Higher education is expensive in America. According to the Education Data Initiative, the total average cost of four years at a public U.S. college or university — including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and room and board — is $103,456 for an in-state student. From out of state? Figure $174,885. A private institution? As much as $215,796. And that’s assuming that the student earns a BA in four years — when in fact some 60% take six. (Chances are these numbers are a lot higher than the cost of college the year you were born.)
Pricey though it may be, however, a bachelor’s degree is considered the minimum qualification for many good jobs. Anyway, reports the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities, holders of BAs typically end up earning about $1 million more over the course of their working lives than those who have only a high school diploma. (Having a BA will help ensure that you won’t get stuck with one of the lowest-paying jobs in America.)
To find the highest paying jobs in the Houston metro area that require a bachelor’s degree, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data at the metro area level. Data on median annual wage nationwide and in Houston for all occupations as well as per occupation comes from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics as of May 2020. BLS employment growth projections are for 2020 to 2030.
Note that for many of these positions, a bachelor’s degree would be the absolute minimum requirement but not necessarily sufficient in itself. For instance, many financial management and marketing jobs would require an MBA, while many kinds of engineers would need a master’s degree or doctorate.
Houston is a hub for the fossil fuel industry, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that several oil-related jobs make this list. America’s fourth-largest city is home to a variety of other industries, as well, and boasts the presence of more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, including Sysco, Phillips 66, and Halliburton.
Click here to see the highest-paying jobs in Houston that require a bachelor’s degree
There are many job opportunities in Houston in these and other fields. The ones on this list could all lead to long, profitable careers that would more than amply pay workers back for an investment in their education.
Source: golubovy / Getty Images
25. Computer Hardware Engineers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $113,570
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 269.8%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $119,560
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:620
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 1.7%
[in-text-ad]
Source: gorodenkoff / Getty Images
24. Information Security Analysts
> Median annual wage in Houston: $114,360
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 271.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $103,590
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:2,490
> Projected employment growth nationwide:33.4%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: gorodenkoff / iStock via Getty Images
23. Computer Systems Analysts
> Median annual wage in Houston: $115,640
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 274.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $93,730
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:14,420
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 7.0%
Source: Chainarong Prasertthai / iStock via Getty Images
22. Compensation and Benefits Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $116,530
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 276.9%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $125,130
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:460
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 3.7%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: usgeologicalsurvey / Flickr
21. Hydrologists
> Median annual wage in Houston: $118,320
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 281.1%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $84,040
> Total employment for occupation in Houston: 50
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 6.2%
Source: fizkes / iStock via Getty Images
20. Training and Development Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $118,620
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 281.8%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $115,640
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:720
> Projected employment growth nationwide:10.7%
[in-text-ad]
Source: gorodenkoff / iStock via Getty Images
19. Computer Network Architects
> Median annual wage in Houston: $119,430
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 283.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $116,780
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:2,780
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 5.4%
Source: serts / E+ via Getty Images
18. Materials Engineers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $122,850
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 291.9%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $95,640
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:720
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 8.4%
Source: Pressmaster / Shutterstock.com
17. Sales Engineers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $123,210
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 292.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $108,830
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:2,130
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 7.8%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: kali9 / E+ via Getty Images
16. Industrial Production Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $123,830
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 294.2%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $108,790
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:4,320
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 5.3%
Source: fizkes / iStock via Getty Images
15. Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other
> Median annual wage in Houston: $127,200
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 302.2%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $116,350
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:6,820
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 7.4%
[in-text-ad]
Source: pixelfit / Getty Images
14. Human Resources Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $127,760
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 303.5%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $121,220
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:3,000
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 9.2%
24/7 Wall St.
Source: FangXiaNuo / E+ via Getty Images
13. Natural Sciences Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $128,790
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 306.0%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $137,940
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:980
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 5.7%
Source: fizkes / iStock via Getty Images
12. Advertising and Promotions Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $132,920
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 315.8%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $133,460
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:230
> Projected employment growth nationwide:10.3%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: EmirMemedovski / Getty Images
11. Sales Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $132,990
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 316.0%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $132,290
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:8,330
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 7.0%
Source: Reptile8488 / Getty Images
10. Chemical Engineers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $135,040
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 320.8%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $108,540
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:3,210
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 9.1%
[in-text-ad]
Source: Deagreez / Getty Images
9. Purchasing Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $135,230
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 321.3%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $125,940
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:2,050
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 6.2%
Source: gorodenkoff / iStock via Getty Images
8. Engineers, All Other
> Median annual wage in Houston: $137,090
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 325.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $103,380
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:3,310
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 2.7%
Source: RgStudio / E+ via Getty Images
7. Aerospace Engineers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $140,470
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 333.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $118,610
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:1,660
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 8.3%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: vladans / Getty Images
6. Financial Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $143,840
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 341.7%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $134,180
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:13,020
> Projected employment growth nationwide:17.3%
Source: Harbucks / iStock via Getty Images
5. Marketing Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $147,500
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 350.4%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $142,170
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:4,540
> Projected employment growth nationwide:10.0%
[in-text-ad]
Source: PeopleImages / Getty Images
4. Computer and Information Systems Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $154,220
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 366.4%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $151,150
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:6,410
> Projected employment growth nationwide:10.9%
Source: Thossaphol / iStock via Getty Images
3. Petroleum Engineers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $163,370
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 388.1%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $137,330
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:8,220
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 7.7%
Source: Qfl247 (talk) (Transferred by Citypeek/Original uploaded by Qfl247), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
2. Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $173,090
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 411.2%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $93,580
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:3,820
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 6.9%
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Kwangmoozaa / iStock via Getty Images
1. Architectural and Engineering Managers
> Median annual wage in Houston: $178,990
> Wage as pct. of median wage for all occupations: 425.3%
> Median annual wage for occupation nationwide: $149,530
> Total employment for occupation in Houston:5,680
> Projected employment growth nationwide: 4.1%
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
