Identifying a Starting Salary after College
To get ahead in life by securing a great paying and secure job, one of the best things a person can do is complete his or her education. The number of years in college would depend on the degree being earned and the job focused on, which ranges anywhere from two to ten years or more. While some people are more interested in doing something they love, others look at career opportunities based on pay and then decide what they want to be. Regardless, people should take time to learn about the starting salary after college for various career paths.
Although there are virtually thousands of possibilities, the most job security is found in health services, the government, and education. That certainly does not mean that other industries and fields are bad options but with the current economy, it would make sense to look at careers that have withstood the test of time and those that have a much stronger chance of surviving in the future.
Therefore, individuals might begin by looking at these three avenues. However, people need to understand that for the field of education, starting pay is not high but this is a gratifying field and one of honor. Even so, with the right college education, numerous positions are available that offer a decent salary. The following is some general information that people might consider.
Teachers - The starting salary after college for the field of teaching is varied based on the job. For instance, a teacher with a bachelor’s degree could expect to make anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 on average. However, schools located in more rural areas have a lower pay scale, around $20,000 to $25,000, while those in large metropolitan areas pay higher. Sometimes schools such as those in inner cities offer a competitive salary as well as a bonus.
Professors - The starting salary for a professor also varies depending on the university where the person earned his or her degree, the subject taught, and even classroom size. Generally, smaller colleges with small classes would pay around $40,000 whereas larger universities have a starting pay around $52,000.
Nurses - In the nursing field are a number of levels such as LPN or Licensed Practicing Nurse and RN or Registered Nurse. As with any career, the higher a person goes with education the more earning potential he or she has. The starting salary would also be dependent on numerous factors such as the type of facility such as hospital versus nursing home. Some examples are for LPN and RN respectively are:
- $25,000 / $30,000 for employment services
- $27,000 / $34,000 for nursing care facilities
- $30,000 / $36,000 for home healthcare services
- $32,000 / $40,000 for surgical hospitals and general medicine
Doctors - Of course, becoming a doctor requires serious education, but the rewards are worth the investment of time, effort, and money. The starting salary after college for a doctor is typically good but again, the actual amount depends on the area of expertise, type and size of facility, and other factors. For a family physician working in a clinic, the average salary is about $100,000 but if that person continues working in the field, building a strong group of patients and successful business, making $250,000 and up is very feasible.
Technology Professionals - While some changes have occurred in the computer field, this area is another in which jobs will always be available. As with education and healthcare, numerous possibilities exist, each unique and on a different pay scale. Some examples of starting salary after college include computer engineering with an average salary of $52,000 with a Bachelor’s Degree, $60,000 with a Master’s Degree, and $70,000 with a PhD. Then for a graphic designer, the starting salary after college ranges anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 with much greater earning potential.
For people who are simply unsure what they want to do, an excellent option would be to meet with a school counselor. These professionals have a wealth of information about educational requirements, as well as strong and weak job areas. School counselors can also provide information regarding hundreds of jobs, as well as starting salary after college based on geographical location and level of job. Having a better understanding of what all is out there certainly makes choosing the right job easier.
Of course, a huge factor regardless of starting salary after college has to do with where the person has passion. Most people have interest in something specific whereas others are still searching. For people that know what they love, they can research all the options within that field and then choose the position that fits best. However, for those that are simply uncertain, there is nothing wrong with working the system back to front, meaning to look at starting salary after college, finding the best paying and most secure jobs, and then choosing a direction.
This entry was posted on Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 9:19 am and is filed under College and Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
