The employment picture through the first half of 2020 has been indescribably grim. In May, the unemployment rate reached that of the Great Depression. Through early June, more than 40 million Americans applied for unemployment, with the rate landing at a better — but still dismal — 11.1%.

In the midst of this economic slowdown, however, there are jobs out there that offer salaries well above the national average. To help identify these opportunities, GOBankingRates sourced data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupation Finder tool and Occupational Outlook Handbook. After screening for jobs with annual salaries above $60,000 that required a bachelor’s degree but no experience, GOBankingRates ranked the 50 highest-paying ones.

Whether you’re looking for your first job out of college or a new job after being laid off, use this list as a starting point to learn about available, high-paying careers. You can also search online for companies that are currently hiring for these roles. Even in times of economic uncertainty, with some diligent searching, you can find a number of entry-level jobs that pay at least $60,000.

Last updated: July 22, 2020

50. Special Education Teachers - Middle School

• 2019 median annual wage: $61,030
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

49. Special Education Teachers - Kindergarten and Elementary School

• 2019 median annual wage: $61,030
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

48. Public Relations Specialists

• 2019 median annual wage: $61,150
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 6%

47. Secondary School Teachers

• 2019 median annual wage: $61,660
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

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46. Human Resources Specialists

• 2019 median annual wage: $61,920
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

45. Conservation Scientists

• 2019 median annual wage: $62,410
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

44. Foresters

• 2019 median annual wage: $62,410
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

43. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

• 2019 median annual wage: $63,270
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

42. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

• 2019 median annual wage: $63,790
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 20%

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41. Food Scientists and Technologists

• 2019 median annual wage: $65,160
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 7%

40. Soil and Plant Scientists

• 2019 median annual wage: $65,160
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 7%

39. Animal Scientists

• 2019 median annual wage: $65,160
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 7%

38. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

• 2019 median annual wage: $65,470
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 15%

37. Commercial and Industrial Designers

• 2019 median annual wage: $68,890
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

36. Environmental Scientists and Specialists

• 2019 median annual wage: $71,360
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: -8%

35. Accountants and Auditors

• 2019 median annual wage: $71,550
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 6%

34. Registered Nurses

• 2019 median annual wage: $73,300
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 12%

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33. Credit Analysts

• 2019 median annual wage: $73,650
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

32. Fashion Designers

• 2019 median annual wage: $73,790
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 1%

31. Logisticians

• 2019 median annual wage: $74,750
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

30. Multimedia Artists and Animators

• 2019 median annual wage: $75,270
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

29. Microbiologists

• 2019 median annual wage: $75,650
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

28. Budget Analysts

• 2019 median annual wage: $76,540
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

27. Materials Scientists

• 2019 median annual wage: $78,790
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

26. Chemists

• 2019 median annual wage: $78,790
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

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25. Agricultural Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $80,720
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

24. Hydrologists

• 2019 median annual wage: $81,270
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 7%

23. Geographers

• 2019 median annual wage: $81,540
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

22. Network and Computer Systems Administrators

• 2019 median annual wage: $83,510
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

21. Operations Research Analysts

• 2019 median annual wage: $84,810
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 26%

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20. Computer Programmers

• 2019 median annual wage: $86,550
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: -7%

19. Civil Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $87,060
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 6%

18. Industrial Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $88,020
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 8%

17. Mechanical Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $88,430
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

16. Environmental Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $88,860
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

15. Computer Systems Analysts

• 2019 median annual wage: $90,920
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 9%

14. Mining and Geological Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $91,160
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

13. Health and Safety Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $91,410
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 5%

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12. Biomedical Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $91,410
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 4%

11. Geoscientists

• 2019 median annual wage: $92,040
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 6%

10. Marine Engineers and Naval Architects

• 2019 median annual wage: $92,400
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 9%

9. Materials Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $93,360
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 0%

8. Database Administrators

• 2019 median annual wage: $93,750
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 9%

7. Atmospheric and Space Scientists

• 2019 median annual wage: $95,380
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 8%

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6. Electrical Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $101,250
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 2%

5. Chemical Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $108,770
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 6%

4. Nuclear Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $113,460
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: -1%

3. Aerospace Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $116,500
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 2%

2. Computer Hardware Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $117,220
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 6%

1. Petroleum Engineers

• 2019 median annual wage: $137,720
• 2018-2028 projected job growth: 3%

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Methodology: To find the highest-paying entry level jobs in the U.S., GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupation Finder tool and Occupational Outlook Handbook to analyze all jobs with 2019 average annual wages above $60,000 and a minimum education requirement of a bachelor’s degree, no related experience required and no on-the-job training. The top 50 highest-paying jobs were then ranked with No. 1 being the highest-paying entry-level job in the U.S. BLS occupation titles that did not reference a specific job, like categorical and “all other” categories, were excluded from ranking. GOBankingRates provided each job’s 2019 average hourly wage, 2018 employment, and projected growth between 2018 and 2028 as supplemental information. All data was collected on and up to date as of June 17, 2020.

About the Author

John Csiszar

After earning a B.A. in English with a Specialization in Business from UCLA, John Csiszar worked in the financial services industry as a registered representative for 18 years. Along the way, Csiszar earned both Certified Financial Planner and Registered Investment Adviser designations, in addition to being licensed as a life agent, while working for both a major Wall Street wirehouse and for his own investment advisory firm. During his time as an advisor, Csiszar managed over $100 million in client assets while providing individualized investment plans for hundreds of clients.

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