It’s common knowledge that some degrees lead to higher-paying jobs than others. Median annual wages for recent graduates, however, shows that there are high-paying opportunities for all kinds of degree holders.
To create our High-Paying New Graduate Jobs Report, we analyzed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data across three degree fields: arts and creative, business, and humanities. The top 10 occupations in each field are ranked by median annual wage.
10 high-paying jobs for creative & arts graduates
Creative and arts graduates often face skepticism about their earning potential, but the data offers a better picture than the headlines suggest. The roles below span animation, design, film, writing, and communications — and several carry 90th-percentile salaries well above $150,000.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Estimated Job Growth (2024–2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Special effects artist & animator | $99,800 | 1.6% |
| Web developer & digital designer | $95,380 | 7% |
| Technical writer | $91,670 | 0.9% |
| Producer & director | $83,480 | 4.9% |
| Fashion designer | $80,690 | 2% |
| Commercial & industrial designer | $79,450 | 3.2% |
| Editor | $75,260 | 0.6% |
| Writer & author | $72,270 | 3.6% |
| Film & video editor | $70,980 | 4% |
| Public relations specialist | $69,780 | 4.8% |
1. Special effects artist & animator
- Median annual wage: $99,800
- Top 10% of earners: $174,630
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 1.6%
- Total jobs: 57,100
What they do
The work involves creating the visuals you see in movies, TV shows, and video games, from animated characters to digital environments and explosions. For graduates with animation or digital arts backgrounds, it’s one of the most direct routes from a degree to a professional studio.
2. Web developer & digital designer
- Median annual wage: $95,380
- Top 10% of earners: $162,870
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 7%
- Total jobs: 214,900
What they do
Web developers and digital designers build the websites and apps that people use every day, combining coding skills with a strong sense of visual design. UX and graphic design graduates are increasingly competitive for these roles, even without deep programming experience.
3. Technical writer
- Median annual wage: $91,670
- Top 10% of earners: $130,430
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 0.9%
- Total jobs: 56,400
What they do
Technical writers take complicated information — how a piece of software works, how to use a medical device, and so on — and turn it into clear, readable guides for everyday users, alongside in-depth guides for specialists.
4. Producer & director
- Median annual wage: $83,480
- Top 10% of earners: $198,530
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 4.9%
- Total jobs: 167,000
What they do
Producers and directors make creative projects actually happen — managing the teams behind films, TV shows, and increasingly, digital content. Arts and media graduates tend to be well-prepared for these roles, graduating with a solid understanding of how productions are put together.
5. Fashion designer
- Median annual wage: $80,690
- Top 10% of earners: $169,620
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 2%
- Total jobs: 25,700
What they do
Fashion designers take ideas for clothing and accessories from early sketches all the way through to finished products that end up on store shelves. Most graduates from fashion or textile programs start in junior roles at labels or studios and work their way up.
6. Commercial & industrial designer
- Median annual wage: $79,450
- Top 10% of earners: $134,840
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 3.2%
- Total jobs: 30,600
What they do
Industrial and commercial designers decide what everyday products look like and how they work, from furniture to medical equipment to kitchen gadgets. It’s a role that puts to use what product and industrial design programs teach directly.
7. Editor
- Median annual wage: $75,260
- Top 10% of earners: $140,840
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 0.6%
- Total jobs: 115,800
What they do
Editors review and improve written content by making sure it’s clear, accurate, and easy to read. English and journalism graduates are a natural fit, with openings across publishing, digital media, and even corporate communications.
8. Writer & author
- Median annual wage: $72,270
- Top 10% of earners: $133,680
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 3.6%
- Total jobs: 135,400
What they do
Professional writers produce content, from news articles to marketing copy to fiction. Graduating with a writing or communications degree helps because it builds both the skills and the portfolio that employers want to see.
9. Film & video editor
- Median annual wage: $70,980
- Top 10% of earners: $145,900
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 4%
- Total jobs: 43,500
What they do
Video editors take raw footage and shape it into a finished piece of content, deciding on timing, pacing, imagery, and which moments make the cut. Media and film graduates who know editing software can step into an editing role quickly, and there’s a steady demand from streaming services and online content creators alike.
10. Public relations specialist
- Median annual wage: $69,780
- Top 10% of earners: $129,480
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 4.8%
- Total jobs: 315,900
What they do
PR specialists manage how a company or organization comes across to the public and the press by writing announcements, responding to the press, being present on social media, and helping shape the brand’s story over time. It’s the largest job market on this list, and communications or journalism graduates are usually first in line.
10 high-paying jobs for business graduates
Business graduates have one of the highest earning floors of any degree field, with every role on this list exceeding $80,000 at the median. Several occupations — particularly in data and actuarial science — also have projected growth rates well above the national average.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Estimated Job Growth (2024–2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Actuary | $125,770 | 22% |
| Data scientist | $112,590 | 34% |
| Financial risk specialist | $106,000 | 6.5% |
| Personal financial advisor | $102,140 | 9.6% |
| Financial & investment analyst | $101,350 | 5.7% |
| Management analyst | $101,190 | 8.8% |
| Project manager | $100,750 | 5.6% |
| Operations research analyst | $91,290 | 22% |
| Accountant & auditor | $81,680 | 4.6% |
| Logistician | $80,880 | 17% |
1. Actuary
- Median annual wage: $125,770
- Top 10% of earners: $206,430
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 22%
- Total jobs: 33,600
What they do
Actuaries use math and statistics to figure out how likely bad things are to happen and what they would cost, mostly for insurance companies and banks. The role requires passing professional exams on top of your degree, but it offers one of the best long-term earning paths available to business graduates.
2. Data scientist
- Median annual wage: $112,590
- Top 10% of earners: $194,410
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 34%
- Total jobs: 245,900
What they do
Data scientists work with large amounts of data to find patterns and help organizations make smarter decisions. Business graduates with strong math skills and some experience with statistics or coding are increasingly sought after.
3. Financial risk specialist
- Median annual wage: $106,000
- Top 10% of earners: $182,310
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 6.5%
- Total jobs: 60,500
What they do
Financial risk specialists figure out what could go wrong for a company or bank and what it would cost if it did. Finance graduates are well-prepared for this, as the work involves analyzing markets, tracking exposure, and keeping up with regulatory changes.
4. Personal financial advisor
- Median annual wage: $102,140
- Top 10% of earners: $239,200
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 9.6%
- Total jobs: 326,000
What they do
Personal financial advisors help people plan their financial futures, saving for retirement, choosing investments, managing wealth, and building long-term client relationships. The earning ceiling is the highest of any role across all three lists, with top advisors making $239,200 or more.
5. Financial & investment analyst
- Median annual wage: $101,350
- Top 10% of earners: $180,550
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 5.7%
- Total jobs: 368,500
What they do
Financial analysts research companies and market conditions to figure out where money should be invested, then present their findings to portfolio managers and finance teams. It’s a strong match for finance and economics graduates, who arrive with most of the analytical skills the job requires.
6. Management analyst
- Median annual wage: $101,190
- Top 10% of earners: $174,140
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 8.8%
- Total jobs: 1,075,100
What they do
Management analysts look at how a company operates, find what’s not working, and recommend ways to fix it — often as outside consultants brought in to give a fresh perspective. Business graduates enter this field through consulting firms or internal strategy teams, where broad business knowledge is an asset.
7. Project manager
- Median annual wage: $100,750
- Top 10% of earners: $165,790
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 5.6%
- Total jobs: 1,046,300
What they do
Project managers keep work on track, making sure things get done on time, within budget, and with the right people involved. It’s a role that exists in almost every industry, and business graduates tend to learn quickly on the job because the required skills overlap with what they’ve already studied.
8. Operations research analyst
- Median annual wage: $91,290
- Top 10% of earners: $159,280
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 22%
- Total jobs: 112,100
What they do
Operations research analysts use math and modeling to solve complicated logistical problems, like how an airline should schedule its crews or how a hospital can cut patient wait times. Graduates with coursework in operations management or statistics are especially well-placed to move into this role.
9. Accountant & auditor
- Median annual wage: $81,680
- Top 10% of earners: $141,420
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 4.6%
- Total jobs: 1,579,800
What they do
Accountants and auditors track, verify, and report on financial information for businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. It’s one of the most reliable career paths for business graduates, with steady demand and a clear route to becoming a CPA.
10. Logistician
- Median annual wage: $80,880
- Top 10% of earners: $132,110
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 17%
- Total jobs: 241,000
What they do
Logisticians manage the flow of goods through supply chains, figuring out how products get from manufacturers to warehouses to customers. Demand spans manufacturing, retail, and government, and the 17% growth rate shows the role is only becoming more important.
10 high-paying jobs for humanities graduates
Earning a humanities degree develops research, writing, and critical thinking skills that translate into more career paths than most graduates realize. The roles below span strategy consulting, urban planning, communications, and people operations, all of which are fields where those foundational strengths are highly valued.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Estimated Job Growth (2024–2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Management analyst | $101,190 | 8.8% |
| Project management specialist | $100,750 | 5.6% |
| Urban & regional planner | $83,720 | 3.4% |
| Producer & director | $83,480 | 4.9% |
| Logistician | $80,880 | 17% |
| Compliance officer | $78,420 | 3% |
| Compensation specialist | $77,020 | 5.3% |
| Market research analyst & marketing specialist | $76,950 | 6.7% |
| Human resources specialist | $72,910 | 6.2% |
| Public relations specialist | $69,780 | 4.8% |
1. Management analyst
- Median annual wage: $101,190
- Top 10% of earners: $174,140
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 8.8%
- Total jobs: 1,075,100
What they do
Management analysts are brought in to figure out what’s not working inside an organization and make a case for how to fix it. Humanities graduates are often a strong fit because the job is really about thinking clearly, communicating well, and working through complex problems rather than any specific technical skill.
2. Project management specialist
- Median annual wage: $100,750
- Top 10% of earners: $165,790
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 5.6%
- Total jobs: 1,046,300
What they do
Project management is about keeping things organized by making sure projects stay on track and deadlines are met. It’s a skill that transfers from almost any background, and humanities graduates who communicate well tend to thrive in project management roles.
3. Urban & regional planner
- Median annual wage: $83,720
- Top 10% of earners: $128,550
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 3.4%
- Total jobs: 44,700
What they do
Urban planners help decide how cities and towns develop. Graduates in geography, political science, or sociology often find it one of the clearest paths from their degree to a professional role, mostly in local or state government.
4. Producer & director
- Median annual wage: $83,480
- Top 10% of earners: $198,530
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 4.9%
- Total jobs: 167,000
What they do
Producers and directors hold creative projects together from start to finish. Humanities graduates who have studied literature, history, or media studies often bring a strong sense of storytelling to this work.
5. Logistician
- Median annual wage: $80,880
- Top 10% of earners: $132,110
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 17%
- Total jobs: 241,000
What they do
Logisticians manage how goods move through supply chains, coordinating the systems that get products where they need to go. It’s not an obvious first choice for humanities graduates, but the role rewards clear thinking and good communication more than any specific technical background, and the job market is growing fast.
6. Compliance officer
- Median annual wage: $78,420
- Top 10% of earners: $130,030
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 3%
- Total jobs: 418,000
What they do
Compliance officers make sure companies follow the rules — be it laws, regulations, or internal policies — and catch problems before they become serious issues. The work involves a lot of careful reading and precise writing, which makes it a natural fit for graduates in political science, philosophy, or similar fields.
7. Compensation specialist
- Median annual wage: $77,020
- Top 10% of earners: $128,830
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 5.3%
- Total jobs: 107,000
What they do
Compensation specialists handle how employees are paid and what benefits they receive by researching what’s fair and competitive and helping design packages that attract and retain good talent. It’s an entry point into HR for sociology or psychology graduates, with a clear path toward more senior roles over time.
8. Market research analyst & marketing specialist
- Median annual wage: $76,950
- Top 10% of earners: $144,610
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 6.7%
- Total jobs: 941,700
What they do
Market researchers figure out what customers want and why, gathering data on buying habits, trends, and competitors to help businesses make better decisions. Humanities graduates often do well here because the job is as much about understanding human behavior as it is about analyzing numbers.
9. Human resources specialist
- Median annual wage: $72,910
- Top 10% of earners: $126,540
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 6.2%
- Total jobs: 944,300
What they do
HR specialists help organizations hire, onboard, and support their employees, handling everything from recruiting to benefits to workplace issues. Understanding people and communicating clearly matter more than technical skills in this role, which makes it one of the more accessible starting points for humanities graduates.
10. Public relations specialist
- Median annual wage: $69,780
- Top 10% of earners: $129,480
- Estimated job growth (2024–2034): 4.8%
- Total jobs: 315,900
What they do
PR writing requires the same skills that humanities programs develop over four years. English and communications graduates often find PR one of the most natural transitions from studying to working.
Methodology
To identify the highest-paying jobs for new graduates in 2026, we analyzed occupational wage and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Occupations were selected for each degree field based on their relevance and accessibility to graduates of that discipline, then ranked by median annual wage. Roles that appear on more than one list are described independently to reflect each field’s distinct pathway into the occupation. Estimated job growth (2024–2034) figures are drawn from the BLS 10-year Employment Projections program.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections
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About the Author
5
Years of Experience
17
Articles Written
Jack Hulatt graduated from the University of Greenwich with a bachelor’s degree in Politics and International Relations before pursuing certifications in computer science and data analytics. In his short career, he has already worked on multiple entrepreneurial projects and as part of a larger team, giving him direct insight into the needs and wants of young job seekers today.
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