, healthcare is the field to be in if you want job security, high salaries, and the ability to help people as well, but not everyone is cut out for nursing or medicine. Fortunately, Medical and Health Services Managers can capitalize on the explosive growth in the healthcare industry, without having to encounter explosive growths in the emergency room (sorry). A bachelor’s or master’s degree in management is a good start, and specialized healthcare management degrees have become quite common &#; and are often available online.

Median Salary: $64,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Orthotist and Prosthetist

When patients need medical support devices, whether that means artificial limbs, braces, eyes, or other orthotics, they turn to Orthotists and Prosthetists. These are the professionals who build and fit prosthetics, helping patients find the right devices to improve their mobility, independence, and quality of life. An orthotist or prosthetist needs a master’s degree in the field, as well as a residency, and in many states a certification or license is also required to practice. The field is changing every day, list of college majors that make the most money, and the specialized knowledge and skills of an orthotist/prosthetist is well compensated.

Median Salary: $64,
Education Level: Master’s

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers are well-educated, well-respected, and well-paid, and well they should be &#; they’re the ones who turn our infrastructure from idea to reality. Civil engineering is as old as civilization, and their job hasn’t changed much, even as the tools and capabilities have; they design, build, and maintain buildings, bridges, tunnels, waterworks, and every other structure that makes civilized life possible. A civil engineer needs at least a bachelor’s degree, but leadership positions will be more in reach with a master’s, and experience is key to reaching the highest levels of responsibility and income.

Median Salary: $63,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Marketing Manager

In the 21st century, half of business is marketing. We just made that up, but as far as anyone can tell it’s true; competition in just about every field is so intense, building a strong brand may be the only difference between dominance and disappearance. A Marketing Manager oversees the marketing operations of a corporation, business, or organization, leading marketing campaigns and making sure that the employer or client’s marketing stays on-brand. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in management will provide the skills to lead teams, analyze and make marketing decisions, and craft successful campaigns.

Median Salary: $62,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, the people who do the crucial one-on-one work with patients in hospitals, emergency rooms, clinics, and every other healthcare facility. To become an RN, you need an associate’s degree in nursing (from a community college or nursing school) or a hospital diploma, and pass the NCLEX exam to be licensed as a registered nurse in your state. There is no shortage of jobs, and pay rates can be quite high, especially in specialized areas like ER, neonatal, or oncology department.

Median Salary: $62,
Education Level: Associate’s

Epidemiologist/Medical Scientist

Doctors and nurses work directly with patients to treat their illnesses and injuries, but where do the knowledge, treatments, and therapies they use come from? It’s the researchers behind the scenes who help medical professionals know what treatments work, how diseases spread, and how to prevent illness and injury. Epidemiologists study population and geographical trends to understand the spread of disease, while Medical Scientists study medications, diseases, medical devices, and other aspects of medicine from a scientific perspective. At least a master’s degree, and often a doctorate, is the standard for working as an epidemiologist of medical scientist.

Median Salary: $61,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Chiropractor

The doctors who manipulate your spine and joints to relieve chronic pain get paid quite well, and wouldn’t you want them to? A Doctor of Chiropractic degree requires many hours of residency and many years of schooling, and the job itself is a lifesaver to many patients experiencing pain. Chiropractors must be licensed in the state where they practice, but because they do not perform surgery or prescribe medications, they are usually able to operate more independently than most doctors. Many own their own practice and set their own hours, making chiropractic not only a rewarding job financially, but personally as well.

Median Salary: $59,
Education Level: Doctorate

School Psychologist

School Psychologists do not get paid as much as psychologists with their own private practice &#; let’s get that out of the way right away. But they are essential to modern education, providing services that help keep schools healthy and safe for students and faculty alike. School psychologists help students with mental illness and disabilities find the support they need; they provide counseling for grieving or distressed students; they address school-wide issues like bullying, motivation, and discipline; and they are at the center of crisis intervention and prevention. Individuals who want to make a difference in students’ lives as a school psychologist will need a master’s or doctorate degree, and usually need state licensure.

Median Salary: $59,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists are trained in diagnosing list of college majors that make the most money treating issues that affect speech and swallowing, from stroke and Parkinson’s in adults, to hearing loss and autism in adults and children. To become a speech-language pathologist, you will need at least a master’s degree in the field to learn the foundations of speech pathology, and the treatments you will be using. All states require some sort of licensure, and further certification may be necessary to work in schools.

Median Salary: $59,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Financial Advisor

Having more money than you know what to do with is a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem. Financial advisors come to the rescue for families who need help sorting out finances after the death of a loved one, making investment decisions, managing retirement, and more. At least a bachelor’s degree is necessary to get a job as a financial advisor, but more specialized master’s or certificate work can help you stand out on the job market. More schooling can also give you the confidence to strike out on your own as an independent consultant, or help you start your own firm.

Median Salary: $58,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Web Developer

Web Developers make the internet what it is, designing and building websites and pages to work at their best. While web developers may design the look of sites, they are more often responsible for the technical functioning of the site (especially if they are working in a team that includes a web designer). Developers must be well-versed in the most common programming languages for the web, and keep up with new developments as well. A bachelor’s or master’s degree can be helpful for getting work in the field, but certifications, continuing education, and workshops may be more important for staying current.

Median Salary: $58,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

List of college majors that make the most money Writer

Technical Writers do the unglamorous writing &#; user’s manuals, instructions, directions, business documents, and all of the other necessary writing that makes the world go round. A good technical writer should have the research and technical skills to write about any topic, product, or process; if they don’t know about it when they start the job, they’ll know as much as an expert by the time they’re done. A bachelor’s or master’s degree proves that you have the expertise, but nothing will get you farther in technical writing than experience, and a portfolio of excellent work.

Median Salary: $57,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s

Sales Manager

A good salesperson is hard to find, but a good sales manager is even tougher &#; someone with the skills to be a top salesperson on their own, but with the interpersonal and managerial skills to lead a team of salespeople. A good sales manager brings out the best in their team, finding and hiring the right people and motivating them to higher goals. Most managerial positions will expect a bachelor’s degree as a minimum to apply, but nothing makes a great sales manager like experience.

Median Salary: $56,
Education Level: Bachelor’s

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Like radioactive medicine technicians (#28 above), Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are some of the best-paid jobs you can get with just an associate’s degree. Sonographers operate sonogram and ultrasound machines, which use high-frequency sound to create images of internal organs and tissues. Sonographers may work with pregnant women, in cardiovascular units, in sports medicine or physical therapy clinics, list of college majors that make the most money, and other environments where sonography is used. With just a 2-year degree, diagnostic medical Sonographers can make more than $50, a year, and even upwards of $60, or $70,

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Associate’s

Political Scientist

These days, everybody’s a political scientist &#; or, at least, everybody thinks they are, whether they really know what they’re talking about or not. But real political scientists are a little more well-read and knowledgeable than the average internet troll, having been through a master’s or doctoral program studying and researching the political process. Political scientists study policy, trends, voting patterns, and other political topics, and usually work for the government, in education, or for nonprofits and lobbying organizations, list of college majors that make the most money, where their expertise can be put to practical use.

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Master’s/Doctorate

Dental Hygienist

Dental Hygienists join that esteemed group of associate’s-degree occupations that can earn a high salary and relative job security. In fact, there aren’t nearly enough hygienists to keep up with market demand &#; the job is expected to grow by 20% over the next decade, by more than 40, jobs. While they don’t have the expertise (or make the salary) of dentists, hygienists do most of the heavy lifting and interaction with patients, so it’s a good job for people who like working directly with people. Just an associate’s degree and certification or licensure is all that a dental hygienist needs.

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Associate’s

Cost Estimator

Cost Estimators have a very specific job, and it’s one that happens to be a lot harder than you may initially think: they have to figure out how much a project is going to cost. To be specific, cost estimators working in construction, business, government, or other fields have to research and analyze data to determine what it will take to, for example, build a building or implement a new policy: the time, materials, manpower, and expenses. That takes a lot of specialized knowledge, and usually at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, finance, business, or a more industry-specific discipline (construction management, for example).

Median Salary: $53,
Education Level: Bachelor’s

Clinical Social Worker

Where non-clinical social workers may help clients with issues like finding a job or getting to rehab, a Clinical Social Worker is a much more intensive, working with individuals and families to confront drug addiction, domestic violence, mental illness, and more in a clinical (as opposed to community) setting. A clinical social worker should have a master’s degree and be certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and will usually work in a hospital, rehabilitation facility, or some similar place. Their higher level of education and responsibility means clinical social workers are generally paid much more than non-clinical social workers.

Median Salary: $52,
Education Level: Master’s

Dietitian and Nutritionist

Before the chorus of “Well, actually&#;&#;; yes, we know &#; Dietitians and Nutritionists are two different jobs. Registered Dietitians are licensed to provide detailed dietary advice and produce meal plans for clients, list of college majors that make the most money, while Nutritionists (even certified nutritionists) can only provide general nutritional and dietary advice &#; not tell anyone what they should or should not eat. Therefore, all dietitians list of college majors that make the most money nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. However, the BLS treats them the same way, and regardless of which you call yourself, it’s a fast-growing, in-demand occupation, and that shows no slowing down in the future.

Median Salary: $51,
Education Level: Bachelor’s/Master’s