15 Careers That Pay More Than $50,000
Many of these fifteen occupations call for only a bachelor's degree, and some of them you may have never even considered. Starting from the jobs that pay decently to the more lucrative salaries, can set your mind on tackling some of these options.
1. Pharmaceutical Sales Rep.
Average Annual Salary: $52,900
Job Description: Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives inform physicians about drug information, as well as provide product samples. They also monitor the prescribing patterns of physicians within a designated geographic area.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical science, pharmacology, toxicology, or related fields.
2. Network Security Analyst
Average Annual Salary: $55,700
Job Description: Network Security Analysts protect computer networks and information by planning, installing, and monitoring security measures.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in Information technology, mathematics or computer science.
3. Software Developer
Average Annual Salary: $58,200
Job Description: Software Developers make operating systems/applications for computers and other devices.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.
4. Actuarial Assistant
Average Annual Salary: $58,400
Job Description: Actuarial Assistants assist actuaries in setting insurance premium rates, as well as performing data research.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, or finance.
5. Nurse Practitioner
Average Annual Salary: $64,690
Job Description: Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have completed advanced nursing education and training in order to diagnose and manage common medical conditions.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in a nursing-related field, a Master's in a nurse-practitioner training program (called Nurse Practitioner Degrees).
6. Entry-Level Chef
Average Annual Salary: $69,000*
Job Description: Chefs are responsible for preparing meals, maintaining quality supplies, and when leading their team, hire, train, direct, and guide other kitchen staff.
Education Needed: Most chefs attend culinary school to earn a degree, though it is not technically required.
*Figure calculated by Simply Hired, derived by calculating the average salary of all positions with the words "entry-level chef."
7. Business Technology Analyst
Average Annual Salary: $69,900
Job Description: Business Technology Analysts improve business performance through implementing information technology.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in business, information technology, or computer science.
8. Funeral Service Manager
Average Annual Salary: $79,930
Job Description: Funeral service managers arrange the details and logistics of funerals, work closely with the family members of the deceased, however, the process of preserving the body (embalming) is also a requirement.
Education Needed: Typically an Associate Degree in Funeral Service Education, passage of the National Board Examination, and service as an apprentice for one to two years.
9. Petroleum Engineer
Annual Average Salary: $87,600
Job Description: Petroleum Engineers design and develop methods of extracting oil/gas from deposits under the earth's surface and older wells using pre-established methods.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, preferably petroleum engineering.
10. School Principal
Average Annual Salary: $87,760
Job Description: School principals manage the day-to-day operations at school, including supervising teachers and staff, and maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.
Education Needed: Master's degree in Education Administration or leadership, as well as experience working as a teacher.
11. Medical and Health Services Manager
Average Annual Salary: $88,580
Job Description: Health services managers manage the finances of their facility, patient fees and billing, work schedules, and keep their facility in compliance with new laws and regulations.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in Health Administration, and sometimes a master's degree in health and/or administrative fields.
12. Physician Assistant
Average Annual Salary: $90,930
Job Description: PAs practice medicine under the direction of physicians/surgeons, including ordering/interpreting tests, doing physical exams, and prescribing medicine.
Education Needed: Master's degree is completed through an accredited educational program, typically requiring two years of study at the minimum.
13. Sales Engineer
Average Annual Salary: $91,830
Job Description: Sales engineers sell scientific and technological products/services to businesses. They use their technical skills to explain the benefits of such products to make sales.
Education Needed: Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field (possible business or in a science).
14. Actuary
Average Annual Salary: $93,680
Job Description: Actuaries use math, statistics, and financial theory to calculate the risk of some event occurring. They typically work in conjunction with insurance companies to develop policies that minimize the cost of risks.
Education Needed: Bachelor's Degree in Business, mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. Also a series of exams passed to obtain professional certification.
15. Computer and Information Systems Manager
Average Annual Salary: $120,950
Job Description: Computer and Information Systems managers assess their company's computer needs, and recommend/install upgrades to hardware and software, as well as negotiate with technology vendors in order to get the optimal services for their company.
Education Needed: Bachelor's degree in computer or information science as well as related work experience. Many in this occupation also have a graduate degree, commonly in business administration.
