With the high cost of college tuition, it’s understandable that students want to get their money’s worth. Entry-level jobs aren’t known for their high pay, but some graduates can enjoy high salaries from the start. GoBankingRates.com has released a study on the highest paying entry-level jobs. To determine which jobs made the cut, GOBankingRates utilized Bureau of Labor Statistics data to determine the 30 highest-paying entry-level jobs using 2018 median pay levels for jobs that featured an education of a bachelor’s degree or less with no related experience or on-the-job training required. Read on for more about the best entry-level jobs for those wanting to get a great return on investment.*
The Top 10 Highest Paying Entry-Level Jobs 2019
1. Petroleum Engineers
Median pay in 2018: $137,170
Typical majors: Petroleum engineering; civil engineering; chemical engineering; mechanical engineering
Projected growth:** 15%
Petroleum Engineers determine how to extract oil and gas deposits. They develop tools and techniques for extraction, conduct analysis and testing, and often work on-site to oversee installation of equipment.
2. Aerospace Engineers
Median pay in 2018: $115,220
Typical major: Aerospace Engineering
Projected growth: 6%
Aerospace engineers design missiles, aircraft, satellites and spacecraft. They must ensure that products meet regulations and safety standards, and monitor equipment performance after project completion.
3. Computer Hardware Engineers
Median pay in 2018: $114,600
Typical majors: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
Projected growth: 5%
Computer hardware engineers design hardware equipment used in various products, including vehicles and appliances. They also test equipment, analyze results and make modifications as needed.
4. Software Developers, Systems Software
Median pay in 2018: $110,000
Typical majors: Computer Science, Computer Programming
Projected growth: 24% (all software developers)
Software developers create the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. They analyze user needs, then design and test software to meet those needs. They also may recommend software upgrades and ensure continued functionality of programs through maintenance and testing.
5. Nuclear Engineers
Median pay in 2018: $107,600
Typical major: Nuclear Engineering
Projected growth: 4%
Nuclear engineers develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores and radiation shielding. They also write operational instructions in handling or disposal of nuclear waste, monitor nuclear facility operations, and collect data from nuclear accidents that may be used to develop preventative measures.
6. Chemical Engineers
Median pay in 2018: $104, 910
Typical major: Chemical Engineering
Projected growth: 8%
Chemical engineers develop new and improved manufacturing processes, establish safety procedures for those working with dangerous chemicals, design and plan the layout of equipment, monitor performance of processes throughout production, troubleshoot problems with manufacturing processes, evaluate equipment and processes to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and estimate production costs.
7. Software Developers, Applications
Median pay in 2018: $103,620
Typical majors: Computer Science, Computer Programming
Projected growth: 24% (all software developers)
Applications developers design computer applications, such as word processors and games. They may create custom software for individual clients or programs that people use over the Internet and within a company’s intranet.
8. Electronics Engineers, Except Computers
Median pay in 2018: $102,700
Typical major: Electrical Engineering
Projected growth: 7% (Electronics and Electrical Engineers)
Electronics engineers design electronic components that may be used for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications. They also inspect equipment to ensure proper performance and compliance with safety standards, and develop modifications to improve performance.
9. Materials Scientists
Median pay in 2018: $99,800
Typical majors: Materials Science, Materials Engineering
Projected growth: 7% (including Chemists)
Materials scientists use their knowledge of chemistry to to develop new and improved products and to test the quality of manufactured goods. Materials scientists often specialize in specific materials such as ceramics, glass, metals, polymers and semiconductors.
10. Electrical Engineers
Median pay in 2018: $96,640
Typical major: Electrical Engineering
Projected growth: 7% (including Electronics Engineers)
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, including electric motors, navigation systems, communications systems, power generation equipment, and electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft. They often work with project managers to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget
Other high paying entry-level jobs include database administrators, health and safety engineers, computer systems analysts, and biomedical engineers. See the full list here: https://www.gobankingrates.com/making-money/jobs/highest-paying-entry-level-jobs/
*Sources:
https://www.gobankingrates.com/making-money/jobs/highest-paying-entry-level-jobs/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
**Growth projection through 2026 based on OOH data.