WASHINGTON: Engineering and technology are among the most challenging fields of study in college, but all of that hard work apparently is paying off, as many of the top-earning entry-level jobs are tied to related majors, according to a Glassdoor study released Monday.
The job search engine analysed more than 500,000 resumes and self-reported salaries to determine which majors pay the most during the first five years after graduation.
Eight of the 10 most-bankable majors are tied to engineering or technology, such as computer science, electrical engineering and information technology. Nearly half of the majors listed are in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, though business-related majors, such as accounting and marketing, crack the top half of the 50 majors listed.
The analysis is consistent with previous studies that show employers place a premium on graduates in STEM fields. Researchers at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that the top 25 per cent of earners with education degrees can expect to make as much as the bottom 25 per cent of people with engineering degrees, even mid-career.
An advanced degree will improve an educator’s prospects, but not enough to narrow the wage gap with engineers, the study said.
Having a bachelor’s degree of any kind from a reputable school gives young workers a better chance in a job market that increasingly demands a college education. Four-year college graduates now comprise a larger share of the workforce than people with just a high school diploma, according to another Georgetown study. Researchers at the Hamilton Project say median earnings of those who have a bachelor’s degree are higher than median earnings of high school graduates, regardless of the college major.
The 50 Highest Paying College Majors
1. Computer Science Median Base Salary: $70,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, Web Developer
2. Electrical Engineering Median Base Salary: $68,438. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Electrical Engineer, Systems Engineer, Software Developer
3. Mechanical Engineering Median Base Salary: $68,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Mechanical Engineer, Design Engineer, Project Engineer
4. Chemical Engineering Median Base Salary: $65,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer Project Engineer
5. Industrial Engineering Median Base Salary: $64,381. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Industrial Engineer, Quality Engineer, Production Planner
6. Information Technology Median Base Salary: $64,008. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Programmer Analyst, Technical Support, Systems Engineer
7. Civil Engineering Median Base Salary: $61,500. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Field Engineer
8. Statistics Median Base Salary: $60,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Data Analyst, Statistician, Data Scientist
9. Nursing Median Base Salary: $58,928. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Case Manager
10. Management Information Systems Median Base Salary: $58,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Network Administrator, Help Desk Analyst, Business Analyst
11. Finance Median Base Salary: $54,900. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Financial Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst, Accountant
12. Mathematics Median Base Salary: $54,018. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Math Teacher, Software Engineer, Data Analyst
13. Biomedical Engineering Median Base Salary: $52,814. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Biomedical Engineer, Service Engineer, Clinical Research Associate
14. Accounting Median Base Salary: $52,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Accountant, Auditor, Financial Analyst
15. Economics Median Base Salary: $52,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Financial Analyst, Management Analyst, Accountant
16. Physics Median Base Salary: $50,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Physicist, Research Fellow, Computer Programmer
17. Biotechnology Median Base Salary: $50,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst, Research Associate
18. Architecture Median Base Salary: $50,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Architect, CAD Designer, Project Designer
19. Fashion Design Median Base Salary: $50,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Stylist
20. Business Median Base Salary: $47,850. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Account Manager, Marketing Manager, Market Research Analyst
21. International Relations Median Base Salary: $45,880. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Marketing Associate, English Teacher, Research Assistant
22. Graphic Design Median Base Salary: $45,846. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Art Manager
23. Marketing Median Base Salary: $45,475. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Marketing Coordinator, Account Executive, Marketing Analyst
24. English Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: English Teacher, Editor, Copywriter
25. Political Science Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Law Clerk, Paralegal, Consultant
26. History Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Research Assistant, History Teacher, Teaching Assistant
27. Human Resources Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Coordinator, Corporate Recruiter, HR Analyst
28. Journalism Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Reporter, Editor, Public Relations Coordinator
29. Advertising Median Base Salary: $45,000, Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Account Executive, Marketing Analyst, Media Planner
30. Philosophy Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Teaching Assistant, Writer, Consultant
31. Environmental Science Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Environmental Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Safety Manager
32. Social Science Median Base Salary: $45,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Assistant, Management Consultant, Visual Manager
33. Spanish Median Base Salary: $44,256. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Spanish Teacher, Translator, Project Manager
34. Communications Median Base Salary: $44,190. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Public Relations Coordinator, Journalist, Content Marketing Manager
35. Interior Design Median Base Salary: $44,098. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Interior Designer, Visual Merchandiser, Drafter
36. Chemistry Median Base Salary: $44,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Pharmacy Technician, Chemist, Laboratory Technician
37. Music Median Base Salary: $44,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Music Teacher, Audio Engineer, Media Sales Associate
38. Film Studies Median Base Salary: $44,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Production Coordinator, Video Editor, Proposal Manager
39. Public Relations Median Base Salary: $43,156. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Public Relations Coordinator, Account Executive, Event Planner
40. Sports Management Median Base Salary: $43,156. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Personal Trainer, Sales Associate, Production Assistant
41. Education Median Base Salary: $43,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Special Education Teacher, Elementary School Teacher, Language Teacher
42. Anthropology Median Base Salary: $43,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Project Coordinator, Research Assistant, Administrative Assistant
43. Hospitality Management Median Base Salary: $44,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Food and Beverage Manager, Front Desk Manager, Housekeeping Manager
44. Biochemistry Median Base Salary: $42,672. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Research Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Chemist
45. Liberal Arts Median Base Salary: $42,500. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Sales Manager, Receptionist, Teacher
46. Psychology Median Base Salary: $42,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Case Manager, Mental Health Counsellor, Sales Associate
47. Sociology Median Base Salary: $42,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: HR Assistant, Account Manager, Administrative Assistant
48. Health care Administration Median Base Salary: $42,000. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Medical Assistant, File Clerk, Office Manager
49. Social Work Median Base Salary: $41,656. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Social Worker, Mental Health Counsellor, Camp Counsellor
50. Biology Median Base Salary: $41,250. Popular Entry-Level Jobs: Lab Assistant, Paramedic, Tutor
