There are many jobs that pay well if you have a bachelor’s degree. As you develop experience and earn certifications, you can significantly improve your earning potential. In this article, we list 31 high-paying jobs that you can get with a bachelor’s degree, including their primary duties and job outlook for each between 2020 and 2030, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

20 high-paying jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree can prepare you for a variety of industries. The following jobs require a bachelor’s degree and pay more than $70,000 per year, according to Indeed.com.

1. Project manager

National average salary: $74,175 per year plus $13,500 cash bonus

Primary duties:

Project managers are responsible for designing, budgeting and implementing projects in a variety of industries. They play a key role in ensuring that deadlines are met, projects stay within budget and that team members are motivated. Project managers can be found in almost every sector and usually have a deep understanding of the industry they work in.

Job outlook:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that openings for project management specialists will grow at a rate of 6% over the next decade, totaling 99,200 new positions.

2. Architect

National average salary: $77,458 per year

Primary duties:

Architects are responsible for the design of buildings and ensuring that their clients’ needs are met. They draft, design and oversee the construction of their projects, which can include residential, commercial, industrial or government buildings.

Job outlook:

Architecture job openings are projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, about 9,400 openings on average per year.

3. Construction superintendent

National average salary: $79,827 per year plus $5,000 in profit sharing

Primary duties:

Construction Superintendents are responsible for overseeing construction sites. This includes scheduling, safety compliance and supervising all tasks. Construction Superintendents typically work for private construction firms.

Job outlook:

The job market for construction managers is expected to grow 11% over the decade, with an average of 38,900 openings per year.

4. Chemical engineer

National average salary: $80,921 per year

Primary duties:

Chemical engineers work with raw materials to create products. They use systems and equipment for refining and combining raw materials. Chemical engineers often work with food and drugs, but they can work with any variety of chemicals. Employers of chemical engineers include laboratories, government agencies, food manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies.

Job outlook:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job openings for chemical engineers will grow by 9% over the next decade. On average, this amounts to 1,800 openings per year.

5. Sales engineer

National average salary: $81,342 per year

Primary duties:

Sales engineers sell technology solutions to companies that include upgrading systems, managing installed equipment and assisting in troubleshooting products. They must understand how their products work and how to meet user requirements. Sales engineers work closely with systems engineers and sales teams to meet customers’ needs and develop new products.

Job outlook:

There is an expected growth of 8% for sales engineer job openings over the decade, or about 7,300 openings on average per year.

6. Petroleum engineer

National average salary: $83,490 per year

Primary duties:

Petroleum engineers use their skills in mathematics and science to determine the best way to remove oil and natural gas from the earth. By gathering and analyzing data, they are able to find the safest and most cost-effective ways to drill. They also design both the machines and systems used to extract petroleum. Oftentimes, petroleum engineers work for oil companies, government agencies, or oversight committees.

Job outlook:

Job openings for petroleum engineers are expected to grow by 8% over the next decade. On average, this equates to 2,100 openings per year.

7. Information security analyst

National average salary: $83,958 per year plus $5,000 cash bonus

Primary duties:

Information security analysts are responsible for identifying weaknesses in computer networks, investigating security breaches, and installing and monitoring security software. They often consult with software and systems developers regarding upgrades, and must stay up-to-date on computer viruses and malware. The importance of information security is widely recognized across many industries and government agencies.

Job outlook:

Information security analysts can expect a 33% job growth over the next decade. On average, there will be 16,300 job openings per year.

8. Compensation manager

National average salary: $86,347 per year

Primary duties:

Compensation managers are responsible for developing and updating a company’s payroll and pay structure. They must be knowledgeable in how to competitively pay and promote employees in order to recruit and retain workers. Compensation is crucial in every company and industry, therefore compensation managers are widely found.

Job outlook:

There is an expected growth of 4% for job openings of compensation and benefits managers over the decade, or about 1,500 openings on average per year.

9. Nuclear engineer

National average salary: $87,730 per year

Primary duties:

Nuclear engineers conduct research, design, operate and monitor nuclear equipment. They work in power plants, laboratories, offices and testing sites. They might work with medical equipment, nuclear power, research tools and emergency management equipment. Nuclear engineers are found in a range of industries due to their wide need.

Job outlook:

Nuclear engineering job openings are expected to grow by 8% over the next decade, averaging 900 new positions each year.

10. Database administrator

National average salary: $88,156 per year

Primary duties:

Database administrators design, structure and update information databases so users can easily access the entries they need. Database administrators are also responsible for database security. They are needed across several industries.

Job outlook:

This paragraph predicts that the demand for database administrators will grow at a rate of 8% over the next ten years, creating an average of 13,900 new job openings per year.

11. Materials engineer

National average salary: $93,993 per year

Primary duties:

Materials engineers work with substances such as metals, plastics and ceramics to test and design materials that meet the needs of new products. They take into account material costs, how quickly materials degrade and how to improve material quality. Materials engineers work in industries such as firms and government agencies.

Job outlook:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that job openings for materials engineers will grow by 8% over the next decade. On average, this amounts to 1,800 open positions per year.

12. Finance manager

National average salary: $96,255 per year

Primary duties:

Finance managers are responsible for analyzing financial markets, advising on investments, submitting financial reports and managing the financial health of their organization. Financial managers are needed in almost every industry.

Job outlook:

Job openings for financial managers are expected to grow at a rate of 17% over the next decade, with an average of 64,200 openings available per year.

13. Statistician

National average salary: $97,046 per year

Primary duties:

Statisticians play an important role in many industries and departments by gathering, analyzing, and presenting numerical data to identify trends and make predictions. Their work is essential for making informed decisions in areas such as finance, human resources, and marketing.

Job outlook:

There is an expected growth of 33% for statisticians and mathematicians over the decade, which averages out to about 5,200 job openings per year.

14. Hardware engineer

National average salary: $100,712 per year

Primary duties:

Hardware engineers design, develop, test and manufacture physical components of technology. They understand how software and hardware interact, and follow market trends to build appealing technologies. Hardware engineers work in research environments, with tech or computer companies, manufacturers and government agencies.

Job outlook:

This paragraph states that job openings for computer hardware engineers are expected to grow by 2% over the next decade. This equates to approximately 4,500 new job openings per year.

15. Aerospace engineer

National average salary: $104,679 per year

Primary duties:

Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing, building and testing spacecraft, aircraft, missiles and national defense systems. They use advanced physics and aerodynamics to solve complex engineering problems and often work with the federal government, engineering firms and research facilities.

Job outlook:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job openings for aerospace engineers will grow by 8% over the next 10 years. This amounts to an average of 4,000 openings per year.

16. Economist

National average salary: $107,014 per year

Primary duties:

Economists use data analysis and historical trends to solve problems and predict economic changes. They must be able to communicate effectively, both written and verbally. Economists work in many industries and often write articles.

Job outlook:

Job openings for economists are expected to grow by 13% over the next decade, with an average of 1,600 openings per year.

17. Electronics engineer

National average salary: $109,079 per year

Primary duties:

Electronics engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems, global positioning systems (GPS), and industrial process control systems. They work in a variety of industries and settings, including research laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and government agencies.

Job outlook:

Electrical and electronics engineers can expect an average of 22,700 job openings per year over the next decade, with a projected growth of 7%.

18. Software engineer

National average salary: $112,623 per year plus $4,000 cash bonus

Primary duties:

As a software engineer, you will be responsible for designing, building, and testing computer operating system software and application software. Your training in programming languages and design principles will give you the ability to create customized programs for your clients. The demand for software engineers is high in many industries and government agencies.

Job outlook:

The average number of job openings per year for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is expected to grow by 22% over the next decade.

19. Actuary

National average salary: $114,713 per year

Primary duties:

Actuaries use advanced levels of mathematics, statistics and computer science to assess financial risks and develop risk management strategies. They analyze data and trends to determine cost/benefit ratios and often work in insurance agencies or for the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Job outlook:

There is an expected growth of 24% for actuarial job openings over the decade, which amounts to an average of 2,400 openings per year.

20. Network architect

National average salary: $128,891 per year plus $15,000 cash bonus

Primary duties:

As a network architect, you will be responsible for designing network infrastructures that balance your company’s long-term technology goals with their financial needs. You should be very experienced in computer science and understand how to translate business needs and goals into technological tools and systems. Network architects work in nearly every industry and government agency.

Job outlook:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job openings for computer network architects will grow by 5% over the next decade. On average, this amounts to 11,000 new job openings per year.