High- Paying Jobs to Get with a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor's degree is more than a piece of paper: it’s a smart investment that unlocks doors to more job possibilities, higher salary ranges, and further educational and leadership opportunities. It’s important to align educational pursuits with your passions, but choosing a degree that promises a substantial return on investment (ROI) also matters.
Whether you're a prospective student or a professional contemplating a career change, a bachelor’s degree can make all the difference. Read on for some examples of jobs that require a bachelor’s degree and offer a promising ROI.
Human Resource Management
Human resource (HR) managers play an important role in organizations by overseeing the day-to-day functions of the HR department. They’re responsible for implementing employee policies, managing the recruitment process, creating a positive workplace environment, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. HR managers also oversee benefits planning, conflict resolution, and other tasks related to the role.
Typical Tasks
Data Analysis
In HR management, data analysis is crucial in making informed decisions. This could involve analyzing employee performance metrics, turnover rates, or engagement surveys. By interpreting this data, HR managers can identify areas for improvement and implement strategies that contribute to organizational success.
Financial Forecasting
Financial forecasting in HR involves using budgeting software for salaries, benefits, training programs, and other HR-related expenses. Accurate forecasting ensures that the company allocates sufficient resources to the HR department, which in turn helps in talent acquisition and retention—key factors in a company's growth.
Risk Assessment
When it comes to HR, risk assessment involves identifying potential issues that could affect the workforce or the company. This could range from compliance risks to workplace safety concerns. By proactively assessing and mitigating these risks, HR managers play a vital role in protecting the company's interests and maintaining a positive work environment.
HR managers are employed in nearly every industry, and the job outlook is positive. Employment of HR managers is projected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032. This lucrative career field has a median annual salary of $130,000, as of May 2022. The minimum qualification for a career in human resources includes earning a bachelor’s degree, although an advanced degree may be required for leadership or management roles.
Software Developer
Software developers design, implement, and maintain computer applications and software solutions. They perform tasks like coding, debugging, and testing. This role requires continuous learning to stay up to date with evolving technologies.
Typical Tasks
Coding
Coding is a language that tells computers what actions to take. Software developers who specialize in coding use programming languages like Python, Java, or C++ to create that information following best practices and coding standards. Precision, creativity, and problem-solving skills are essential to developing efficient coding.
Debugging
Debugging is a critical operation that involves identifying and correcting errors in code. The intricate nature of debugging demands precision and a deep understanding of programming languages to ensure optimal functionality of software and systems.
Software Testing
Testing ensures that software meets its intended functionality. Software developers who specialize in testing are highly valued for their role in preventing bugs, minimizing costs, and enhancing performance. The expertise required for this task includes sharp attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of software architecture.
Whether you work for a large corporation, a small startup, or as an independent freelancer, software developers enjoy versatile work environments and a positive job outlook. The field is projected to grow by 25% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary is high, too—around $127,260—making this one of the highest -paying jobs for those with a bachelor's degree.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts are key players in helping organizations make informed business decisions. They're responsible for assessing economic conditions and trends, evaluating financial data, and creating models to predict future performance and risk. This high-paying career is ideal for those with analytical acumen and a strong understanding of the financial landscape.
Typical Tasks
Data Analysis
Data analysis is a fundamental skill for financial analysts to master when it comes to navigating complex financial information. Using their expertise to extract insights from vast data sets, analysts are able to evaluate market trends, assess investment opportunities, and predict future performance.
Financial Forecasting
Data analysis goes hand-in-hand with forecasting when it comes to evaluating financial risks and trends. Analysts use historical data, market analysis, and economic indicators to guide organizations in making strategic decisions that enhance overall financial stability and success.
Risk Assessment
Financial analysts must identify potential risks in order to make beneficial business decisions. They analyze economic and market trends and determine how they can integrate them with an organization's goals. This proactive approach helps companies make strategic decisions that protect their financial assets.
Having a strong knowledge of data analysis, financial forecasting, and risk assessment can make all the difference to an organization’s success. According to the BLS, financial analysts earn a median annual salary of $95,080, with the highest 10% earning more than $175,720. And with a projected job growth outlook of 8% from 2022 to 2032, this is a high-paying career choice for someone with a bachelor’s degree, business acumen, and a knack for numbers.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop strategies to promote a product or service. They analyze market trends, identify target audiences, and oversee advertising campaigns. Additionally, marketing managers monitor competitors, evaluate consumer behavior, and optimize strategies to maximize brand visibility and achieve business goals. Marketing managers work closely with clients, creative teams, and executives to establish the tone, voice, and messaging for campaigns.
Typical Tasks
A marketing manager's tasks encompass a variety of responsibilities necessary for the effective execution of marketing strategies. These tasks vary by role, industry, and campaign, but typically involve:
Brand voice establishment. Developing and maintaining a consistent brand voice across all marketing materials and messaging.
Evaluating consumer behavior. Conducting evaluations of customer behavior and demographics to better understand the target audience and align marketing resources and strategies accordingly.
Budget allocation. Marketing managers are responsible for distributing budgets efficiently across different marketing channels and campaigns.
Content creation and optimization. In order to effectively communicate brand messaging, marketing managers may create, refine, or oversee content for a variety of mediums, including websites, social media, and print.
A marketing manager is a key player in a company’s success, so it’s no surprise that this high-paying job requires a bachelor's degree. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for a marketing manager is $140,040. Overall employment of advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032.
Why a Bachelor's Degree Is a Smart Investment
According to the BLS, people with bachelor’s degrees earn about 25% more per week than those with just a high school diploma. Whether you’re interested in technology, finance, business, education, or healthcare, earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step toward your professional journey.
Skill Development
A bachelor’s degree program not only teaches career-specific knowledge; it also equips students with a wide range of multidisciplinary skills that are applicable in a variety of industries. Soft skills such as communication and problem-solving, for example, are vital to all careers. When these universal skills are paired with career-specific expertise, a bachelor’s degree can lead to increased opportunities.
Career Flexibility
College graduates enjoy the benefits of their hard work through exciting job opportunities and higher-paying careers due to their diverse skill set. A bachelor's degree provides the flexibility to explore various career paths, which can also make it easier to switch fields later in life. Whether starting a career or seeking a change, graduates benefit from the versatility a degree offers.
Networking Opportunities
A supportive team makes all the difference when you're navigating your career path. Engaging with alumni networks or with other professionals through internships, online, and at events can help you build valuable connections with instructors, mentors, peers, and potential employers. These networking opportunities serve as a foundation for relationships that provide support, guidance, and opportunities along the way to a successful career.
Credibility and Marketability
In many industries, a bachelor's degree is a minimum qualification—so earning one not only equips you with specialized knowledge but also enhances credibility in a competitive job market. WGU's accredited and respected degree programs are designed with input from industry experts to meet the needs of today’s workforce. You’ll also have the advantage of earning relevant industry certifications at no extra cost. And, with WGU’s competency-based education model and a Program Mentor to keep you on track, many students can quickly excel through coursework, enabling you to take as many courses as you can master for the same flat-rate tuition per six-month term.
At WGU, every skill learned and every certification earned is connected to the in-demand skills, competencies, and knowledge that will qualify graduates for rewarding, in-demand jobs. No matter what career path you choose, a WGU bachelor’s degree is a great place to begin your journey to a high-paying career.
