College is a big investment, and your major can have a big effect on the return of that investment. It's no secret that some college majors pay more than others, but which are the highest paying majors? It's no surprise that majors in STEM, health, and business fetch the highest paying jobs. However, there are a couple of majors that rise above the rest and fetch the highest salaries with only a Bachelor's degree.
5. Industrial Engineering
The list begins with industrial engineers, who average $64,381 a year. That's right, even the fifth highest earning major can earn you more than $60k a year right out of college. The most common positions for this major are various engineering positions that have higher than average starting salaries. Industrial engineers focus on process optimization, making them valuable in a large range of positions.
4. Chemical Engineering
Next up is a more specialized type of engineer, the chemical engineer. This major normally fetches $65,000 a year, just a little more than the industrial engineer. However, their jobs are more specialized, such as process or project engineer. Chemical engineers specialize in producing, transforming, and transporting materials. They can also work in a wide range of roles, from lab work to technology development.
3. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineers edge out Chemical with an average salary of $68,000. This position can also lead you to various roles like project or design engineer. Mechanical engineers are focused on designing various mechanical systems and focus heavily on industrial designs. This allows them to work in a variety of fields creating exciting new technology.
2. Electrical Engineering
Unsurprisingly, number two is also another engineer, the electrical engineer. People with this major typically end up as a systems engineer or a software developer, although they also follow other career paths. Electrical engineers apply their knowledge of physics to electronic systems across a variety of different industries. Their starting salary is typically $68,438.
The highest paying major: Computer Science
It's no surprise that the number one spot is taken up by computer science. There's even a shortage of programmers for all the jobs available, so those available are fetching even better salaries. The median base salary for a computer science major is $70,000, which is nothing to scoff at. Although this could also be inflated because many tech hubs (New York and San Francisco) also come with a high cost of living.
The top 5 highest paying majors are dominated by various types of engineers, according to Glassdoor. However, other majors round out the top 15, including statistics, nursing, and finance. Not picking an engineering major won't make or break your career and there's still value to picking a major in a field you're passionate about. You can also always maximize your salary in your current profession.
