9 Careers That Pay Well Right Out Of College

When I was young, I thought that after college I’d be making the big bucks. That a degree in anything, as long as it was from a university, would ensure me a well-paying career. Fast forward two decades and right out of college you find me working as a manager at a SaladWorks making $32,000 a year with no benefits. What the heck did I do wrong?Don’t follow in my footsteps and learn the hard way.

Take my advice and check out these 9 careers that pay well right out of college.

1. Web Designer

Want to do something that makes the big bucks but doesn’t feel like you’re selling your soul? Web Designer might just be the perfect fit for you.

What is it?: The title seems self explanatory, but web design can be everything from stylesheet programming, to designing logos, to programming Flash and other languages that are required for layouts. As everything starts to integrate with the web, the need for web designers won’t go away in the future and you could make some good money doing it, too.

Suggested Majors: Graphic Design, Web Development, Computer Science

Average Salary: $58,000

2. Pharmaceutical Representative

Do you like science or medicine but also thrive in social environments where communication is key? Pharma Reps need to combine both skills in order to be successful.

What is it?: A Pharmaceutical Representative is the person who acts like a liaison between pharmaceutical companies and doctors or hospitals. It’s your job to present doctors/hospitals with new equipment or medicine that could be beneficial to patients. This means a lot of catered lunches with surgeons and most likely some hefty travel. However, if you manage to sell some products or equipment you can make a ton of money, not to mention potentially saving lives.

Suggested Majors: Communications, Marketing, Business, Science/Medicine

Average Salary: $59,000

3. Financial Analyst

Are numbers your thing? Are you good at tracking economic trends? Financial Analyst might be the position for someone like you.

What is it?: You’re the person who tracks trends, handles company finances, investments and consults with businesses or media to evaluate the numbers behind an industry. You could work for yourself or for a company, using your skills at math and economics.

Suggested Majors: Finance, Accounting

Average Salary: $66,000

4. Internet Marketing

So you’re the type of person who likes to sit in front of a computer and have minimal social interaction, huh? Internet Marketing might be the career for you.

What is it?: Internet Marketing has taken on a ton of different forms since the birth of the World Wide Web. Internet marketing covers everything from search-engine optimization, to e-mail marketing, to buying and selling ad space online. As the industry for online marketing continues to grow, there will be a plethora of new opportunities for those who have the ability to use their business skills online.

Suggested Majors: Marketing, Computer Science

Average Salary: $67,000

5. Applications Software Developers

Staying on the theme of computer-related careers, Applications Software Developer is another position that’s high paying and requires you to sit in front of a computer.

What is it?: Create, modify, and test software applications on the phone or computer. This job requires an understanding of coding if you’ll be building applications from the ground up. Many Software Devs can enter the industry as a software tester, making the coding element far less intense. If you want to maximize your money, learning the most common programming languages for applications will give you a competitive advantage.

Suggested Majors: Computer Programming, Computer Science

Average Salary: $96,260

6. Art Director

Whoever said that a career in art couldn’t make money never met one of these people. If you love art and design but want to use management skills and your own judgement, a position as an Art Director may be the way to go.

What is it?: Art Directors are in charge of the visual style in virtually every product that you buy. This ranges from heavy print publications like magazines and newspapers, all the way to your most mundane products like the dog treat box you use to feed Fido.

Suggested Majors: Marketing, Advertising, Graphic Design, Merchandising

Average Salary: $96,650

7. Computer Hardware Engineers

If the Internet makes so much money, it would make sense that the people building and designing the machines to run your browser would also make some big money, too.

What is it?: You design and research computer-related equipment. This ranges from a desktop PC to a smartphone, all the way up to gigantic slate servers that store terabytes of information. It’s your job to innovate and make the hardware work better and faster with the new software that is being developed.

Suggested Majors: Computer Science, Computer Engineering

Average Salary: $106,930

8. Investment Banker

If you don’t mind a high-stress and fast-paced working environment, investment banking could be for you.

What is it?: Investment bankers are financial experts who manage other people’s money. Sounds awesome, right? Investment banking is actually one of the most high-stress jobs you can have, due to the pressure to correctly manage other people’s money. If you can stick through it and make some awesome trades, the sky’s the limit on your personal wealth.

Suggested Majors: Finance, Business

Average Salary: $112,000

9. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Otherwise known as IT managers, a Computer and Information System Manager position represents one of the highest-paying jobs right out of college.

What is it?: IT managers direct, coordinate, plan, and execute computer-related activities for an organization or company. Essentially, they take the goals of the company and fit the technology around those goals in order to accomplish tasks. This could be anything from database management, to a new roll-out and implementation of software that impacts day-to-day business. Either way, Computer and Information Systems Managers are an integral part to an organization.

Suggested Majors: Computer Science, Information Science

Average Salary: $132,570