Pursuing Six-Figure Careers: What Types of Jobs Actually Require Just a Bachelor's Degree?

Many aspiring professionals assume that earning six figures demands years of advanced education. Yet research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a surprising truth: numerous lucrative positions can be accessed with nothing more than a standard four-year undergraduate degree. Understanding which career paths offer the best financial returns at the entry level is essential for strategic degree planning.

The Real Numbers: Where Six-Figure Salaries Begin

According to labor data, only seven occupation groups require merely a Bachelor’s degree to achieve median salaries exceeding $100,000. Notably, sectors like Business and Financial Operations—while respectable—fall short of this threshold, with most roles topping out around $90,000. The landscape is decidedly different for those with technical expertise and specialized training.

Top-Tier Engineering Careers: The Highest Earners

The engineering field consistently dominates the six-figure conversation. Petroleum engineers lead this category at $130,850, designing extraction methodologies for subsurface oil and gas resources. Following closely are computer hardware engineers ($128,170), who develop and test advanced computing systems. Aerospace engineers ($122,270) design aircraft and spacecraft, while nuclear engineers ($120,380) work with radiation technology and energy systems. Chemical engineers ($105,550) bridge chemistry and physics to solve industrial problems. Electrical and electronics engineers round out this tier at $101,780, managing equipment design and manufacturing oversight.

Technical Innovation and IT Leadership

The information technology sector provides multiple pathways to substantial income. Computer network architects command $120,520 by designing complex communication systems. Software developers and quality assurance specialists earn $109,020 through application design and testing. Information security analysts protect organizational networks at $102,600, while database architects structure data management systems at $101,000.

Management Positions: Where Six Figures Become the Norm

Management roles with a four-year degree requirement frequently exceed the $100,000 mark by significant margins. Computer and information systems managers earn $159,010, coordinating tech operations across enterprises. Architectural and engineering managers follow at $152,350, directing project teams. Natural sciences managers oversee research staff at $137,900. Marketing and advertising leadership brings $133,380, while financial managers earn $131,710 directing investment strategies. Compensation specialists manage at $127,530, sales directors at $127,490, and HR managers at $126,230. Training and development leadership reaches $120,130, with public relations management at $119,860. Industrial production overseers earn $103,150, and healthcare facility managers reach $101,340.

Specialized Professions Beyond Traditional Categories

Creative professionals shouldn’t overlook art direction, where visual design leadership generates $100,890 annually. Mathematical expertise opens doors through actuarial work ($105,900), where professionals analyze financial risk, and data science ($100,910), an increasingly critical field extracting insights from complex datasets.

Transportation and Communication Specialists

Air traffic controllers represent the transportation category’s contribution to six-figure earning potential, commanding $129,750 for managing aircraft safety and coordination. Sales engineers selling technical solutions to corporate clients earn $103,710 through specialized expertise.

Employment Outlook and Career Selection

These seven occupation groups show projected growth matching or exceeding average employment trends, signifying sustained demand. For degree-holders seeking financial security without advanced degree requirements, these pathways represent proven opportunities. Career selection should align personal interests with market demand—whether through engineering innovation, management leadership, technology development, or specialized technical roles.

The evidence is clear: a four-year degree remains a legitimate gateway to substantial six-figure income across diverse professional sectors, particularly where technical skills, leadership capability, or analytical expertise create measurable organizational value.