The 19 college degrees that lead to the most satisfying careers
This article is published in collaboration with Business Insider.
For some, the best jobs are the ones that make the world a better place, and choosing the right college major can help get you there.
PayScale recently filtered itssalary data from this year’s College Salary Report based on the percentage of respondents who said their careers have high meaning.
“The majority of workers with a bachelor’s degree who tell PayScale their job makes the world a better place are in healthcare and related programs,” says Gina Bremer, PayScale‘s lead data analyst and data-visualization specialist. “But finding meaningful work and big paychecks doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand as many of these healthcare professions don’t take home top pay.”
Here are 19 college majors that may not lead to the greatest salary growth but can still offersome of the most satisfying careers:
1. Medical laboratory science
Most common jobs: Laboratory technologist, clinical laboratory scientist, laboratory supervisor
People who find their job meaningful:97%
Starting median pay: $46,200
Mid-career median pay: $61,500
Find out how your salary stacks up onPayScale.
2. Pastoral ministry
Most common jobs: Pastor, associate pastor, senior pastor
People who find their job meaningful:91%
Starting median pay: $34,500
Mid-career median pay: $49,600
3. Community health education
Most common jobs: Patient-health educator, wellness coordinator, nonprofit-program coordinator
People who find their job meaningful:84%
Starting median pay: $35,900
Mid-career median pay: $56,500
4. Clinical laboratory science
Most common jobs: Laboratory technologist, clinical laboratory scientist, laboratory supervisor
People who find their job meaningful:84%
Starting median pay: $47,400
Mid-career median pay: $60,100
5. Respiratory care
Most common jobs: Respiratory therapist, respiratory-services supervisor, registered polysomnographic technologist
People who find their job meaningful:84%
Starting median pay: $47,800
Mid-career median pay: $64,000
6. Nursing
Most common jobs: Registered nurse, registered emergency-room nurse, registered operating-room nurse
People who find their job meaningful:83%
Starting median pay: $56,600
Mid-career median pay: $73,600
7. Dental hygiene
Most common jobs: Dental hygienist, dental-office manager, dental-hygiene instructor
People who find their job meaningful:82%
Starting median pay: $65,800
Mid-career median pay: $72,800
8. Early-childhood and elementary education
Most common jobs: Elementary-school teacher, preschool teacher (excluding special education), daycare teacher
People who find their job meaningful:81%
Starting median pay: $32,900
Mid-career median pay: $42,300
9. Diagnostic medical sonography
Most common jobs: Ultrasound technologist, echocardiographer, vascular technologist
People who find their job meaningful:81%
Starting median pay: $57,700
Mid-career median pay: $70,800
10. Counseling
Most common jobs: Addiction counselor, office manager, social worker
People who find their job meaningful:81%
Starting median pay: $32,300
Mid-career median pay: $40,900
11. Athletic training
Most common jobs: Athletic trainer, physical-therapy assistant, assistant athletic trainer
People who find their job meaningful: 80%
Starting median pay: $35,900
Mid-career median pay: $48,300
12. Therapeutic recreation
Most common jobs: Recreation therapist, activities director, therapeutic-recreation director
People who find their job meaningful:80%
Starting median pay: $33,800
Mid-career median pay: $48,000
13. Respiratory therapy
Most common jobs: Respiratory therapist, respiratory-therapy manager, respiratory director
People who find their job meaningful:80%
Starting median pay: $46,400
Mid-career median pay: $62,300
14. Radiologic technology
Most common jobs: Radiology technologist, magnetic-resonance-imaging technologist, computer-tomography technologist
People who find their job meaningful:79%
Starting median pay: $46,600
Mid-career median pay: $63,800
15. Mining engineering
Most common jobs: Mining engineer, mine engineer, civil engineer
People who find their job meaningful:79%
Starting median pay: $71,500
Mid-career median pay: $109,000
16. Safety management
Most common jobs: Safety manager, environmental health and safety manager, safety director
People who find their job meaningful:79%
Starting median pay: $52,600
Mid-career median pay: $80,800
17. Health
Most common jobs: Registered nurse, administrative assistant, office manager
People who find their job meaningful:78%
Starting median pay: $38,200
Mid-career median pay: $67,400
18. Human services
Most common jobs: Medical case manager, social worker, administrative assistant
People who find their job meaningful:78%
Starting median pay: $34,100
Mid-career median pay: $43,400
19. Health administration
Most common jobs: Administrative assistant, practice manager, office manager
People who find their job meaningful:77%
Starting median pay: $34,600
Mid-career median pay: $56,100
Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.
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Author: Rachel Gillett is a careers reporter at Business Insider.
Image: Profile of students taking their seats for the diploma ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge REUTERS/Brian Snyder
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