Average Annual Income by Education Level and Highest Paying Jobs

There is no doubt that getting a college education, earning an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or a higher degree is one of the best investments you can do for yourself.

According to the information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau a College Degree nearly doubles average yearly income/earnings of an individual. Such major financial increase on how much more one can earn per year definitely reinforces the value of a college education.

According to the data/information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau – U.S. Department of Commerce, workers 18 and over with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. Workers with an advanced degree make an average of $74,602, and those without a high school diploma average $18,734.

As the global economy is weakening getting a job is also becoming harder, but not impossible! The job market is becoming more and more competitive and a college education is becoming more and more required to be selected for candidacy for a position, especially for a good and high paying position. A college education will allow you to gain invaluable knowledge and skills, which of course translate into better job opportunities upon graduation.

Below you may find a list of 25 Highest-paying jobs/occupations in the United States (as of May 2006 based on the data provided by the survey of Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Employment Statistics (U.S.)

Chief executives
- Greater than $145,600

Physicians and Surgeons
- Greater than $145,600

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
- Greater than $145,600

Dentists
- 136,960

Air traffic controllers
- 117,240

Podiatrists
- 108,220

Engineering managers
- 105,430

Lawyers
- 102,470

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- 101,690

Computer and information systems managers
- 101,580

Natural sciences managers
- 100,080

Marketing managers
- 98,720

Petroleum engineers
- 98,380

Astronomers
- 95,740

Pharmacists
- 94,520

Physicists
- 94,240

Computer and information scientists, research
- 93,950

Sales managers
- 91,560

Optometrists
- 91,040

Financial managers
- 90,970

Nuclear engineers
- 90,220

Political scientists
- 90,140

Computer hardware engineers
- 88,470

Aerospace engineers
- 87,610

Mathematicians
- 86,930

While the information provided above mainly focuses on jobs held by bachelor’s or even higher degree holders, here you will find a short list of professions which will give you an idea on some of the highest paying jobs for those who has an associate’s degree (2-Year Degree/ Community College/Technical College etc.)

Computer Specialists (i.e. Web Designers, Webmasters, Software Developers, Programmers, Computer Support Specialist etc.), Electrical and Electronics Technicians, Engineering Technicians, Aircraft Mechanics, Avionics Technicians, Geological and Petroleum Technicians, Surveying or Mapping Technician, Medical (i.e. Radiology, Dental, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Respiratory Specialists), Veterinary Technician and many more.

Of course not everybody is able to pursue a bachelor’s degree or even higher. Some simply believe that they may not have the financial ability, or the time to commit to a degree. Some people have to work long hours and possibly in multiple jobs, and have family to take care of so the finances and the time become a burden keeping them from going further with their education. Luckily nowadays thanks to the ever so improved technology online education and late night or even weekend classes offered by your local colleges may make the time related obstacles easy to overcome with.

Sources of Statistical Information/Credits:

U.S. Census Bureau News – 2005 (URL: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/004214.html )

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics survey (URL: http://www.bls.gov/oco/content/oohinfo_faq.stm#earn4 )

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