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Samantha Delouya
- According to recent data, many Americans are skeptical about the benefits of a college degree.
- However, some high-paying jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, including many in the field of engineering.
- Check out some of the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree.
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According to recent data, a growing number of Americans are skeptical about the benefits of getting a college degree.
Ipsos, a market research company, found that most Americans believe that getting a college education is too time-consuming and expensive for working adults, according to a nationally representative sample of 1,662 adults aged 18 and over.
While a bachelor's degree may be expensive – even with financial aid and scholarships – there are many industries where people are expected to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree to be considered.
Check out some of the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree, according to the most recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
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Human resource manager
Median pay: $126,230 per year
Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
How to get it: Candidates usually need a combination of education and several years of related work experience to become a human resources manager.
On-the-job training: none
Work experience: 5 years or more
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Airline and commercial pilot
Median pay: $134,630 per year
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.
How to get it: Airline pilots typically need a bachelor's degree and experience as a commercial or military pilot. Commercial pilots typically need flight training, and some employers may require or prefer them to have a degree.
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work experience: Typically prior flight experience
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Nuclear engineer
Median pay: $120,380 per year
Nuclear engineers research and develop projects or address problems concerning the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
How to get it: Nuclear engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a related field. They typically do not need a license to enter the occupation.
On-the-job training: none
Work experience: none
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Advertising, promotions, and marketing manager
Median pay: $133,380 per year
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.
How to get it: A bachelor's degree is required for most advertising, promotions, and marketing management positions. These managers typically have work experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, or sales.
On-the-job training: none
Work experience: Prior work experience typically preferred to get to a manager role
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Petroleum engineer
Median pay: $130,850 per year
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth's surface.
How to get it: Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering. Cooperative-education programs, in which students gain practical experience while earning academic credit, may be beneficial.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: None
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Architectural and engineering manager
Median pay: $152,350 per year
Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.
How to get it: Architectural and engineering managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience as anarchitectorengineer.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: 5 years or more
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Computer hardware engineer
Median pay: $128,170 per year
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
How to get it:Computer hardware engineers typically need a bachelor's degree from an accredited program.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: None
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Financial manager
Median pay: $131,710 per year
Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.
How to get it: Financial managers typically need a bachelor's degree and 5 years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as an accountantorfinancial analyst.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: 5 years or more
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Natural sciences manager
Median pay: $137,900 per year
Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists.
How to get it: Natural sciences managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a natural science or a related field. Most natural sciences managers work as scientists before becoming managers.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: 5 years or more
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Aerospace engineer
Median pay: $122,270 per year
Aerospace engineers primarily design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.
How to get it: Aerospace engineers must have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or another engineering field or science related to aerospace systems. Aerospace engineers who work on projects that are related to national defense may need security clearance.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: None
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Compensation and benefits manager
Median pay: $127,530 per year
Compensation and benefits managers plan, develop, and oversee programs to pay employees.
How to get it: Compensation and benefits managers typically need a bachelor's degree and related work experience.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: 5 years or more
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Computer network architect
Median pay: $120,520 per year
Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.
How to get it: Computer network architects typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: 5 years or more
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Sales manager
Median pay: $127,490 per year
Sales managers directorganizations' sales teams.
How to get it: Most sales managers have a bachelor's degree and work experience as a sales representative.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: Less than 5 years
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Computer and information systems manager
Median pay: $159,010 per year
Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
How to get it: Typically, candidates need a bachelor's degree in computer or information science and related work experience. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree.
On-the-job training: None
Work experience: 5 years or more
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