Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs With General Studies Degree 2024

You see while specialization offers many benefits, a well-rounded education can also be valuable, particularly in interdisciplinary fields where knowledge from multiple areas is essential. It allows you to be a jack of all trades, and as a net result be extremely desirable in the job market.

A General Studies degree can give you a range of transferable skills, such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. These skills are valuable in many professions and can make graduates well-rounded candidates for a variety of job roles. It can also be extremely beneficial for those who want to enter the entrepreneurial arena. Entrepreneurs often need a wide range of skills to succeed, including business acumen, communication, marketing, and more.

A General Studies degree can equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to start and manage their own ventures. Last but not least, the job market is constantly evolving, and a job description may require a combination of skills from various disciplines. A General Studies degree can prepare individuals for roles that demand versatility and adaptability, allow graduates to work in a variety of industries, and lead to them earning a decent median salary.

Highest Paying Jobs With General Studies Degree & Salaries 2024 - Top 10

1. Management Consultant  

A management consultant is the job title of a professional who provides expert advice and assistance to organizations in order to improve their overall performance, efficiency, and effectiveness. It's one of the degree jobs you can get with a General Studies degree and these individuals are typically hired on a temporary basis to analyze an organization's current operations, identify problems or opportunities for improvement, and then offer recommendations and solutions. Their type of work spans various industries and sectors, including business, government, nonprofit organizations, and more.

Becoming a Management Consultant typically involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and skills development, but generally you will need a Bachelor's Degree, advanced analytical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), or a master's degree in a specialized field.

The average annual salary for a Management Consultant in the US is $100,494. 

2. Sales Manager  

A Sales Manager is a professional responsible for leading and overseeing a team of sales representatives or salespeople within an organization. It's one of the many general studies jobs you can land and their primary role is to guide and manage the sales team to achieve the company's sales targets, revenue goals, and overall business objectives and can work across various industries, including retail, manufacturing, technology, finance, and more.

Becoming a Sales Manager typically involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and skills development but generally you will require a Bachelor's Degree, exceptional sales, communication and leadership skills, proven ability in leadership roles, and stay up-to-date with industry trends, sales methodologies, and leadership practices.

The average annual salary for a Sales Manager in the US is $82,690.

3. Human Resources Manager  

A Human Resources (HR) Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing various aspects of an organization's human resources functions and play a crucial role in ensuring that an organization's workforce is effectively managed, aligned with the company's goals, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations. Overall, their role is integral to creating a harmonious and productive work environment, fostering employee development, and supporting the organization's growth and success.

Becoming a Human Resources (HR) Manager involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of essential skills. but generally you will require, a Bachelor's Degree, gain relevant work experience in entry-level HR roles, exceptional communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, obtain a a Master's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, and stay updated on evolving HR practices, laws, and regulations to ensure your skills and knowledge remain current.

The average annual salary for a Human Resources Manager in the US is $79,789.

4. Public Relations Manager 

A Public Relations (PR) Manager is a professional responsible for managing an organization's public image, reputation, and communication efforts. They work to create and maintain a positive perception of the organization among their target audience, stakeholders, and the general public, by developing strategic communication plans, handling media relations, and managing various PR activities to effectively convey the organization's messages and values.

Becoming a Public Relations (PR) Manager involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of essential skills, but generally you will require a Bachelor's Degree, exceptional communication, media relations, and crisis management skills, taking up mentorship and training, obtaining a Master's degree in public relations, communications, or a related field, and staying updated on evolving PR practices, media landscape changes, and communication trends to ensure your skills and knowledge remain current.

The average annual salary for a Public Relations Manager in the US is $66,426. 

5. Training and Development Manager  

A Training and Development Manager is a professional responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing training and professional development programs within an organization. Their role focuses on enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of employees to improve their performance, productivity, and overall effectiveness in their roles and they earn their money when it comes to aligning employee development with the organization's goals and strategies.

Becoming a Training and Development Manager involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and skills development, but generally you will need, a Bachelor's Degree, exceptional instructional design, communication, and leadership skills, embrace mentorship and training, and obtain a Master's degree in organizational development, education, or a related field.

The average annual salary for a Training and Development Manager in the US is $88,246.

6. Marketing Manager  

A Marketing Manager is a professional responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing marketing strategies and initiatives to promote a product, service, or brand and drive business growth. They play a pivotal role in creating and executing marketing campaigns, managing marketing teams, and ensuring that marketing efforts align with the organization's goals and objectives.

Becoming a Marketing Manager involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of essential skills but generally it requires, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree, gaining exceptional communication, digital marketing, and analytical abilities, moving into specialized roles such as social media manager, content marketing specialist, or digital marketing strategist, and stay updated on evolving marketing trends, technologies, and best practices through continuous learning and professional development.

The average annual salary for a Marketing Manager in the US is $74,173. 

7. Financial Analyst  

A Financial Analyst is a professional who analyzes financial data and trends to provide insights and recommendations to businesses, organizations, or individuals. They play a crucial role in helping decision-makers make informed financial decisions by assessing the financial performance, risks, and opportunities of various investments, projects, and strategies. They often work in various industries, including finance, investment banking, corporate finance, consulting, and more.

Becoming a Financial Analyst involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of key skills, but generally you'll need a Bachelor's Degree, enhance your analytical abilities, become proficient in financial tools, improve your communication skills, identify areas of specialization within financial analysis, such as equity research, investment banking, corporate finance, or risk analysis, enter mentorship and training, or obtain certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to enhance your credentials.

The average annual salary for a Financial Analyst in the US is $77,129. 

8. Project Manager  

A Project Manager is a professional responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing projects within an organization to achieve specific goals and objectives. They play a crucial role in ensuring that projects are completed on time, within scope, and within budget while managing resources, risks, and stakeholder expectations.

Becoming a Project Manager involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of key skills, but generally you will need to acquire a Bachelor's Degree, start your career in entry-level roles such as project coordinator or assistant project manager, enhance your communication skills, learn to lead and manage, develop problem solving abilities, Obtain certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI to enhance your credentials, or learn to use project management software and tools that facilitate planning, scheduling, and collaboration.

The average annual salary for a Project Manager in the US is $87,010.

9. Healthcare Administrator  

A Healthcare Administrator, also known as a Healthcare Manager or Healthcare Executive, is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing the operations of healthcare facilities and organizations. They play a critical role in ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of healthcare services, as well as the overall management of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and medical practices. Overall, the role of a Healthcare Administrator is essential in ensuring the smooth functioning of healthcare organizations, maintaining patient safety and satisfaction, and upholding regulatory compliance in a complex and dynamic healthcare environment.

Becoming a Healthcare Administrator involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of key skills, but there are generally a few steps that you can follow to become one and they include, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree, gaining a strong understanding of healthcare operations, regulations, patient care quality, and financial management, working in various healthcare organizations to gain experience in different areas, such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and medical practices, or obtaining certifications such as the Certified Healthcare Administrator (CHA) or the Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management to enhance your credentials.

The average annual salary for a Project Manager in the US is $70,463.

10. Operations Manager  

An Operations Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of a company or organization to ensure smooth functioning, efficiency, and productivity. They play a critical role in coordinating various processes, teams, and resources to meet organizational goals and deliver high-quality products or services. Overall, the role of an Operations Manager is essential in ensuring that an organization's operations run smoothly, resources are utilized effectively, and products or services are delivered efficiently to meet customer demands and organizational objectives.

Becoming an Operations Manager involves a combination of education, relevant work experience, and the development of key skills, but there are generally a few steps that you can follow to become one and they include, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree, gaining a solid understanding of operations processes, supply chain management, quality control, and efficiency optimization, developing analytical and problem-solving skills to optimize processes and make informed decisions, or staying updated on evolving operations management trends, technologies, and best practices through continuous learning and professional development.

The average annual salary for an Operations Manager in the US is $72,099.

Conclusion

Whilst many may state that obtaining a General Studies Degree will make you a Jack of all trades and master of none with low earning potential, this is not always the case. Bagging a General Studies Degree can certainly put you on the right track to a long and fairly lucrative career.

The degree provides a broad educational foundation, allowing you to explore various subjects and disciplines. This versatility can be advantageous if you're uncertain about a specific career path or if you have multiple interests, and provide you with transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, all of which are valuable in a wide range of careers and industries. Handy in a volatile job market. 

If you are looking to obtain a General Studies Degree it would be handy to consider an online university such as Nexford. Nexford offers an extensive online BBA Program to lay the foundation for a fairly lucrative career, and then when you are looking to move another step up the career ladder, you could consider undertaking an MBA. 

Keen to know what skills are required to land the highest-paying jobs with a General Studies Degree? If so, make sure that you download our free future skills report.

FAQs

Is it worth getting a degree in general studies? 

The value of getting a degree in general studies depends on your individual goals, circumstances, career aspirations, and desire for job growth. General studies is a four-year degree and general studies graduates can expect a well-rounded education in different fields by allowing students to explore a variety of subjects across different disciplines. Of course with everything in life there are pros and cons of obtaining a degree in general studies. The pros are, being able to explore various subjects that interest you, providing a diverse and versatile educational experience, laying a foundation for pursuing more specialized degrees at the graduate level, being able to develop critical thinking, communication, research, and problem-solving skills that are valuable in various industries, and sleep safe in the knowledge that some entry-level positions value a bachelor's degree regardless of the specific major, and a general studies degree could fulfill this requirement. The cons are, some careers and industries require specialized knowledge and skills that may not be provided by a general studies degree, certain employers may prefer candidates with degrees that directly align with their industry or job requirements, and some careers may offer higher earning potential to individuals with specialized degrees.

What is the highest paying job with a general studies college degree?

A degree in general studies is broad and versatile, which means graduates can pursue a variety of career paths across different industries. While general studies degrees may not directly lead to the highest paying jobs in certain specialized fields, they can still offer opportunities for well-paying positions, especially when combined with relevant skills and experience. That said, according to data, one of the higher-paying jobs that many regard as the most lucrative in this field and bringing great job satisfaction would be a Systems Manager with a starting salary of $151,150.

How to make 6 figures with a general studies degree?

While a general studies degree may not have a direct career path to making six figures, there are several strategies you can pursue to increase your earning potential with this degree and they include, identify skills that are in demand in your chosen industry and then consider pursuing certifications, additional training, or online courses to enhance your skill set. Develop your leadership skills to move up the ladder to project management or team leadership. Become an expert in a specific niche within your industry. Develop specialized knowledge and skills that can make you more valuable and lead to higher compensation. Or, if you have expertize in a particular area, consider freelancing or consulting. You can set your own rates and work with multiple clients.

What jobs can you get with a general studies degree? 

A general studies degree provides a broad educational foundation and can open doors to various career paths across different industries. While the specific general studies degree job opportunities can vary based on your skills, interests, and any additional training you pursue, there are several potential job options you can consider with a general studies degree and they include, Administrative Assistant, Customer Service Representative, Sales Associate, Marketing Coordinator, Human Resources Assistant, Project Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Executive Assistant, Retail Manager, Insurance Claims Adjuster, and Technical Support Specialist. 

If you are looking to obtain a General Studies Degree it would be handy to consider an online university such as Nexford. Nexford offers an extensive online BBA Program to lay the foundation for a fairly lucrative career, and then when you are looking to move another step up the career ladder, you could consider undertaking an MBA. 

Keen to know what skills are required to land the highest-paying jobs with a General Studies Degree? If so, make sure that you download our free future skills report.