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Graduates earning a degree in computer science, business, and engineering were among the highest paid in the Class of 2018 at the advanced degree levels, according to results of NACE’s Summer 2019 Salary Survey report.
The report found that salaries for Class of 2018 computer science majors at the master’s degree level averaged $90,350. (See Figure 1.) The average starting salaries for engineering ($82,242) and engineering technologies ($81,041) majors both topped $80,000, while the average salary for transportation and materials moving majors ($78,467) trailed closely behind.
At the doctoral degree level, the average starting salaries for business ($118,788) and computer science ($118,588) majors are nearly identical. (See Figure 2.) These salaries outpace that of engineering majors ($90,075)
The Summer 2019 Salary Survey report provides actual starting salaries (not projections) for the college Class of 2018, and serves as the final salary report for the Class of 2018. Data were gathered from Class of 2018 graduates through December 31, 2018, and reported to NACE through May 31, 2019. The salary data were reported to NACE through its national Class of 2018 First-Destination Survey by approximately 350 colleges and universities nationwide, and represent data for almost 693,500 graduates at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. The analysis provided here focuses on the data provided for more than 82,850 bachelor’s degree graduates. The Summer 2019 Salary Survey report is available to members in MyNACE. An executive summary report is available at http://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/.
Figure 1: Starting Salaries by Discipline for Class of 2018 Master’s Degree Graduates
| Broad Category |
Average Salary |
| Computer and information sciences and support services |
$90,350 |
| Engineering |
$82,242 |
| Engineering technologies |
$81,041 |
| Transportation and materials moving |
$78,467 |
| Business, management, marketing, and related support services |
$71,904 |
Source: Summer 2019 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers. Note: Only disciplines with 50 or more salaries reported are included.
Figure 2: Starting Salaries by Discipline for Class of 2018 Doctoral Degree Graduates
| Broad Category |
Average Salary |
| Business, management, marketing, and related support services |
$118,788 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services |
$118,588 |
| Engineering |
$90,075 |
| Social sciences |
$84,980 |
| Education |
$74,573 |
| Health professions and related programs |
$74,511 |
Source: Summer 2019 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers. Note: Only disciplines with 50 or more salaries reported are included.