FAQs
The highest-paying major is engineering, which saw a 3.1% increase in projected earnings since 2023. Engineers design and build products, structures and technology systems. According to the BLS, architecture and engineering occupations earned a median annual salary of $83,700 as of 2022.
What is the highest-paying major 5 years after graduation? ›
College majors that pay the most five years after graduation
| Major | Median Wage Early Career | Median Wage Mid Career |
|---|
| Computer Engineering | $80,000 | $125,000 |
| Aerospace Engineering | $74,000 | $120,000 |
| Electrical Engineering | $72,000 | $112,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $70,000 | $111,000 |
6 more rowsMay 3, 2024
The highest-paying major is engineering, which saw a 3.1% increase in projected earnings since 2023. Engineers design and build products, structures and technology systems. According to the BLS, architecture and engineering occupations earned a median annual salary of $83,700 as of 2022.
How to make $100,000 a year with no degree? ›
9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
- Information systems manager. ...
- Fire chief. ...
- Product manager. ...
- Senior engagement manager. ...
- Radiation therapist. ...
- Computer network architect. ...
- Senior real estate manager. ...
- Technical program manager.
The five non-engineering majors that came with the highest mid-career median wages in the New York Fed analysis were computer science, finance, economics, construction services, and business analytics.
What 4 year major makes the most money? ›
Five Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees
- Petroleum Engineering. The average salary for a petroleum engineer is $131,800. ...
- Aeronautics and Astronautics. ...
- Actuarial Mathematics. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Business Computing.
College majors that pay the most for mid-career workers
| 1. | Chemical engineering | $133K |
|---|
| 2. | Computer engineering | $125K |
| 3. | Aerospace engineering | $120K |
| 4. | Electrical engineering | $112K |
| 5. | Mechanical engineering | $111K |
11 more rowsMar 14, 2024
College majors that pay the least right after college
- Theology + Religion $38,000.
- Leisure + Hospitality $39,700.
- General Social Sciences $40,000.
- History $40,000.
- Miscellaneous Biological Science $40,000.
- Fine Arts $40,000.
- Treatment Therapy $40,000.
- Nutrition Sciences $40,000.
If you want to make the most money possible right after college, study to be an engineer. As a major, it's the safest bet in terms of earning power. Engineering degrees occupy nine of the top 16 college majors with the highest incomes five years after graduation, a recent New York Federal Reserve study reveals.
What's the hardest major in college? ›
Recap: What Is the Hardest Major in College?
| College Major | Time Spent Preparing for Class per Week |
|---|
| 1. Architecture | 22.20 hrs |
| 2. Chemical Engineering | 19.66 hrs |
| 3. Aero and Astronautical Engineering | 19.24 hrs |
| 4. Biomedical Engineering | 18.82 hrs |
9 more rowsIn this guide, we'll share the 10 best ways to make $10,000 per month, including:
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- Start a blog and leverage ad income 💻
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- Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) 📚
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Management occupations offer the most six-figure salaries with 12 jobs paying over $100,000. Engineering, Math, Computer, and IT combined offer 12 jobs paying over $100,000. Art, Sales, and Transportation each offer one six-figure job.
How to make $80,000 a year without a degree? ›
work from home no degree 80k jobs
- Physical Therapist - Full-Time - Float. Boost Physical Therapy & Sports Performance. ...
- Sous Chef. Enso Village. ...
- HVAC Service Technician. ...
- Outside Sales Professional. ...
- Manager Trainee - McComb. ...
- What are your desired job types? ...
- HVAC SERVICE TECHNICIANS. ...
- Entry Level Business Sales Role – 80k.
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) degrees dominate the list of collegiate programs that lead to top-paying careers. While some bachelor's degrees in the humanities and social sciences don't typically offer high salaries, they can provide a foundation for a graduate degree and a more lucrative career.
What major makes you a lot of money? ›
Chemical Engineering
This major is consistently one of the highest-paying. Chemical engineering students learn to create new technologies involving chemicals, drugs, and other products.
What degree is most in demand in the future? ›
Top 6 Degrees that are in demand in future
- cybersecurity. As our reliance on technology, cybersecurity has become one of the most useful degrees for the future. ...
- Data Science. ...
- Human Resources. ...
- Business. ...
- Economics. ...
- Pharmacology.
Aeronautics and astronautics round out the list.
- Physician Assistant Studies. ...
- Operations Research and Industrial Engineering. ...
- Petroleum Engineering. ...
- Nuclear Engineering Technology. ...
- Operations Research. ...
- Metallurgical Engineering. ...
- Computer Science and Engineering. ...
- Computer Engineering.
Table of Contents
- Some bachelor's degree jobs offer a high return.
- Construction Managers.
- Medical and Health Services Managers.
- Art Directors.
- Actuaries.
- Computer Network Architects.
- Medical Dosimetrists.
- Human Resources Managers.
College majors with the highest and lowest return
A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors.
