Education and Skills

The 19 college degrees that lead to the most satisfying careers

Rachel Gillett
Careers reporter, Business Insider

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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