Top 25 Highest Paying Majors (Hint: Get a Degree in Engineering!)

1. Introduction

Looking to earn a competitive salary right after graduation? Engineering and STEM fields dominate the list of highest-paying college majors, offering strong career prospects without requiring advanced degrees.

2. Top Engineering Majors

2.1 Petroleum Engineering (#1)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $89,000
  • Mid-Career: $160,000
• Key Requirements:
  • Strong mathematics skills
  • Analytical abilities
• Annual Graduates: ~1,700
• Career Focus: Finding and extracting petroleum

2.2 Mining & Mineral Engineering (#2)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $68,500
  • Mid-Career: $104,600
• Field Experience:
  • Hands-on geology work
  • Field operations
• Annual Graduates: ~357

2.3 Nuclear Engineering (#3)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $66,100
  • Mid-Career: $100,000
• Key Requirements:
  • Strong mathematics background
  • Science proficiency
• Annual Graduates: ~545
• Focus: Alternative energy systems

2.4 Naval Architecture (#4)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $64,500
  • Mid-Career: $112,700
• Key Skills:
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Advanced mathematics
• Annual Graduates: ~384

2.5 Chemical Engineering (#5)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $64,200
  • Mid-Career: $109,000
• Required Skills:
  • Complex mathematics
  • Chemistry expertise
  • Group collaboration
• Annual Graduates: ~9,000

3. Specialized Engineering Fields

3.1 Ocean Engineering (#6)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $63,200
  • Mid-Career: $118,000
• Career Options:
  • Ocean power systems
  • Marine research
• Annual Graduates: ~179

3.2 Systems Engineering (#7)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $63,000
  • Mid-Career: $101,000
• Career Paths:
  • Software Development
  • Robotics Design
  • Device Manufacturing
• Annual Graduates: ~774

3.3 Aerospace Engineering (#8)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $61,500
  • Mid-Career: $106,900
• Focus Areas:
  • Aircraft Design
  • Systems Development
• Annual Graduates: ~3,900

3.4 Electrical Engineering (#9)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $61,400
  • Mid-Career: $103,000
• Career Focus:
  • Electrical Systems
  • Research & Development
• Annual Graduates: ~15,000

3.5 Metallurgical Engineering (#10)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $60,500
  • Mid-Career: $98,000
• Focus: Metal and material production
• Annual Graduates: ~130

4. Technology and Computing

4.1 Computer Engineering (#11)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $60,300
  • Mid-Career: $101,000
• Focus Areas:
  • Hardware Integration
  • Software Systems
• Annual Graduates: ~6,500

4.2 Computer Science (#19)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $53,800
  • Mid-Career: $94,000
• Career Paths:
  • Programming
  • Software Development
• Annual Graduates: ~17,000

5. Additional High-Paying Fields

5.1 Materials Engineering (#12)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $59,800
  • Mid-Career: $86,700
• Annual Graduates: ~1,300

5.2 Mechanical Engineering (#13)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $57,800
  • Mid-Career: $96,000
• Annual Graduates: ~26,800

5.3 Industrial Engineering (#14)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $56,700
  • Mid-Career: $92,000
• Annual Graduates: ~4,600

5.4 Biomedical Engineering (#15)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $56,200
  • Mid-Career: $105,000
• Annual Graduates: ~6,000

5.5 Agricultural Engineering (#16)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $56,100
  • Mid-Career: $88,000
• Annual Graduates: ~1,000

5.6 Biochemical Engineering (#17)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $55,400
  • Mid-Career: Not Available
• Annual Graduates: ~60

5.7 Environmental Engineering (#18)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $53,900
  • Mid-Career: $94,000
• Annual Graduates: ~1,400

5.8 Nursing (#20)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $53,000
  • Mid-Career: $70,000
• Annual Graduates: ~154,000

5.9 Civil Engineering (#21)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $52,700
  • Mid-Career: $89,000
• Annual Graduates: ~13,000

5.10 Applied Mathematics (#22)

• Salary Information:
  • Early Career: $52,600
  • Mid-Career: $98,000
• Career Paths:
  • Software Development
  • Statistics
  • Actuarial Science

6. Find Your High-Paying Major

Ready to explore these lucrative career paths and find the major that matches your interests and skills?

Use our Major Matcher → to:

• Compare salary potential
• Explore career opportunities
• Research program requirements
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Remember: While salary potential is important, choose a major that aligns with your interests and strengths. The best career path combines financial success with personal fulfillment.