Report: The lowest-paying jobs that typically require a college degree, 2017

Despite the high costs of a college education, most graduates certainly feel that college was worth the cost. Not all college degrees are what they’re cracked up to be, but it’s worth mentioning that the average annual salary for college graduates is $73,785 almost twice than that of people with only a high school diploma.

To find the lowest-paying jobs that typically require a college degree, researchers at the 24/7 Wall St. looked at this year’s Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here’s what they identified as the lowest paying jobs for college graduates.

At the top of the list is legislators, with a median annual wage of $23,470.

These are the lowest paying jobs that typically require a college degree, 2017:

1. Legislators
# Median annual wage: $23,470
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 58,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -0.7%

2. Dietetic technicians
# Median annual wage: $26,350
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 29,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +13.3%

3. Preschool teachers, except special education
# Median annual wage: $28,790
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 441,000
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +6.7%

4. Religious workers, all other
# Median annual wage: $28,820
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 55,900
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +4.7%

5. Radio and television announcers
# Median annual wage: $31,400
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 42,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -14.3%

6. Coaches and scouts
# Median annual wage: $31,460
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 250,600
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +5.9%

7. Veterinary technologists and technicians
# Median annual wage: $32,490
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 95,600
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +18.7%

8. Graduate teaching assistants
# Median annual wage: $34,240
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 159,200
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +6.2%

9. Rehabilitation counselors
# Median annual wage: $34,670
# Typical education needed: Master’s degree
# Total employment: 120,100
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +9.0%

10. Forest and conservation technicians
# Median annual wage: $35,560
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 32,600
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -5.7%

11. Semiconductor processors
# Median annual wage: $35,660
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 25,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -8.3%

12. Proofreaders and copy markers
# Median annual wage: $36,960
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 13,600
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -2.4%

13. Agricultural and food science technicians
# Median annual wage: $37,550
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 33,000
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +4.9%

14. Reporters and correspondents
# Median annual wage: $37,820
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 49,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -8.5%

15. Broadcast technicians
# Median annual wage: $38,550
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 30,100
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -6.5%

16. Directors, religious activities and education
# Median annual wage: $38,610
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 131,900
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +4.3%

17. Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
# Median annual wage: $38,950
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 163,400
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +17.8%

18. Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping
# Median annual wage: $39,020
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 140,600
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -4.1%

19. Museum technicians and conservators
# Median annual wage: $40,040
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 11,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +5.2%

20. Camera and photographic equipment repairers
# Median annual wage: $41,060
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 3,700
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +4.7%

21. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
# Median annual wage: $41,070
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 94,900
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +22.3%

22. Desktop publishers
# Median annual wage: $41,090
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 14,800
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -21.0%

23. Biological technicians
# Median annual wage: $42,520
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 79,300
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +5.2%

24. Education, training, and library workers, all other
# Median annual wage: $42,600
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 124,000
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +7.4%

25. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
# Median annual wage: $42,700
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 117,800
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +18.9%

26. Agricultural inspectors
# Median annual wage: $42,800
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 14,200
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): -0.6%

27. Mental health counselors
# Median annual wage: $42,840
# Typical education needed: Master’s degree
# Total employment: 134,500
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +19.6%

28. Community and social service specialists, all other
# Median annual wage: $43,120
# Typical education needed: Master’s degree
# Total employment: 102,700
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +8.2%

29. Social science research assistants
# Median annual wage: $43,190
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 32,000
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +5.6%

30. Child, family, and school social workers
# Median annual wage: $43,250
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 305,200
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +6.2%

31. Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
# Median annual wage: $44,190
# Typical education needed: Associate degree
# Total employment: 36,200
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +9.5%

32. Counselors, all other
# Median annual wage: $44,350
# Typical education needed: Master’s degree
# Total employment: 31,000
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +11.0%

33. Credit counselors
# Median annual wage: $44,380
# Typical education needed: Bachelor’s degree
# Total employment: 32,600
# Projected employment growth (2014-2024): +15.5%

This report/news/ranking/statistics has been prepared only for general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, CEOWORLD magazine does not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

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