Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree (38 Careers, Ranked by Salary)
Quick answer: These 38 careers are the degree-track versions of skilled-trade work - jobs that tradespeople step up into after earning a bachelor’s degree. Median pay runs from $59,350 to $171,270 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
All 38 Careers, Ranked by Median Salary
| Career | Median pay | Growth (2024-34) | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager | $171,270 | +3.8% | ABET-accredited engineering bachelor’s + experience; often an MBA or MEM |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,740 | +7.3% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in computer or electrical engineering |
| Medical Dosimetrist | $147,470 | +3.5% | Bachelor’s degree + JRCERT-accredited medical dosimetry program |
| Petroleum Engineer | $144,910 | +1.3% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 | +6.1% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in aerospace or mechanical engineering |
| Computer Network Architect | $134,050 | +11.9% | Bachelor’s in computer science, IT, or network engineering |
| Nuclear Engineer | $133,970 | -1.1% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in nuclear or mechanical engineering |
| Electronics Engineer | $130,220 | +6.2% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in electronics or electrical engineering |
| Industrial Production Manager | $126,060 | +1.9% | Bachelor’s in business, operations management, or industrial technology |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,040 | +2.6% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in chemical engineering |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 | +7.2% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in electrical engineering |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $115,160 | +4.4% | Bachelor’s in safety engineering, industrial engineering, or occupational safety |
| Welding Engineer | $112,860 | +5.7% | Bachelor’s in welding engineering, materials science, or metallurgical engineering |
| Marine Engineer | $112,230 | +5.8% | Bachelor’s in marine engineering, naval architecture, or marine systems |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,370 | +5.2% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in biomedical engineering |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 | +3.9% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in environmental or civil engineering |
| Facilities Manager | $106,660 | +3.8% | Bachelor’s in facility management, engineering technology, or business |
| Mining Engineer | $106,220 | +0.7% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in mining or geological engineering |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 | +9.1% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in mechanical engineering |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 | +11.0% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in industrial or manufacturing engineering |
| Construction Project Manager | $102,320 | +5.6% | Bachelor’s in construction management, engineering technology, or business |
| Geoscientist | $101,920 | +3.2% | Bachelor’s in geology or geoscience (master’s preferred for some research roles) |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 | +5.0% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in civil engineering |
| Architect | $99,280 | +3.9% | NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch, 5 years) or M.Arch |
| Agricultural Engineer | $98,590 | +5.9% | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in agricultural or biological engineering |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $97,550 | +4.9% | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); ADN accepted by some employers |
| Merchant Marine Officer | $92,460 | +0.5% | Bachelor’s from a maritime academy (deck or engine license track) |
| Chemist | $91,240 | +4.9% | Bachelor’s in chemistry or biochemistry |
| Food Scientist | $88,720 | +6.5% | Bachelor’s in food science or food technology |
| Logistician | $82,320 | +16.7% | Bachelor’s in supply chain management, logistics, or business |
| Environmental Scientist | $82,220 | +4.4% | Bachelor’s in environmental science, chemistry, or geology |
| Cartographer & GIS Specialist | $81,390 | +6.4% | Bachelor’s in geomatics, geography/GIS, or surveying |
| Landscape Architect | $79,870 | +3.5% | LAAB-accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA, 4-5 years) |
| Construction Cost Estimator | $78,740 | -4.2% | Bachelor’s in construction management, building science, or business |
| Land Surveyor | $75,440 | +4.4% | Bachelor’s in surveying, geomatics, or civil engineering technology |
| CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) | $66,270 | -1.8% | Bachelor’s in career & technical education or your trade field + teacher certification |
| Exercise Physiologist | $59,460 | +9.5% | Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | $59,350 | +16.8% | Bachelor’s in addiction counseling, psychology, or human services |
Salary: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Growth: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34.
Fastest-Growing Degree Careers (2024-34)
The AI datacenter buildout, grid expansion, and infrastructure programs are pulling demand through these careers - every figure below is the BLS employment projection, not a prediction of ours:
| Career | Projected growth | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse Counselor | +16.8% | $59,350 |
| Logistician | +16.7% | $82,320 |
| Computer Network Architect | +11.9% | $134,050 |
| Industrial Engineer | +11.0% | $102,440 |
| Exercise Physiologist | +9.5% | $59,460 |
| Mechanical Engineer | +9.1% | $104,110 |
Which Trades Feed Into Which Degrees
If you already work a trade, start with the career your experience feeds directly:
- Computer Hardware Engineer - a step up from Tower Technician, Solar Technician, Electrician
- Medical Dosimetrist - a step up from Radiology Technician, Sonography & Ultrasound Technician
- Petroleum Engineer - a step up from Welder, HVAC Technician, Maintenance Technician
- Aerospace Engineer - a step up from Diesel Mechanic, Maintenance Technician
- Computer Network Architect - a step up from Tower Technician, Electrician
- Nuclear Engineer - a step up from Electrician, Maintenance Technician, Welder
- Electronics Engineer - a step up from Tower Technician, Electrician, Solar Technician
- Industrial Production Manager - a step up from CNC Machinist, Welder, Maintenance Technician
- Chemical Engineer - a step up from Maintenance Technician, Welder, HVAC Technician
- Electrical Engineer - a step up from Electrician, Solar Technician, Wind Turbine Technician
- Health and Safety Engineer - a step up from Construction Worker, Electrician, Welder, Maintenance Technician
- Welding Engineer - a step up from Welder, CNC Machinist, Construction Worker
- Marine Engineer - a step up from Welder, Diesel Mechanic
- Biomedical Engineer - a step up from Maintenance Technician
- Environmental Engineer - a step up from Plumber, HVAC Technician, Solar Technician
- Facilities Manager - a step up from Maintenance Technician, HVAC Technician, Electrician, Plumber
- Mining Engineer - a step up from Construction Worker, Welder, Maintenance Technician
- Mechanical Engineer - a step up from HVAC Technician, Diesel Mechanic, CNC Machinist, Maintenance Technician
- Industrial Engineer - a step up from CNC Machinist, Maintenance Technician, Welder
- Construction Project Manager - a step up from Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC Technician, Construction Worker, Construction Manager
- Geoscientist - a step up from Welder, Maintenance Technician
- Civil Engineer - a step up from Construction Worker, Carpenter, Construction Manager
- Architect - a step up from Carpenter, Construction Worker, Construction Manager, Interior Designer
- Agricultural Engineer - a step up from Diesel Mechanic, Maintenance Technician, Welder
- Registered Nurse (RN) - a step up from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Paramedic, EMT
- Merchant Marine Officer - a step up from Welder, Diesel Mechanic, Maintenance Technician
- Chemist - a step up from Esthetician, Pharmacy Technician, Sterile Processing Technician
- Food Scientist - a step up from Culinary Chef, Pastry Chef
- Logistician - a step up from Truck Driver
- Environmental Scientist - a step up from Environmental Technician
- Cartographer & GIS Specialist - a step up from Surveyor, Construction Worker
- Landscape Architect - a step up from Construction Worker, Interior Designer
- Construction Cost Estimator - a step up from Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Construction Manager
- Land Surveyor - a step up from Construction Worker, Construction Manager
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) - a step up from Welder, Electrician, HVAC Technician, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter
- Exercise Physiologist - a step up from Personal Trainer, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy Aide
- Substance Abuse Counselor - a step up from Recovery Coach, Mental Health Technician
Degree Program Guides
Guides to the specific programs behind these careers:
- LPN to RN Bridge Programs
- RN to BSN Online
- Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs
- Online Engineering Degrees for Tradespeople
- Online Construction Management Degrees
- Online Cybersecurity Degrees for Working Techs
- Online Healthcare Administration Degrees
- Online Criminal Justice Degrees
How These Paths Work
Every career on this list follows the same shape: your trade experience is the half employers can’t teach, and the bachelor’s degree is the credential that unlocks the title. Most are served by accredited online degree programs built for working adults - meaning the usual path is earning while learning, not quitting the tools for four years. Each career page above covers the specific degree, licensing exams, and step-by-step route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trade-adjacent career with a degree pays the most?
Among the 38 careers tracked here, Engineering Manager has the highest BLS median at $171,270 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Can I earn the degree while still working my trade?
Yes - most careers on this list are served by accredited online bachelor's programs designed for working adults, and trade experience often strengthens both admissions and hiring.
Does trade experience count toward these careers?
Directly. Employers in engineering, management, and inspection roles consistently value candidates who have done the physical work - and some programs grant credit for prior learning, apprenticeships, or industry certifications.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Degree Careers Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |