Careers That US College Programs Lead To, by Pay and Job Growth

230 careers

BLS wages May 2025 · BLS projections 2025 to 2035

Every career, ranked

Pay is the US median across all experience levels. Growth is the projected change in the number of jobs from 2025 to 2035. Career names link to pay in every state and the programs that lead there.

#	Career	Median pay	Jobs	Growth
1	Nurse Anesthetists	$236,590	51,840	+10%
2	Chief Executives	$213,990	204,350	+3%
3	Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	$193,950	790	+7%
4	Computer and Information Systems Managers	$175,140	670,570	+16%
5	Physicists	$172,250	20,430	+7%
6	Architectural and Engineering Managers	$171,270	220,260	+6%
7	Natural Sciences Managers	$167,220	108,690	+8%
8	Marketing Managers	$166,790	395,240	+7%
9	Financial Managers	$166,570	841,710	+10%
10	Computer Hardware Engineers	$161,740	76,660	+9%
11	Human Resources Managers	$149,280	220,660	+6%
12	Sales Managers	$148,270	637,080	+5%
13	Public Relations Managers	$146,910	74,850	+6%
14	Petroleum Engineers	$144,910	18,060	+2%
15	Political Scientists	$142,080	5,540	−2%
16	Database Architects	$139,500	67,140	+9%
17	Software Developers	$135,980	1,687,890	+10%
18	Physician Assistants	$135,880	162,150	+21%
19	Aerospace Engineers	$134,960	67,710	+8%
20	Computer Network Architects	$134,050	179,740	+8%
21	Nurse Practitioners	$132,300	323,040	+41%
22	Electronics Engineers	$130,220	96,900	+4%
23	Actuaries	$130,000	26,670	+9%
24	Information Security Analysts	$129,180	190,650	+21%
25	Biochemists and Biophysicists	$127,410	33,830	+12%
26	Mathematicians	$126,710	2,030	+1%
27	Industrial Production Managers	$126,060	246,250	+3%
28	Chemical Engineers	$125,040	21,070	+5%
29	Economists	$124,720	17,790	+5%
30	Medical and Health Services Managers	$123,860	597,080	+24%
31	Electrical Engineers	$120,630	198,750	+10%
32	Data Scientists	$120,230	262,440	+35%
33	Financial Risk Specialists	$117,330	63,850	+7%
34	Health and Safety Engineers	$115,160	21,450	+5%
35	Construction Managers	$114,990	380,360	+9%
36	Art Directors	$114,850	53,070	+4%
37	Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	$109,370	23,480	+8%
38	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$107,230	221,180	+6%
39	Environmental Engineers	$107,110	38,340	+6%
40	Facilities Managers	$106,660	156,180	+5%
41	Sociologists	$106,030	2,260	+4%
42	Computer Systems Analysts	$105,850	519,530	+8%
43	General and Operations Managers	$105,770	3,503,020	+5%
44	Statisticians	$105,650	29,030	+11%
45	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$104,300	186,740	+6%
46	Mechanical Engineers	$104,110	296,810	+11%
47	Web and Digital Interface Designers	$104,000	113,330	+6%
48	Medical Scientists	$103,410	172,340	+13%
49	Powerhouse and Substation Electrical Repairers	$103,020	20,720	+10%
50	Physical Therapists	$102,760	267,330	+12%
51	Financial and Investment Analysts	$102,740	361,980	+7%
52	Industrial Engineers	$102,440	365,740	+12%
53	Project Management Specialists	$102,320	1,066,670	+7%
54	Geographers	$102,040	1,400	−2%
55	Special Effects Artists and Animators	$102,030	19,970	0%
56	Geoscientists	$101,920	23,470	+5%
57	Management Analysts	$101,860	898,280	+10%
58	Civil Engineers	$100,840	367,840	+6%
59	Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$100,580	75,990	+12%
60	Computer Programmers	$100,390	92,230	−7%
61	Occupational Therapists	$100,330	162,450	+15%
62	Architects	$99,280	106,770	+4%
63	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$99,130	314,340	−4%
64	Dental Hygienists	$98,100	222,740	+8%
65	Speech-Language Pathologists	$97,870	183,390	+17%
66	Registered Nurses	$97,550	3,379,720	+6%
67	Hydrologists	$96,600	5,850	+2%
68	Audiologists	$95,780	13,660	+11%
69	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$95,320	131,070	+10%
70	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	$93,530	99,140	+4%
71	Technical Writers	$90,390	45,500	+1%
72	Producers and Directors	$90,360	143,120	+4%
73	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	$90,150	140,610	+19%
74	Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	$89,900	6,500	−3%
75	Urban and Regional Planners	$89,320	44,230	+4%
76	Food Scientists and Technologists	$88,720	13,060	+6%
77	Accountants and Auditors	$83,680	1,449,500	+5%
78	Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians	$82,890	11,280	+12%
78	Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes	$82,890	12,620	+10%
80	Avionics Technicians	$82,280	18,830	+9%
80	Respiratory Therapists	$82,280	139,790	+9%
82	Environmental Scientists and Specialists	$82,220	89,250	+6%
83	Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	$81,390	14,260	+7%
84	Compliance Officers	$80,730	417,070	+4%
85	Social and Community Service Managers	$80,390	209,330	+7%
86	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$80,110	230,490	+5%
87	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	$79,920	812,210	+5%
88	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$79,860	617,500	+4%
89	Entertainment and Recreation Managers	$79,520	37,980	+6%
90	Soil and Plant Scientists	$78,850	15,730	+7%
91	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	$78,760	899,580	+7%
92	Cost Estimators	$78,740	224,220	−3%
93	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	$78,660	489,570	+1%
94	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$78,190	95,130	+2%
95	Chemical Plant and System Operators	$78,120	16,610	−5%
96	Editors	$77,920	91,690	−1%
97	Buyers and Purchasing Agents	$77,710	491,430	+6%
98	Writers and Authors	$76,910	47,940	0%
99	Electrical and Electronics Drafters	$76,870	17,920	−3%
100	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$76,780	18,120	+4%
101	Dietitians and Nutritionists	$76,400	77,570	+8%
102	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$76,210	670,520	+4%
103	Human Resources Specialists	$75,940	912,430	+6%
104	Fire Inspectors and Investigators	$75,920	13,800	+4%
105	Film and Video Editors	$75,420	25,610	+4%
106	Camera Operators	$74,990	21,550	+1%
107	Public Relations Specialists	$74,750	283,380	+2%
108	Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$74,510	36,190	+1%
109	Control and Valve Installers and Repairers	$74,340	48,240	+4%
110	High School Special Education Teachers	$74,260	163,930	0%
111	Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians	$73,900	15,520	+3%
112	Music Directors and Composers	$73,710	12,540	+1%
113	Sound Engineering Technicians	$73,130	13,080	−3%
114	Fundraisers	$72,550	111,040	+6%
115	Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives	$72,080	1,238,190	−1%
116	Forensic Science Technicians	$72,060	19,120	+13%
117	High School Teachers	$72,040	1,065,210	0%
118	Mechanical Drafters	$71,550	39,960	−6%
119	Anthropologists and Archeologists	$70,770	8,990	+6%
120	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	$69,500	1,436,680	0%
121	Survey Researchers	$69,460	8,290	−5%
122	Food Service Managers	$69,390	238,430	+6%
123	Training and Development Specialists	$69,280	458,300	+11%
124	Animal Scientists	$68,940	3,100	+6%
125	Property Appraisers and Assessors	$67,960	57,070	+4%
126	Healthcare Social Workers	$67,880	187,630	+9%
127	Calibration Technologists and Technicians	$67,820	16,540	+5%
128	Interior Designers	$67,190	71,500	+3%
129	Middle School Special Education Teachers	$66,810	95,200	0%
130	Architectural and Civil Drafters	$66,150	103,700	+5%
131	Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$66,120	75,570	+3%
132	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics	$65,510	176,600	+7%
133	Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$64,950	68,520	+3%
134	Preschool Special Education Teachers	$64,830	29,510	+2%
135	Surgical Technologists	$64,650	117,460	+5%
136	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$64,520	439,640	+18%
137	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	$64,400	648,410	+3%
138	Middle School Teachers	$64,370	620,090	0%
139	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$64,330	353,310	+3%
140	Health Education Specialists	$64,070	65,690	+6%
141	Elementary School Teachers	$63,970	1,388,390	0%
142	Electricians	$63,190	757,220	+9%
143	Graphic Designers	$62,960	197,830	−2%
144	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	$62,930	332,940	+3%
145	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$62,890	392,880	0%
146	Athletic Trainers	$62,520	30,500	+13%
147	News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	$62,200	39,250	−6%
148	Social Science Research Assistants	$61,990	30,640	+5%
149	Recreational Therapists	$61,960	14,930	+5%
150	Computer User Support Specialists	$61,860	717,190	−4%
151	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	$61,770	289,960	+4%
152	Medical Equipment Repairers	$61,660	65,990	+13%
153	Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	$61,160	142,860	+6%
154	HVAC Mechanics and Installers	$61,010	409,670	+11%
155	Machinery Maintenance Workers	$60,850	60,020	−2%
156	Chemical Technicians	$60,390	57,540	+5%
157	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$60,280	132,810	+10%
158	Farm and Home Management Educators	$60,220	8,220	−3%
159	Interpreters and Translators	$60,170	52,060	+2%
160	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	$59,850	478,090	+5%
161	Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$59,550	392,550	+4%
162	Exercise Physiologists	$59,460	8,560	+13%
163	First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	$59,320	27,960	+4%
164	Firefighters	$59,280	345,990	+4%
165	Machinists	$58,750	287,050	+1%
166	Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	$58,650	48,580	+2%
167	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$58,640	2,062,040	+4%
168	Massage Therapists	$58,450	98,790	+15%
169	First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	$58,430	130,760	+4%
170	Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	$58,040	139,630	+4%
171	Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	$57,550	23,220	+5%
172	Biological Technicians	$57,510	69,620	+7%
173	Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists	$56,870	2,780	+13%
174	Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$55,570	156,280	−5%
175	Choreographers	$55,310	2,860	+3%
176	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians	$55,090	34,670	+7%
177	Forest and Conservation Technicians	$54,560	30,410	−2%
178	Surveying and Mapping Technicians	$54,240	58,010	+6%
179	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$53,750	416,210	+2%
180	Geological Technicians	$53,350	6,980	+4%
181	Religious Activities Directors	$52,100	22,160	+3%
182	Community Health Workers	$51,850	61,660	+13%
183	Museum Technicians and Conservators	$51,440	12,310	+4%
184	Semiconductor Processing Technicians	$51,430	31,460	+8%
185	Proofreaders and Copy Markers	$51,120	4,580	−1%
186	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	$50,690	169,450	−9%
187	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	$50,670	1,373,680	−6%
188	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	$50,620	704,640	+5%
189	Agricultural Technicians	$49,630	15,130	+5%
190	Dental Laboratory Technicians	$49,610	34,410	−6%
191	Prepress Technicians and Workers	$48,690	23,840	−15%
192	First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers	$48,590	114,110	+6%
193	First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	$48,520	1,121,800	−4%
194	Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,250	158,740	+3%
195	Dental Assistants	$48,070	387,790	+7%
196	Medical Equipment Preparers	$47,700	77,420	+11%
197	Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$47,540	1,706,790	−6%
198	Coaches and Scouts	$47,320	248,950	+6%
199	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$47,160	322,930	+7%
200	Rehabilitation Counselors	$46,850	94,740	+2%
201	Self-Enrichment Teachers	$46,800	332,110	+4%
202	Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	$46,420	774,420	+2%
203	Cutting and Press Machine Operators	$46,330	171,200	−11%
204	Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$45,930	961,610	+5%
204	Social and Human Service Assistants	$45,930	437,860	+7%
206	Printing Press Operators	$45,780	144,260	−9%
207	Pharmacy Technicians	$45,750	471,680	+6%
208	Medical Assistants	$45,690	817,870	+13%
209	Skincare Specialists	$45,330	72,890	+9%
210	Phlebotomists	$45,230	143,540	+7%
211	Psychiatric Technicians	$45,130	156,960	+22%
212	General Office Clerks	$45,010	2,464,940	−6%
213	Light Truck Drivers	$44,860	983,300	+6%
214	Customer Service Representatives	$44,770	2,595,750	−5%
215	Photographers	$44,660	51,760	−1%
216	Emergency Medical Technicians	$44,470	180,510	+6%
217	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	$44,080	1,223,240	+5%
218	Nursing Assistants	$42,260	1,448,910	+3%
219	Data Entry Keyers	$41,340	127,080	−26%
220	Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	$39,150	952,640	+5%
221	Preschool Teachers	$38,140	478,780	+5%
222	Tour and Travel Guides	$38,120	53,500	+6%
223	Security Guards	$38,020	1,283,470	+1%
224	Dietetic Technicians	$37,640	31,560	+3%
225	Institution and Cafeteria Cooks	$37,450	441,050	+3%
226	Restaurant Cooks	$37,390	1,409,890	+12%
227	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	$35,790	305,710	+8%
228	Manicurists and Pedicurists	$35,760	152,770	+9%
229	Childcare Workers	$34,980	518,910	−2%
230	Bartenders	$34,340	756,390	+5%