Have you ever felt as though you’re stuck in a rut at work? It happens to the best of us. While there are many ways to deal with it, earning a degree could give your career a boost and help you earn more money along the way.
The importance of higher education cannot be overestimated. Earning a college degree can improve your pay and your career opportunities. If you want to get a college education and are wondering how online schools can help make it happen, find out how you can increase your pay when you earn a degree online.
Better Pay Is on Its Way
While there are well-paying job options for people without a college degree, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that educational attainment can greatly impact earnings and unemployment rates.1 According to the BLS, while people who have earned less than a high school diploma have a 6.5% unemployment rate and earn a median pay of $520 per week, those with a bachelor’s degree have a 2.5% unemployment rate and earn a median pay of $1,173 per week. With a doctoral degree, the unemployment rate drops to 1.5% and the weekly median pay rises to $1,743.
Anyone looking to increase their pay could start seeing some bigger paychecks by taking the following steps:
- Go for an advanced degree. An associate or bachelor’s degree can boost your earning potential, but to get the higher-paying career of your dreams, you may need to earn a master’s or doctoral degree from a reputable, accredited university.
- Gain more experience. The more years you have under your belt in your career field, the more pay you’ll qualify to earn. So, while you may be frustrated now in a junior position, staying on track can really pay off down the line.
- Get certified. While earning a degree can be enough to qualify you for great jobs in some fields, in other career paths you may also need professional certifications and association memberships to get the salary you’re after.
- Make a move. Your employer and your location can have a big impact on what you make. If you’re not happy with your current salary, research how your pay may change with another employer or in another city. To earn your target pay, you may have to make some moves.
- Ask your boss. To get what you want, sometimes you just have to ask for it. If you believe your accomplishments at work warrant a pay bump, present your case to your boss at your annual review. Be sure to articulate how your achievements at work make you valuable to your employer and offer to take on additional responsibilities.
How a College Degree Makes a Difference
Earning more money means more savings, more vacations, and more security. Many people want a career with a better salary, and earning a college degree is one of the best ways to get on a path to making more. If you’re ready for postsecondary education, you can earn a degree online with Walden University.
Walden is an accredited online university offering more than 80 college degree programs with more than 385 specializations and concentrations. Whether you want a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Walden’s online classes allow you to pursue the program you want from a broad range of disciplines, including health sciences, counseling, criminal justice, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, social work, public administration, and information technology.
With more than 55,000 students in 145 countries, Walden stands out among online schools for its commitment to creating social change through its online presence along with local and global efforts. If you’re ready to earn a degree and get started on a new career path, find out more about how an education at Walden University can get you on your way.
1Source: www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.