Top 10 Courses That Pay The Highest Salaries

By: Albert Tablan – June 25, 2020

Some people are happy with their careers because what they do enables them to follow their dreams and pays them well with each payday. But not everyone is fortunate to be in such a setting, so their search for a decent career with a better salary package keeps going.

Many people believe that only corporations’ top executives or CEOs enjoy high salaries. Still, you’ll be amazed to learn that some of the top paid jobs would also compensate you well for implementing your interest.

If you’re trying to determine the course you’ll pursue in college; the points below can help you think more about what courses would be valuable to you once you graduate.

The list is based on the 2019 PayScale College Wage Survey (globally) which considers many aspects such as early years pay, mid-career compensation, and high significance.

1. Petroleum Engineering

The course that earns the top spot in courses that pays the highest salary is Petroleum Engineering.   Petroleum engineers are exploring and extracting oil and natural gas safely, sustainably, and eco-friendly. Most of the engineering jobs today include oil geologists, production, drilling as well as reservoir engineers. Graduates of this degree are constantly high in demand as it’s directly related to energy.

During the fifth year as professional engineers, Petroleum Engineers earn as much as PHP 4 500 000 annually. Within the 10th year, their income rises to PHP 8 000 000 a year.  In addition to these high earnings, 77% of these engineers also claim that their job has a greater significance level.

2. Computer Science Engineering

The second highest top paid career is computer science engineers. They earn PHP 4 000 000 after five years and PHP 7 110 000  for the 10th year. Graduates from computer science engineering courses are inclined with lower rates of unemployment.

Even so, students taking up electrical engineering, IT consultants, technicians, or software designers have endless job opportunities ahead of them. Thus, degree takers of these leading courses can deal with much stronger job prospects and viabilities. 

3. Applied Economics and Management

Graduates of applied economics and management earn PHP 3,945, 000 at the starting level and can reach up to PHP 7 000 000 for ten years, including them as one of the topmost graduate earners.

Several universities offer applied economics and management as a specialization as a prerequisite to business courses or business career goals. Applied economics and management employees report high job satisfaction ratings, and 69 percent believe that their work contributes to making the world better.

4. Operations Research

Next in line are courses on operations research. Researchers in operational activities provide managers and companies with analysis tools and guidelines. Courses in this subject provide mathematical and computational, and interpersonal skills for graduates to assist in diverse industries.  Operations researchers typically work in consultancy companies, financial firms, airline companies, and government entities. 

Beginning salaries are significantly higher, averaged to PHP 3 895 000 annually. After ten years, it amounts to PHP 6,500,000.00 and provides great opportunities for career advancement.

5. Political Economy

Political economy is known as the study of trade and production and its relevance with customs, jurisdictions, and government and issues that arise and influence global politics.  Graduates in this field have a wide range of job employment; they can be economists, financial analysts, communication systems officers, and political consultants.

A political economist earns PHP 2,880,000 annually in the first five years, and can earn up to PHP 6, 000, 000 after ten years.

6. Actuarial Mathematics

Landing on the top 6 on courses that pay the highest salaries is actuarial mathematics. Actuarial courses in mathematics use numbers, statistics, finances, and economic concepts to provide solutions to business issues, including risk management and handling unforeseen financial circumstances. The course prepares degree takers for more career opportunities, such as risk analyst, chartered accountants, financial experts, and statisticians.

Graduates with less than five years of work experience enjoy a massive pay of PHP 2,000,000 annually while graduates of over five years of work experience earn PHP 5,500,000.  Average salary earners state that under 50% of degree holders say that their work has a significance for the world.

7. Electrical Engineering

All branches of engineering are highly in demand, which provides career prospects for graduates. The field of specialization attracts many students to take up engineering courses. Electrical power engineering students are no exception. Due to the current emphasis on global warming, people are pressing towards alternative energy sources, increasing demand for electrical engineers. Graduates left universities with high engineering knowledge, strong mathematical, computer, and problem-solving skills.

Graduate students go into career paths such as analysts of electric power networks, developers of electric vehicles, and product innovation analysts. Beginning salaries for graduate students are high according to the most recent salary report; they earn PHP 1,620,000 for starters and progress up to PHP 5,000,000 in the 10th year. Moreover, 63% of electrical engineers say that they feel their job has profound importance.

8. Business Analysis

Degree holder of business analysis often possesses excellent mathematical and statistical skills that suit accounting, finance, or consulting careers and a variety of other business-related careers that lead business degrees to be well known and in-demand across a wide range of sectors.

Unsurprisingly, graduates of business analysis often are in well-paid careers; that starts at around PHP 1,500,000 that keep rising to PHP 5,000,000.

9. Pharmacy

Pharmacy is the study that prepares, dispenses, and evaluates drugs.  Students take up pharmacy research, drug composition, and modern medicine to the extent of greater career opportunities in the future.

Typical jobs for Pharmacist include being a community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, pharmacologist, or research scientist.

Salaries for newbie pharmacists start at around PHP 1,000,000, which progresses to a higher PHP 4,500,000 after ten years. Intriguingly, 77% of pharmacy workers express a high value in their work.

10. Aeronautics and Astronautics

Degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics include scientific knowledge in studying, designing, and manufacturing aircraft, satellites, and rockets. In this course, you’ll understand how space craft’s work in space.

Aeronautical/astronautical engineers, researchers, developers, or technicians are typical employment opportunities available to Aeronautics and Astronautics graduates.

For Aeronautics and Astronautics graduates, beginning salaries are around PHP 1 000 000, progressing to an average of PHP 4,000,000 later in their career. Around 59% of those who specialize in this field believe that their job does have a high significance.

Final Thoughts

The top 10 courses that earn the highest salaries mentioned above are tempting if you are deciding what course to take up in college. But looking at the courses, most of them aren’t that easy. If you decide on taking these courses, you need a lot of studying and hard work.

A famous saying goes, success is 99% preparation and 1% inspiration. With that being said, it would be best if you start preparing early. Study and gain more knowledge about the course that you desire.

Chalkboard, as an online learning platform, connects you with tutors in case you need help. Bear in mind that nothing is everything is possible with persistence and dedication.

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