With unemployment higher for new graduates, a Resume Genius report using U.S. Labor Department data lays out 25 high-paying fields across business, humanities, and creative and arts degrees—spanning roles from web developers to actuaries and compliance officer
When Rachel Dratch stepped back into Debbie Downer for a Dartmouth commencement speech. the joke landed because many new graduates aren’t laughing about the job market. The unemployment rate is higher for new graduates than for other workers. and many students still head into graduation with unrealistic hopes about how much they’ll earn.
Yet the pay ceilings are real—and they’re not confined to business majors. In a recent report. Resume Genius identified high-paying fields across three broad categories of college degrees—business. humanities. and creative and arts majors. As the Class of 2026 begins its search for work. the report offers a concrete list of 25 high-paying paths. adapted from Resume Genius’s analysis of Labor Department data.
Some of the highest salaries show up in creative and arts tracks, where talent meets measurable demand. The list includes special effects artists and animators, who create visuals for films, television shows and video games. For graduates with animation or digital arts backgrounds. the report calls it one of the most direct routes from a degree to a professional studio. The job pays a median annual salary of $99,800, as of May 2024, and the top 10% of earners pull down at least $174,630.
Web developers and digital designers are next, building websites and apps that combine coding with visual design. Their median salary is $95,380, as of 2024. Technical writers translate complex technical information into straightforward. readable guides for users. earning a median annual salary of $91. 670. with top earners making at least $130. 430. Producers and directors manage teams making films. television shows and digital content; their median salary is $83. 480. with top earners making upwards of $198. 530.
Fashion designers develop clothing and accessories for store shelves. The report says most graduates from fashion or textile programs start in junior roles at labels or studios and work their way up. Their median annual salary is $80,690, and top earners get at least $169,620. Commercial and industrial designers decide what everyday products look like and how they work. with a median salary of $79. 450 and top earners making $134. 840 or more.
Even the publishing side makes the cut. Editors prepare articles and books for publication, helping writers shape and structure their work and checking for accuracy and clarity. Their median salary is $75,260, and top earners make at least $140,840. Writers and authors create written content. including articles. press releases and books. earning a median salary of $72. 270. with top earners making at least $133. 680. Film and video editors transform raw footage into finished content—choosing structure. pacing and sequence—earning a median salary of $70. 980 and top earners making at least $145. 900.
The business side of the list starts with actuaries. who marshal statistics to figure out how likely bad things are to happen and what they would cost. especially for insurers and banks. The median salary is $125,770, and top earners make $206,430 or more. Data scientists manipulate data to find patterns and help organizations make smarter decisions. Their median annual salary is $112,590, with top earners making at least $194,410.
Financial risk specialists “figure out what could go wrong” for a company and what a misstep might cost. The median salary is $106,000, and top earners make $182,310 or more. Personal financial advisers help clients build and manage wealth and plan for retirement, with a median salary of $102,140.
Financial and investment analysts work with portfolio managers and investment teams, conducting research to decide how money should be invested. Their median salary is $101,350, with top earners making at least $180,550. Management analysts look at how a company operates, find what’s not working, and recommend ways to fix it. The median salary is $101,190, and top earners make at least $174,140.
Project managers exist in almost every industry, helping keep work on track, on time and on budget. The median salary is $100,750, and top earners get $165,790 or more. Accountants and auditors keep the books for companies and organizations, tracking, verifying and reporting financial figures. Their median salary is $81,680, and top earners get at least $141,420.
Logisticians oversee the flow of goods through the supply chain—from manufacturers to warehouses and then to customers. The report also notes it’s considered a good job for humanities majors. Their median salary is $80,880, with top earners making at least $132,110.
In the humanities category, the common thread is that communication and compliance still translate into serious pay. Management analysts in this category are brought in to figure out what’s not working inside an organization and how to fix it. with a focus on communication and clear thinking. The median salary is $101,190, and top earners make $174,140 or more.
Urban and regional planners oversee the growth and development of towns and cities. The report says it’s a good job for geography. political science and sociology grads. with a median salary of $83. 720 and top earners making $128. 550 or more. Compliance officers ensure that companies and organizations follow laws. regulations and policies. looking for potential problems to fix; their median salary is $78. 420. and top earners get $130. 030 or more.
Compensation specialists design compensation packages to attract and retain talented employees. and the report ties the role to psychology or sociology majors. Their median wage is $77,020, with top earners making at least $128,830. Market research analysts and marketing specialists figure out what customers want and why to help companies decide what products and services to offer. earning a median salary of $76. 950 and top earners making at least $144. 610.
Human resources specialists oversee hiring, orientation and ongoing support for employees, handling recruitment, benefits and workplace concerns. Their median salary is $72,910, and top earners get $126,540 or more. Public relations specialists present a company or organization to the world—writing press releases. working with social media and shaping the brand—earning a median salary of $69. 780 and top earners making at least $129. 480.
Put side by side, the list shows how pay can vary widely even within the same broad major category. Creative and arts roles stretch from a $99. 800 median for special effects artists and animators to $70. 980 for film and video editors. while the business set runs from $81. 680 for accountants and auditors up to $125. 770 for actuaries. The range matters when graduates are trying to decide whether the job they’re applying for is a stepping stone—or a destination.
new college graduates high-paying jobs Resume Genius Labor Department data actuaries data scientists web developers project managers compliance officers unemployment rate
25 jobs?? Sounds made up lol.
So they’re saying new grads can just pick one of these and get paid? I don’t buy it. My cousin has a “high paying” degree and he’s still stuck doing gig work.
I think this article is confusing because it says “pay ceilings are real” but like… what does that even mean for someone starting out? Also Rachel Dratch as Debbie Downer?? That part felt random, unless they’re saying the unemployment numbers are the punchline. My friend studied something in humanities and keeps getting told to “learn coding,” which is not a job posting.
Unemployment higher for new grads… no kidding. Companies want experience but don’t say that anywhere. They mention web developers and actuaries like those are just sitting there waiting. And compliance officer?? That sounds like some shady corporate thing anyway. Also “special effects artists” paying high feels like a YouTube myth—unless you’re already famous.