The 20 college majors that lead to the most satisfying careers
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'sCollege 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 20 college majors that may not lead to the greatest salary growth but can still offersome of the most satisfying careers:
20. Early-childhood education
Most common jobs: Daycare teacher, preschool teacher (excluding special education), elementary-school teacher
People who find their job meaningful:77%
Starting median pay: $30,300
Mid-career median pay: $38,000
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
The 20 college majors that lead to the most satisfying careers
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