NASA flight engineer Mike Fossum helps maintain the International Space Station.NASA/Getty ImagesWhoever said that a college degree isn't worth the paper it's written on never considered becoming an engineer.
Typically, you need a bachelor's degree to do that, and whether you want to go into architecture or aerospace, you don't need more education to earn around $100,000 a year as an engineer.
Don't want to become an engineer? Don't fret. There are plenty of other high-paying jobs that you don't need to go to grad school to pursue.
According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the 30 highest-paying jobs that require no more education than a bachelor's degree.
Each has a median annual salary of at least $93,000.
30. Marine engineers and naval architects
They design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment like power supply and propulsion systems.
Median annual wage (2015): $93,110
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
29. Industrial production managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.
Median annual wage (2015): $93,940
Projected job openings (through 2024): 49,100
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
28. Mining, mining safety, and geological engineers
They conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites.
Median annual wage (2015): $94,040
Projected job openings (through 2024): 2,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
27. Medical and health services managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
Median annual wage (2015): $94,500
Projected job openings (through 2024): 140,500
Work experience: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: None
26. Advertising and promotions managers
They coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce materials like as posters, contests, coupons, or give-aways to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service.
Median annual wage (2015): $95,890
Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,400
Work experience: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: None
Getty Images / Carl Court 25. Actuaries
They use advanced statistics and modeling software to forecast the cost and probability of an event.
Median annual wage (2015): $97,070
Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training
24. Chemical engineers
They apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems involving the production of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products.
Median annual wage (2015): $97,360
Projected job openings (through 2024): 10,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
23. Sales engineers
They sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.
Median annual wage (2015): $97,650
Projected job openings (through 2024): 23,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
22. General and operations managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public- or private-sector organizations.
Median annual wage (2015): $97,730
Projected job openings (through 2024): 688,800
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
21. Software applications developers
They develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.
Median annual wage (2015): $98,260
Projected job openings (through 2024): 238,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
20. Non-computer electronics engineers
They research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties.
Median annual wage (2015): $98,270
Projected job openings (through 2024): 30,300
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
Arjuna Kodisinghe/shutterstock 19. Computer network architects
They plan and lay out the internal computer networks used by workers in an organization.
Median annual wage (2015): $100,240
Projected job openings (through 2024): 31,500
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
18. Training and development managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of an organization's employees.
Median annual wage (2015): $102,640
Projected job openings (through 2024): 11,900
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
17. Nuclear engineers
They research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation.
Median annual wage (2015): $102,950
Projected job openings (through 2024): 4,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
Flickr/Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design 16. Public relations and fundraising managers
They plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client.
Median annual wage (2015): $104,140
Projected job openings (through 2024): 27,100
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
15. Human resources managers
They oversee an organization's recruitment, interview, selection, and hiring processes.
Median annual wage (2015): $104,440
Projected job openings (through 2024): 46,600
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
14. Systems software developers
They research, design, develop, and test operating-systems-level software, compilers, and network-distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general-computing applications.
Median annual wage (2015): $105,570
Projected job openings (through 2024): 107,900
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/flickr 13. Aerospace engineers
They design aircraft and propulsion systems, and study the aerodynamic performance of aircraft.
Median annual wage (2015): $107,830
Projected job openings (through 2024): 20,700
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
12. Purchasing managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services.
Median annual wage (2015): $108,120
Projected job openings (through 2024): 17,900
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
11. Compensation and benefits managers
They plan, develop, and oversee programs to determine how much an organization pays its employees and how employees are paid.
Median annual wage (2015): $111,430
Projected job openings (through 2024): 6,000
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
UC Davis College of Engineering/flickr 10. Computer hardware engineers
They solve problems that arise in computer hardware.
Median annual wage (2015): $111,730
Projected job openings (through 2024): 18,400
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
9. Sales managers
They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations' sales representatives.
Median annual wage (2015): $113,860
Projected job openings (through 2024): 108,000
Work experience: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: None
8. Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers
They pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air-carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo.
Median annual wage (2015): $117,290
Projected job openings (through 2024): 19,300
Work experience: Less than 5 years
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 7. Financial managers
They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.
Median annual wage (2015): $117,990
Projected job openings (through 2024): 169,300
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
6. Natural sciences managers
They supervise the work of scientists, direct activities related to research and development, and coordinate activities such as testing, quality control, and production.
Median annual wage (2015): $120,160
Projected job openings (through 2024): 13,300
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
5. Marketing managers
They determine the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors and identify potential customers.
Median annual wage (2015): $128,750
Projected job openings (through 2024): 64,200
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
4. Petroleum engineers
They design equipment to extract oil and gas in the most profitable way.
Median annual wage (2015): $129,990
Projected job openings (through 2024): 13,000
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
3. Computer and information systems managers
They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
Median annual wage (2015): $131,600
Projected job openings (through 2024): 94,800
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
2. Architectural and engineering managers
They plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.
Median annual wage (2015): $132,800
Projected job openings (through 2024): 59,500
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr 1. Chief executives
They plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Median annual wage (2015): $175,110
Projected job openings (through 2024): 58,400
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
