If you’re looking for a college degree with maximum earning potential, being an engineer is the right choice. This is because a recent study showed the reality of the graduate job market in the United States.
According to the New York Federal Reserve’s study of full-time workers, engineering degrees lead the game. This is because they occupied nine of the top 16 rankings for highest income five years after graduation.
Computer engineering leads, with an average annual salary of $80,000followed by chemical engineering and computer science – the only two other degrees that pay more than $75,000 annually.
Furthermore, the trend is that job growth STEM — acronym in English for science, technology, engineering and mathematics — be twice as fast as non-STEM jobs by 2031.
Check out the highest paying degrees and careers
Here are the 16 highest-paying college degrees
(Average salary after five years of graduation – annual salary in US dollars):
- Computer Engineering: $80,000
- Chemical Engineering: $79,000
- Computer Science: $78,000
- Aerospace Engineering: $74,000
- Electrical Engineering: $72,000
- Industrial Engineering: $71,000
- Mechanical Engineering: $70,000
- General Engineering: $68,000
- Diversified Engineering: $68,000
- Finances: $66,000
- Civil Engineering: $65,000
- Savings: $65,000
- Business Analysis: $65,000
- Math: $65,000
- Construction Services: $64,000
- Pharmacy: $64,000
See the 16 highest-paying careers for middle-aged workers
(between 35 and 45 years old – annual salary in US dollars):
- Chemical Engineering $133K
- Computer Engineering $125K
- Aerospace Engineering $120K
- Electrical Engineering $112K
- Mechanical Engineering $111K
- Computer Science $110K
- Finance $104K
- Industrial Engineering $100K
- General Engineering $100K
- Diversified Engineering $100K
- Civil Engineering $100K
- Savings $100K
- $100K Business Analysis
- Construction Services $100K
- Physics $95K
- Engineering Technologies $95K
Note: Includes full-time US workers with at least a bachelor’s degree – Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Data until February 22, 2024
Source: Atrevida
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
