The College Degrees That Lead to the Highest Salaries Right Now
Picking a degree is one of those decisions people make before they fully understand how money works. You’re told to follow your passion, get a diploma, and everything else will fall into place. But that advice doesn’t come with a paycheck.
That’s why we pulled the latest data from Indeed to find out which degrees actually lead to serious income. We’re ranking them based on average salary and breaking down the jobs, education, and payoff that come with each one.
Some of these may surprise you. Let’s see which ones actually pull their weight. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Table of Contents
Business Management
A business management degree opens the door to operations, office leadership, or corporate strategy. The average salary comes in at $65,493 per year, which isn’t jaw-dropping, but it’s consistent and flexible.
These roles show up in nearly every industry because someone has to keep things running. The path typically starts with an associate or bachelor’s degree, but going for a master’s can push you into higher-level executive roles.
Common job titles include operations manager, project coordinator, or business development lead. You’ll likely be handling staff oversight, workflow systems, or budget plans. It’s not the loudest role in the room, but it’s often the one pulling the strings behind the scenes.
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Accounting
Accounting is the degree for people who actually like order, rules, and spreadsheets. Average pay hits $73,721 per year, and that’s just the starting point, especially with a CPA or master’s under your belt.
This field is less about excitement and more about reliability. A bachelor’s degree gets you in the game, and specialized certifications open doors to roles like tax accountant, auditor, or financial analyst.
Daily work can involve expense tracking, reporting, or year-end closeouts. These professionals are the ones making sure businesses don’t crash due to sloppy math. It’s the kind of job where details aren’t optional, they’re everything.
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Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering sits right at the intersection of innovation and healthcare. Average salary lands around $76,000 per year, reflecting the technical nature of the work and the learning curve involved.
This field involves creating devices and systems that assist with medical treatments and patient care. You’ll often need a bachelor’s to get started, but many go for a master’s or doctorate to stand out.
Common roles include medical device designer, clinical engineer, or R&D specialist. Work settings range from hospitals to biotech firms and university labs. There’s plenty of pressure, but the impact is hard to beat.
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Biology
Biology might not scream high-income, but it’s far from a dead-end. The average salary comes in at $80,707 per year, which surprises people who assume science always equals struggle.
Biologists often work in labs, field research, government agencies, or biotech companies. Bachelor’s degrees open the first door, but research-heavy positions usually ask for a master’s or Ph.D.
Titles like lab technician, environmental scientist, or molecular biologist are common in this field. The job is often behind the scenes, but the research drives major scientific breakthroughs. It’s a slow-burn career path with real staying power.
Health Administration
Health administration pays an average of $81,521 per year, and it’s a great match for people who want to be in healthcare without being in scrubs. These are the people running hospitals, managing care systems, and keeping operations on track.
A bachelor’s degree covers the basics, but senior roles usually expect a master’s in health administration or public health. Positions in this field include hospital administrator, clinic director, and healthcare operations manager.
You’re dealing with staffing, budgeting, equipment logistics, and compliance all at once. It’s a high-responsibility role that plays out behind closed doors. Patients may never know your name, but they’ll feel the impact of what you do.
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Computer Engineering
Technology keeps evolving, and computer engineering is what keeps it functional behind the scenes. This degree leads to jobs like IT manager, systems architect, and network engineer, with an average salary around $93,423 per year.
The work involves designing hardware, developing software, and maintaining secure systems for companies that run on tech. You might end up in cybersecurity, healthcare systems, or software infrastructure depending on your focus.
Some roles require only an associate degree, but most people aiming higher pursue a bachelor’s or even a master’s. For those who understand systems thinking and like solving layered problems, it’s a solid path with long-term demand.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering doesn’t just deal with chemicals, it transforms raw materials into things people use every day. Professionals in this field average around $96,949 per year, working in industries like energy, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or food production.
You might be developing cleaner fuels, improving water treatment systems, or designing the next generation of industrial materials. Most roles require a bachelor’s at minimum, but advanced research or supervisory jobs often need graduate credentials.
Positions like process engineer, plant engineer, or product development lead are common. It’s a field that rewards logical thinking, attention to detail, and a strong science foundation. This degree doesn’t just promise high pay, it delivers real impact in every industry it touches.
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Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineers aren’t just working on rockets, they’re improving how we travel, communicate, and defend. The average salary in this field is $104,091 per year, and the work stretches across aviation companies, government contractors, and satellite tech firms.
Jobs include spacecraft designer, propulsion engineer, and flight systems analyst. Programs typically require a master’s or higher, especially for roles tied to national defense or space programs. It’s heavy on math, physics, and advanced design work.
This is a field for those who like precision, high stakes, and solving problems where failure isn’t an option. Every design is tested under extreme conditions, and the payoff is contributing to the cutting edge of human capability.
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Electrical Engineering
There’s electrical wiring in nearly everything today: cars, buildings, smartphones, even medical devices. Electrical engineering taps into all of that and more, offering a national average salary of $104,401 per year.
You’ll find electrical engineers working in power generation, aerospace, manufacturing, or R&D. Roles include circuit designer, systems engineer, or energy consultant. Most jobs start with a bachelor’s degree, and many continue on for a master’s to boost their technical edge.
The work is hands-on, data-driven, and deeply rooted in problem-solving. This isn’t just about keeping the lights on, it’s about creating smarter, faster, and safer ways to power the world.
Architecture
Architecture blends creativity, engineering, and mathematics into one demanding but rewarding profession. With an average salary of $109,660 per year, it’s not just about sketching buildings, it’s about designing environments people live and work in every day.
Architects are responsible for the technical drawings, safety compliance, and overall function of everything from homes to skyscrapers. The degree usually starts at the bachelor’s level, but many go on to complete a master’s and state licensing before taking on major projects.
Job titles include design architect, urban planner, or construction project lead. Every blueprint carries legal, structural, and aesthetic weight. For those who like to think in dimensions and create something that lasts, it’s one of the few careers where art meets infrastructure.
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Nuclear Engineering
This field doesn’t get talked about much, but the paycheck speaks for itself. Nuclear engineers average $111,442 per year, and the work involves harnessing atomic energy to power cities, treat diseases, and drive innovation in national defense.
It’s a career built on complex systems and razor-thin safety margins. Most positions demand a master’s or even a doctorate, especially in research or energy plant design. Roles range from nuclear systems engineer to radiation safety officer and reactor operator.
You’ll often be deep in calculations, safety protocols, or energy efficiency modeling. This isn’t for those who like shortcuts, it’s built for sharp thinkers with patience and precision.
Economics
Economics isn’t just about charts and policy debates, it’s the engine behind how resources move, markets shift, and decisions get made. Professionals in this field earn an average of $114,885 per year, working in roles like financial analyst, economic consultant, and policy researcher.
Most start with a bachelor’s, but a master’s or Ph.D. opens doors to think tanks, international agencies, and executive advisory teams. Daily work may include modeling economic trends, tracking inflation, or assessing trade impacts.
The path rewards analytical minds and those who can translate data into decisions. It’s the kind of degree that carries weight in boardrooms and government circles alike.
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Computer Science
Software is eating the world, and computer science grads are writing the code that makes it happen. With an average salary of $126,677 per year, this field consistently ranks near the top for income and job demand.
It includes roles like software engineer, machine learning specialist, cybersecurity analyst, and backend developer. Bachelor’s degrees are the usual starting point, but those who specialize especially in AI or systems architecture often pursue a master’s.
The work can be remote, contract-based, or deep inside tech giants. This isn’t about fixing your grandma’s printer, it’s about building platforms billions of people rely on. Logic, patience, and curiosity tend to go far here.
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Orthopedics
This is where science, skill, and six-figure salaries meet. Orthopedic doctors bring in around $192,130 per year, making it the highest-paying path on the list. The role involves diagnosing and treating issues tied to bones, muscles, and joints.
Most people in this field complete an undergraduate degree, then medical school, followed by a surgical residency. It’s a long path, but the payoff is substantial, both financially and professionally.
Orthopedists perform surgeries, review imaging scans, and create recovery plans for patients dealing with trauma or chronic pain. This isn’t an easy career, but for those who want to lead in medical treatment and make a direct difference in people’s lives, it delivers.
Degrees That Make the Dollars Count
A degree doesn’t guarantee success, it just sets the stage. What you study, how you use it, and the path you take after graduation all matter more than the piece of paper itself.
Some degrees lead to impact, stability, and real money. Others leave you with debt and regret. This list isn’t about prestige, it’s about payoff.
If you’re going to invest time and tuition, make sure it leads somewhere worth going.
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