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The 18 highest-paying college majors 5 years after graduation

CNBC

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Engineering majors dominate early-career earnings, with computer engineering, computer science, and chemical engineering graduates ages 22–27 earning median salaries of $85,000+, per 2024 U.S. Census data analyzed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Only 6% of U.S. bachelor’s degrees are in engineering, despite its lucrative pay—nearly double the national median personal income of $45,000—highlighting a skills gap in high-demand technical fields. AI is transforming engineering work, yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady job growth in these fields over the next decade due to persistent demand for math and technical expertise across industries. Mid-career engineers (ages 35–45) earn at least $100,000 annually, with all engineering majors exceeding this threshold, while education and arts graduates lag significantly, often earning under $60,000 by mid-career. The pay disparity underscores the economic value of STEM degrees, as employers prioritize quantitative and problem-solving skills in an increasingly technology-driven labor market.

The 18 highest-paying college majors 5 years after graduation

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Related StoriesEngineering majors earn some of the highest salaries right after college — and they're still near the top years later.That's according to the latest findings from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on 2024 U.S. Census data, the most recent available.The analysis breaks down annual earnings for college graduates by major and reflects the income of full-time workers whose highest degree is a bachelor's, excluding currently enrolled students. Various engineering degrees have consistently ranked among the top-paying fields in recent years.The highest-paying majors for workers ages 22 to 27 are computer engineering, computer science and chemical engineering, with recent graduates earning median early-career salaries of $85,000 or more. That's well above the U.S median personal income of just over $45,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, engineering accounts for about 6% of bachelor's degrees awarded nationwide, representing a relatively small share of all college graduates, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics.Here are the 18 majors that lead to the highest salaries for workers ages 22 to 27:Engineering graduates remain in strong demand for their mix of mathematical skills and technical expertise, which are valuable across a wide range of industries, data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows.While artificial intelligence is reshaping how the technical work is done, employment in many engineering fields is still projected to grow over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Engineering also tends to pay well over time. Among graduates ages 35 to 45, every engineering major reports median pay of at least $100,000. Here are all of the majors with mid-career median earnings of $100,000 or more, according to the New York Fed.In contrast, education and arts majors tend to earn significantly less overall. By ages 35 to 45, six fields of education majors report median earnings below $60,000, placing them among the lower-paid fields in the study.Want to improve your communication, confidence and success at work? Take CNBC's new online course, Master Your Body Language To Boost Your Influence. Register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off. Offer valid from Feb. 9 to Feb. 23, 2026. Terms apply.CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inboxLearn more about the world of CNBC Make It© 2026 Versant Media, LLC.

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