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Having a college degree nearly doubles your annual earnings potential, and many careers require a college education. From brain surgeons to history teachers, from video game developers to architects—many start out with undergraduate degrees, either a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or a bachelor of science (B.S.). Some—such as doctors, lawyers, college professors, scientific researchers—require additional education at the graduate or professional level after they have completed their B.A. or B.S. degrees.

All in all, college is key to establishing a career and raising your earning potential.

Click on the professions below to learn about their average annual salaries and the college degree(s) required for each.

Elementary School Teacher
Fashion Designer
Video Game Developer
Lawyer
Nurse
Librarian
Systems Engineer
Heart Surgeon
College Professor
Dentist
Sports Agent
Architect
Accountant
Financial Analyst
Movie/TV Script Writer
Publicist
Pharmacist
Veterinarian
Web & Multimedia Designer
Mechanical Engineer

accountant

Average Salary: $66,000
College Degree(s): B.S.

Mechanical Engineer

Average Salary: $82,000
College Degree(s): B.S.

Systems Engineer

Average Salary: $85,000
College Degree(s): B.S. and M.S. (Master of Science)

Financial Analyst

Average Salary: $82,000
College Degree(s): B.S. and M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration)

Elementary School Teacher

Average Salary: $55,000
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S.

Fashion Designer

Average Salary: $70,000
College Degree(s): B.A.

Video Game Developer

Average Salary: $75,000
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S.

Lawyer

Average Salary: $110,000
College Degree(s): B.A. and J. D. (Juris Doctor)

Nurse

Average Salary: $70,000
College Degree(s): B.S.N. (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

Librarian

Average Salary: $58,000
College Degree(s): B.A. and M.L.S. (Master of Library Science)

Heart Surgeon

Average Salary: $200,000
College Degree(s): B.S. and M.D. (Doctor of Medicine)

College Professor

Average Salary: $70,000
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S., M.A. or M.S. (Master of Arts or Master of Science), Ph.D (Doctoral Degree)

Dentist

Average Salary: $130,000
College Degree(s): B.S. and D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery)

Sports Agent

Average Salary: $60,000
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S.

Architect

Average Salary: $75,000
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S.

Movie/TV Script Writer

Average Salary: $60,000 and $1 million+ if you sell your script to a major Hollywood studio
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S.

Publicist

Average Salary: $80,000
College Degree(s): B.A.

Pharmacist

Average Salary: $94,000
College Degree(s): B.S. and Pharm. D (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Veterinarian

Average Salary: $100,000
College Degree(s): B.S. and D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

Web & Multimedia Designer

Average Salary: $58,000
College Degree(s): B.A. or B.S.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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