Career Explorer

What can you do with a degree?

Real BLS salary data and 10-year outlook for 30+ careers — tied to the majors that lead there.

Showing 30 of 30 careers

Software Developer

Design, build, and maintain software — from consumer apps to backend systems that run the internet.

$132Kmedian / yr
Range: $77K$209K
+25% by 2032
Bachelor's degree

Data Scientist

Turn data into decisions — using statistics, ML, and storytelling to answer business questions.

$108Kmedian / yr
Range: $61K$184K
+35% by 2032
Bachelor's or master's

Mechanical Engineer

Design the physical systems in cars, aircraft, robots, HVAC, medical devices — anything that moves.

$100Kmedian / yr
Range: $64K$157K
+10% by 2032
Bachelor's degree (ABET-accredited)

Civil Engineer

Design and oversee roads, bridges, water systems, and the structures that make cities work.

$96Kmedian / yr
Range: $64K$145K
+5% by 2032
Bachelor's degree + PE license

Registered Nurse (RN)

Frontline patient care in hospitals, clinics, and specialty settings — the backbone of modern medicine.

$86Kmedian / yr
Range: $64K$133K
+6% by 2032
Associate's or BSN + NCLEX-RN

Nurse Practitioner

Advanced-practice RN who diagnoses, prescribes, and often practices independently.

$126Kmedian / yr
Range: $95K$168K
+45% by 2032
Master's in nursing

Physician

Diagnose and treat disease. Long training path — med school + residency — but broad autonomy and pay.

$239Kmedian / yr
Range: $118K$239K
+3% by 2032
MD or DO + residency

Financial Analyst

Analyze companies, markets, and investments to guide business decisions or portfolio allocation.

$100Kmedian / yr
Range: $62K$176K
+8% by 2032
Bachelor's degree

Accountant / Auditor

Track, audit, and report on money — at companies, for governments, or for individuals.

$80Kmedian / yr
Range: $50K$137K
+4% by 2032
Bachelor's degree (CPA for advancement)

Management Consultant

Help organizations solve problems — strategy, operations, tech. Intense, well-paid, travel-heavy.

$99Kmedian / yr
Range: $59K$175K
+10% by 2032
Bachelor's (MBA common for promotion)

Marketing Manager

Own how a product or brand is positioned — strategy, campaigns, budget, team.

$158Kmedian / yr
Range: $82K$239K
+6% by 2032
Bachelor's degree

Graphic Designer

Communicate visually — branding, marketing, editorial, packaging. Portfolio is everything.

$59Kmedian / yr
Range: $38K$100K
+3% by 2032
Bachelor's degree or strong portfolio

UX / UI Designer

Design how software feels to use. Research users, prototype flows, partner with engineers.

$99Kmedian / yr
Range: $58K$162K
+16% by 2032
Bachelor's degree or strong portfolio

Journalist / Reporter

Report the news — print, digital, broadcast. Tough market, high impact.

$58Kmedian / yr
Range: $35K$129K
-3% by 2032
Bachelor's degree

Social Media Manager

Plan and run a brand's presence across platforms. Part strategy, part content, part analytics.

$75Kmedian / yr
Range: $40K$140K
+6% by 2032
Bachelor's degree

K-12 Teacher

Teach elementary, middle, or high school students. Deep impact; modest pay by sector.

$64Kmedian / yr
Range: $45K$104K
+1% by 2032
Bachelor's + state license

School Counselor

Support students through academic planning, college prep, and emotional wellbeing.

$62Kmedian / yr
Range: $38K$100K
+5% by 2032
Master's in counseling

Clinical Psychologist

Assess and treat mental health conditions. Requires a doctorate; high autonomy.

$93Kmedian / yr
Range: $54K$157K
+6% by 2032
PhD or PsyD

Social Worker

Help individuals, families, and communities cope with challenges. Clinical or community focus.

$58Kmedian / yr
Range: $38K$95K
+7% by 2032
Bachelor's or master's (MSW)

Lawyer

Advise and represent clients on legal matters — corporate, public interest, litigation, and more.

$146Kmedian / yr
Range: $70K$239K
+8% by 2032
JD + bar exam

Police Officer

Patrol, respond to calls, investigate, and protect. Paid on-the-job academy training.

$72Kmedian / yr
Range: $46K$114K
+3% by 2032
High school + academy (degree helps)

Environmental Scientist

Study how ecosystems, pollutants, and climate interact — fieldwork + lab + data + policy.

$79Kmedian / yr
Range: $48K$134K
+6% by 2032
Bachelor's degree

Architect

Design buildings — from homes to skyscrapers. Long licensure path (5 years + exams).

$93Kmedian / yr
Range: $55K$147K
+5% by 2032
B.Arch or M.Arch + ARE exams

Film / Video Director

Lead the creative vision of films, shows, and commercials. Freelance, highly competitive.

$85Kmedian / yr
Range: $40K$211K
+7% by 2032
Bachelor's or working experience

Musician / Music Producer

Perform, compose, produce, or teach music. Often freelance; income varies widely.

$39Kmedian / yr
Range: $19K$79K
+2% by 2032
Varies — lessons to conservatory

Foreign Service Officer / Diplomat

Represent the US abroad at embassies and consulates — political, economic, consular work.

$92Kmedian / yr
Range: $58K$155K
+4% by 2032
Bachelor's + Foreign Service exam

Athletic Trainer / Coach

Prevent, diagnose, and rehab sports injuries. Work with teams at all levels.

$58Kmedian / yr
Range: $42K$84K
+14% by 2032
Bachelor's + BOC certification

Research Scientist

Run experiments to advance knowledge in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, or applied fields.

$95Kmedian / yr
Range: $55K$164K
+7% by 2032
PhD typical in academia; master's in industry

Cybersecurity Analyst

Defend organizations from attacks — monitoring, incident response, architecture.

$120Kmedian / yr
Range: $69K$182K
+32% by 2032
Bachelor's degree + certifications

AI / Machine Learning Engineer

Build and deploy ML systems at scale. One of the highest-paid tracks in tech.

$145Kmedian / yr
Range: $81K$222K
+26% by 2032
Bachelor's or master's

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.