Highest-paying jobs in Midland, Michigan that require a bachelor's degree

Between rising tuition and a tight job market, getting a bachelor's degree is an increasingly daunting prospect these days. Per a May 2024 Pew Research Center survey, just 1 in 4 adults believe a college degree is necessary to secure a high-paying job.

Many second-guess the value of college because of the cost. For the 2024-2025 school year, annual tuition and fees averaged more than $11,600 at in-state public universities, a nearly 3% increase from the previous year. Tuition at private schools increased by roughly 4% in the same time period.

Besides financial concerns, there are career opportunities to consider. Though the job market in the United States shifts from month to month, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates aged 22 to 27 reached 5.8% in March 2025, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For context, that's more than double the unemployment rate of all college graduates.

These factors all contribute to the belief that college may not be the answer for everyone. However, research shows that a bachelor's degree still pays off in the long run. As of 2024, the most recent year with available data, the $60,000 median salary for a recent college graduate is $20,000 more than the median earnings for someone with only a high school diploma.

Although high school grads can make a decent salary without taking on student loan debt, lifetime earnings range between $630,000 and $900,000 more for those with a bachelor's degree. Graduate degree holders, meanwhile, may earn $1.1 million to $1.5 million more than high school graduates.

With this in mind, many different jobs make a degree worth the cost of tuition. Stacker ranked the highest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree in Midland, using annual compensation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

1 / 50

#50. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

- Median annual wage: $51,280
- Median hourly wage: $24.65
- Total employment: 40 people (1.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

VH-studio // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Child, family, and school social workers

- Median annual wage: $53,210
- Median hourly wage: $25.58
- Total employment: 150 people (4.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Fundraisers

- Median annual wage: $61,810
- Median hourly wage: $29.72
- Total employment: 50 people (1.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Public relations specialists

- Median annual wage: $62,050
- Median hourly wage: $29.83
- Total employment: 90 people (2.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

comzeal images // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Loan officers

- Median annual wage: $62,200
- Median hourly wage: $29.91
- Total employment: 70 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

B Brown // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

- Median annual wage: $62,280
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 180 people (4.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. Elementary school teachers, except special education

- Median annual wage: $62,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 350 people (9.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kzenon // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Training and development specialists

- Median annual wage: $70,840
- Median hourly wage: $34.06
- Total employment: 110 people (3.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Mongta Studio // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Cost estimators

- Median annual wage: $71,470
- Median hourly wage: $34.36
- Total employment: 60 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

boonchoke // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Business operations specialists, all other

- Median annual wage: $72,780
- Median hourly wage: $34.99
- Total employment: 120 people (3.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Compliance officers

- Median annual wage: $74,380
- Median hourly wage: $35.76
- Total employment: 70 people (1.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Aleksandar Karanov // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Occupational health and safety specialists

- Median annual wage: $75,730
- Median hourly wage: $36.41
- Total employment: 110 people (2.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Rido // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Human resources specialists

- Median annual wage: $76,450
- Median hourly wage: $36.75
- Total employment: 240 people (6.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

- Median annual wage: $77,740
- Median hourly wage: $37.38
- Total employment: 220 people (5.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

GLRL // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Buyers and purchasing agents

- Median annual wage: $77,930
- Median hourly wage: $37.47
- Total employment: 170 people (4.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Social and community service managers

- Median annual wage: $78,290
- Median hourly wage: $37.64
- Total employment: 80 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists

- Median annual wage: $79,190
- Median hourly wage: $38.07
- Total employment: 50 people (1.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Labor relations specialists

- Median annual wage: $79,500
- Median hourly wage: $38.22
- Total employment: 40 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Civil engineers

- Median annual wage: $80,960
- Median hourly wage: $38.93
- Total employment: 40 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Logisticians

- Median annual wage: $83,110
- Median hourly wage: $39.96
- Total employment: 340 people (9.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. Data scientists

- Median annual wage: $85,110
- Median hourly wage: $40.92
- Total employment: 60 people (1.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

ImageFlow // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Accountants and auditors

- Median annual wage: $86,390
- Median hourly wage: $41.53
- Total employment: 530 people (13.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Undrey // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#28. Financial and investment analysts

- Median annual wage: $90,510
- Median hourly wage: $43.51
- Total employment: 50 people (1.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Mechanical engineers

- Median annual wage: $93,190
- Median hourly wage: $44.80
- Total employment: 90 people (2.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Network and computer systems administrators

- Median annual wage: $93,960
- Median hourly wage: $45.17
- Total employment: 50 people (1.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#24. Management analysts (tie)

- Median annual wage: $97,020
- Median hourly wage: $46.64
- Total employment: 160 people (4.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Computer occupations, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: $97,020
- Median hourly wage: $46.65
- Total employment: 30 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Industrial engineers

- Median annual wage: $98,290
- Median hourly wage: $47.26
- Total employment: 210 people (5.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. General and operations managers

- Median annual wage: $98,440
- Median hourly wage: $47.33
- Total employment: 620 people (16.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Computer systems analysts

- Median annual wage: $99,730
- Median hourly wage: $47.95
- Total employment: 220 people (5.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. Project management specialists

- Median annual wage: $101,410
- Median hourly wage: $48.75
- Total employment: 200 people (5.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. Electrical engineers

- Median annual wage: $101,840
- Median hourly wage: $48.96
- Total employment: 40 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

BalanceFormCreative // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Information security analysts

- Median annual wage: $102,630
- Median hourly wage: $49.34
- Total employment: 60 people (1.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Construction managers

- Median annual wage: $105,980
- Median hourly wage: $50.95
- Total employment: 100 people (2.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products

- Median annual wage: $105,990
- Median hourly wage: $50.96
- Total employment: 40 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Medical and health services managers

- Median annual wage: $108,080
- Median hourly wage: $51.96
- Total employment: 200 people (5.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Quality Stock Arts // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#14. Facilities managers

- Median annual wage: $109,580
- Median hourly wage: $52.69
- Total employment: 50 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

eldar nurkovic // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. Chemical engineers

- Median annual wage: $110,610
- Median hourly wage: $53.18
- Total employment: 90 people (2.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

creativemarc // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. Administrative services managers

- Median annual wage: $118,910
- Median hourly wage: $57.17
- Total employment: 60 people (1.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock

40 / 50

#11. Software developers

- Median annual wage: $120,390
- Median hourly wage: $57.88
- Total employment: 90 people (2.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

luchschenF // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. Chemists

- Median annual wage: $129,700
- Median hourly wage: $62.36
- Total employment: 310 people (8.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

dokurose // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#9. Sales managers

- Median annual wage: $132,610
- Median hourly wage: $63.75
- Total employment: 110 people (2.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Industrial production managers

- Median annual wage: $139,340
- Median hourly wage: $66.99
- Total employment: 130 people (3.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#7. Purchasing managers

- Median annual wage: $159,440
- Median hourly wage: $76.65
- Total employment: 80 people (2.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

fizkes // Shutterstock

45 / 50

#6. Marketing managers

- Median annual wage: $162,840
- Median hourly wage: $78.29
- Total employment: 160 people (4.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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BOY ANTHONY // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#5. Architectural and engineering managers

- Median annual wage: $162,900
- Median hourly wage: $78.32
- Total employment: 120 people (3.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#4. Human resources managers

- Median annual wage: $169,300
- Median hourly wage: $81.39
- Total employment: 90 people (2.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kanghophoto // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#3. Financial managers

- Median annual wage: $178,150
- Median hourly wage: $85.65
- Total employment: 310 people (8.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

VE.Studio // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#2. Natural sciences managers

- Median annual wage: $204,390
- Median hourly wage: $98.26
- Total employment: 60 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

50 / 50

#1. Chief executives

- Median annual wage: At least $239,200
- Median hourly wage: At least $115.00
- Total employment: 50 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.

Highest-paying jobs in Midland, Michigan that require a bachelor's degree

#50. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

#49. Child, family, and school social workers

#48. Fundraisers

#47. Public relations specialists

#46. Loan officers

#45. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

#44. Elementary school teachers, except special education

#43. Training and development specialists

#42. Cost estimators

#41. Business operations specialists, all other

#40. Compliance officers

#39. Occupational health and safety specialists

#38. Human resources specialists

#37. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

#36. Buyers and purchasing agents

#35. Social and community service managers

#34. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists

#33. Labor relations specialists

#32. Civil engineers

#31. Logisticians

#30. Data scientists

#29. Accountants and auditors

#28. Financial and investment analysts

#27. Mechanical engineers

#26. Network and computer systems administrators

#24. Management analysts (tie)

#24. Computer occupations, all other (tie)

#23. Industrial engineers

#22. General and operations managers

#21. Computer systems analysts

#20. Project management specialists

#19. Electrical engineers

#18. Information security analysts

#17. Construction managers

#16. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products

#15. Medical and health services managers

#14. Facilities managers

#13. Chemical engineers

#12. Administrative services managers

#11. Software developers

#10. Chemists

#9. Sales managers

#8. Industrial production managers

#7. Purchasing managers

#6. Marketing managers

#5. Architectural and engineering managers

#4. Human resources managers

#3. Financial managers

#2. Natural sciences managers

#1. Chief executives

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