11 Highest Salaried Jobs for Graduates

Top-paying careers for recent college graduates

The job market is tough in the best of times. When you add in the current situation of high unemployment, massive layoffs, and businesses either reducing their workforce or putting a freeze on new hiring, it can be a daunting task to find a job, especially for recent college graduates.

When you are in the process of planning for and earning your degree, and one of your goals is to secure a well-paying job upon graduation, it is important to consider the areas in the job market which are expected to offer great compensation, even for new graduates.

Whatever your situation, the careers listed below offer the opportunity to earn high salaries even at the entry level. If this sounds like what you are hoping to achieve, then review these job descriptions and pursue a degree which will allow you to find a position in one these exciting industries.

11. High School Teacher

Most people consider teachers to be over-worked and underpaid. But the reality is that a starting teacher can earn a very good salary. Compensation can vary greatly, depending on where the job is located. There can also be differences in salaries depending on which subject matter is taught. One of the most sought after jobs in high school education is the foreign language teacher position, especially in Spanish. They consistently command a higher starting salary than other areas, such as mathematics or history. Most school districts still follow an academic year which includes a long summer vacation, although some areas of the country are moving towards year-round schooling. But this is the exception, rather than the rule, and even in that instance, the total number of vacation days is much more generous than in other areas of the job market.

The average starting salary for a first year teacher is $43,000. The range is from $42,000 for a Math teacher to $52,000 for a Spanish teacher.

10. Nurse

The nursing profession is an area of the job market which also offers good salaries to those individuals just beginning their careers. The health care industry is expected to have enormous growth in the coming years and qualified nurses will continue to be in great demand. Starting salaries depend largely on your specialty and also whether you graduated from a 2 year or 4 year program. If you have an Associate Degree, you can increase your marketability by pursuing a bachelor's degree and becoming a Registered Nurse. On average, RNs earn almost 50% more than individuals who hold a 2 year degree.

The average starting salary in the nursing profession is $47,000. Initially, a perioperative nurse can expect to earn $39,000 while a nurse trainer can earn $64,000.

9. Web Designer

There are many different types of web designers and starting salaries reflect this fact. Many mid-sized companies are now hiring their own web designers rather than contracting with an outside firm and larger companies and marketing firms continue to create a strong need for talented individuals in the web design field. Most companies will want to see examples of your work when you interview, so internships and personal design projects are always a good way to enhance your portfolio.

The average salary in the web design field is $58,000. This can range from $40,000 for a graphic web designer to $88,000 for a flash web designer.

8. Pharmaceutical Representative

The pharmaceutical industry is another area of the job market which is expected to enjoy continued growth in the near future and beyond. Pharmaceutical representatives are valued for their aggressiveness, persistence and knowledge, and individuals possessing these qualities are paid handsomely for their efforts. You can expect a lot of business travel with this position and many hours of waiting in doctors' offices. You will also go through a rigorous training period at the beginning of your career in the pharmaceutical industry which will include learning everything there is to know about the drugs you will be promoting, so an interest and ability in the field of science is certainly a plus.

The average salary for a pharmaceutical representative is $59,000. A sales representative can expect to earn $55,000 annually while a specialty sales representative can command almost $73,000 per year.

7. Financial Analyst

Even in the current economic market, there is still a demand for qualified, talented individuals in the financial industry. Most people hoping to climb the corporate ladder in this field will choose to earn an MBA, but there are still many positions available to those recent graduates who possess a strong aptitude for business, economics and accounting.

The average salary for a financial analyst is $66,000. A financial operations analyst can earn $57,000 per year while a strategic financial analyst can expect compensation of $97,000 annually.

6. Internet Marketer

The internet marketing profession offers a wide range of positions with differing levels of expertise and compensation. The more technical knowledge you have will determine how much salary you can command from this internet industry. If your abilities also include solid marketing skills, that only enhances your attractiveness to employers seeking talented new workers. You will be working mostly in a sales capacity and coordinating with clients to drive their revenues through online campaigns.

The average salary for an internet marketer is $67,000. The annual salaries can range from $43,000 for an internet marketing specialist to $124,000 for an internet marketing sales executive.

5. Network Systems Administrator

As with most professions associated with the internet, the network systems administrator position is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. Companies will continue to need qualified people to oversee their internet systems. This includes troubleshooting performance issues and being able to competently handle system crashes. Responsibilities range maintaining backups of the server to controlling user access to the network. The internet equals revenue to most companies, so they place a high value on someone who is efficient and reliable in keeping it up and running.

The average salary for a network systems administrator is $69,000. A network systems engineer can expect to earn $62,000 annually while a network systems administrator can command up to $99,000 or more per year.

4. Engineer

This is an area of the job market that also fluctuates greatly as far as salaries. Compensation is largely dependent upon which field of engineering you are qualified in. But this profession rewards strong technical ability, no matter what the specialty. More and more companies are seeking not just technically qualified engineers, but also those individuals who possess good communication and interpersonal skills. The perception of the engineer as a brilliant analytical thinker, but socially awkward person, is becoming more and more outdated.

The average salary for an engineer is $72,000. This can range from $67,000 for an electrical engineer to $123,000 for a VP of engineering.

3. Actuary

Approximately 60% of the jobs in this field are associated with the insurance industry. A career in this profession requires an extremely high level of knowledge and competence in finance, business, economics and statistics. If you possess these skills, you can expect to have a very high earning potential throughout your career.

The average salary for an actuary is $79,000. An enrolled actuary can earn $65,000 annually and a life actuary can expect to earn $93,000 per year.

2. Software Developer

Software developers not only earn high salaries, but talented developers are always in demand in the marketplace. With the rapid changes that constantly occur in this industry, it is almost always necessary for individuals to continue their education to keep up with the latest technologies. Many companies in the software development industry allow employees to setup a flex-schedule or telecommute from home, an added bonus for most people.

The average salary for a software developer is $84,000. This can range from $52,000 for an internet software engineer to $93,000 for a software engineer/developer.

1. Investment Banker

Given the current state of the economy and the public perception of both the banking and investment industries, the demand for this position is not as strong as it once was. But the earning potential for talented and smart individuals in this field is enormous. The hours are extremely demanding and the competition is fierce, but the rewards are great. Many of the jobs now offered in this field are being sought by consulting and accounting firms rather than with hedge funds or private equity firms.

The average salary for an investment banker is $112,000. An associate can expect to earn $73,000 annually while an investment banker can make $116,000 per year.