Friday, January 13, 2017

The 20 Highest Paying Jobs That Don't Require a Master's Degree

20. Computer network architects

Computer network architects design and build data communication networks.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $100,240


19. Training and development managers

Training and development managers create and direct programs made to boost the knowledge and skills of an organization's employees.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $102,640


18. Nuclear engineers

Nuclear engineers create the instruments and systems involving nuclear energy and radiation, such as machines used in medical diagnosis and treatment.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $102,950


17. Public relations and fundraising managers

These professionals are in charge of their client or employer's public image.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $104,140


16. Human resource managers

Human resource managers oversee the recruiting and hiring of new staff and consult with top executives on strategic planning, among other functions.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $104,440

15. Managers

Managers oversee daily operations and form organizational policies for a public or private entity.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $104,850

14. Systems software developers

Software developers create system-wide computer programs for companies in medical, industrial, military, aerospace and other industries.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $105,570

13. Aerospace engineers

Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $107,830

12. Purchasing managers

Purchasing managers coordinate the buying of materials and services, often in the wholesale or retail merchandising industry.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $108,120

11. Compensation and benefits managers

Compensation and benefits managers coordinate retirement plans, health insurance and other benefits that a company provides its employees.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $111,430


10. Computer hardware engineers

These engineers create, develop and test computer hardware such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices and routers.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $111,730

9. Sales managers

Sales managers set sales goals, track progress and develop training programs.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $113,860

8. Airline pilots and copilots

Requirements: A high school diploma, in addition to the specialized certification and education in aviation, which includes thousands of hours of practice.

Median salary: $117,290

7. Financial managers

Financial managers are responsible for an organization's financial well-being.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $117,990


6. Natural sciences managers

Natural sciences managers oversee scientists such as chemists, physicists and biologists, and coordinate research and development work.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $120,160

5. Air traffic controllers

Air traffic controllers coordinate and direct the movement of aircraft.

Requirements: Associate's degree

Median salary: $122,950

4. Marketing managers

These managers work to generate interest in products or services.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $128,750

3. Petroleum engineers

Petroleum engineers figure out how to extract oil and gas from below the Earth's surface.

Requirement: Bachelor's degree

Median salary: $129,990


2. Computer and information systems managers

Often referred to as IT managers, computer and information systems managers oversee an organization's computer-related activities.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $131,600

1. Architectural and engineering managers

These managers direct the architectural and engineering activities for an organization.

Requirements: Bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience

Median salary: $132,800

)List compiled by CNBC)

4 comments:

  1. I believe some of these salaries are averaged with people in these fields with higher level degrees and qualifications. For instance, the aerospace engineer probably includes people in that industry with a masters or PhD averaged in. They may not require a higher-level degree but many of them, particularly at the higher pay scales, have one.

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    1. Might be true in very high tech world - I don't know. But in basic business, where I'm guessing most of these jobs are (accounting, retail, manufacturing, sales, etc), there is no causation between higher degrees and pay. If anything, I'm suspicious of them because I'm wondering what the heck you were doing wasting so much time on it. Businesses want competence and it's hard to find. If you can demonstrate it, we don't care about higher ed.

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  2. Funny, the rule used to be 80% of the highest compensated people were commissioned salespeople. I know people with only BA/BS who make $200-300k a year. Of course they're just sales people.

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  3. #1 is misleading in that it doesn't require a masters degree. To be a manager in that position most companies require you are a licensed engineer or architect. If you have gotten a college degree in the last 10-15 years that licensing boards require you have a masters degree or 30 hours post graduate coursework.

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