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Physics majors are expected to be the top-paid Class of 2016 math and sciences graduates at the bachelor’s degree level, according to results of NACE’s Winter 2016 Salary Survey.
Physics majors are projected to earn an average starting salary of $65,250. (See Figure 1.) This is up slightly from last year, when projected salaries for physics majors reported in NACE’s Winter 2015 Salary Survey averaged $64,625.
Other projected average salaries for Class of 2016 math and sciences graduates that are expected to reach or exceed $50,000 include mathematics/statistics, chemistry, environmental science, biology/biological sciences, and construction science majors.
Data contained in NACE's Winter 2016 Salary Survey were obtained from August 5, 2015, through November 6, 2015. The Winter 2016 Salary Survey is available to members in MyNACE. An executive summary report is available at www.naceweb.org/salary-resources/salary-survey.aspx.
Final starting salary data for the Class of 2015 will be available in the Spring 2016 Salary Survey.
Figure 1: Projected salaries for Class of 2016 math and sciences majors, bachelor's degrees
| Academic Major |
Mean |
25th Percentile |
Median |
75th Percentile |
| Physics |
$65,250 |
$62,500 |
$64,500 |
$74,000 |
| Mathematics/Statistics |
$56,979 |
$48,000 |
$55,000 |
$61,000 |
| Chemistry |
$55,900 |
$45,000 |
$59,000 |
$66,500 |
| Environmental Science |
$51,514 |
$40,000 |
$54,600 |
$60,000 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences |
$51,213 |
$40,000 |
$52,000 |
$60,000 |
| Construction Science |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
$55,000 |
$55,000 |
| Geology/Geological Sciences |
$43,200 |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
$46,000 |
Source: Winter 2016 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers